Chocolate and Coconut a winning popsicle

I haven't been posting much these days because I have been busy. I took on a 6 month Recruiting contract. Between working at an office for 8 hours, then going to the gym after, I have been eating a late dinner and crashing every night.

I haven't worked an in  office job in 4 years and I had forgotten how absolutely bad for your body sitting all day is.  The last time I worked in an office I gained 6 lbs. I was determined not to let that happen this time, but I am noticing my pants aren't as loose as they were.

 So I have been eating ice cream in the evenings. Not a lot. I buy those mini Ben and Jerry's or Hagen Daz containers. I normally only eat a few bits...but it adds up.

I wanted to try a more natural approach so I looked on line and found a number of postings for Popsicles made with Magic Chocolate (thing Dairy Queen)coating and Coconut.  They sounded fantastic so  I combined a number of recipes I saw and came up with my own version. Tryed them today and they are quite tasty.

The recipe calls for full fat coconut milk, so it probably isn't low calorie. I rationalize it by  making them in the smaller popsicle molds. Please excuse the pictures. I am not a food photographer, just s girl that likes to try new recipes.

Here is my version:



Coco-chocolate popsicles


1 can of coconut milk
1 tablespoon of agave syrup or honey (or to taste)
1/2 cup of coconut flakes( I used sweet)
¼ of a lime
½ tsp coconut extract
1-2 tsp coconut rum (optional)
Some toasted coconut flakes for the shell
1/2 cup of Hard Shell Chocolate


Directions:
Pour coconut milk into a glass measuring cup so you can pour the contents into popsicle molds. Add agave syrup to taste and sweetened coconut (or unsweetened if you prefer) and stir. Squeeze a little lime in, but not too much. Taste and add more rather than overdo it. Add coconut extract and coconut rum if using. Pour into molds. Place lid on molds. Add sticks through the holes.
After Popsicles are frozen, take them out of the molds and dip ends into Hard Shell Chocolate. Quickly sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on the chocolate. Let harden, then eat!
You can use sprinkles instead of toasted coconut to make them more festive, but I love toasted coconut so that is my choice.

Note: I sat them on top of the Popsicle molds stick side down until hardened. You can wrap them and freeze them after that.

Chocolate Hard Shell

2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/3 cold pressed  unrefined coconut oil

Heat chocolate chips in the microwave in a microwave safe glass bowl (I used the measuring cup) in 30 second increments until melted, stirring in between each time.

Whisk together the chocolate and coconut oil until smooth

Remove from heat and let cool completely before applying to Popsicles