Vegan Dragon Fruit Push-Up Pops

Vegan Dragon Fruit Push-Up Pops

Summertime is about summer fun. We play hard and love to have that time to make memories and be active at the same time. We don't want heavy and hot desserts when we are that active and working up a sweat. This recipe shows you how to make not only a refreshing dessert or treat but your own push-up pop you would be glad to serve your family. Those other push-ups are far from natural and don't have much in the way of fruit and we want our love ones to cool down but also be healthy. These layers of fresh fruit and great flavors makes you not miss those traditional pops. Each layer unique but it all works together to give you a tasty pop that will cool you down and show your family or guests you care. Serve as desired at home or great for parties and BBQs. Enjoy!

Vegan Dragon Fruit Push-Up Pops

Ingredients

Dragon Fruit Layer

-1 15-ounce cans full-fat coconut milk
-1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar, to taste
-Pinch salt
-4 teaspoons cornstarch
-1 1/2 cups dragon fruit, peeled and chopped

-1/2 cup organic limeade juice (Santa Cruz Brand)

Watermelon Layer

-1 1/2 cups seedless watermelon
-3/4 cup sugar
-Pinch Salt
-1 small mint leaf
-1/2 cup organic limeade juice (Santa Cruz Brand)

Fruit

-1/4 cup fresh blueberries (you will need 5 to 6 blueberries per pop) 

Directions

Used in this Recipe
Santa Cruz Limeade

Dragon Fruit Layer
Clean and chunk up your dragon fruit and set aside when ready to use. 

Cleaned & Chunked Dragon Fruit

Ready to Use Fruit

Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until completely smooth. Taste this mixture and add more sugar if desired. Depends on how sweet your dragon fruit is with the limeade. 

Dragon Fruit in Blender

Placed Fruit in Blended
(Other Ingredients added after) 

Once the mixture is smooth, transfer the dragon fruit mixture in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. 

Ready to Simmer Dragon Fruit Mixture

Bring to a simmer over medium heat until it starts to boil, whisking constantly. Let the mixture boil for 3 minutes.

Boiling Dragon Fruit Mixture

Whisk until the mixture thickens and can coat the back of a wooden spoon. At this point I place it in a large glass measuring cup with plastic wrap on top and cool in the fridge until completely chilled. 

Ready to Chill Mixture

Chill at least 3-4 hours, or up to 24 hours. Once chilled completely, it is ready to use. 

Chilled Mixture

Watermelon Layer
Combine all your ingredients into a blender and puree and blend until smooth. 

Watermelon Mixture Blended

Watermelon Mixture Blended

I let this mixture sit and to let the flavors of the lime and mint blend with the watermelon while the dragon fruit mixture cools. Once the dragon fruit mixture has chilled, I blend the watermelon mixture once more to mix again and then strain the mixture to seperate the mint and any seeds that may remain. 

Strained Watermelon Mixture

Strained Watermelon Mixture

Assembly
Place your push pop mold on a baking sheet with all bottoms placed and bottoms facing down, ready to fill. You will need 12 molds for this recipe. 

First you will fill each mold half way up with about 1/4 cup of the dragon fruit mixture. Once each pop is filled, place covers on top and place in the freezer for at least 3 to 4 hours or until frozen. 

Layered Pops
(Without Tops) 

Dragon Fruit Layer

Layer Ready to Freeze

Once the dragon fruit layer has froze you can continue the last layer. Place your 5 to 6 blueberries on top of the dragon fruit.

5 to 6 Blueberries Each

Fruit Layer

Then pour your watermelon mixture on top to make your last layer. 

Filled Molds

Pops Ready to Freeze
(Without Tops) 

Once you have this layer placed, carefully place the tops back on and return it to the freezer to set up completely until solid, 4 to 5 hours minimum. If you have any watermelon mixture left, you can make a smoothie or drink straight up, very refreshing.

Chilled Pops

Remove from the freezer as needed and place stick and serve. Goes great on a hot day or served at a party or BBQ. Nothing will cool you down faster and make you feel good about serving them to your love ones. Enjoy!

Ready to Serve Pops

-Amy 

Vegan Parmesan Flavored Shredded Cashew Cheese (Soy & Gluten-Free)

Vegan Parmesan Flavored Shredded Cashew Cheese 
(Soy & Gluten-Free)

We all love cheese, whether vegan or not but we don't usually make it. It is a convenience item we buy when we need it but what if you could make it and have it as simply as going to the store and buying it? Pretty nice idea right...but its true! This recipe shows you how to have not only a delish vegan cheese but also have an incredibly simple one at that. Nothing makes a recipe better than combining those two elements and make your life a little easier. Save your money on those store bought vegan cheeses and make something homemade at home, all known ingredients and better for anyone looking for an allergy free option. You can't go wrong with this vegan cheese and make it over and over with different flavors to change up your tastes whenever you want. Serve mixed into recipe or wherever you love cheese. Enjoy!

