Learn how to make easy homemade ice cream sandwiches, an easy summer dessert recipe.

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This post is all about how to make homemade ice cream sandwiches.

Homemade ice cream sandwiches are one of the best—and easiest—summer desserts to make. In this post, you’ll learn how to make easy ice cream sandwiches, plus tips and ideas on the best ice cream and cookie pairings.

Old fashioned ice cream sandwiches are one of the best easy summer dessert ideas to make. This can also be one of the best easy no bake desserts to make in summer, especially when you use store bought cookies and ice cream.

You can use your favorite type of cookie, especially if it’s thick and chewy. Chocolate chip cookies make a great cookie to use for making ice cream sandwich desserts.

Other great cookies to use for making homemade ice cream sandwiches include include chewy double chocolate chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, monster cookies, and kitchen sink cookies. Any type of cookie that is hearty and chewy can be a good cookie to use for making homemade ice cream sandwiches.

You can use your own homemade cookies, or use a good, soft baked store bought cookie. Bakery cookies are excellent to use for making an easy, no bake ice cream sandwich dessert.

Fresh bakery cookies can be soft, chewy, and almost as good as homemade—plus using already made cookies can save you time and energy when it comes to making a quick dessert!

The Best Ice Cream and Cookie Pairings

Here are some of the best ice cream and cookie pairings to use for making homemade ice cream sandwiches.

1—Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies with Vanilla Ice Cream

The classic combination of chocolate chip cookies and vanilla ice cream makes a perfect pair for ice cream sandwiches. The rich, buttery flavor of chocolate chip cookies goes perfectly with the smooth, creamy flavor of vanilla ice cream. In this case, the sweetness of the cookies and ice cream and the slight bitterness of the chocolate chips make for a match made in heaven.

2—Double Chocolate Cookies with Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

If you’re a chocolate lover, then you’ll love the pairing of double chocolate chocolate chip cookies with mint chocolate ice cream. The deep, intense flavor of double chocolate cookies pairs beautifully with the refreshing, cool taste of mint ice cream, and the chocolate chips in the ice cream add an extra layer of sweetness.

3—Peanut Butter Cookies with Dark Chocolate Ice Cream

Peanut butter and chocolate together make a delicious pair. The savory, nutty flavor of peanut butter cookies pairs wonderfully with rich, indulgent chocolate ice cream. Peanut butter cookies and dark chocolate ice cream give you a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors.

4—Brownie Cookies with Salted Caramel Ice Cream

The fudgy, rich flavor of brownie cookies pairs wonderfully with the sweet and salty taste of salted caramel ice cream. The combination is decadent and indulgent, and it has just the right balance of flavors when you’re looking for a rich and creamy ice cream sandwich dessert.

5—Oatmeal Cookies with Butter Pecan Ice Cream

The hearty, slightly spicy flavor of oatmeal cookies pairs so well with the creamy, buttery, and nutty taste of butter pecan ice cream. Plus, the chewiness of the oatmeal cookies goes great with the crunch of the pecans. Oatmeal cookies and butter pecan ice cream are a combination that tastes good any time of year.

6—Snickerdoodle Cookies with Pumpkin Ice Cream

The warm, cinnamon, sugary flavor of snickerdoodle cookies is the perfect match for the unique, spicy flavor of pumpkin ice cream. The combination of snickerdoodle cookies and pumpkin ice cream makes a perfect ice cream sandwich for fall, with best comforting and familiar autumn flavors.

7—Gingerbread Cookies with Lemon Ice Cream

The spicy, molasses rich flavor of gingerbread cookies pairs beautifully with the tart and refreshing taste of lemon ice cream. Warm, spicy gingerbread cookies and bright citrusy lemon ice cream make an amazing combo for fall dessert ice cream sandwiches.

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Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches: Ingredients & Tools

Here’s a list of the ingredients and tools that you’ll need to make delicious homemade ice cream sandwiches. These ingredients can help you create delicious and personalized homemade ice cream sandwiches that your family and friends will love.

1—Cookies

You’ll need cookies to use for the ice cream sandwich “bread.” Here are some popular cookies to use for making homemade ice cream sandwiches.

