These caramel macchiato popsicles are healthy enough for breakfast. High in protein and fiber, they are great for controlled weight-loss because they are so filling. And a delight to eat with the surprise ripples of date caramel and nutella fudge sauce. Refined-sugar-free, vegan and gluten-free.

These healthy caramel macchiato popsicles are a filling breakfast or snack option. Most of the nutrition comes from the protein in cashews and fiber from dates.

But then there is that secret sauce. A secret hazelnut sauce, if you will. A clever little mix that add a ripple of healthy nutella right in the middle of your popsicle. That's the kind of daily surprise I wait for in life, haha.

How to Make

It's easy! Just soak unsalted and raw cashews overnight and blend up into a cashew cream sauce. Add a few other ingredients to make the creamsicle mixture and you've nailed it!

How Healthy are Cashews?

Since cashews make up the base of these popsicles, just how healthy are cashews?

Cashews are a useful source of protein, although almonds and walnuts have slightly more. Still, what cashews have a lot of are vitamins and minerals that support a healthy immune system.Mostly, they are high in vitamins E, K and B-6, as well as minerals copper, and phosphorous.

This means cashews supply many nutrients that the body needs to function. Plus, they are especially high in magnesium. Magnesium supports melatonin which regulates sleep and serotonin which regulates mood. So this pop can affect sleep and mood.

In my book, this is a big win. So this cashew cream base is the base of this creamsicle. What makes up the caramel chocolate ripple?

How to Make a Healthy Vegan Caramel?

That's easy to answer too, date paste mixed with chocolate hazelnut butter. Date paste is simply a blending of Medjool dates, softened by soaking or boiling, and water. Blend with a high speed blender for best smooth texture. I love the Blendtec twister jar, because you wiggle the mixture while it's blending, ensuring a very smoothie blend. I demo-ed it on Instagram, check out my highlights.

The addition of chocolate hazelnut butter to the date paste makes a luscious chocolate ripple inside the creamy base. I have used both homemade chocolate hazelnut butter and store-bought.

My homemade recipe uses hazelnut flour and is actually a quick recipe since hazelnuts don't have to be peeled and roasted. You can check out my chocolate hazelnut butter recipe here. If you choose store-bought, I suggest Justin's hazelnut-almond blend. The brand is clean and responsibly sourced. The addition of almond butter is new; I am not sure why but it tastes the same to me in this recipe.

Is Date Caramel Healthier than Traditional Caramel?

Ha! Is the sky blue? Dates are super high in many vitamins and minerals, and fiber. Dates also contain antioxidants that may prevent disease. They are also considered helpful for lowering inflammation and preventing plaques from forming in the brain, which is important for preventing Alzheimer’s disease.

What is Caramel Macchiato?

A caramel macchiato ala Starbucks is an espresso with vanilla milk, drizzled with caramel. To make this flavor vegan, I made caramel by soaking and blending dates into a paste. To make the flavor more "macchiato", I added vanilla and touch of brewed coffee. Dates are rich in fiber and other essential nutrients. Commercial caramel is based on refined sugar only and many carry artificial flavors and preservatives.

How to Make These Healthy Popsicles?

Start the day before, setting both the cashews and dates in water in the refrigerator overnight.

The next day, blend up cashew cream, blend up dates (pit them first of course!). Mix up the cream base and pour into the mold. Mix up the ripples and add as a layer to each popsicle. Fill the mold up with the remaining cream mixture and freeze overnight. I suggest overnight freeze, not a 4 hour freeze as with other popsicle types because this is a creamy mixture and takes longer to freeze.

All the time is worth it though! I hope you enjoy this popsicle recipe. Are you on Pinterest? Perhaps share this image..

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