• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Kickass Baker
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipes (Legacy)
  • Let's Work Together!
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About Me
  • Recipe Search
  • Recipe Index
  • Work With Me
  • Baking Resources
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Ice Cream

    Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

    5 from 3 votes
    3 Comments

    Aug 14, 2019

    (updated Jul 27, 2022)

    by Kimberlee Ho

    Jump to Recipe
    Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches | kickassbaker.com pin for Pinterest
    Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches | kickassbaker.com pin for pinterest with text overlay

    Ice Cream is the very best way to stay cool during the hot summer. And, not just plain ol' regular ice cream outta the tub. We're talking Homemade Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches.

    These have a big ol' hunk of cool, creamy, refreshing ice cream sandwiched between two sink-your-teeth-into homemade chocolate cookies. Oh yeahhhhhh... Now we're talking!

    Close up shot of 3 stacked chocolate ice cream sandwiches

    Why Most Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches Don't Work

    Now, I've attempted to make my own ice cream sandwiches at home many times before.

    And, to be completely honest, each time they've been less than stellar. I mean, it's just regular cookies with a scoop of ice cream sandwiched in the middle, right?

    Oh no, I was so very wrong. I tried this using my best chocolate chip cookies and some chocolate chip ice cream.

    Not only were the cookies way too thick for use in ice cream sandwiches, but the cookies were rock hard when frozen.

    Next time I tried, I quickly realized I couldn't quite get the cookie to ice cream ratio right to create a good bite.

    Either the cookies slid all over the place when taking a bite and the ice cream shot out the back. Or, the whole thing melted into a soupy mess before I could get a bite in. Ugh!

    Chocolate cookie ice cream sandwich with peppermint ice cream, dipped in chocolate coating and sprinkled with crushed peppermint

    Discovering the Perfect Ice Cream Sandwich Formula

    So, I studied up on what types of cookies make for the very best cookies for ice cream sandwiches.

    And, I tested out the right cookie to ice cream ratio for the best ice cream sandwich. I tested a few variations and finally nailed it! Hallelujah! Here's what I've learned.

    First, the cookies with which you're sandwiching your ice cream need to remain soft when frozen. How, you ask? Well, my friends, I created cookies that are thin enough to bite into in sandwich form.

    And, I needed said cookies to actually soften as they freeze so my guests don't break a tooth trying to take a bite. Cookies that soften as they freeze?! Mind blowing, right?

    Now, this requires a couple of important to-dos on your part. First, follow the cookie recipe below to achieve the perfect cookie for ice cream sandwich assembly.

    These cookies contain the right proportion of liquid and dry ingredients (hello, brown sugar!) that allow them to actually soften as they freeze.

    Next, assemble the ice cream sandwiches and allow them to freeze for a little while before eating. I know, what a bummer, right?

    The good news is, with some planning ahead, this becomes very easy to achieve. (And, you may want to have a scoop of ice cream for a snack while you're assembling to tide you over till these are ready. Just sayin'.)

    Chocolate cookie ice cream sandwiches lined up in a pan

    Finding the right Ice Cream-to-Cookie Ratio

    Another critical step in this ice cream sandwich making process is ensuring your ice cream is properly prepared for assembly to achieve that perfect ratio of cookie to ice cream.

    You can always just lay a scoop between the two cookies. Nothing wrong with that.

    However, the method outlined below produces evenly sized ice cream sandwiches with the right ratio of ice cream to cookie and it produces smooth edges to your sandwich.

    These babies become much more appealing to the eye when assembled like this and the smooth edges allow you to add toppings around the edges evenly, if you so choose.

    See below in the 'Tips' section for a how-to on creating even ice cream rounds for your ice cream sandwiches.

    Stacked peppermint ice cream sandwiches with chocolate cookies

    Tips for Making This Recipe

    • The first step in making any recipe is to read through the recipe completely at least twice before you begin. This Ice Cream Sandwich recipe should be no exception to that. There are lots of steps – you’ll want to know what lies ahead and, more importantly, you’ll want to be prepared so everything goes smoothly. For example, you don’t want to get to the part where you need to allow the cookie dough to chill for two hours before baking without having thought through the timing (aka, you wanted to have these ice cream sandwiches prepared for your backyard bbq two hours from now!).
    • In order to create cookies and ice cream rounds that are the same size, I recommend using a 3-inch cookie cutter with a handle for this recipe. Some may refer to this as a biscuit cutter. In this case, it's a cookie and ice cream cutter, thank you very much! The handle will allow you to press down into the ice cream and pull the cookie cutter back out without having to make a big ol' mess. Trust me on this
    • For a tutorial on how to prepare the ice cream to be sandwiched between the cookies, check out this link from Bon Appetit. The ice cream needs to first be scooped out of its container and softened. This is done by cutting it into small pieces, then mixing it with a wooden spoon until it smoothes out. Next the ice cream is placed in a baking dish lined with plastic wrap and smoothed into an even layer. Then you freeze it again! This ensures the ice cream used to fill your ice cream sandwiches are equal in size. And, they'll look pretty, too!

    Useful Kitchen Tools for This Recipe

    Cookie Cutters

    Rubber Spatulas

    13x9 inch Baking Pan

    Dipping a chocolate cookie ice cream sandwich in melted chocolate

    Like this recipe? Follow me on Pinterest for lots more recipes just like this one! And don’t forget to pin this recipe for later by clicking on one of the images below the recipe. Or, click on any of the images in this post to save to Pinterest.

    If you are an ice cream lover like me, try one of my homemade ice cream recipes in these Ice Cream Sandwiches!

    • Easy homemade s'mores ice cream in 2 cones being held by two kids with a scoop of ice cream in front
      S'mores Ice Cream
    • White Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream in a chocolate dipped waffle cone
      White Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream
    • Cherry lovers will want to make this delicious bourbon cherry cheesecake ice cream to enjoy all summer long
      Bourbon Cherry Cheesecake Ice Cream
    • Drizzling homemade ice cream with hot fudge sauce.
      Homemade Ice Cream with Condensed Milk
    Close up shot of 3 stacked chocolate ice cream sandwiches

    Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

    These are the best ice cream sandwiches! With a big ol' hunk of refreshing ice cream sandwiched between two sink-your-teeth-into homemade chocolate cookies.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time: 35 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Chilling Time: 12 hours
    Total Time: 12 hours 55 minutes
    Course: All Recipes, Dessert, Snacks
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 15 servings
    Calories: 300kcal
    Author: Kimberlee Ho
    US Customary - Metric

    Ingredients

    • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder sifted
    • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
    • 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
    • 1 cup light brown sugar packed
    • ¾ cup granulated sugar
    • 2 large eggs room temperature
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 2 pints ice cream any flavor
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    Make Cookies:

    • In a medium bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and 2½ cups flour.
    • In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes.
    • Reduce mixer speed to medium and add eggs and vanilla extract; beat until very fluffy, about 30 seconds.
    • Reduce speed to low and gradually add dry ingredients, beating just until combined (use a to incorporate any dry ingredients at the bottom of the bowl).
    • Divide dough in half and wrap each in plastic wrap, pressing down to form into ½”-thick disks. Chill until firm, at least 2 hours.
    • Preheat the oven to 350°.
    • Let 1 disk of dough sit at room temperature until softened slightly, about 5 minutes.
    • Roll out on a lightly floured piece of parchment paper into a large ⅛"-thick rectangle (about 16x12"), dusting lightly with more flour as needed.
    • Use a 3 inch round cookie cutter to cut out as many rounds as you can fit, then use a thin metal spatula to transfer rectangles to a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing 1" apart. (If at any point the dough becomes too soft and sticky, slide dough with parchment onto a baking sheet and chill until firm.)
    • Chill dough on baking sheet while you repeat the process with the second disk of dough.
    • You should end up with approximately 30 cookies total. Save scraps for another use or discard.
    • Bake, rotating baking sheets front to back and top to bottom halfway through, until edges are firm, 12–15 minutes.
    • Let cool on baking sheets. Turn half of cookies over so the flat side is facing up.

