Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches Recipe

Few things are as nostalgic as an ice cream sandwich on a hot summer day. Whether hanging out poolside, running down a slip 'n' slide, or simply trying to keep cool inside in the sweltering heat, those classic chocolate cookies sandwiched with vanilla ice cream could always hit the spot.

Whether it's summer or in the middle of winter, we think ice cream sandwiches are perfect for any occasion, and with this easy recipe, you can whip up a batch on your own at home. This recipe produces a slightly elevated version of those classic wrapped ice cream sandwiches, but we think it's all for the better.

By making a batch of soft, chewy homemade chocolate cookies and pairing them with vanilla ice cream or any other flavor you love, you'll have the perfect sweet treat to enjoy at home in no time. Make these ice cream sandwiches for an afternoon treat, or customize them to fit any celebration.

To get started on making your own ice cream sandwiches at home, you'll first need to gather all of your ingredients. Making sure you have everything on hand and ready to go is the key to success for this recipe.

To make the homemade chocolate cookies to serve as the base for your ice cream sandwiches you'll need half a cup of softened butter, half a cup of white sugar, half a cup of brown sugar, an egg, one and a quarter cups of flour, half a teaspoon of baking soda, half a teaspoon of salt, and half a cup of cocoa powder. If you'd like to add chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or sprinkles into the cookie dough, you can certainly add those as well.

In addition to baking the cookies for this recipe, you'll also need ice cream! After all, the ice cream is the star of the show. These ice cream sandwiches can be put together with a classic vanilla bean ice cream, or you can switch up the ice cream to pair the chocolate cookies with another favorite flavor. 

To get started on baking the chocolate cookies for this recipe for ice cream sandwiches, first turn on the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This will allow the oven to preheat while you mix up your cookie dough.

To make the dough for these chocolate cookies, start by creaming the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar. Put the butter in a mixing bowl and use a hand mixer to break it up. Add in the white sugar and brown sugar, and mix until well-combined and fluffy.

Once the butter and sugars are creamed, add in the egg and mix well until moving onto the next step.

Once the butter and sugar mixture is ready, it's time to add in the dry ingredients to this cookie dough recipe. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, and salt. With the mixer running, gradually add the flour mixture into the butter mixture. Continue mixing to incorporate the flour mixture. Then, add in the cocoa powder.

Continue mixing until a soft cookie dough forms. You'll want to make sure the cookie dough isn't too wet or too dry. Add a bit more flour if the dough seems too wet or tacky.

Once the cookie dough for your ice cream sandwiches is ready for baking, prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper or spray the cookie sheet with cooking spray. This will prevent the cookies from sticking while baking.

Use a cookie dough scoop to scoop tablespoon-sized spoonfuls of dough. Roll the ball of dough, flatten it, and then place it on the prepared cookie sheet. Repeat this step until you've used all of the dough.

Bake the cookies for 16 to 18 minutes until the edges begin to crisp while the center remains soft. Once the cookies are baked, remove them from the oven and let them sit on the hot cookie sheet for ten minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. This will result in a slightly crisp outer texture with a soft and chewy center.

Once the cookies have fully cooled, they're ready for assembly. But be sure they're completely cooled before you start. Any small amount of warmth from the cookies will melt the ice cream immediately. Feel free to put the cookies in the freezer before assembly to be sure they're 100 percent cooled.

Match the cookies up in pairs based on size. Each should be fairly uniform in size. Scoop ice cream onto one of the cookies, and then place the paired cookie on top. Press down slightly to form the ice cream sandwich. Repeat until all of the cookies have been turned into ice cream sandwiches. 

Enjoy these ice cream sandwiches immediately after making them, or store them in the freezer. Be sure to store the ice cream sandwiches in an airtight container for best results.

The beauty of this recipe is its versatility. Starting with the homemade soft, chewy chocolate cookies serves as the perfect base for any type of ice cream sandwich you could imagine.

Of course, pairing these chocolate cookies with vanilla bean ice cream is classic. But if you're hoping to elevate these ice cream sandwiches even more, switching up the ice cream flavor is sure to do it. Consider pairings that work well with chocolate such as cherry, peanut butter, salted caramel, mint, and even huckleberry.

Adding mix-ins to the cookie dough such as chocolate chips, shredded coconut, chopped nuts, and sprinkles and pairing the cookies with other ice cream flavors can take these ice cream sandwiches to a whole new level.