Chocolate Chip Cookies. Chocolate chip cookies are a classic choice to use for making homemade ice cream sandwiches. Chocolate chip cookies provide a nice balance of sweetness and a bit of chocolate that is perfect for pairing with vanilla ice cream, chocolate ice cream, and other rich ice cream flavors.
Oatmeal Cookies. Chewy and slightly spicy (cinnamon is often a key flavor note), oatmeal cookies add a hearty texture to ice cream sandwiches. Oatmeal cookies pair well with butter pecan ice cream.
Sugar Cookies. Simple and buttery, sugar cookies allow the ice cream flavor to shine through. Sugar cookies are a great neutrally flavored cookie to use for almost any kind of ice cream, including caramel ice cream and strawberry ice cream.
Lemon Cookies. Lemon cookies are a great cookie to use for making strawberry ice cream sandwiches. Their tangy flavor compliments the taste of strawberries beautifully.
Peanut Butter Cookies. Nutty and savory, peanut butter cookies are great to pair with chocolate or vanilla ice cream.
Double Chocolate Cookies. Also known as double chocolate chocolate chip cookies, these cookies pair well with mint chocolate chip ice cream, vanilla ice cream, caramel ice cream, and other types of ice cream.
Brownie Cookies. Fudgy and rich brownie cookies are perfect for making a decadent treat. Vanilla ice cream let’s the flavor of the brownie cookies shine through.

2—Ice Cream

Select your favorite ice cream flavors for the filling. Consider using ice cream flavors like:

Vanilla Ice Cream. Vanilla ice cream is a versatile choice that pairs well with almost any type of cookie.
Chocolate Ice Cream. Rich and indulgent, chocolate ice cream tastes great with peanut butter cookies or double chocolate cookies.
Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. Refreshing and cool, mint chocolate chip ice cream is perfect to pair with double chocolate cookies.
Butter Pecan Ice Cream. Butter pecan ice cream is rich and creamy with a nutty crunch, and it pairs well with oatmeal cookies.
Strawberry Ice Cream. Fruity and fresh, strawberry ice cream is delicious when paired with lemon cookies or sugar cookies.
Salted Caramel Ice Cream. Sweet and salty, salted caramel ice cream is especially delicious with brownie cookies.

3—Mini Chocolate Chips (Optional)

Roll the edges of the assembled ice cream sandwiches in mini chocolate chips for added flavor, texture, and a unique appearance.

4—Other Toppings (Optional)

You can also use other toppings like candy sprinkles and chopped nuts to add flavor and texture to ice cream sandwiches.

5—Ice Cream Scoop

An ice cream scoop can make it easier to measure out consistent amounts of ice cream for each sandwich.

6—Baking Sheet

A baking sheet can be used as a work surface for assembling and freezing the homemade ice cream sandwiches. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper for easier clean up.

7—Freezer Paper or Plastic Wrap

Use freezer paper or plastic wrap the ice cream sandwiches individually. This helps to keep the ice cream sandwiches fresh and prevent them from sticking together in the freezer.

8—Airtight Container or Freezer Bags

Place the ice cream sandwiches in an airtight freezer container or freezer bags to store them in the freezer. This can help to maintain their freshness and prevent freezer burn.

How to Make Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches

Making homemade ice cream sandwiches is one of the best easy summer desserts treats to prepare. All that you need are two ingredients (cookies and ice cream), plus any toppings that you might want—like chocolate chips or candy sprinkles.

First, start by gathering some cookies; you’ll need eight cookies to make four sandwiches. Use chewy cookies that are about 2 inches to 3 inches wide in diameter.

Chocolate chip cookies, double chocolate chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, and other types of chewy cookies can be good to use.

If making homemade cookies, then bake the cookies and let them cool completely before using the cookies to make ice cream sandwiches. Warm cookies will cause the ice cream to melt.

Take the ice cream out of the freezer and let it soften for about 5 to 10 minutes. This makes it easier to scoop the ice cream out, and spread it over the cookies.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and lay out 4 cookies to use as bases for the sandwiches. The cookies should face bottom sides up.

Next, scoop a generous ½ cup or so of softened ice cream onto each cookie base, spreading it out to form a thick, even layer of ice cream.

Top each ice cream layer with another cookie, pressing down gently to create the sandwiches. The tops of the cookie should face upwards.

Next, carefully use a knife or a spatula to smooth the edges of the ice cream sandwiches, giving them a nice, neat appearance.

If desired, roll the sandwiches in chocolate chips to add another layer of flavor to the homemade ice cream sandwiches.

Pour some mini chocolate chips onto a plate or flat bowl, and gently roll the sides of each sandwich in the chips so they stick to the exposed ice cream.

Place the sandwiches on the baking sheet, leaving a small amount of space between each ice cream sandwich. Place the baking sheet in the freezer, and let the ice cream sandwiches freeze for at least 1 hour, or until they’re firm.

Once the ice cream sandwiches are fully frozen, then they’re ready to be enjoyed! Let the sandwiches sit out at room temperature for a few minutes to soften before serving them.

Tips for Making the Best Ice Cream Sandwiches

Here are some tips that may be helpful for creating the best homemade sandwich cookies. These tips can help you make irresistible ice cream sandwiches that look and taste good, and that your family and friends will love to eat.

