Caribbean Delight Pudding & Paletas

Caribbean Delight Pudding & Paletas

What I am about to say may be considered blaspemy, but here goes:

Not everything that is sweet has to be unhealthy.

Granted, cheesecake and cookies are not exactly superfoods, but there is a way to make delicious treats that are, dare I say it, GOOD for you. This piece of news is particularly exciting for me as I must live without desserts until Easter.

This particular recipe was inspired by my love of two ingredients: Sweet Potatoes and Bananas. If the idea of sweet potatoes in sweets sketches you out, let me remind you of two things: sweet potato pie and sweet potato casserole. Both desserts. Both sweet potatoes. Both delicious. Let's continue, shall we?

Surprisingly, both bananas and sweet potatoes have a creamy texture when blended that feels and tastes much more decadent than it actually is. This same texture translates well when frozen, creating a natural ice cream sort of texture that is absolutely fabulous. Throw in some strawberries for flavor, some greek yogurt for extra creaminess, and some pumpkin pie spice for zest, and you have Caribbean Delight. Still skeptical? Try it, I promise you that you won't regret it. Think of a creamy strawberry banana smoothie flavor with a rich, pudding-like consistency. Then think of something even more delicious than what you're imagining. Then think of it in popsicle form. Sold yet? Good.

Caribbean Delight Pudding:

2 Baked Sweet Potatoes

2 Bananas

6-8 Strawberries

1 Single Serving Container 0% Greek Yogurt (I used Fage)

Pumpkin Pie Spice (optional)

1. Remove skins from baked sweet potatoes. Place in large mixing bowl along with peeled bananas cut into slices. Add strawberries (with stems and leaves cut off). Blend on high until pureed and creamy (you could either use a mixer, a blender, or a food processor.) Some chunks of fruit are okay!

2. Stir in Greek yogurt until creamy.

3. Add 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice if desired. Mix all ingredients well. Refrigerate until cool and serve.

So Good!!!!

This gives you the pudding, which is absolutely incredible! If you would like to take it to the next level, however, you can make mini-paletas with the mixture :)

For Paletas:

Caribbean Delight (as prepared above)

Toothpicks

Mini-cupcake pan

Pumpkin pie spice

1. Line a cupcake pan (I used a mini-pan, but you could use bigger!) with plastic wrap. Pour pudding mixture into each tin.

2. Garnish with a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice (optional).

3. Insert toothpick in each and freeze until set.

4. Pop out and serve!

Easy, healthy, and delicious! All of the sugars in this are natural sugars from fruits, and there is also calcium and protein from the yogurt, not to mention vitamins, antioxidants, and potassium. Plus, it's a paleta! You will not even miss sugary popsicles after you try these, I promise :)

<3 Lauren