I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream….sandwiches! August 2nd is National Ice Cream Sandwich Day. While origins of this delicious holiday are unclear, we thought why question a good thing? Here are five homemade ice cream sandwich recipes that are so good, you’ll be taking business away from the ice cream truck.
At least the origins of ice cream are pretty clear. Learn more about its sweet history here.
Ice Cream Bar Trifle
Recipe: Ice Cream Bar Trifle
Just beginning your culinary journey? Need a large dessert that will feed a crowd? Trifles are one of my favorite kinds of recipes because there’s virtually no skill involved in creating them and they often feed a small army. And, there’s nothing prettier than a layered trifle filled with yummy bits.
While essentially a “dump and stir” recipe, all you have to remember when making a trifle is don’t “dump” and don’t “stir.” Add the ingredients by hand and then run a spatula around the sides of the trifle bowl to remove any splatters or crumbs.
Carefully add the next layer and wipe the bowl clean again with the spatula or a dry cloth. When ice cream is involved, as it is in this recipe, work as quickly as you can so it doesn’t melt and ooze into your other layers. Finally, if you’re assembling the recipe ahead of time, wait to add whipped cream and other garnishes. That way you can cover the trifle and refrigerate it without smooshing.
Chocolatey Chip Ice Cream Sandwich Pops
Recipe: Chocolatey Chip Ice Cream Sandwich Pops
No matter how fast you eat an ice cream sandwich, you’ll still end up with sticky cookie crumbs on your fingers. Enter: the popsicle stick. Now you can eat your favorite frozen treats without making a mess or even needing a napkin.
True—ice cream trucks mastered the take-it-to-go treat long ago. But they don’t have homemade chocolate sandwich cookies. The cookies in this recipe are soft, flavorful and terrific with or without ice cream in the center.
We recommend making the cookies and assembling the sandwiches the night before. A night in the freezer hardens the ice cream again and keeps the stick in place so you can dip the treat in melted chocolate.
If you decide to add the white chocolate drizzle, freeze the sandwiches again after the semisweet chocolate bath. A piping bag is perfect for drizzling, but you can also use a re-sealable plastic bag. Just cut a teeny amount off one of the bottom corners of the baggie and squeeze very gently.
Gluten-Free Ice Cream Sandwich
Recipe: Gluten-Free Ice Cream Sandwich
Lucky for those who follow a gluten-free diet, most ice cream is naturally gluten-free. The ice cream sandwich cookies, unfortunately, are not. Because gluten-free baking is an art in itself, we set out to make an entirely gluten-free sandwich that wouldn’t cost a fortune for the ingredients.
We did it thanks to a pre-mixed, all-purpose gluten-free flour, a product now readily available in grocery stores around the country.
We also added Xantham gum, a plant-based thickening and stabilizing agent that mimics gluten in wheat flour and is what gives gluten-free baked goods texture and shape. Besides gluten-free flour and Xantham gum, that’s it for “specialty” ingredients. The rest of this recipe can be made with your everyday pantry staples and we’ll bet no one will know it’s a gluten-free recipe.
For more gluten-free baking tips, check out this article.
Recipe: Gingerbread Waffles & Eggnog Ice Cream
Okay, this recipe may be a stretch on a “sandwich. But it’s the best way we could justify ice cream sandwiches for breakfast. And it’s the perfect recipe to make during a hot summer or the Christmas season.
We made our very own homemade eggnog ice cream in this recipe and it’s really quite easy as long as you have a reliable machine. Here’s what you want to remember when making any homemade ice cream:
- Some of the best ice cream flavors are the easiest to make. For example, half and half, cream, sugar, and vanilla extract make an absolutely delicious ice cream you can enjoy as is, or use as a base for other recipes.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with add-ins. Nuts, crushed cookies or candy bars, and pretzels are always a hit. But also try some fresh seasonal fresh fruit… or veggies! Just be sure to add the extras after churning to maintain texture and an even mix.
- Be sure your ingredients are very well chilled before you start. Pre-freeze candies, fruits, and nuts for best results. The colder the ingredients, the faster your ice cream will set.
- When the machine has finished churning, do your best to freeze your ice cream before serving it. A few hours is best; an hour will certainly make your creation seem more like ice cream and less like a milkshake.
Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Sandwich
This is a gourmet ice cream treat in a Saturday afternoon package. When the weather is hot and humid, there’s no better time to stay indoors and make something cool.
This recipe calls for homemade vanilla ice cream sandwich cookies, which are so worth the effort. We added just a hint of lemon which pairs nicely with the strawberries, while the buttermilk adds even more tang and an all-important tenderness.
Be-careful not to over-bake the cookies because they must be soft. Freezing hardens the cookies, so it’s essential the cookies are soft before they ever go near the freezer.
If you only have time for the ready-in-five-minutes version of this recipe, buy pre-made lemon or sugar cookies and fill them with strawberry ice cream. Or, you make your own custom sandwich entirely…double chocolate and raspberry, chocolate chip and peanut butter, or oatmeal raisin with butter pecan.