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several chocolate-strawberry “tootsie” lollipops on white marble top with walnuts in background

chocolaty strawberry-walnut lollipops


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5 from 1 review

  • Author: Jackie Newgent, RDN, CDN
  • Total Time: 29 minutes
  • Yield: 16 pops 1x
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

These Chocolaty Strawberry-Walnut Lollipops showcase fresh California strawberries filled with a delicious desserty center that’s based on a blend of California walnuts, cocoa, dates, vanilla, and a pinch of orange zest. And then, of course, it’s all enjoyed on lollipop sticks.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2/3 cup (2 oz) California walnut halves and pieces
  • 3 oz pitted dried dates (about 10-12 dates)
  • 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 tsp grated orange or mandarin orange zest
  • 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1/8 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp unsweetened green tea or water, or as needed (optional)
  • 16 extra-large California strawberries
  • 16 (4-inch) lollipop sticks


Instructions

  1. Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the walnuts and toast while stirring occasionally until desired brownness, about 2 1/2 minutes.
  2. Add the walnuts, dates, cocoa powder, orange zest, vanilla, and salt to a food processor. Cover and puree on high speed until mixture has a thick, dough-like texture when pressed with the back of a spatula, at least 3 minutes, adding the drizzling of tea or water, if needed.
  3. Remove the leaves (hull) the strawberries. Core (scoop out) the center white part of each strawberry using a paring knife and/or small melon baller or 1/4 teaspoon measuring spoon.
  4. With your fingers, press or roll the chocolatey filling into 16 pear-shaped balls, about 1 fully-rounded measuring teaspoon each. Press one ball into (and just outside of) each strawberry crevasse/opening. (Note: It’ll be pear-shaped). Insert each stuffed strawberry onto a lollipop stick.
  5. Keep chilled in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Store for up to 4 days.

Notes

The moister the dates, the better.

Low-waste tip: Chill (or freeze) leftover strawberry scraps for pureeing into a smoothie or tossing onto a salad.

  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 minutes
  • Category: snack, appetizer,
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 pops
  • Calories: 100
  • Sugar: 10g includes 0g added sugars
  • Sodium: 35mg
  • Fat: 5g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 14g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg