Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches

Create easy homemade ice cream sandwiches with chocolate cookies holding a luscious filling of creamy vanilla ice cream. They’re the quintessential summer treat.

You might also like blueberry ice cream floats, one of these ice cream cake recipes, some blueberry lemonade popsicles, or refreshing lemon granita.

Why You’ll Love It           

Easy to make: Ice cream sandwiches are really simple to make with just 20 minutes of active prep time.
Basic ingredients: The recipe uses easy-to-find ingredients, so there’s no need for a special trip to the store.
A real crowd-pleaser: The end result is a show-stopping dessert that everyone will love.

Ice Cream Sandwich Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Butter: Brings richness to the cookie base, ensuring a soft, chewy texture.
Brown sugar: Adds sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor, balancing the cocoa taste. Use dark or light brown sugar.
White granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps the cookies bake evenly.
Egg: Acts as a binder, giving structure to the cookie dough.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor, adding warmth and depth.
Dutch cocoa powder: Delivers a deep chocolate flavor, creating a rich cookie base. I like to use Dutch process cocoa powder for a richer, deeper chocolate flavor. It’s a bit more expensive than regular cocoa powder, so feel free to use whatever you already have on hand
All-purpose flour: The main ingredient in the cookie dough, providing structure.
Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise slightly, giving them a soft, light texture.
Vanilla ice cream: Adds creamy, smooth richness to the dessert. Store bought ice cream means you don’t need to worry about making your own or investing in an ice cream maker, but feel free to make your own if you’d rather!

How to Make Ice Cream Sandwiches

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Cream the butter and sugars: Mix the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together in a large bowl until smooth and creamy.
Incorporate the wet ingredients: Add the egg and vanilla extract, whisking until just combined.
Mix in the dry ingredients: Combine the flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder, blending this flour mixture into the batter until no streaks of dry flour remain.
Chill the dough: Cover the cookie dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Roll out and bake the cookie dough: Roll the chilled dough into a rectangle on a parchment paper lined cutting board, bake, and slice into smaller rectangles once done. Let the cookies cool completely.
Assemble the sandwiches: Cut the softened ice cream into rectangles and gently press them between the cookies. Freeze before serving up this perfect summer treat!    

Substitutions and Variations

Gluten-free option: If you want a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour.
Ice cream: Swap vanilla ice cream for your favorite ice cream flavor: pistachio, mint chocolate chip, coffee, and strawberry ice cream are just a few suggestions. Or try something totally different like bourbon peach ice cream!
Salted butter: Substitute unsalted butter with a pinch of salt.
Flour: Use whole wheat flour for a heartier, nutty flavor in the cookies.
Optional add-ins: Add mini chocolate chips, rainbow sprinkles or chopped nuts to the cookie dough for extra texture.

Serving Suggestions

With a refreshing drink: Enjoy an iced lavender matcha latte or mango a-go-go smoothie with your ice cream sandwich.
With a summer cocktail: Anything from a mango citrus white wine sangria to a watermelon paloma would pair nicely. 
For dessert: Ice cream sandwiches are great after any kind of main dish from buffalo chicken wings to a peach panzanella salad.

How to Store Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches

Freeze: Keep them frozen in an airtight container and eat within a month.