The ice cream truck just passed my house like it does everyday, blaring the same warbly tune we all remember as kids. My 3 boys stare out the window to watch all the neighbor kids running out to buy their treats. I’m fairly certain the ice cream man doesn’t carry a Dairy Free, Dye Free version of anything, and my heart sinks a little knowing my kids feel left out.
I can still remember what I picked out as a kid… an Orange Creamsicle. Do you remember those? It was the Orange Popsicle with the white cream center. I haven’t had one of those in years, but if I close my eyes, I can still remember exactly what they taste like… and the artificial ingredients they’re made with.
Determined to re-create a healthy and non-allergenic experience my own kids will remember, I set out to make a Raw, Dairy Free, and Sugar Free version of my favorite childhood treat. After a couple of batches, I think I’ve come pretty darn close. My kids absolutely love them, and now I keep a batch in the freezer to pull out when we hear the music coming down the road.
Feel free to post any questions or comments you may have & don’t forget to subscribe here or at YouTube so you’ll know when I have a new video up.
The special tools & ingredients featured in this recipe are:
- VitaMix Blender / Kitchen Tool
- Tovolo Star Shaped Popsicle Molds – They have many other Cute Popsicle Molds at Amazon!
- Raw Cashews
- Liquid Stevia – I like the Alcohol Free, Vanilla Flavor
- Pure Orange Extract – I use an Alcohol Free Orange Oil
- I buy almost all of my supplies from Nuts.com or Amazon.com – they are both AWESOME!!
If you don’t already have a VitaMix, I strongly encourage you to check out what this machine is capable of! For more information about VitaMix you can go directly to the VitaMix website. For free shipping, be sure to use: Coupon Code: 06-004166
If you have the Living Cookbook software, you can import the free recipe file by cutting and pasting it right into your program.
Raw & Natural Orange Creamsicle in the VitaMix – Dairy & Sugar Free!
This recipe makes approximately 64 ounces, since we like to drink a cup of it before freezing the Popsicles… but feel free to scale it in half if you don’t need so much.
All ingredients I used in the video were Organic.
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup Raw Cashews – Soaked for 1 Hour (then drain)
- 4-5 Pitted Dates – Soaked for 1 Hour (then drain)
- 2 Whole Oranges (peeled)
- Juice from 1/2 Lime
- 2 Cups Milk Alternative – Almond, Rice, Soy, or Dairy if you prefer.
- 1 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
- 8 Drops of Liquid Stevia (or to taste)
- 1/4 Teaspoon Natural Orange Extract or Zest from Peel (or to taste)
- 3 Cups of Ice
Procedure:
1. In VitaMix, combine all ingredients in order listed – except Ice.
2. Start on Variable Speed 1, working your way up to 10, then to High.
3. Once everything is completely smooth, add in Ice.
4. Blend again (using the VitaMix Tamper if necessary) until all ingredients are running smoothly through the machine and everything is well blended.
5. Mixture should be runny, but smooth and creamy.
6. Pour into your favorite Popsicle Molds and freeze 4-8 hours or until completely frozen.
Yields: Approximately 64 ounces (8 cups)
Preparation & Cooking Time: 5 minutes prep (plus 1 hour soak time for nuts)
Feel free to send me any questions or comments you may have!
~ Enjoy!
Erica, I just found you via Youtube and I’m excited to read your entire site! Woot! I just got a Vitamix a few weeks ago and I’m loving it, but finding you is even more inspiring.
My middle daughter has severe allergies that cause eczema all over her body. Do you have any trouble in your family like that? I’ve put her on the GAPS diet and it seems to be working…but the world isn’t easy on food sensitive kids so we do have some problems.
I’m mostly concerned about chemicals in what I buy…do you think nuts.com is good for chemical free?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Sarah
Hi Sarah!
Thank you for the sweet comment! xo
Yay on getting a Vita-Mix, and so excited for you to really put it to good use!!
I am sorry about your daughters eczema, but thrilled that the GAPS diet is working… I’ve heard from lots of people who have had amazing success with it! Your daughter is so blessed to have you as a momma; who cares enough to take the time and effort to really help her (without throwing drugs at it). It is so hard to find healthy food options and avoid foods that sensitive kids can’t eat!
My kids each have their own severe allergies to a huge range of foods… Gluten, Dairy, Soy, Food Coloring, Peaches/Apricots, Some Nuts, Mushrooms, Eggs, Oats, etc… Cooking something everyone can eat is crazy at times, and going out to eat has almost become impossible for us… Which is really how this website got started in the first place! lol =)
I personally buy all of my nuts from Nuts.com… and I almost always buy everything ‘Organic’ even tho it cost a little bit more. I’m hoping that since they are Organic, that they are as Chemical free as possible. Since I live in Hawaii, my only choice for fresh nuts has been to order from them, but perhaps your local food co-op caries something comparable?
There are some amazing GAPS specific websites out there – here is one that has a great list of resources on where to get specific ingredients: http://www.healthhomehappy.com/resource-page Hopefully this will help.
Keep me posted on your VitaMix adventures… I’m sure it won’t be long before you’re inventing new recipes! =)
God Bless!
~ Erika
Hi Erika. I just made these and just coming out of the VitaMix, they are AWESOME!!! The flavor is perfect! Thank you so much for the recipe. I just love your website and videos. I’m looking forward to making many more of your recipes (I just got my Excalibur dehydrator yesterday!). Thanks again. :)
Aloha Tara!
Thanks so much for the sweet comment… So glad you liked the recipe! =) And you are going to L-O-V-E the Excalibur Dehydrator… it’s so much fun to create snacks and treats with!
God Bless!
~ Erika
My kids LOVE these popsicles! My oldest is 4 and he’s always begging for store bought ones, which we don’t buy. He’s thrilled that I let him eat as much of these as he wants. He tells everyone, “We make popsicles with no sugar, only vitamins!” He came up with the vitamin part all by himself. We’ve made two batches this week alone, but I cut the recipe in half because we don’t have many molds. Thank you for posting such great recipes!