Yes, you read that title right. Gingerbread Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches!! Of all the ideas I’ve ever had, I have to say, this is probably one of the best.
I knew I wanted to do something with gingerbread (because, hello, it’s the holidays), but I couldn’t put my finger on WHAT. I felt like gingerbread ice cream was laaaaaaame. I considered a gingerbread ice cream cake, but who really has the time for a 3 day cake making extravaganza during the holiday season?? – No one.
And then after weeks (yes, I think about these recipes for weeks) it finally came to me!
If I could somehow make soft and chewy gingerbread cookies and sandwich vanilla ice cream in between two of those cookies with a cinnamon swirl or sauce somehow… we may just have magic.
Well, abracadabra bitches. Prepare to be amazed.
Gingerbread cookies are usually thin, crisp and crunchy but that’s pretty much the exact opposite characteristics you want to have for a cookie you’re using for an ice cream sandwich. I’m no cookie expert so I went on the hunt for the perfect soft and chewy gingerbread cookie recipe AND BOY DID WE FIND IT.
Lauren Allen, of Tastes Better From Scratch, totally nailed it. I’ll probably never use another gingerbread cookie recipe ever again.
You can find the link to the recipe here! It’s a super simple recipe. I love it so much it’s literally hanging on my refrigerator for easy access.
These Gingerbread Ice Cream Sandwiches are the perfect way to upgrade those gingerbread men! Creamy vanilla ice cream, homemade cinnamon caramel sauce all sandwiched in between two soft and chewy gingerbread men gives you the best way to get your gingerbread fix this holiday season!
Gingerbread Cookies
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar , packed
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 Tablespoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 12 Tablespoons butter , room temperature, cut into 12 pieces
- 3/4 cup molasses (dark molasses)
- 2 Tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Add flour, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt to a mixing bowl and mix.
- Add the butter pieces and use a pastry blender to cut the butter in until the mixture resembles fine meal.
- With a mixer running on low speed gradually add the molasses and milk and mix until combined, about 30 seconds.
- Divide the dough in half, forming each into a ball. Wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight, or place in the freezer for about 20 minutes, until firm, if you’re in a hurry.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Remove one dough sheet from the fridge/freezer and place on the counter. Roll out the dough (use a little flour on your rolling pin if needed), until it’s about ½ inch thick. Cut gingerbread men and place them on prepared baking sheets.
- Refrigerate the gingerbread men for 5 minutes (meanwhile you can roll out the other dough ball).
- Bake the cookies until set in the centers and the dough barely retains and imprint when touched very gently with fingertip, 8 to 11 minutes (depending on the size of your cookie cutter). Do not over bake!!
- Remove the cookies to a wire rack. Allow to cool to room temperature before frosting.
- Store gingerbread cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between the layers. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Gingerbread Ice Cream Sandwiches
Ingredients
Vanilla Ice Cream
- 1 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Cinnamon Caramel
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 1/2 tbsp butter salted, room temp
- 1/3 cup heavy cream room temp
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Vanilla Ice Cream
- Add milk, 1 cup of cream, sugar and salt into medium saucepan and heat until sugar is melted and liquid is scalding hot.
- Temper in the egg yolks.
- Strain into a bowl with remaining cream through a mesh strainer.
- Stir in the vanilla extract. Chill in the refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight.
- Churn to your ice cream machine's instructions.
Cinnamon Caramel Sauce
- Place sugar into a saucepan on medium heat. Stir gently as sugar begins to melt.
- Once all sugar is melted and liquid turns a light amber color, remove from heat and carefully add in the butter.
- Stir to combine (it will bubble) and then slowly add in the heavy cream (it will bubble again) in a slow stream.
- Stir in the cinnamon and vanilla extract and transfer to a container to cool at room temperature.
