How to Make Ice Cream Sandwiches
Making an ice cream cookie sandwich sounds simple enough (and it is!), but this treat's standard versions can be a little too, well, vanilla. We’ll teach you how to dress up plain ice cream treats with extra fillings, toppings, and more so you can make the best ice cream sandwich ever. We’ll also share some of our favorite ice cream sandwich recipes to use for inspiration.
Step 1: Choose an Ice Cream Recipe
The most important part of any ice cream sandwich is the filling, of course! If you want to make a classic cookie sandwich, stick with vanilla ice cream, but you can use any flavor you like. Craving creamy chocolate ice cream? Use it instead! Want cookies and cream ice cream for a triple dose of cookies? Go for it. The possibilities are truly endless, but when in doubt, choose your favorite ice cream flavor and pick a cookie to complement.
You can also choose to make your own ice cream instead of buying a pint at the store (or using up what’s in your freezer), which is why you should start with this step. If you do make homemade ice cream, it’s going to need to chill at least a few hours before you use it in an ice cream sandwich. If you’re going all homemade for your ice cream sandwiches, make the ice cream first, then let it freeze while you make the cookies.
Step 2: Choose a Cookie Recipe
If ice cream is the most important part of a cookie sandwich, then the cookies holding it together are a close second. In general, your ice cream choice can help dictate your cookie selection. For example:
Chocolate cookies + mint ice cream
Peanut butter cookies + chocolate ice cream
Chocolate chip cookies + vanilla ice cream
Of course, if you are using classic vanilla ice cream, you can also get more creative with your cookie choices, like snickerdoodles, lemon cookies, or even a non-cookie item such as halved donuts or cupcakes. If you choose to fresh-bake cookies for ice cream sandwiches, be sure to let them cool completely before assembling your sandwiches. Otherwise, the ice cream may melt before you have a chance to enjoy them!
To assemble a cookie sandwich, stick with just one scoop of ice cream. Lay one cookie facedown (so the flat side is facing up), then top with a scoop of ice cream. Press another cookie (flat side down) on top. Just be careful not to press too hard—you don’t want all of the ice cream to slip out! You can eat them right away or freeze them for a few extra minutes to keep the ice cream from melting too quickly.
Step 3: Add Something Extra!
Sure, ice cream sandwiches can be just plain cookies and ice cream, but if you want to make yours stand out from the store-bought kind, add a bonus ingredient or two before digging in. Here are a few ideas for making the best ice cream sandwich ever:
Add an extra filling! Ice cream doesn’t have to be the only sweet treat sandwiched between two cookies. Try adding a smear of hot fudge, peanut butter, marshmallow creme, caramel, or other popular ice cream topping to the inside of the cookies before adding your scoop of ice cream.
Add toppings! Your ice cream sundae isn’t complete without a few toppings, and neither is a cookie sandwich. After pressing the cookies and ice cream together, roll the edge of each ice cream sandwich through sprinkles, nuts, or candies (like mini chocolate chips or even crushed candy canes for the holidays) so your toppings stick to the exposed edges of the ice cream. Choose traditional sundae toppings or get creative and use your favorite cereal or a chopped candy bar.
Add a dip! Another way to make your ice cream sandwiches stand out from the crowd is by dipping each one in melted chocolate. Not only will it make your cookie sandwich extra decadent, but it’ll also help hold it together!
