These vegan Cherry Coconut Popsicles are the perfect blend of tart and sweet, with a delicious and creamy coconut twist. They're easy to make and even easier to enjoy!
They are also dairy-free and vegan, making them perfect for anyone with dietary restrictions. So if you're looking for a fun summer treat to enjoy during the summer heat, give these popsicles a try! There is no better way to enjoy local cherries!
Summertime is the perfect time for homemade cherry popsicles! These Cherry Coconut Popsicles are the perfect refreshing snack on a hot summer day during cherry season. They are easy to make and taste delicious!
My Creamy Coconut Popsicles inspired this recipe! I wanted to add a fun twist by adding fresh cherries with a variation of this cherry compote. The cherry compote for this popsicle recipe has a few more cherries and is sweetened with maple syrup.
Are cherries good for you?
Here are some benefits of cherries:
- Cherries are fantastic sources of vitamin C, vitamin A, fiber, antioxidants, and potassium.
- They can help improve your sleep, reduce blood pressure, improve exercise recovery, help control blood sugar, support heart health, reduce inflammatory markers, and reduce the risk of gout attacks.
Ingredients
Here are the simple ingredients you'll need to make these homemade popsicles:
- Creamy coconut milk - I recommend unsweetened full-fat coconut milk from the can. I like to use this can of coconut milk.
- Cherry compote - making a fresh cherry compote with pitted sweet cherries is quick and easy. Let it cool before mixing it with the rest of the ingredients.
- Maple syrup - depending on the sweetness of your cherries, adjust the amount of sweetener to your liking.
- Vegan yogurt - I used an unsweetened vegan coconut yogurt; you can use any vegan yogurt you enjoy including vegan greek yogurt.
- Vanilla extract - for flavor!
See the recipe card for the exact ingredients and quantities.
How to make Cherry Coconut Popsicles
It's easy to make these delicious cherry coconut popsicles, even if it is your first time. But, first, you will make a cherry compote and let it cool.
Combine the pitted cherries, maple syrup, and water in a wide, heavy saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Cook until the cherries soften, approximately ten to fifteen minutes.
Stir in lemon juice and optional almond extract. Let cool. You can place it in the fridge. I used less water in this photo and added water later when blending.
While the cherries cool, in a glass or metal bowl, whisk together the vegan yogurt, coconut milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth. Place in the freezer for 2 hours.
Once the cherry compote has cooled, cut the cherries in half to ensure all pits and stems are removed. Blend briefly in the blender. If the mixture is too thick, add a small amount of water, a tablespoon at a time.
Remove the coconut milk mixture from the freezer. Gently fold the cherry mixture into the coconut milk mixture.
Spoon the mixture into popsicle molds. Freeze for 2 hours, then put popsicle sticks in. Freeze for another 4 hours or overnight.
Serve and enjoy!
Hint: To serve, slightly warm the pop molds for 30 to 60 seconds. Then pull the pop out of the mold. Enjoy!
Substitutions
- Cherry compote - if you are in a hurry, skip cooking the cherries. Mix them with all of the ingredients and follow the rest of the instructions, skipping the cooking. The cherries won't be as soft as they would be if you made the compote, but the popsicles will still be delicious!
- Cherries - make a compote with pitted plums or peaches instead.
- Maple syrup - use organic cane sugar or agave nectar instead.
- Vegan yogurt - I used unsweetened plain vegan yogurt. Use any yogurt you enjoy. If it's sweetened, you can reduce the amount of sweetener.
Variations
Stir in berries, sliced strawberries, raspberries, mango, or peaches; pop the mixture in the blender to get a fruity coconut popsicle.
- Fruit - add other fruit like sliced strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, mango, or sliced peaches.
- Deluxe - add toasted sweetened coconut flakes to the base of the popsicles.
Equipment
To make these creamy cherry coconut popsicles, you will need:
- Frozen ice pop maker (mine are BPA-free, made in the USA)
- Cherry pitter
- Small-medium bowl
- Blender
- Spatula and spoon
- Wooden popsicle sticks (these are one-time use only)
Storage
Keep the popsicles in the popsicle molds or freezer bags laid side by side, flat. After I took this photo, I put these creamy coconut popsicles back into the molds, placed them side by side in a freezer-safe ziplock bag, and into the freezer!