    Prepare the Ice Cream:

    • Line a 13x9” baking pan, preferably straight sided, with 2 layers of plastic wrap, leaving several inches of overhang on all sides; place in freezer.
    • Remove both pints of ice cream from containers (just peel away container if it’s paper, or use a rubber spatula to help slide ice cream out intact if container is plastic).
    • Cut ice cream into 2” pieces and place in a large bowl.
    • Let sit until slightly softened, about 5 minutes, then stir with a wooden spoon or a large rubber spatula until the consistency of thick cake batter.
    • Scrape ice cream into chilled pan and smooth into an even layer with a small off-set spatula.
    • Freeze uncovered until firm, 15–20 minutes.

    Assemble Ice Cream Sandwiches:

    • Remove ice cream from freezer, unwrap, and invert onto a cutting board; remove pan and peel off plastic.
    • Working quickly so ice cream doesn’t melt, press cookie cutter straight down into ice cream. 
    • Working with 1 round of ice cream at a time, use a thin metal spatula to place it on a flat-side-up cookie and top with a right-side up cookie.
    • Transfer sandwiches to a rimmed baking sheet set in the freezer as you work.
    • Freeze sandwiches until ice cream is hard, about 2 hours.
    • Cover tray with plastic wrap and freeze at least another 8 hours (This allows the cookies to soften so they are easier to bite into).

    Notes

    • Do Ahead: Cookie dough can be made 2 days ahead; keep chilled. Cookies can be baked 1 week ahead; transfer to a resealable plastic bag and freeze. Ice cream can be made and prepared 1 week ahead; keep frozen in pan. Sandwiches can be assembled 5 days ahead; keep frozen
    • Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit.com

    Nutrition

    Calories: 300kcal
    Did you make this recipe?Tag @kickassbaker on Instagram so I can see!
    Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches | kickassbaker.com pin for pinterest with text overlay

    Notice: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. By clicking on any of these links, you are consenting to us to place cookies on your browser.

    Filed Under

    Ice CreamFrozenIntermediateSummerChocolate
    « Caramel-filled Churro Cupcakes
    Baked Donuts with Ruby Chocolate Glaze »

    Reader Interactions

      Leave a comment & rate this recipe Cancel reply

      I am honored you made this recipe from kickassbaker.com! Your star rating and comment will help others looking for recipes like this one. Please take a moment to share a star rating and offer a helpful comment or tip for other bakers. Thank you!

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

      Comments

    1. Linda

      January 17, 2021 at 10:40 pm

      This is a very good article, thank you for sharing, there are not many such articles in this field.

      Reply
    2. Bek

      February 05, 2021 at 9:58 am

      Hi,

      can I use dark brown sugar instead of light brown? Would it affect the cookies at all?

      thanks,

      Reply
      • Kim

        February 05, 2021 at 4:09 pm

        Hi! Light Brown sugar has less molasses in it so the caramel flavor won't be as strong, but the recipe won't be affected at all if you use light vs dark brown sugar. Enjoy!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hey there!  Thank you so much for visiting Kickass Baker!  I’m Kim, the working mom and home baker behind this blog.  I know how crazy life can be.  Too often, we can beat ourselves up and give up things we enjoy because we think we aren’t great at them.  But you are kicking ass everyday and I’m here to help you bake up some crazy-good recipes and embrace your Kickass Baker!

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Double Chocolate Chip Muffin close-up with bite taken out, milk behind
      Bakery-Style Double Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe
    • serving a slice of dalgona coffee chocolate cake
      Dalgona Coffee Chocolate Cake
    • Challah braided bread slices ready to be eaten.
      Fluffy Challah Bread
    • Close-up image of easy homemade cinnamon sticky bun fresh out of the oven
      One Hour Cinnamon Rolls
    • Brioche Doughnuts | kickassbaker.com #brioche #donuts #doughnuts #vanilla #cream #creme #filled #dessert #nutfree #recipes #kickassbaker #fried #breakfast
      Brioche Donuts with Vanilla Cream Filling
    • Challah Rolls recipe is great for the holidays.
      Challah Rolls

    Let's Connect!

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    FeedFeed

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Kim
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Kickass Baker