Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches Recipe

This ice cream sandwiches recipe is better than store-bought! Imagine soft chocolate sea salt cookies sandwiched with custard-based salted caramel ice cream.

Feeling fancy? This ice cream sandwiches recipe proves that homemade desserts can look and taste sophisticated!

These cookie ice cream sandwiches are not your ordinary chocolate chip cookies with vanilla ice cream in the middle. Nestled between soft chocolate sea salt cookies is a custard-based salted caramel ice cream. 🤤

Both cookies and ice cream are made from scratch.

You don’t need to chill the cookie dough, and I included the process for making ice cream even without an ice cream maker. 

What is an Ice Cream Sandwich?

An ice cream sandwich is exactly what it sounds like: ice cream sandwiched between two baked treats. The baked goodies can be biscuits, wafers, or, as you’ll see in this ice cream sandwiches recipe, cookies.

Interestingly, the ice cream sandwich I have known since childhood uses bread. 

If you visit the Philippines and decide to try ice cream from a street vendor, don’t be surprised to see bread rolls or “monay” as another option besides cups and cones to “hold” your ice cream. 

Let me know in the comments below if this is an Asian thing! I remember being told by friends that they’ve also tried ice cream sandwiches in Singapore made with slices of white and rainbow-colored bread. 

But back to cookie ice cream sandwiches, you’ll likely find different types and flavors like this Oreo ice cream sandwich in most supermarkets.

These store-bought ice cream sandwiches are good, but let me introduce you to a sweet and salty revamp of the beloved treats. 😉

In this ice cream sandwiches recipe, we’ll make our own cookies and ice cream!

These dessert sandwiches don’t feel like you’re biting on a rock. The chocolate sea salt cookies are delightfully soft, and the salted caramel ice cream is super creamy.

Soft, sticky, and melty, there’s nothing quite like these homemade ice cream sandwiches!

Why You’ll Love This Ice Cream Sandwiches Recipe

• Fancy Flavors: This ice cream sandwiches recipe proves that homemade desserts can taste gourmet. The complexity of flavors from the dark chocolate cookies, sea salt flakes, and custard-based salted caramel ice cream are guaranteed to impress!
• Perfect Texture: These salted chocolate and caramel ice cream sandwiches are not dry and tough when you take a bite. Instead, they’re almost brownie-like with melty ice cream centers similar to soft-serve. 
• Versatile Dessert: From ordinary sunny afternoons to fancy gatherings, these chocolate sea salt cookie and salted caramel ice cream sandwiches are the perfect dessert! You can easily double this recipe, make the sandwiches in advance, or even switch up the ice cream and cookie flavors!

What Do Chocolate Sea Salt Cookie and Salted Caramel Ice Cream Sandwiches Taste Like?

Get the best of sweet and salty worlds with these chocolate sea salt cookie and salted caramel ice cream sandwiches! 

The sea salt flakes not only bring out the deep flavor of the dark chocolate cookies. The salty toppings also perfectly complement the soft and chewy texture of the cookies. 

And, of course, we have to talk about the salted caramel ice cream in the center. This custard-based ice cream is rich, creamy, and more like a soft-serve ice cream crossed with a luscious salted caramel spread.

It’s the best consistency for a cookie ice cream sandwich!

Take a bite of this tasty treat, and you’ll realize that making your own cookies and ice cream is worth it. 

Ingredients For Chocolate Salted Caramel Ice Cream Sandwiches

Ice cream sandwich cookies:

• Dark chocolate chips – We’ll make dark chocolate cookies for these ice cream sandwiches, so pick good-quality chocolate for the best flavor. 
• Unsalted butter – For soft, brownie-like cookies.
• All-purpose flour – Provides the structure for the cookies, so measure your flour accurately, or the cookies can become too thick or thin. 
• Baking soda – Baking soda ensures that the cookies will spread beautifully. 
• Dutch-process cocoa powder – For a richer chocolatey flavor that goes perfectly with the salted caramel ice cream and sea salt flakes. 😋
• Kosher salt – Enhances the flavor of the dark chocolate cookies, making them more satisfying to eat. 
• Egg – Binds the ingredients together for the perfect cookie dough. 
• Granulated sugar – These dark chocolate cookies also have some sweetness to them. 
• Instant espresso powder – Intensifies the chocolate flavor of the cookies. 
• Sea salt flakes – For a yummy burst of saltiness when you bite on the cookie sandwich. I also like their crisp texture with the soft cookies. 

Salted caramel ice cream:

• Salted caramel sauce – Did you know that according to science, salted caramel is addictive? It’s the perfect ice cream flavor for our equally complex-tasting sea salt chocolate cookies!
• Whole milk – Improves the texture of our homemade salted caramel ice cream, so it’s nice and melty.
• Egg yolks – For thicker and richer homemade ice cream. 
• Heavy whipping cream – Of course, you can’t make ice cream without cream! Use heavy cream for the best consistency.  

Tools Needed To Prepare This Ice Cream Sandwiches Recipe

• Baking sheet for the cookies
• Parchment paper for lining the baking sheet
• Mixing bowls for combining the ingredients
• Whisk for mixing the ingredients
• Spatula for folding the cookie dough
• #60 cookie scoop for portioning the dough
• Saucepan for cooking the custard
• Wooden spoon for stirring the custard
• Sieve for straining the ice cream mixture
• Ice cream maker for churning the ice cream

Ingredient Additions & Substitutions For Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Chopped walnuts

Let’s take these cookie ice cream sandwiches up a notch by rolling their sides on chopped walnuts. Not only will this amp up the beauty of these desserts, but it’ll also lessen the mess when the ice cream melts. 😉 

Toffee bits

Customize this ice cream sandwiches recipe with different add-ins and toppings!

You can drizzle extra caramel on top of the dessert sandwiches, then sprinkle them with toffee bits.

Variations

Don’t feel like baking cookies or churning ice cream? Try swapping them with store-bought ice cream or cookies.

Imagine the custard-based salted caramel ice cream between cinnamon cookies, or make a sandwich with sea salt chocolate cookies and peanut butter ice cream!

How to Make an Ice Cream Sandwich

Ingredients:

For the ice cream sandwich cookies:

• 4 oz dark chocolate chips
• 1/2 stick unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1 large egg
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp instant espresso powder
• Sea salt flakes for topping

For the salted caramel ice cream:

• 1 cup salted caramel sauce
• 2 cups whole milk
• 5 egg yolks
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

Tools you need:

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Spatula
• #60 cookie scoop
• Saucepan
• Wooden spoon
• Sieve
• Ice cream machine

Instructions:

Ice cream sandwich cookies:

STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper.

STEP 2: Microwave the chocolate chips and butter in 20-second intervals, stirring between each 20 seconds until both are melted and smooth.

STEP 3: Sift the dry ingredients together and set aside.

STEP 4: In another bowl, mix the egg and sugar.

STEP 5: Whisk in the chocolate mixture until combined.

STEP 6: Fold the flour mixture into the chocolate mixture with a spatula until combined.

STEP 7: Scoop out the cookie dough and place the cookies on the baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Top the cookies with sea salt flakes.

STEP 8: Bake the ice cream sandwich cookies for 13 to 15 minutes or until the tops are cracked.

STEP 9: Allow the chocolate sea salt cookies to cool before assembling the ice cream sandwiches.

Salted caramel ice cream:

STEP 1: Pour the caramel sauce into a saucepan and heat over medium heat.

STEP 2: Once the caramel sauce is warm, add the milk and whisk until incorporated.

STEP 3: Whisk the egg yolks in a bowl and slowly drizzle in 1/2 cup of the caramel mixture. Mix the ingredients continuously to temper the yolks.

STEP 4: Add the tempered yolks to the remaining caramel mixture in the saucepan.

STEP 5: Continue cooking the custard over medium heat for 5 to 15 minutes, stirring constantly until it thickens. Once it’s thick enough to coat the back of the spoon, strain the custard through a sieve.

STEP 6: Add the heavy cream and stir the ice cream mixture to combine.

STEP 7: Transfer the salted caramel ice cream mixture to a container. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or, much better, overnight.

