Popsicles (or "paletas") can be a great nutritious and fun snack if they are made with wholesome ingredients. These refined-sugar, dairy-free and vegan "blueberry bliss" popsicles are made with fresh blueberries, açai puree, maple syrup and coconut milk.

Açai is a superfood that is grown in South America (Brazil) known for its nutritional value. The small berries are loaded with powerful antioxidants, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids as well as essentiel amino acids. It is sold in various forms ; juices, powder or frozen bars. They can be found in the freezer section of local health food stores (like Whole Foods) or online through Amazon.

Have you ever tasted an açai bowl? The chances are pretty high, since they are getting more popular these days. They look like ice cream and almost taste like it too. An açai bowl is basically a really thick smoothie made with açai that is then topped with some granola, fruits, peanut or almond butter or any toppings you like. You can also use açai in smoothies and desserts (for example I do a version of my raw cheesecake with açai swirls on top and it's divine!).

I love the dramatic look of these layered "paletas", don't you?

Here are few variations that you might want to try :

You could also blend the fruits with the coconut milk for a smoother and more uniform texture.
You can use other berries like strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, mangos etc...
If you don't want to use coconut milk, you can use a mix of your favourite yogurt and milk for a frozen yogurt bar (see recipe below).
You can do an "uncooked" version of this popsicle by just blending the fruits in a high speed blender.

Nothing related with the blueberry "paletas", but I thought I would share a few pictures of where we spend almost every little free time we have during the weekends. I live in the most beautiful place in the world and there's no better way to relax than to see my kids playing in the sand and waves ! Relaxed (exhausted :p) and happy kids = relaxed and happy parents :) Amen!

Also, my Facebook and Instagram followers probably already know about this, but I just had to share it again! This weekend I was very excited and flattered to see 6 (!) of my favourite vegan desserts being featured on Homemade (with Sainsbury's & The Huffington Post UK) along with two amazing bloggers that I've been following since a long time (Vegan Richa and Linda Limonelo from Call me cupcake)! Woohoo! Click here if you want to read the article !

Blueberry, açai & coconut paletas

Yield : 6 popsicles (less or more depending on your molds)

1,5 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- OR 1 cup blueberries + 1 frozen açai bar (I use Sambazon açai bars)
- OR 1,5 cup fresh or frozen blueberries + 1 tablespoon açai powder
Juice of 1 lemon
3 tablespoons + 2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 can coconut milk or 3,5 cups plain yogurt
1 cup almond milk (or other milk of your choice)

On a small pan, cook the blueberries, açai puree, lemon juice along with 3 tablespoons of maple syrup over medium heat for about 5-10 minutes (depending on what form of açai you are using). If you want a layered popsicle, be sure to reduce the fruits enough so the mixture can stay in the bottom of your molds (around 10 minutes). You can blend the mixture with a hand blender, but I like having chunks of blueberries in my popsicles.
In a small mixing bowl, pour the coconut milk (or yogurt), almond milk, vanilla extract along with 2 tablespoons of maple syrup and whisk to combine. Set aside.
Pour the blueberry-açai mixture into your molds (divide evenly between the popsicles molds). Pour the coconut milk into the molds on top of the fruits. Set aside in the freezer for at least 4 hours. Enjoy!