Expert tips
- Pour the cherry coconut mixture into the ice pop molds, no more than ¼ inch from the top. Be sure to fill in the right amount. Wait to put the lid on. Place the popsicles in the freezer first for a couple of hours.
- If you have trouble keeping them upright, try putting them in a small loaf pan for stability. Double-check to make sure you pressed your popsicle molds firmly into the holder.
- To serve, run a popsicle mold under warm to hot water for approximately 30 to 60 seconds, rotating it back and forth. Repeat, and twist gently until the popsicle pops out.
I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as we did! If you make this recipe, please take a moment to ★★★★★ star rate it and leave a comment below. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook, and share your creation with me! Tag me @resplendentkitchen and hashtag #resplendentkitchenrecipes.
Recipe
Vegan Cherry Coconut Popsicles
Ingredients
Cherry Compote
- 20 oz pitted cherries fresh or thawed frozen cherries
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract optional
Coconut Mixture
- 7 oz vegan coconut yogurt
- ¾ cup coconut milk
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine the pitted cherries, maple syrup, and water in a wide, heavy saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Cook until the cherries soften, approximately ten to fifteen minutes. Stir in lemon juice and optional almond extract. Set aside to cool. Once cooled, cut cherries in half to ensure all pits and stems are removed, and blend briefly.
- In a glass or metal bowl, whisk together the vegan yogurt, coconut milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth. Place in the freezer for 2 hours.
- Remove the coconut milk mixture from the freezer. Gently fold the cherry mixture into the coconut milk mixture.
- Spoon the mixture into popsicle molds. Freeze for 2 hours, then put popsicle sticks in. Freeze for another 4 hours or overnight.
- To serve, slightly warm the pop molds for 30 to 60 seconds. Then pull the pop out of the mold. Enjoy!
Notes
- If you are in a hurry, skip cooking the cherries. Mix them with all of the ingredients and follow the rest of the instructions, skipping the cooking. The cherries won't be as soft as they would be if you made the compote, but the popsicles will still be delicious!
- Be careful not to overfill the popsicle molds. Be sure to snap together the popsicle molds to their holder; otherwise, they will not be secure and fall out.
Run the popsicle molds under warm to hot water for approximately 30 to 60 seconds, check frequently. Repeat, and twist gently, until the popsicle comes out. - For a tie-dye look to the popsicles, begin with yogurt mixture; spoon yogurt mixture alternating with the cherry mixture into ice pop molds. Finish with yogurt mixture as the top layer. Freeze for 2 hours, then put popsicle sticks in. Freeze for another 4 hours or overnight.
Nutrition
Resplendent Kitchen offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site as a courtesy. Although resplendentkitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information from online calculators, these figures are estimates.
Andrea
Loving this flavor combination in these refreshing popsicles. They are a perfect treat.
Emily
We're so glad you enjoyed these popsicles, Andrea! I love experimenting with different flavor combinations. Thanks for your review!
Lexi
These are absolutely delicious! The cherry coconut combination is just delicious. Thanks for the great recipe.
Emily
Thank you for trying this recipe, Lexi! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
MJ
I love that these are dairy-free! These turned out so yummy, and so refreshing on a hot day like today.
Emily
Thank you for trying this recipe, MJ, and for leaving such a positive review. I'm glad you enjoyed them!
Janessa
I just got new popsicle molds and I've been looking for a recipe to use them for. I think these cherry coconut popsicles are going to be it! I can't wait to try them.
Emily
I am so glad you're excited to try these cherry coconut popsicles, Janessa! I think they'll be a big hit with your new popsicle molds. Thanks for the kind words and I can't wait to hear what you think of the recipe.
Tara
The flavors of cherry, almond and coconut are just so tasty! Love this Popsicle recipe. Bookmarking this recipe for the next hot day.
Emily
Thank you for your review, Tara! I'm glad you enjoy the flavors of cherry, almond, and coconut together. They are a delicious combination!