Paletas are well-known frozen treats originating in Mexico. One can compare them with frozen popsicles. The main ingredient? Fresh fruits. However, there are other variations to the paleta that use dairy based ingredients.
In Mexico, you’ll come across many paleteros selling paletas. The paletero is a Mexican cultural tradition where a paleta (popsicle) vendor pushes a cart through the streets of Mexico distributing a variety of delicious handmade paletas to the public.
Below you’ll find three easy Mexican paleta recipes your kids can make, plus a fun book to read!
Mexican Fruit Paleta Recipe
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Freeze: 6 hrs. or overnight
Total: 6 hrs.
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients:
- 3 cups ripe fresh fruit (strawberries, pineapple, mango, watermelon, cantaloupe, etc.; roughly chopped)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup water
Steps to Make It (you’ll need help from a grown-up!)
- Gather the ingredients.
- Place half of the fruit, the sugar, the water into a blender, and blend until smooth.
- Dice the other half of the fruit. Spoon diced fruit into ice pop molds, then add the blended mixture, leaving about 1/2-inch (approximately 1 centimeter) of headspace for expansion.
- Place the molds into the freezer and allow at least 6 hours for your treats to firm up completely.
Note: If your molds don’t have built-in popsicle sticks (or you are using paper cups or some other receptacle as molds), place a piece of aluminum foil to cover and insert a popsicle stick in the middle to hold it in place.
Nutella Paleta Recipe
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Freeze: 6 hrs. or overnight
Total: 6 hrs.
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 cup full cream milk
- 1/3 cup Nutella
Steps to Make It (you’ll need help from a grown-up!)
- Gather the ingredients.
- Place the milk and Nutella in a blender and blend until thoroughly combined.
- Pour into a popsicle mold.
- Freeze and serve.
Note: If your molds don’t have built-in popsicle sticks (or you are using paper cups or some other receptacle as molds), place a piece of aluminum foil to cover and insert a popsicle stick in the middle to hold it in place.
Coconut Paleta Recipe
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Freeze: 6 hrs. or overnight
Total: 6 hrs.
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sugar (omit if you use sweetened coconut cream)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 can of coconut milk
- 1 packet of pure unsweetened creamed coconut 6 oz. or 1 can of creamed sweetened coconut.
- 1/2 cup of unsweetened coconut flakes
Steps to Make It (you’ll need help from a grown-up!)
- Gather the ingredients.
- Mix all of the ingredients in the blender.
- Pour into paleta (ice cream) molds. Leave about 1/2-inch (approximately 1 centimeter) of headspace for expansion.
- Place the molds into the freezer and allow at least 6 hours for your treats to firm up completely.
Note: If your molds don’t have built-in popsicle sticks (or you are using paper cups or some other receptacle as molds), place a piece of aluminum foil to cover and insert a popsicle stick in the middle to hold it in place.
If you want to venture in making another paleta try this one out. It only needs three ingredients.
Would you rather take a class to learn how to make these? Check out this class that doesn’t rely on live meetings. Learners can fit the classes during their own schedule and will still have interactions with the teacher: All About Mexican “Paletas” Bilingual Cooking Class for Kids (Flex Class)
Read About Paletas!
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And here is a fun book to read about paletas and the paletero!
Paletero Man is all about those yummy paletas and the paletero man that pushes his cart around the city to sell them. On one particularly hot day, a young boy is so excited to have a paleta, dreaming of all the mouth-watering flavors as he races to find Paletero José. Will he have canela or melon, strawberry or cherry? This vibrant book pulses with the colors of the paletas and the rhythm of the neighborhood where Paletero José works his magic. The picture book is the latest creation from bilingual singer Lucky Díaz, who has won multiple Latin Grammy awards and been nominated for an Emmy six times. (Be sure to look for Crayon Kids, his band’s latest release!)
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