There’s something magical about the moment you bite into a perfectly made Ice Cream Sandwich — the soft chew of homemade chocolate chip cookies meeting the cool creaminess of ice cream. This classic dessert is pure comfort and joy in every bite. It combines two of life’s greatest treats — cookies and ice cream — into one irresistible handheld delight.

These ice cream sandwiches are everything you want in a summer dessert (or anytime treat): chewy, gooey, sweet, creamy, and customizable. You can roll the sides in chocolate chips, nuts, or sprinkles for a fun twist.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it captures that pure, homemade happiness — the buttery aroma of fresh-baked cookies and the creamy, cold contrast of ice cream. The cookies are slightly soft and chewy so they don’t crack when frozen, and the pairing possibilities are endless: vanilla ice cream with chocolate chip cookies, or maybe strawberry ice cream with double chocolate cookies.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

This dessert is a must-try because it’s:

• Nostalgic yet gourmet: A childhood favorite made with homemade quality.
• Customizable: Choose your favorite ice cream and cookie combination.
• Make-ahead friendly: Perfect for prepping in advance for parties.
• Texture perfection: Soft, chewy cookies meet creamy, cold ice cream for an addictive contrast.

It’s the kind of dessert that makes people smile — and that’s reason enough to make it!

Recipe Details

• Preparation Time: 25 minutes
• Cooking Time: 12 minutes
• Cooling + Assembly Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: ~1 hour 40 minutes
• Servings: 8 large sandwiches (16 cookies total)
• Calories: ~420 kcal per sandwich
• Course: Dessert
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Chip Cookies:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

For the Ice Cream Sandwiches:

• 1 ½ quarts (about 6 cups) vanilla ice cream (or any flavor of choice), softened
• Optional: mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, or chopped nuts for rolling

Cooking Directions (Overview)

1. Bake soft, chewy chocolate chip cookies.
2. Soften the ice cream slightly for easy spreading.
3. Sandwich the ice cream between two cookies.
4. Freeze until firm and enjoy!

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

Step 1: Make the Cookie Dough

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
• Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
• Fold in chocolate chips.

Step 2: Shape and Bake the Cookies

• Scoop dough into 2-tablespoon portions and place them 2 inches apart on baking sheets.
• Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are golden but centers look slightly underbaked (they’ll firm up as they cool).
• Let cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tip: You want cookies that are chewy, not crispy, so they stay soft even after freezing.

Step 3: Soften the Ice Cream

• Let your chosen ice cream sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes until soft enough to spread but not melted.

Step 4: Assemble the Sandwiches

• Lay half of the cookies upside down.
• Scoop about ¼ cup of ice cream onto each cookie and gently press another cookie on top to create a sandwich.
• Smooth the sides with a spatula or the back of a spoon.

Optional: Roll the sides in mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, or chopped nuts for a fun finish.

Step 5: Freeze the Sandwiches

• Place assembled sandwiches on a baking tray and freeze for 1–2 hours until firm.
• Once frozen, wrap each sandwich individually in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container.

How to Serve This Recipe

Serve your Ice Cream Sandwiches straight from the freezer after letting them rest for about 3–5 minutes at room temperature.

They’re perfect for:

• Backyard BBQs or summer parties
• Birthday celebrations
• Ice cream dessert bars (serve multiple flavors and toppings!)
• A sweet ending to any casual meal

Pair with iced coffee, milkshakes, or fruit smoothies for an ultimate treat.

Recipe Tips

• Keep cookies soft: Slightly underbake them to keep a chewy texture after freezing.
• Work quickly: The ice cream melts fast — freeze as you assemble.
• Perfect shape: Use a round cookie cutter to trim edges for uniform sandwiches.
• Flavor pairing: Chocolate chip cookies go well with vanilla, mint chocolate chip, or cookie dough ice cream.
• Chill before serving: Always freeze for at least 1 hour before serving to set properly.

Variations

1. Double Chocolate Delight: Use chocolate cookies with chocolate ice cream for a rich treat.
2. Peanut Butter Twist: Use peanut butter cookies with chocolate or vanilla ice cream.
3. Mint Chocolate Chip Dream: Pair soft chocolate cookies with mint chip ice cream.
4. Oatmeal Raisin Classic: Make it lighter with oatmeal cookies and vanilla ice cream.
5. Vegan Option: Use dairy-free cookies and plant-based ice cream for a fully vegan dessert.

Freezing and Storage

• Freezing Time: 1–2 hours to firm up.
• Storage: Store individually wrapped sandwiches in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 weeks.
• Serving: Let thaw at room temperature for 5 minutes before eating.

Special Equipment Needed

• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper
• Electric mixer (optional, for creaming butter)
• Cooling rack
• Ice cream scoop or small spatula
• Plastic wrap and airtight container

FAQ

1. Can I make the cookies ahead of time?
Yes! Bake and cool them completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 2 days before assembling.

2. Can I use store-bought cookies?
Absolutely. Just choose soft-baked cookies — crunchy ones can break when frozen.

3. What ice cream flavors work best?
Classic vanilla, cookies and cream, chocolate, or salted caramel pair wonderfully with chocolate chip cookies.

4. How do I keep the sandwiches from getting too hard?
Use chewy cookies and don’t freeze them longer than two weeks for the best texture.

5. Can I make mini sandwiches?
Yes! Use smaller cookies and a tablespoon of ice cream per sandwich for bite-sized versions.

Conclusion

Ice Cream Sandwiches with Chocolate Chip Cookies are the perfect blend of nostalgic comfort and homemade luxury. Each bite delivers the chewy sweetness of a freshly baked cookie with the smooth, creamy coolness of ice cream — the ultimate dessert harmony.

Whether you’re making them for a summer picnic, a family dessert night, or just to satisfy your sweet tooth, these treats promise smiles all around. Easy to customize, store, and share, they’re proof that sometimes the simplest desserts are the most memorable.