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Cherry Goat Cheese Paletas

Filed Under: recipe, sweet treats Written By Leanne June 28, 2020

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Homemade cherry goat cheese paletas are a fun and kid-friendly summer treat. Once you have the molds, the flavor possibilities are endless. This recipe highlights cherries and goat cheese, a total match made in flavor heaven.

plate of cherry goat cheese paletas with fresh cherries scattered around

You guys. Is there anything that screams summer more than homemade paletas?

These are seriously so fun. So much fun that I went a little bit crazy testing them and probably tried three or four different flavor variations before deciding I liked this one best. Cherry goat cheese paletas are rich and creamy with a little hint of something special. It might seem like a strange combo, but I promise it works.

I’m always interested in non-traditional ingredients when it comes to sweets so these are right up my alley. As a bonus the Greek yogurt adds a little bit of protein and they’re relatively low in sugar. Snack-worthy treats for the win, right?

cherry jam and measuring cup of yogurt

What are Mexican Paletas?

Mexican paletas are a frozen dessert on a stick that feature creative, fresh ingredient combinations. They can be sweet, spicy, or savory and highlight seasonal fruit, herbs and spices. Basically I like to say they’re like popsicles, but elevated.

Traditional fruit popsicles are great on a hot day. But these are a little bit more substantial and feature creamy Greek yogurt to make the consistency just right. Cherries are simmered and swirled in for a beautiful aesthetic and rich flavor. Goat cheese brings the funkiness and pairs really well with the vanilla and cherry.

Tips for Freezer Pop Success

Not a fan of goat cheese? Luckily these are simple to customize, but there are a few things I’ve learned after experimenting that I would highly recommend you do to make sure these turn out great every time:

  • Simmer your fruit to make it jam-like. This helps it break down and brings out the deep flavor of the cherries. The first time I made these, I left them in large pieces and didn’t like that version quite as much.
  • Use full-fat yogurt to get the creamiest consistency. I tried using all milk, some milk, coconut milk, and no milk and I find that less liquid is better. You’ll notice I did add a bit of half & half (just enough to make it pourable).
  • Mold size can vary. The popsicle molds I used (pictured below) are on the small side so if you have a different type, you might need to adjust the ingredients accordingly.
  • Adding sugar lends a creamier texture. This is probably my most important takeaway. It’s tempting to just blend up fruit with milk/yogurt, freeze and call it good. This actually leads to an ice-y popsicle that’s harder to bite instead of the creamy, chewy variety that I love. Adding sugar helps with this because it slows down the freezing process.

I love this particular popsicle mold because they freeze quickly and the sticks are held up nice and sturdy with the rubber inserts. Once frozen, just run under warm water for 5-10 seconds, remove and store in baggies or cellophane. You’ll love having these on hand for summer snacks.

They’re also kid-friendly and gorgeous! How fun would it be to serve this as a dessert to dinner guests? I mean… if you want to share them.

cherry goat cheese paletas on a plate

Give these paletas a try and satisfy a sweet craving with something cool, creamy and nutritious at the same time.

You might also like:

  • Tortellini Pasta Salad with Grilled Vegetables and Goat Cheese
  • Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad with Orange Champagne Vinaigrette
  • Citrus Salad with Honey Lime Yogurt
Print

Cherry Goat Cheese Paletas

Print Recipe

These cherry goat cheese paletas are creamy and just slightly sweet. The perfect treat to cool you down on hot summer days!

  • Author: Leanne Ray, MS, RDN
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 6 hours
  • Yield: 6 paletas 1x
  • Category: Sweet
  • Method: Freeze
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 cups frozen cherries
  • 3 Tbsp granulated sugar, divided
  • 1.25 cups whole milk plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 Tbsp half and half (or milk)
  • 2 ounces goat cheese
  • 1.5 tsp vanilla paste

Instructions

  1. Add cherries and 1 Tbsp sugar to a small sauce pan over medium heat. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring and breaking apart cherries with the back of a spoon. Transfer to a large mason jar or bowl and refrigerate to cool and thicken. 
  2. Meanwhile, add yogurt, half and half, goat cheese, remaining 2 Tbsp sugar and vanilla paste to a bowl and whisk until smooth. 
  3. Once the cherries have cooled, use an immersion blender to puree the mixture until smooth. 
  4. Alternate cherry puree and yogurt mixture in popsicle molds, swirling with a knife or wooden stick as you go. Cover, add sticks and freeze at least 6 hours (or until completely solid). 

Equipment

immersion blender

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popsicle mold

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vanilla bean paste

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Notes

  • The equipment section above provides affiliate links to things I use often in my kitchen and love! 
  • If you have a different mold, your ingredient amounts may differ. 

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 paleta
  • Calories: 122 calories
  • Fat: 5 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 14 grams
  • Fiber: 1 gram
  • Protein: 6 grams

Keywords: goat cheese, homemade popsicles, paletas, frozen treats, summer desserts, cherry desserts

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I’m Leanne and I created this space to share beautiful, wholesome, plant-forward recipes that are equal parts approachable and delicious.

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