A melty chocolate fudge ice pop ticks all the boxes for a rich, decadent treat — minus the guilt. It has all the creaminess of a high-calorie dessert, but only a fraction of the calories.
A fudge bar or frozen chocolate pop is essentially a slice of chocolate ice cream or ice milk on a stick — no nuts, no mix-ins, no coatings. Freezer sections at local markets are loaded with options in every price range and a surprising array of flavors and textures.
Since many fudge pop makers cater to those looking for alternatives to dairy and sugar — and those watching their calories — long lists of odd ingredients such as pea protein, inulin, corn fiber, cellulose and sugar alcohols are common. So picking a good fudge bar can be baffling. The solution? Unwrap and taste. (No, no, not in the freezer aisle! We did it for you.)
The best fudge pops are luscious stand-ins for high-calorie desserts — silky bites of sweetness made with great quality chocolate, milk, sugar and little else. Bad fudge pops are made with trace amounts of wimpy chocolate, too much sugar and so many additives that the chocolate flavor is masked.
Here’s the scoop on the most mouthwatering chocolate fudge pops and the inedible impostors that will send you in search of a real dessert. Nutrition details refer to one pop or bar, which can range from 1.7 to 3.5 ounces.
365 Whole Foods Organic Fudge Bars
No contest. This is the most delicious fudge bar ever. It delivers a wallop of earthy chocolate and a pinch of real vanilla — and it’s deliciously creamy. 100 calories, 4.5 g fat, 25 mg sodium, 12 g sugar. $4.49 for four 2.5-ounce bars at Whole Foods. (4 stars)
Outshine Simply Indulgent Chocolate
This bar made with natural ingredients needs a touch more chocolate, but the flavor is clean and the silky texture is addictive. 90 calories, 3 g fat, 30 mg sodium, 11 g sugar. $4.99 for six 2.3-ounce bars at Target. (3½ stars)
Healthy Choice Fudge Bars
These creamy bars taste like soft-serve ice cream. The texture is awesome, but they are a bit too sweet. 90 calories, 1 g fat, 45 mg sodium, 8 g sugar. $11.99 for 18 3-ounce bars at Smart & Final. (3 stars)
Fudgesicle Original Fudge Pops
These tiny pops may boast “no added sugar” on the package, but they are syrupy sweet and slightly icy. They have plenty of chocolate flavor, but they taste more like candy than ice cream. 40 calories, 1 g fat, 43 mg sodium, 2.5 g sugar. $5.99 for 18 1.7-ounce bars on sale at Safeway. (2½ stars)
Chloe’s Dark Chocolate Pops
If you love frozen bananas, you’ll love these dense, icy bars made with that fruit. They’re chocolate in color, but the banana flavor overpowers the cocoa. 60 calories, no fat, no sodium, 13 g sugar. $6.99 for four 2.5-ounce bars at Raley’s. (2 stars)
Halo Top Gourmet Chocolate Fudge Pops
If only texture mattered, these would top the list. The rich creaminess is akin to chocolate mousse. But the sugar alcohols taste wonky and flat, killing the chocolate flavor. 80 calories, 2 g fat, 65 mg sodium, 5 g sugar. $4.49 for four 3-ounce bars on sale at Safeway. (1½ stars, with reservations)
Breyer’s Carb Smart Fudge Bars
The color and texture of these bars is fine, but if you’re in the mood for chocolate, skip these. The flavor is decidedly not chocolate. 60 calories, 3 g fat, 30 mg sodium, 2 g sugar. $5.49 for six 1.7-ounce bars at Safeway. (1 star)
Good Pop Organic Chocolate Fudge
Yikes! The salt content in these bars is so over-the-top that no amount of quality chocolate can rescue the flavor. These belong in the trash. 90 calories, 5 g fat, 125 mg sodium, 7 g sugar. $5.99 for four 2.5-ounce pops at Whole Foods. (No stars)
WW Giant Chocolate Fudge Bars
Buy these icy, fake-tasting bars if you’re on a strict diet — because you won’t eat more than one bite. No kidding, they really are THAT bad. 90 calories,1 g fat, 55 mg sodium, 13 g sugar. $5.99 for six 3.5-ounce bars at Lucky. (No stars)
Reviews are based on product samples purchased by this newspaper or provided by manufacturers. Contact Jolene Thym at timespickyeater@gmail.com. Read more Taste-off columns at www.mercurynews.com/tag/taste-off.