Choose the right kind of cookies. Look for cookies that are firm enough to hold the ice cream but soft enough to bite through easily. Chewy cookies like chocolate chip cookies or oatmeal cookies work really well. Make sure all the cookies are uniform in size to give the sandwiches a neat appearance.
Let the cookies cool completely. If baking the cookies from scratch to use for making homemade ice cream sandwiches, make sure that the cookies cool completely before putting together the ice cream sandwiches. Warm cookies will cause the ice cream to melt too quickly, before you can finish assembling the sandwich cookies.
Soften the ice cream. Take the ice cream out of the freezer, and let it soften at room temperature for about 5 to 10 minutes, prior to making the ice cream sandwiches. The ice cream should be soft enough to spread over the cookies, but not so soft that it can’t hold it’s shape.
Work quickly. Work quickly when assembling the ice cream sandwiches to prevent the ice cream from melting too much.
Use an ice cream scoop for even portions. Using an ice cream scoop ensures each sandwich has an even amount of ice cream, making the assembly process smoother and more consistent.
Smooth the edges. After placing the top cookie over the ice cream, use a knife or spatula to carefully smooth the edges of the ice cream for a cleaner look.
Roll the ice cream sandwiches in toppings. Rolling the sides of the ice cream sandwiches in mini chocolate chips, candy sprinkles, chopped nuts, or other toppings adds extra flavor and makes them look more festive.
Serve the sandwiches slightly softened. Take the sandwiches out of the freezer a few minutes before serving to let the ice cream soften slightly, making them easier to eat.
Chill the cookies. If the cookies are very soft, then chill them in the fridge before assembling the ice cream sandwiches to make the cookies firmer and easier to handle.
Use good ingredients. High quality ice cream and fresh cookies make a noticeable difference in taste and texture. Choose the best ingredients that you can find to make homemade ice cream sandwiches.

How to Store Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches

After doing the work to make your own homemade ice cream sandwiches using cookies and ice cream, it’s important to store them properly to maintain their deliciousness.

A good way to do this is to wrap each sandwich individually in freezer paper or plastic wrap before placing them in an airtight container or freezer bag to store in the freezer. Wrapping the ice cream sandwiches individually not only prevents them from sticking together but also helps retain their texture and flavor over time.

Store the ice cream sandwiches in the freezer, typically towards the back, to help ensure they stay firm and don’t soften too quickly while they are stored.

This way, the homemade ice cream sandwiches are always ready to eat for a quick and refreshing dessert or snack. It’s good to keep an eye on the storage time though—homemade ice cream sandwiches are best enjoyed within 1 to 2 weeks for optimal freshness.

Before serving, take the ice cream sandwiches out of the freezer and let them sit on the countertop for a few minutes to let the ice cream to soften slightly. This makes them easier to bite into without being too hard. It’s a small detail, but it makes a difference in the enjoyment of the treat.

By following these storage tips, you can have a delicious homemade frozen ice cream dessert on hand to enjoy by yourself or to share. Homemade ice cream sandwiches make a unique summer dessert and one that will wow your family and friends.

Easy Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches

Here is how to make easy homemade ice cream sandwiches, an easy summer dessert idea to make.

Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches

Here is how to make easy homemade ice cream sandwiches.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword easy dessert recipes, summer recipes

Servings 4

Author Sweet Bacon & Pecans

Ingredients

8 chocolate chip cookies 2 cookies per sandwich
2 cups ice cream pick your favorite flavor, about a pint of ice cream
Mini chocolate chips for rolling

Instructions

Take the ice cream out of the freezer and let it soften slightly at room temperature for about 5 to 10 minutes.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay out 4 cookies flat (bottom sides up) on the parchment paper to make the bottoms of the sandwiches.
Using a large spoon or ice cream scoop, scoop out approximately ½ cup of softened ice cream, and place it on top of each cookie bottom.
Spread it out to form a thick, even layer. Place a second cookie (top side facing up) on the ice cream, and press down slightly to hold the cookies and ice cream in place. Use a knife or spatula to smooth the edges of the ice cream sandwiches for a neater look.
Optional: Pour some mini chocolate chips onto a plate or shallow bowl. Gently press the sides of each ice cream sandwich into the mini chocolate chips, rolling them so the chips stick to the sides of ice cream.
Arrange the homemade ice cream sandwiches on the baking sheet, leaving space between each sandwich. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and let the ice cream sandwiches freeze for at least 1 hour, or until firm. Let the ice cream sandwiches sit out at room temperature for a few minutes to soften before serving.

Notes

To Store: Wrap the sandwiches individually in freezer paper or plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container in the freezer for 1 to 2 weeks. Let the ice cream sandwiches sit out at room temperature for a few minutes to soften before serving.

Looking for more of the best summer desserts ideas?

This post was all about how to make homemade ice cream sandwiches.

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