Last updated on July 9th, 2017
When the dog bites; when the bee stings; when I’m feeling sad…I simply eat ice cream tucked between thin layers of chocolate cake…and then I don’t feel so bad!
With apologies to Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein (who and who?), let me tell you about my new, favorite things: homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches! They’re cold, comforting, and not too sweet. They’re easy enough to make, too, and you can use store-bought ice cream for the filling.
Here’s the recipe in photographic steps, followed by a printable version:
First, spray a 13×18-inch baking sheet with vegetable spray. Then line the baking sheet with parchment paper. The vegetable spray will keep the parchment from moving around when you spread it with cake batter.
Next, throw some flour into a medium size bowl. Then add each of the following:
Good-quality cocoa powder…
Baking powder…
And kosher salt.
Whisk thoroughly to combine.
Next, tip some melted butter into a large bowl.
Add some sugar…
And whisk vigorously until the mixture turns thick and creamy.
One at a time, whisk in 2 large eggs…
Followed by a splash of pure vanilla extract.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet, and beat them with a stout spoon until a perfectly smooth batter springs forth.
“Springs forth.”
Please forgive me.
If you’re like me, you’ll be tempted to eat the batter just as it is. Restrain yourself. There’s a nice reward coming your way in just a minute.
Scoop the batter onto the prepared baking sheet, and spread it out with an offset spatula, leaving a narrow, exposed border of parchment paper all around the edges.
Pop the batter into a 350°F oven, and let it bake until set — about 10 minutes. Then let the pan cool on a wire rack.
Here’s the reward I promised you: Lick the bowl, the spoon, and the offset spatula.
When the cake is completely cool, pick up the ends of the parchment paper, and transfer the cake to a cutting board.
Grab a knife or a pastry cutter, and trim the cake to achieve a 10×14- (or 9×13-) inch rectangle.
Ready for another reward? Eat the trimmings.
Now cut the cake crosswise in half…
And top one half with a full quart of slightly softened vanilla ice cream! Just plop it on with a large ice cream scoop or spoon.
Note: You can certainly make these sandwiches with homemade ice cream. If using store-bought, select a variety that is high-fat and low-air. Aerated, low-fat ice cream is not suitable because it melts too quickly.
With the patience of a saint, and aided by an offset spatula, spread the ice cream all the way to the edge. Do not attempt perfection here, because it’s almost impossible to spread out cold ice cream in an even layer.
Grab the end of the parchment that supports the naked section of cake…
And flip it over the ice cream-covered portion. My top layer cracked a bit when I flipped it, but that’s okay. Cracks in the cake won’t affect the final, frozen product.
Tightly wrap the big sandwich in plastic wrap, and pop it into the freezer until solidly frozen — about 8 hours.
For the sake of beauty, you can tidy up the fat, frozen sandwich by trimming its edges. You already know what to do with the trimmed-off parts.
Cut the sandwich into rectangles of any size you like…
And then cut the long rectangles crosswise in half to make shorter rectangles or squares. Freeze individual sandwiches in plastic wrap.
OR…
Arrange the works on a platter…
And invite some friends to your ice cream sandwich party!
Although my ice cream melted like the Wicked Witch of the West while I adjusted my camera settings, I found the sandwiches were very easy to make, and oh, so refreshing to eat! Promise me you’ll try them some day, okay?
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Here’s the printable:
The perfect summertime treat: Cool, refreshing, and not too sweet!
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup good-quality cocoa powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks or 170 g) butter, melted
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 quart slightly softened vanilla ice cream (store bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 13 x 18 baking sheet with vegetable spray; line the baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the butter and sugar until thick. One at a time, whisk in the eggs, followed by the vanilla extract. Add the dry ingredients to the wet, and beat with a stout spoon until perfectly smooth. Scoop the batter onto the prepared baking sheet, spread it out evenly with an offset spatula, leaving a narrow border of exposed parchment paper around the edges. Bake until set -- about 10 minutes. Transfer the pan to wire rack to cool..
- Use the parchment paper to transfer the cooled cake to a cutting board. Using a sharp knife or a pastry cutter, trim the cake to achieve a 10x14- (or 9x13-) inch rectangle. Cut the cake crosswise in half, and scoop the ice cream on top of one half. Spread the ice cream all the way to the edge with the help of an offset spatula. Then take hold of the parchment paper, and flip the second half of the cake of the ice cream. Tightly wrap the big sandwich in plastic wrap, and freeze until solidly frozen -- at least 8 hours.
