Mermaid Popsicles (Matcha Roasted Blackberry Popsicles) - Paleo, Vegan

Ingredients

• 12 ounces fresh blackberries
• 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon honey or agave nectar (, if vegan)
• 1 14-ounce can + 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk ((1 cup + 2 tablespoons))
• 1 teaspoon matcha powder (, sifted)
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup freeze-dried blueberries (, optional, for garnish)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 425º F. Place blackberries on a lightly greased baking sheet and cover with 1 tablespoon honey, using your hands to coat. Roast 15-20 minutes, or until bubbling and softened but not burnt. Remove the berries from the oven and lightly smash them with a fork or wooden spoon. Set the berries aside to cool a little while you make the popsicle layers.

2. 2

   Combine coconut milk, 1/4 cup honey, and vanilla extract. Divide into three equal parts.

3. 3

   Pour plain coconut-honey mixture into popsicle mold, dividing evenly among all molds. Freeze 10-15 minutes.

4. 4

   In medium bowl, stir blackberries into coconut-honey mixture. Pour into popsicle mold on top of coconut-honey layer, dividing evenly among all molds. With a popsicle stick, gently press blackberry mixture into coconut-honey mixture in one or two places per popsicle to create a swirl. Freeze 10-15 minutes.

5. 5

   In a small bowl, pour matcha powder. Spoon 1-2 tablespoons of the remaining coconut-honey mixture into the matcha powder and whisk vigorously to make a paste, until no lumps remain. Add in another 1-2 tablespoons of coconut-honey mixture and whisk vigorously again, ensuring there are no lumps. When matcha is throughly incorporated, scape matcha-coconut mixture into remaining coconut-honey mixture. Whisk until smooth. Pour into popsicle mold on top of blackberry layer, dividing evenly among molds. Use a popsicle stick to gently press matcha layer into blackberry layer in one or two places per popsicle to create a slight swirl. Insert popsicle sticks into all popsicles and freeze until totally hardened, about 3 hours.

6. 6

   To serve, place freeze-dried blueberries in a small plastic bag, press out air, and seal. Lightly smash with a rolling pin or can until fairly evenly crumbled but not yet powder. Dip popsicle mold into warm water for a few seconds to loosen, then remove popsicles one by one. Dip popsicles, one by one, at an angle into the bag with freeze-dried blueberries and serve immediately.