
This recipe for Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwiches starts out strangely. That’s because I want you to put the cookies in the freezer and the ice cream on the counter. You read that right, I want you to get your cookies cold and your ice cream warm. That’s the kind of thing my mother would call the old switcheroo. You know, when you take the expected and turn it on its head. That’s something else my mom might have said. Well, that and it’s better than a kick in the pants. Which is very true. These switcharoo Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwiches are indeed better than any kick in the pants I ever had.
The best Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwiches (or any other type of ice cream sandwiches) start out with freshly baked, chewy cookies. In my opinion, chewy cookies work better because they don’t get as brittle as crisp cookies do when frozen. And, as I said, I think the cookies should be frozen before you assemble these peanut butter ice cream sandwiches. So put the cookies in the freezer and the ice cream on the counter – and let’s get started.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwiches
Lay half the cold cookies onto a clean counter (topside down – duh). Place a big dollop of ice cream in the center of one cookie. The ice cream should have set on the counter long enough that it scoops with very little effort, but is not yet drippy (and messy). A generous amount of ice cream is necessary to avoid a dessert-time revolt of the masses. Next, use the back of the scoop to slightly flatten the ice cream, then place another cookie on top (topside up – duh). Then gently and evenly twist and press the top cookie down with the flat palm of your hand to create the sandwich. Use your finger to clean up the edges and redistribute some of the oozing ice cream. Place the finished ice cream sandwich onto a fresh from the freezer baking sheet. Then quickly repeat, repeat, repeat until all the sandwiches are made. If you want to get fancy you can dip the sandwiches in slightly cooled, melted chocolate. You’ll definitely get a few oohs and ahhs at the table if you do.
Once you’ve got them to this point (chocolate-dipped or not) let me give you some (more) advice. DO NOT SERVE THEM IMMEDIATELY. Freeze them for a bit. Once frozen they may be wrapped in parchment individually. When you’re ready to serve, let them sit at room temperature for a few moments. If you serve them on a hot night (which of course you will) they’ll be delightfully biteable in about 5 minutes.
Just so you know, there are differing opinions about constructing ice cream sandwiches out there. In fact, on the subject of how to Make the Absolutely, Positively Best Ice Cream Sandwich, the otherwise highly dependable website The Kitchn gets it Absolutely, Positively wrong. I know because I tried it their way. Everything about their version (which requires a soft, hot cookie and hard cold ice cream) is a mess. That includes my kitchen counters. I will tolerate a lot of things in the pursuit of perfection, but sticky counters is not one of them. GREG
Love the old switcheroo! Makes perfect sense! I was secretly ( now NOT so secret) hoping for your peanut butter cookie recipe…
Yes! This method makes complete sense to me. Why would you even try to use super-cold ice cream? And chocolate and peanut butter is the best combination.
Great technique and definitely worth breaking my diet to enjoy.
Totally in! ~Bijouxs
I’m pretty sure they serve this in my version of heaven. There’s nothing better than chocolate and PB.
Yeah, those sticky counters are such a mess. Glad you experienced them, and not me. 😉 This looks great — thanks!
I love these. I want to eat them immediately! I totally agree about the chewy cookie — they must be chewy for a good ice cream sandwich eating experience.
I am so ready to finish the season with an ice cream sandwich! The only other way I’ve seen to make one is to take the ice cream out of the carton in one piece, and slice it. Haven’t tried it, but I’m very happy with your method and your combination! Chocolate and peanut butter are the bomb!
The Kitchn! Say it ain’t so. They’re usually very reliable, but I have a hard time visualizing how their method would work. Your ol’ switcheroo makes a whole lot of sense!
I too do not tolerate sticky counters, so I will be trying your method 🙂 Looks delicious!
I totally am in concert with you on cold cookies, tempered ice cream. Reading this post make me hungry. Thanks. Love the peanut addition to the chocolate ice cream too.
Feel free to pop a couple into a box with dry ice and send ’em straight to me. Yum! 🙂