Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Creamsicles

One of the best thing about living in Oregon is the fresh and local strawberries. And then of course there are the hazelnuts. Oh and the coffee. And the mountains. The coast. The gorge. And of course Portland's naked bike ride.  Let me rephrase: there are so many great things about living in Oregon, among which are the fresh, local strawberries. If you have been following me over the past week, you already know that I have an abundance of strawberries and yesterday in between consoling, playing, and feeding my daughter, I de-stemed, washed, and froze bags and bags of berries. In the process I got hungry and paused to whip up a batch of Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Creamsicles. Thanks goodness I did!

You ready for an incredible easy yet fantastic summer dessert?

Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Creamsicles
makes about 10 creamsicles

2 1/2 cups fresh strawberries
1 can full fat coconut milk
1-2 tbsp agave nectar
2 tsp vanilla extract

12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
3 tbsp coconut oil



In a food processor, blend together strawberries until smooth. Add coconut milk, agave nectar, and vanilla and process until combined. Pour into popsicle molds and place in freezer until frozen all the way through. 

Combine chocolate and coconut oil and melt in a microwave or double boiler.

Prepare a cookie sheet with a silicone mat or waxed paper. Dip frozen creamsicles into melted chocolate and set on cookie sheet. Return to freezer for a couple minutes. Enjoy!


Hope you all have a wonderful summer weekend! Get excited for next week; The Sweet Life is having it's very first giveaway!

Coconut Lime Cream Cake

Sweet Summer, how I love you! And this summer is going to be a good one. Wanna know why? Because it hasn't even started and I'm already enjoying a coconut lime cream cake. And now you can too. Get excited about this delicious, creamy, and refreshing dessert because it's so easy, so quick, and one that everyone can enjoy.

Coconut Lime Cream Cake
raw, gluten-free, soy-free, refined sugar-free
yields: 4 small tarts or cakes
prep time: 20 minutes + 2 hours freezer time

Crust
1 cup unsalted pistachios
2 Tbsp Agave Nectar
pinch of salt

Filling
1 can coconut milk, chilled overnight.
1 avocado
6 Tbsp Agave Nectar
1/3 cup lime juice
1 tsp coconut extract
zest of 1lime

Topping
1 can coconut milk, chilled overnight

Lightly spray four small tart shells or an individual cake pan.
Side note: This is what I'm talking about when I say individual cake or brownie pan.

I use this pan all the time (remember the raw chocolate cheesecake and orange creamsicle) and
it has become one of my favorite ways to make individual servings. But if you don't have small tart shells or a pan similar to this, a muffin tin works great for individual servings.

Okay, back to recipe
Mix the crust ingredients (pistachios, agave, and salt) together in a food processor until pistachios are ground up and hold together. Divide evenly between the four tart, cake, or muffin pans. Press pistachios into the bottom of the pans and set aside to make a filling.

In a food processor combine the rest of the ingredients. You only want to use the fatty, cream part of the coconut milk which, if chilled the night before, will be nicely separated to the top of the can and will scoop out easily.  Mix ingredients until well combined. Scoop batter into the tart shells almost to the top and place in freezer.

To make the topping use your second can of coconut milk the same way as the first, scooping out only the solids. Blend with hand mixture until it resembles whipped cream. You may want to sweeten the coconut whipped cream a little in which case you can add about 1 tbsp agave nectar.

Pull cream cakes out of the freezer and create a smooth top with coconut whipped cream. Place back in freezer and allow to set up for 2 hours.

When ready to serve remove from the freezer, take cream cakes out of pans (you may have to run a hot knife around the edges and give it a few thumps upside down) and allow to thaw 15-20 minutes before eating.

Enjoy!