Ice Cream Sandwiches

Once again, my failure to take good pictures is driving me nuts. In my excuse for this particular one, my kids were about to attack these scrumptious cookie sandwiches, so I had to be quicker than them, and snap away. I'll be making these again SOON, and snap a better picture of them. 

These were SO EASY to make, and SO SO GOOD! My husband would always buy these after a really hard day at work in the summer time. Why buy when I can make them...with love (cheesy)!

The quick way:

1 stick of refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough 

1 half gal of vanilla bean ice cream 

1 package of mini chocolate chips.

Pre heat your over to the package directions of the cookie dough. I took my dough straight from the frig and opened it. (don't let it sit out too long or it will get mushy) Next I made larger slices than the package directions-you want a thicker cookie for the sandwiches. I sliced mine about 1/2" thick, and baked them an additional 2 minutes. Keep a close eye on them, once they begin to turn golden, they're done. Allow them to cool 2 min on cookie sheet, and place on to a cookie rack to cool completely. With a large scooper, place a scoop of ice cream on top of a cookie, and smash it down slightly with another cookie. 

Next place a good cup of the mini chocolate chips onto a plate, and roll the ice cream edges in the choc chips.

If your not eating them immediately, wrap in Suran wrap and place in the freezer. I usually make double-triple the amount, and freeze them for quick snacks/desserts. 

The "labor of love" way:

I make home made vanilla ice cream in my Cuisinart ice cream maker when I have time...

1 c. milk

2 c. heavy cream

3/4 c. sugar

1 tea vanilla

This recipe should work for any ice cream maker. Its out fav vanilla recipe, and I usually add a touch more vanilla to the mix. 

Once your ice cream maker has been in the freezer for 24 hours, mix all 4 ingredients in a mixing bowl together. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Turn on your ice cream maker, and pour in the cream mixture. Let the machine do its thing for 15-20 min. Then take a few tastes. Scoop the ice cream in a bowl, and place in freezer.

Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies:

2 c. flour

1/2 ta baking soda

1/2 tea salt

3/4 c. softened butter

1 c. packed brown sugar

1/2 c white sugar

1 tea vanilla

1 egg

1 egg yoke 

2 c. semi-sweet choc chips

Heat oven to 325, Beat butter and sugars together, add in the vanilla and eggs. In another mixing bowl, mix together the dry ingredients, and slowly add them to the creamed butter. Stir in the chocolate chips. Place 1/4 c. of the cookie mixture onto a cookie sheet (or a large scoop) 2-3" apart. Bake for 15-17 minutes. Cool on the cookie sheet 3 min before transferring them onto a cookie rack to finish cooling.

Assemble your home made ice cream sandwiches-easy peasy: First and MOST important, take a taste of the ice cream. Next place a big scoop of home made vanilla ice cream onto a cookie, and smash down with another cookie on top. There you have it. Home made yummy goodness!