She Strengthens

Sweet Asian Inspiration: Adzuki Bean Ice Pops

When it comes to unique dessert flavors, Asia takes the lead with its love for adzuki beans. These small, red legumes are a staple in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean sweets, adding a delightful twist to traditional treats. In this recipe, we’ll explore the magic of adzuki beans in creamy ice pops, perfect for hot summer days.

A Texture Twist

To give these ice pops an interesting texture, we’ll keep some of the beans whole. This simple trick adds a pleasant surprise to each bite, making them a refreshing change from regular ice cream.

Getting Started

Before you begin, make sure you have freezer pop molds on hand. If your molds don’t come with sticks, you can easily purchase wooden sticks and insert them about 1 1/2 hours into the freezing time.

Selecting the Right Ingredients

For this recipe, you’ll need canned adzuki beans that have been sweetened and mashed slightly. These can be found in Asian markets or online. Be careful not to confuse them with red bean paste, which has a much smoother texture.

Quick and Easy Recipe

This easy recipe requires only 15 minutes of prep time and at least 6 hours of freezing time. The result is well worth the wait – six delicious, 4-ounce ice pops that are perfect for snacking on the go.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups canned sweetened, mashed adzuki beans
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon fine salt

Blending Flavors

In a large bowl, mix 1 cup of the adzuki beans with the heavy cream until well combined. In a blender, process the remaining 1/2 cup beans, milk, sugar, and salt until smooth. Pour the blended mixture into the bowl and stir to combine. The beans will naturally sink to the bottom of the bowl.

Assembling the Pops

Fill the pop molds halfway with the liquid part of the mixture. Use a spoon to evenly divide the remaining beans among the molds. Freeze until solid, at least 6 hours.

Enjoy Your Delicious Creations!

Once frozen, your adzuki bean ice pops are ready to enjoy. With their unique texture and sweet Asian flavor, they’re sure to be a hit with family and friends.