Vegan Parmesan Flavored Cream Cheese

Ingredients

-1 cup raw blanched whole cashews
-1 1/2 cups water and extra for soaking
-4 Tablespoons agar agar flakes
-1/4 cup nutritional yeast
-1/4 cup vegan parmesan cheese
-1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

Take your cashews and place them in a dish and cover with water to soak the cashews. Do this for at least 4 hours or even a a day or two. Rinse and drain the cashews when they have been soaked.

The day you want to make the cheese. Bring the 1 1/2 cups of water and agar agar flakes to a boil in a small saucepan. Cook for five minutes, whisk constantly until the agar is dissolved completely. Once done boiling, set aside to get ready to use.

Agar Agar Flakes

Put the drained cashews into a blender with all the remaining ingredients. 

Ready to Blend Soaked Cashews with Ingredients

Ready to Blend Soaked Cashews with Ingredients

Place the set boiled liquid into a measuring cup (for easy pouring). Pour in the liquid *CAREFULLY* and blend on high until very smooth. You may need to scrap down sides as needed. 

Almost Smooth Vegan Cheese Base

Blending Vegan Cheese Base

Finished Vegan Cheese Base

(At this point you can stir in other flavorings you may like. Herbs, jalapenos, cracked pepper, etc.)

Pour into a storage dish that has been lined with plastic wrap.

Prepared Container

Ready to Chill Vegan Cheese

Place in the fridge and chill until it has firmed up but spreadable. 

Set-Up Vegan Cheese

Remove the vegan cheese by pulling the plastic wrap up. You can cut sections off and shred as needed.

Ready to Shred Cheese

You can store it in an airtight glass or plastic container in the refrigerator. Serve mixed into recipes or shredded and used in anywhere you love cheese. Enjoy!

Ready to Use Vegan Cheese

-Amy

Vegan Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato Protein Shake

Vegan Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato Protein Shake

In the AM I love to have my morning coffee but I also like to have my protein shake for breakfast...so why not combine them? We all want that morning wake up and we have to eat, so the idea of this protein shake is to meet all those needs. This recipe shows you how to have that morning pick me up and your perfect protein smoothie in one, 100% vegan and 100% delish! This is a Starbucks #1 favorite and now you can have it on your morning check list before heading out the door. Serve it with the vegan whipped cream and caramel on top and enjoy your homemade vegan creation. Nothing can be wrong with this smoothie, enjoy!

Vegan Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato Protein Shake

Ingredients

-3 to 4 ounces Espresso (Starbucks Dark Espresso Roast)
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or vanilla syrup)
-1 teaspoon hazelnut syrup
-1 cup vegan milk
-1 1/2 cup small ice cubes or 1 cup large, more if you like it frothier
-2 Tablespoons vegan caramel sauce + more to drizzle on top
-1 serving sized scoop vegan protein powder

To Serve
-1/4 to 1/2 cup vegan whipped, to serve
-Vegan Caramel Sauce, (Recipe Below)

Directions

Espresso Used in this Recipe

My Favorite Protein Powder
(Use yours in this Recipe) 

In a blender combine your espresso, syrup, vegan caramel, and vanilla.

Once you have those combined, add in your milk and ice.

Add in the protein powder and blend to combine all the ingredients until the ice has been broken all down and the mixture is frothy.

Taste your mixture and see how it tastes. If you want it more sweet, add more caramel or if you want more coffee, add more espresso. You can also add more ice for a thicker shake. When the drink is done, top with vegan whipped cream and then the caramel sauce in a cross hatch pattern. This recipe can be made your way and changed up to fit your taste. Enjoy!

Cross Hatched Caramel Sauce on Top

Vegan Caramel Sauce

Ingredients

-1 1/4 cups (packed)  brown sugar
-1/2 cup whole fat canned coconut milk
-1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted vegan butter
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract

-Pinch Salt

Sauce
Bring sugar, coconut milk, and vegan butter to a boil in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat, 

whisking constantly. 

Vegan Butter

Sauce Ingredients Combined

Sauce Ingredients Combined

Sauce Ingredients Whisked Together

Continue to boil, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes. 

Ready to Boil Sauce

Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla. 

Sauce with Added Vanilla
(After Froth)

Finished Sauce

Let stand at room temperature until cooled. Place in a container and store in the fridge until ready to use.

Ready to Serve Shake

-Amy