Mexican Chocolate Ice Pops

Paletas heladas de chocolate
Preparation time: 5 minutes, plus 2–3 hours freezing time

Cooking time: 15 minutes 

Makes: about 30 paletas, depending on your mold

Paletas heladas, or ice pops (ice lollies), are quite popular in plazas and town squares in Mexico. They can be fruit based—with combinations such as mango and chile or cucumber and Key lime— or milk based, like this recipe. Chocolate is a decadent ingredient that feels fresh and bright when frozen. And Mexican chocolate is even richer, as it is ground straight from the bean along with sugar and cinnamon, sometimes with almonds or nuts. You can even combine a fruit base and a milk base by only filling the mold halfway with one base, letting it partially freeze, and topping it off with another base. This is a perfect dessert or treat to make ahead of time, so as not to worry about the day you are having people over.