Homemade Blackberry Kefir Gut Healthy Popsicles
These refreshing blackberry kefir gut healthy popsicles make a healthy treat on a hot summer day. Loaded with whole fruit, milk kefir, and natural sugar, this is one of those popsicle recipes you’ll enjoy throughout the summer months.
Kefir Milk Tips
If you want to know more about how to activate and maintain kefir grains, be sure to read my post How to Activate Kefir Grains.
Why You’ll Enjoy Blackberry Kefir Probiotic Popsicles
Another Way to Use Kefir Milk
I’m always looking for ways I can use milk kefir because it’s something that you have to maintain and make a new batch every day or two. Kefir milk is wonderful in smoothies or in a bowl topped with berries and granola. It’s basically a good replacement for yogurt. Even then, it can be difficult to go through a batch of kefir milk every single day. These popsicles are a great way to get your daily dose of kefir.
Health Benefits
Store-bought popsicles from the grocery store contain so many unhealthy ingredients including artificial colors and artificial sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup. In contrast, these homemade popsicles are beneficial to your health.
The first ingredient is kefir milk, a fermented milk containing healthy fats and and great for gut health. Read here about the many benefits of fermented dairy. This recipe also includes real fruit. Blackberries contain high levels of vitamin C, helpful for the immune system, vitamin K, and fiber.
These kefir popsicles are naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup and vanilla so you can feel great about eating them because they’re not loaded with refined added sugar or artificial ingredients.
Use Any Type of Berry
I sourced my blackberries from a friend who always grows a ton of blackberries in her backyard. I froze them, and I’m now trying to use them up. You don’t have to use blackberries. Pretty much any edible berry or your favorite fruits would work in this recipe: raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and huckleberries. You can use fresh or frozen berries. I just used frozen because that’s what I had on hand.
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Ingredient List for Blackberry Kefir Gut Healthy Popsicles:
Kefir milk (purchase kefir starter grains here)
Fresh or frozen blackberries
Kitchen Tools You May Need:
Medium saucepan
How to Make Healthy Homemade Fruit Popsicles
To begin, add fresh or frozen blackberries and 1/4 cup pure maple syrup to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer at a low boil for 10 minutes, mashing and stirring often. The sauce should thicken slightly due to the natural pectin contained in berries. When sauce is done, set aside to cool.
In a medium bowl, add kefir milk, remaining ¼ cup pure maple syrup, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
Once the blackberries have cooled, add them to the kefir mixture and stir well to combine.
Using a funnel, fill a popsicle form about ½ inch from the top. Place a popsicle stick and lid on top. Repeat with each popsicle mold and put in the freezer for at least 3 hours.
After removing the popsicles from the freezer, run the popsicle molds under warm water to help loosen the popsicles before pulling them out of the molds.
FAQ:
What is the best ratio of kefir grains to milk?
The general rule of thumb is to use 1 tablespoon of kefir grains for each cup of milk.
How do I take a break from making kefir?
If you need a short break from making kefir, you can store the grains, covered in milk, in a glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
Can you freeze kefir?
You can freeze milk kefir to use later. However, the consistency won’t be the same once it is thawed. It will be more runny and possibly clumpy. This doesn’t affect the overall nutritional benefits, so even though you may not want to drink the kefir due to its undesirable consistency, you can still use it in other ways such as in kefir smoothies or popsicles.
If you have more questions about how to activate and maintain kefir grains, be sure to read my post How to Activate Kefir Grains.
More Kefir Milk Posts:
More Delicious Recipes for Summer:
- Strawberry Basil Iced Tea
- Chocolate Cherry Smoothie Bowl
- Raspberry Mint Iced Tea
- Naturally Sweetened Blueberry Ice Cream
If you make this recipe on a hot day and love it, I would love if you gave it 5 stars!
Blackberry Kefir Gut Healthy Popsicles
These refreshing blackberry kefir gut healthy popsicles make a healthy snack or treat anytime of day. Learn how to make milk kefir popsicles with this easy to follow recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 cups kefir milk
- 1/2 cup organic pure maple syrup, divided
- 2 cups fresh or frozen blackberries
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add blackberries and ¼ cup maple syrup to a small saucepan.
- Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes, mashing and stirring often. The sauce should thicken slightly. When sauce is done, set aside to cool.
- Mix kefir, remaining ¼ cup maple syrup, and vanilla in a medium bowl.
- Add cooled blackberries to the kefir mixture and stir well.
- Using a funnel, fill popsicle molds about ½ inch from the top. Place sticks/lids on top and put in freezer.
- Let freeze for at least 3 hours.