The healthy coconut ice squares you can make with 4 ingredients and a blender

Coconut ice is one of those treats that you almost certainly had as a child but have not touched since being an adult. That is about to change now that you have access to a recipe that is healthier than the way that it is traditionally made.

The conventional recipe calls for heaps of sugar and artificial dyes, but those are easy to swap out when necessary. Here you won’t find unhealthy refined sugar or questionable store-bought dyes.

There is also no caffeine like coffee and some teas, so you can feel good about sharing the snack with your kids.

Coconut Ice Candy

Serving: 12 Squares

You’ll need:

• 5 Cups of shredded coconut, plus some for sprinkling
• 1/3 cup of coconut cream
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoons of coconut sugar or coconut nectar
• A dash of sea salt
• 6 tablespoons of raspberries or 3 tablespoons grated beetroot (for color)

*Note: If the coconut sugar is dark, you may just opt for the nectar.

Instructions:

1. Blend 4 cups of the coconut shreds in a blender until the texture becomes similar to butter. This may take up to 5 minutes. It should turn into a mixture that can be poured.
2. Add the coconut cream, vanilla extract, coconut sugar/nectar and sea salt. Blend all of this until it is completely combined.
3. Add the last cup of coconut in and slightly pulse to keep the texture.
4. Pour half of this mixture into a baking paper-lined tray, and smooth it down with a spatula. Place this in the freezer.
5. Add your colorant to the remaining mixture and blend until it is combined.
6. Once the white mixture is firm, remove it from the freezer and pour the pink layer on top and use a spatula to smooth it out.
7. Sprinkle a bit more shredded coconut on top, and place it back in the freezer to firm up.
8. Slice it into 12 squares.

If these snacks will be consumed in the near future, it can be stored in the refrigerator, covered. Otherwise, they can be stored in a sealed container in the freezer for a couple months.

So you are not tempted to eat all of this delicious recipe in one sitting, it is a great snack to pack in a child’s lunchbox—they will surely be thankful for that.  Snack on this healthy version of a childhood favorite whenever you are feeling nostalgic or simply have a sweet tooth.