Vegan-Dairy Free Cookies N' Cream Popsicle Recipe + #BlogPOPEvents Giveaway 9/12

Please Note: Some OREO products may be exposed to milk cross-contamination in the production process. 100 Calorie OREO Thin Crisps and other varieties are listed on PETA's approved 'accidentally vegan' list. While OREOs are commonly considered appropriate for Vegans, your personal diet and beliefs may require closer scrutiny when choosing which OREO product to include in your recipes. The following content is not sponsored. Enjoy!

Momma Told Me: The absence of something doesn't necessarily make it plain or boring.

As you know, this year, I've been exploring a variety of alternate food styles and playing with various recipes that meet restrictive diets. Not because I, personally, am ready to scratch these things off my everyday diet, but because I find the creativity involved with recipe development and unique substitutions makes for a more pure eating experience overall. Have you ever noticed the fewer ingredients in a recipe the more each individual ingredient and flavor stands out? When we're forced to scrutinize what goes into our food we naturally develop a stronger appreciation for the profiles and flavors being created.

Vegan and Paleo have been high on my list of experimentation this year- while, for me, Paleo has proved the toughest transition, Vegan can feel  much like 'normal' eating. Naturally, the bigger concern with observing Vegan diets is the respect to those who call themselves Vegan. My very first recipe involved honey, and I quickly learned to substitute honey with maple or agave- as bees are living creatures involved in the creation of honey, and it is not deemed a Vegan product. While we could go deeper into the culture and beliefs behind the Vegan lifestyle I'd much rather open your eyes through food.

Maybe you have or haven't heard a certain sandwich cookie brand is 'Vegan.' Well, truth be told, only a few OREO varieties make the official PETA accepted 'Accidentally Vegan' list. While all Vegans I know offline consume OREOS regularly the maker of OREOs lists the majority of their products not suitable for strict Vegan consumption due to the potential of cross contamination with milk. Consider this similar to a person with a nut allergy eating fruit leather produced on a manufacturer's line that has handled peanuts. While, in theory, OREOS are designed to be Vegan, chocolate dipped varieties and such do contain milk ingredients that may come in contact with other OREO products.

For our purposes, if you'd like to prepare the following recipe as strictly Vegan (no chance of milk contaminants) rely on NABISCO 100 Calorie OREO Crisps for your cookie portion. For all others, and a wide variety of modern vegans, original OREOs will do the trick. Don't assume, just because a sandwich cookie looks like an OREO that is is 'Vegan,' the ingredients included in OREOs are specifically approved as dairy free, while off brands are not.

To make these very simple Vegan Cookies N' Cream popcicles you will first need to invest in your own set of Popsicle molds. I recommend the silicone tube kind- though they can be hard to handle, when freezing, without a stand. Consider using a large mug or tumbler to serve as your carrier in the transition from liquid to solid. I keep out Popsicle molds inside the freezer door for quick access and stability. Naturally, if you plan on using glassware in the freezer remember sudden temperature changes can cause shattering- only ever use glass approved for contact with extreme cold.

Vegan Cookies N' Cream Popsicles
***click here for printable Vegan Cookies N' Cream Popsicles recipe

Ingredients:

5 Packages PETA Approved 100 Calorie OREO Thin Crisps

OR

12 Original OREO Cookies (May come in contact with milk in processing)

2 Cups Pure, Canned Coconut Milk OR Refrigerated Coconut Milk (Less Creamy, Less Calories)

2 TBS Pure Vanilla Extract

Materials:

6 Silicone Popsicle Molds

1 Popsicle Stand or 2 Large Mugs (to stand and freeze in)

Long Tea Spoon, or Wooden Skewer

Plastic Baggie

Directions:

1. If you are using whole, canned, coconut milk skim the top layer and stir. Combine your coconut milk with vanilla extract and stir.

2. Crush your OREO cookies of choice in a sealed baggie. Leave large chunks, and some smaller, finer chunks. Add a pinch of crushed OREO to the bottom of your popsicle mold.

3. Fill your popsicle mold, alternating OREO crumbles and coconut milk 3 times until full. Using a long tea spoon or skewer give the mixture a quick swirl to combine. NOTE: Canned, whole, coconut milk will provide the thickest, creamiest texture and require mixing. Thinner refrigerated coconut milk might shift a little in the freezing process.

4. Freeze popsicles for 3-4 hours, or until solid. Remove from freezer and place on counter for 2-3 minutes at room temperature before enjoying.

I particularly love this recipe because I can use 1 package of 100 Calorie OREO Crisps and Coconut Milk (refrigerated, not whole) and average about 140 calories a serving. That's not bad for an indulgent snack or dessert! Here in SoCal it will remain 'popsicle weather' for a few more months- I'm still running the air conditioning right now. To help you cool off, or simply explore more Vegan dessert options, I've put together a fun prize pack featuring your own popsicle starter kit and a few recipe books I particularly love. For grins and giggles let's have you check out PETA's Accidentaly Vegan list and share something you discovered was unexpectedly Vegan!

What Daughter Says: The addition of coconut milk in this recipe lends itself to an even creamier taste experience than traditional milk, in my opinion.

One Momma Told Me reader will win a Popsicle starter kit including Nature's Kitchen Silicone Pop Molds (6 count), Sunsella Popsicle Mold Stand, POPS! Icy Treats For Everyone by Krystina Castella (hardcover), and Vegan Desserts by Hannah Kaminsky (hardcover). Once you've entered, be sure to continue hopping along to all of the other amazing Blog POP! School Rules giveaways!

Blog POP! Popsicles Package