Imagine biting into a perfect blend of soft cookies and creamy vanilla ice cream, a delightful treat for your senses.
There’s something incredibly comforting and indulgent about crafting your own ice cream sandwiches, made with love and simplicity.
As the cocoa-flavored cookies bake and cool, they transform into the ideal vessel for the creamy filling, creating a magical dessert from humble ingredients.
Let’s bring this delicious creation to life together!
Kitchen Tools Required
- 1 Baking sheet
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Spatula
- 1 Ice cream scoop
- 1 Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 cup Unsalted butter softened
- 1/2 cup Granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup Brown sugar packed
- 1 Large egg
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 pint Vanilla ice cream softened
Cook & Prep Time
To efficiently manage your time while making ice cream sandwiches, follow this timeline:
- Preparation (Total: 30 minutes)
- Reading Instructions (5 minutes): Before you start, take a few minutes to read through the entire recipe to understand the process and gather all the necessary ingredients and equipment.
- Ingredient Preparation (10 minutes): Gather and measure out all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mixing (15 minutes):
- Whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients.
- Cooking (10 minutes)
- Drop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the baking sheet.
- Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes until set around the edges.
- Cooling (5 minutes on the baking sheet + 10 minutes on a wire rack)
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
- Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely for an additional 10 minutes.
- Assembling (15 minutes)
- Once the cookies have cooled, scoop softened vanilla ice cream onto the flat side of one cookie.
- Top with another cookie and press gently.
- Optionally, roll the edges of the sandwiches in mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, or nuts for extra texture and flavor.
- Resting Time (1 hour)
- Wrap each sandwich in parchment paper and freeze for at least 1 hour before serving for the ice cream to firm up.
Feel free to adjust the timeline as needed to suit your pace and kitchen setup.
Recipe Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
In another bowl, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Drop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cookies are set around the edges.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once cooled, scoop a generous amount of softened vanilla ice cream onto the flat side of one cookie.
Top with another cookie, pressing gently to spread the ice cream evenly to the edges.
Wrap each sandwich in parchment paper and freeze for at least 1 hour before serving.
Serving Tips
- Fruit Salad: Pairing with a fresh fruit salad adds a revitalizing contrast to the rich flavors of the ice cream sandwich.
- Whipped Cream: Serve with a dollop of whipped cream for an extra touch of indulgence.
- Chocolate Sauce: Drizzle with warm chocolate sauce to enhance the chocolatey goodness.
- Crushed Nuts: Sprinkle crushed nuts around the edges for added crunch and nutty flavor.
- Berry Compote: Accompany with a berry compote for a tangy and sweet complement.
Storage
To store ice cream sandwiches, wrap each in parchment paper.
Place them in an airtight container, and freeze.
This prevents freezer burn and maintains freshness for up to two weeks.
Freezing
To guarantee the best texture, freeze ice cream sandwiches for at least 1 hour.
Wrap them tightly in parchment paper to prevent freezer burn and maintain freshness.
Customize with toppings before freezing.
Reheating
Reheating ice cream sandwiches isn’t recommended.
It will cause the ice cream to melt.
Instead, allow them to thaw slightly at room temperature before enjoying.
Final Thoughts
Ice cream sandwiches are a delightful treat that combines the chewy texture of cookies with the creamy richness of ice cream.
They’re perfect for summer gatherings or as a sweet indulgence any time of the year.
With this recipe, you can easily create homemade ice cream sandwiches that are sure to impress your family and friends.
Enjoy the process of baking the cookies and assembling the sandwiches.
Remember to get creative with your toppings to add a personal touch.
Whether you stick to the classic vanilla ice cream or experiment with different flavors, these sandwiches are bound to be a hit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Gluten-Free Flour for This Recipe?
You can substitute gluten-free flour for this recipe, but expect slight texture variations. Gluten-free flour might make the cookies denser. Experiment with different blends to find your preferred consistency, comparing results to refine your dessert experience.
What Substitutes Work for Unsalted Butter?
You can substitute unsalted butter with salted butter, reducing added salt by half. Alternatively, try coconut oil for a tropical twist or margarine for a budget-friendly option. Each brings unique flavors and textures to your culinary creation.
How Can I Make the Cookies Chewier?
To make the cookies chewier, increase the brown sugar, which adds moisture, and reduce baking time slightly. Compare your cookies: chewy ones bend; crispy ones snap. Experiment with different ratios to achieve your desired texture.
Is There a Vegan Version of This Recipe?
You can create a vegan version by swapping butter with coconut oil, using flax egg instead of a regular egg, and choosing a dairy-free ice cream. Comparing flavors, coconut oil adds a subtle richness, enhancing the dessert.
Can I Use Different Ice Cream Flavors?
Absolutely, you can experiment with different ice cream flavors. Swapping vanilla for chocolate or mint creates a delightful contrast, similar to a painter choosing bold colors to redefine a canvas. Analyze flavors for unique, tasty combinations.
Ice Cream Sandwich
Equipment
- 1 Baking sheet
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Spatula
- 1 Ice cream scoop
- 1 Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pint vanilla ice cream softened
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Drop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cookies are set around the edges.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, scoop a generous amount of softened vanilla ice cream onto the flat side of one cookie.
- Top with another cookie, pressing gently to spread the ice cream evenly to the edges.
- Wrap each sandwich in parchment paper and freeze for at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