STEP 8: Churn the ice cream in the ice cream maker for 25 to 30 minutes or until the consistency is similar to soft-serve ice cream.

STEP 9: Transfer the ice cream to a container, cover it, and freeze for at least 2 hours.

STEP 10: To assemble a cookie ice cream sandwich, flip a cookie over and top with a scoop of salted caramel ice cream. Then, gently spread the ice cream to the edges.

STEP 11: Top with another cookie and press the sandwich together. Continue with the rest of the chocolate sea salt cookies and salted caramel ice cream.

STEP 12: Return the ice cream sandwiches to the freezer for an hour to firm up before serving. Enjoy!

What To Serve With Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Enjoy your cookie ice cream sandwiches with other frozen desserts you can easily make at home!

Our mint chip ice cream bon bons feature a combo of crisp chocolate shell and creamy homemade mint chip ice cream. I swear it’s hard to eat just one of these decadent balls. 🤤 

If you’re looking for a tropical treat, mango popsicles will surely hit the spot.

They’re super easy to make, and you’ll only need 4 ingredients!

These sea salt chocolate cookie and salted caramel ice cream sandwiches are also the perfect finish to a savory meal. You can make the sandwiches in advance and store them in the freezer for an instant mood boost whenever. 

So now that we have the dessert, what weeknight meals can we make?

Try our chicken teriyaki pineapple bowl and crunchy shrimp sushi bowl!

They’re wholesome, filling, and absolutely delicious before the ice cream cookie sandwiches for dessert.

Tips About Making Salted Caramel Ice Cream Sandwiches

• You can also make our salted caramel dip instead of using store-bought caramel sauce for the ice cream. To give you an idea of how delicious it is, it’s made with salted butter and condensed milk!
• Don’t have an ice cream maker? Pour the mixture into a zip-top bag and squeeze the excess air. Then, freeze the sealed bag flat. Once solid, break the ice cream into smaller pieces and pulse them in a food processor until smooth. Finally, transfer the ice cream mixture into an airtight container and freeze to firm up. Easy peasy.
• You can enjoy these ice cream sandwiches immediately after assembly, but freezing them first is worth it as it helps set their shape. That being said, freeze each sandwich as soon as it’s assembled so you won’t end up with melted desserts when you finish the assembly. 

How To Store Ice Cream Sandwiches

What’s the best way to store ice cream sandwiches? How long do cookie ice cream sandwiches last?

These ice cream sandwiches are best stored in the freezer. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap, and they will store well for up to 2 months. 

What is the Best Type of Cookie for Ice Cream Sandwiches?

The best cookies for ice cream sandwiches are soft cookies like the dark chocolate sea salt cookies we used in this ice cream sandwiches recipe.

You want to avoid snappy cookies and opt for cakey cookies instead. That way, they won’t harden too much after freezing.

Looking for another soft and chewy cookie recipe?

Try our apple butter cookies, which are like snickerdoodles with a twist (and by twist, I mean the cozy flavor of apple butter. 😋)

They’re perfect for holiday cookie ice cream sandwiches as well!

What is a Chipwich?

Chipwich is a popular ice cream sandwich brand.

Dubbed “The Original Ice Cream Sandwich,” Chipwich features chocolate chip cookies with vanilla ice cream in the middle. The sides of the sandwich are also rolled in chocolate chips, covering the ice cream. 

FAQ About Ice Cream Sandwiches

Conclusion

This ice cream sandwiches recipe is everything a frozen treat should be.

The cookie ice cream sandwiches are decadent and refreshing, and they don’t feel like a rock when you bite into them!

Classic chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich is good, but your taste buds will thank you for these sweet and salty delights. The custard-based salted caramel ice cream goes perfectly with the sea salt chocolate cookies. 

The textures and complex flavors of this homemade dessert will make you feel like you’re eating something gourmet. 😋

Looking for more desserts that are perfect for those moments when you think, “Hmm, I deserve something sweet!”? You’ll love these:

• Mini Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
• Apple Sugar Cookies
• TikTok Blueberry Cookies
• Orange Crinkle Cookies
• Pumpkin Cookies