Coffee Paletas: Mexican Coffee Popsicles Recipe and Tips

Summer is here, and I’m continuing my paleta series with 10 new recipes — starting with paletas de café (coffee paletas).

I chose coffee first because it’s my husband’s favorite ice cream flavor and because it’s the perfect balance of energizing and refreshing for hot days.

Ingredients:

• Instant coffee — you only need a small amount. I used Nescafé Clásico for this recipe, but any instant coffee will work. For kids, you can use decaf.
• Cream — a mix of whole milk, sweetened condensed milk, and Mexican crema. Mexican crema is less tangy than American sour cream, so it blends smoothly into the base.
• Vanilla extract — adds depth to the coffee flavor. Coffee extract would be great if you have it, but vanilla is more common and works well.
• Cellulose gum (or cornstarch) — the secret to keeping these paletas creamy rather than icy. Details below.

How to achieve a smooth, creamy texture

The cream portion of this recipe serves as a versatile base for most non-fruit cream paletas.

Two ways to make a creamy paleta

1. Use cellulose gum in the cream base. The base combines milk, Mexican crema, and sweetened condensed milk. Cellulose gum stabilizes the mixture and prevents large ice crystals, resulting in a velvety, scoopable texture. If you don’t have it, see option #2.
2. Heat the cream base and thicken with cornstarch. Warming the milk mixture and adding cornstarch creates a custard-like texture that resists iciness. Stir and heat gently until it thickens — avoid undercooking, which can leave a starchy taste or texture.

Sweetness

This recipe uses a moderate amount of sweetened condensed milk because I prefer desserts that aren’t overly sweet. Adjust the sweetness to your taste. Keep in mind that frozen treats often lose some perceived sweetness, so taste before freezing and make small adjustments if needed.

Equipment needed

You’ll need a popsicle mold, popsicle sticks, and bags for storage. A blender and an electric hand mixer are also helpful.

Silicone molds are easiest for removing paletas. I recommend using a silicone mold with sticks and bags for convenience.

What is the difference between a popsicle and a paleta?

Paletas and popsicles are similar, but paletas often use fresh, natural ingredients like fruit or dairy and are typically made in small batches without artificial flavors or preservatives. They are also an important Mexican street-food tradition, commonly sold by paleteros from carts as well as in paleta shops.

Two types of paletas

Paletas come in many flavors, but they generally fall into two categories:

1. Water-based — usually fruit-based and made with water or juice. These reflect the natural flavor of the fruit and are typically vegan. Popular examples include strawberry, pineapple, mango & chamoy, and guava.
2. Cream-based — richer, creamier paletas that resemble ice cream. These use combinations of heavy cream, milk, Mexican crema, and sweetened condensed milk and can include flavors beyond fruit, such as coconut, pistachio, and arroz con leche.

Try some of my other paleta recipes:

Search the site to see a full list of paleta recipes.