20+ Unexpected Ways to Make an Ice Cream Sandwich
This treat is exactly what it sounds like: ice cream sandwiched between two cookies. But what happens when you're fresh out of cookies? We found a handful of unexpected alternatives!
Graham Crackers
Graham crackers aren’t just for s’mores—they’re perfect for ice cream sandwiches too, and they pair well with almost any ice cream flavor. If you are craving s’mores, try one of these fun twists on the classic treat.
Frosted Animal Crackers
Perfect for kids (and kids at heart), mini ice cream sandwiches made with frosted animal crackers are a fun dessert any time of year. Here are more ways to creatively use animal cookies.
Brownie Squares
You can’t go wrong with chocolate. Cut two squares of brownies to use as your cookie alternative. This fudgy brownie recipe would be a great choice if you’re up for making brownies from scratch.
Crisp Pizzelles
If you’re looking for something lighter than the traditional chocolate chip cookie, try using pizzelles. These delectable Italian treats make an eye-catching dessert when filled with ice cream. Here’s a classic pizzelle recipe to get you started.
Toasted Waffles
Whether you grab toaster waffles out of the freezer or whip up a batch of homemade, waffles make a great ice cream sandwich. Try it with maple ice cream for a brunch-inspired dessert. Here’s our Test Kitchen’s favorite frozen waffle brand.
Mini Pies
Yes, really! Mini pies can make a delicious and decadent ice cream sandwich. Try blueberry or raspberry mini pies for the perfect summer flavor combo. Or try this apple-cinnamon mini pie recipe for a fall-inspired treat.
Doughnuts
Use your bagel slicer or a sharp knife to slice a doughnut in half to serve as the “bun” for your ice cream sandwich. If you’re up for making doughnuts from scratch, here’s our step-by-step guide.
Churros
A popular treat at Walt Disney Resorts, ice cream sandwiches made with churros offer a delicious combination of cinnamon sugar, flaky churro and creamy vanilla ice cream. Here’s Disney’s famous churro recipe—just pipe them into a cookie shape.
Watermelon Slices
Talk about a refreshing summer dessert! Slice a thick, wedge-shaped piece of melon, scoop out a pocket in the middle and fill it with ice cream for a show-stopping creation.
Pound Cake
Try a new twist on a classic strawberry sundae! Slice two pieces of pound cake, like this favorite recipe, and use them as your cookie alternative. Strawberry ice cream would make a great filling.
Macarons
Whip up a batch of macaron shells to make perfectly petite ice cream sandwiches. With an array of macaron flavors, the ice cream sandwich combinations are nearly endless. While macarons are notoriously difficult to make, we’ll walk you through it in our step-by-step guide.
Nilla Wafers
If you’re crunched for time, get a box of Nilla Wafers and your favorite ice cream. These snack-sized sandwiches are ideal for an afternoon treat or midnight snack.
Edible Cookie Dough
Try your favorite ice cream filling in between two thin slices of safe-to-eat raw cookie dough. Here’s how to make two different kinds of edible cookie dough and a delectable cookie dough ice cream sandwich.
Rice Krispies Treats
Try slicing a Rice Krispies Treat in half for your ice cream sandwich. Swap out the crisped rice for your favorite sugary cereal for a colorful option! Discover more fun ways to use Rice Krispies.
Muffin Tops
Muffin tops are the best part of any muffin, and sandwiching ice cream between two tops takes it up a notch. Blueberry muffins would pair perfectly with vanilla ice cream, or try a cinnamon muffin with maple ice cream for a fall-inspired dessert.
Pretzel Thins
Try pretzel thins for the ideal mix of salty and sweet. After filling the sandwiches with ice cream, dip them into chocolate and let them harden for a crunchy, poppable treat. Pretzels make a great base for an array of delicious recipes.
Peanut Butter Cups
Swap out the cookies for peanut butter cups. This candy makes a heavenly, decadent sandwich that’s sure to please chocolate and peanut butter lovers. FYI: Our Test Kitchen tried the top peanut butter cups to see if Reese’s were really the best.
Red Velvet Cake Cookies
Whipping up cookies with a cake mix is a real time saver. If you’ve got a box of red velvet cake mix in your pantry, you can make a deliciously decadent ice cream sandwich.
Cupcakes
Simply slice a cupcake in half to create two ice cream sandwich “buns,” similar to this popular cupcake-eating trick. Classic vanilla cupcakes perfectly complement any of these delicious homemade ice creams.
Funnel Cake
A fair favorite, funnel cake makes for a fun ice cream sandwich twist. Try making mini versions of this popular recipe to use as your ice cream sandwich cookies.
Strips of Bacon
Everything’s better with bacon—even dessert. Another salty and sweet combo, bacon and maple ice cream may just be your new favorite ice cream sandwich. The key here is baking bacon basket-weave “cookies” to use for the sandwich.
Cinnamon Sugar Tortillas
The perfect dessert for taco night! Fry up tortillas, dredge them in cinnamon sugar and set in an upside-down muffin tin until hardened before filling with ice cream. Find more ways to switch up your taco Tuesday.
Pineapple Rings
Core and slice your pineapple for a tropical take on ice cream sandwiches. After assembling your sandwiches, freeze them to help them firm up. Garnish with a drink umbrella for a truly tropical vibe. Find even more tropical desserts to brighten your day.
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