Since I was a kid my favorite ice cream treat has been ice cream sandwiches. I remember that calling the ice cream man from my bedroom window was one of my favorite Summer hobbies when I was 6-8 years old. My mom got pissed off a couple of times because I could do the same thing everyday until she explained to me that those ice cream men didn’t give away the ice cream for free plus eating that many per week was not going to be healthy for me. I am not a big ice cream eater, lactose is not my friend but when I do and I want to treat myself, I go for ice cream sandwiches. Those delicious soft sandwiches cookies filled with vanilla ice cream. Yum!

Today, I’m showing you how to make the cookie part. I am NOT making homemade ice cream. I thought that I should start with just the cookie part so you can practice at home and when Summer arrives I will have a super easy ice cream recipe for you. For now, you can choose any ice cream flavor you prefer at the store.

Let’s start with the recipe and if you would like to see how I made these treats, visit me on Instagram @pastry_tales

Yield 8-10 ice cream sandwiches (it all depends how big you cut them)

Ingredients

For the chocolate cookie part

10 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature

1/2 cup white granulated sugar

1/4 cup dark cocoa powder

1 egg yolk at room temperature

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon baking powder

For the filling

vanilla ice cream (you can get any flavor you prefer)

Directions

For the chocolate cookie part

1.- You need a square pan 8×8 inches lined with parchment paper (sides and bottom).

2.- Preheat oven to 350 F.

3.- In a bowl and using an electric mixer, beat your butter for 2 minutes. Then, add the sugar and mix for another 2 minutes. Add in cocoa powder, mix for another minute. Add in egg yolk and vanilla extract(if using) for another minute. Using a spatula, scrape down the sides and bottom of your bowl, give it a quick mix .

4.- Now, add flour, salt and baking powder to the bowl and mix in low speed until everything is well combined and forms like a soft chocolate dough, make a ball with your hands, place it on a hard surface and divide the dough into 2 equal parts.

5.- Place one half into your prepared pan and using your fingers push down the dough. Make sure that the thickness of the dough is even, you don’t want thicker or super thin parts in different areas.

6.- Grab a fork and poke holes all over the dough. Bake for 12-13 minutes.

7.- Repeat the same process for the other half of the dough. Let them cool both layers completely.

For the ice cream part

1.-Cover bottom and sides of the same square pan with plastic wrap. Place one cookie layer on the bottom of the pan (hole part looking down).

2.- Scoop out some of your favorite ice cream on top and carefully spread it out all over . If the ice cream is too hard to spread, warm it out just a bit in the microwave.

3.- Place the other cookie layer on top and press down just a bit. Cover with plastic wrap and place this into the freezer at least for 4 hours or overnight.

When ready to serve, grab a knife and cut squares. You can make big or small ones. I got 8 mini sandwiches.

You can wrap them individually and keep them in the freezer until ready to eat.

Enjoy!!