- To serve, cut the big sandwich into rectangles, and then cut the rectangles into squares. Individual sandwiches can be wrapped in plastic, and stored in the freezer until needed.
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Jerry Miller says
These look delicious! I with I had seen this yesterday. I was invited to my neighbors to watch fireworks. These would have been a great treat to bring to the party.
PS. I love the friends you invited!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Jerry – The Fisher Price Little People are always up for a party!
Catharine R. says
I’m drooling here! The sandwiches are just the ticket for a day like today: hot, humid, hazy. Thanks for posting, Kevin!
Jennifer says
Now “My Favorite Things” is stuck in my head. Can’t complain. And boy those ice cream sandwiches look PERFECT, dripping ice cream and all!
Diana Irwin says
I’ve been thinking about Ice Cream Sandwiches for weeks!!! Almost broke down and bought some….. Thank you for this recipe! You’re my hero!
Maraya says
Virtually the same recipe, by Samantha Seneviratne, was published in the New York Times last month. One of the comments recommended taking a frozen container of ice cream and slicing it into even slices while in the container. I thought that was brilliant.
vickie says
Oh kevin, like usual u make my day. This recipe looks so yummy. Can’t wait to try it! And I do enjoy your party crowd.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Maraya – It’s a fairly standard recipe. The NYT version omitted some crucial steps, so I filled ’em in!
Grani Frani says
Mom would purchase ice cream that came in individually wrapped blocks. She would then make waffles–let them cool slightly– and put the ice cream between two waffles. Simple and warm and cold at the same time.
Going to bbq today and I am def going to make your version. Thanks so much.
Maraya says
Hi Kevin,
I wasn’t implying you were copying. Sorry it looked that way. I just wanted to add the idea of slicing the ice cream in the container and reference where I got it.
Dee says
I hope you were able to put this recipe in your cookbook yum
Linda says
This looks absolutely delicious! I will have to make this. I so enjoy your recipes.
Paullette McLaren says
Kevin. I love that you include your little people in your world.
Paullette.
P.S.
Do they follow you around in your garden?
SueEllen says
Yes, these look so yummy but the treat is reading your directions! I feel like I am sitting on a stool listening while you put it all together. Will be trying these for my grand’s.
Thank you so much 😉
Karen L. says
Now that my computer keyboard is afloat in dripping from my chin from reading/seeing this recipe, I am off to print it so as to make these one day soon. I have always loved ice cream sandwiches and creamsicles. This post took me back to my youth and my best friend then. We used to ride our bikes to the corner store (do they still exist?) and buy one or the other of our favorite treat then sit on a little stone bridge to eat before heading home. I doubt that any of that happens anymore but thanks for taking me there and for the recipe.
Beverly, zone 6, eastern PA says
Wonderful visuals!
Judith Collins says
Kevin… you are so funny and inviting with your beautiful posts…. you make us feel like family….. Thank you! OH yes… and the recipes are great too! LOL
Shirley Parran says
You go Frank S.
Sarah P. says
I’m making these tomorrow. With peppermint ice cream!
sue/sueki says
could one reasonably use the chocolate cake base to put a nice custard on the top and some fruit on that? chill overnight? i want to make something for the homeless downtown, and icecream wont last the trip
sue
Annie says
Kevin, getting an email from you always makes me smile. So I thought I might add to the numbers of angels getting their wings today by posting something here.
Oh, and these ice cream sandwiches are just the thing for these hot days. Thank you!
Doris says
I promise! I want to make this recipe! Thank you, Kevin!!!!
Karen Wheeler says
What THEY ALL SAID! You streak of bright light, you.
Wings, wings, wings!
XO
kath moriarty says
I’m thinking coffee ice cream…. Or Friendly’s Chocolate Cherry. Mmmm.
Janet Metzger says
what fun! I have never seen a recipe for ice cream sandwiches. THANK YOU!
Veronica says
yummy!!!!!!!!! I want to eat the pics off my pc
Barb says
looks yummy – and here in Baltimore, MD the heat is on!!! I am going to do this for my next cookout!!!
Julie R says
Yum ! Have had many ice cream sandwiches over the years, but had never thought about making them until now. It looks like the Fisher Price Little People like them too. You know it has to be yummy when they show up. = )