Brownie ice cream sandwiches are a fun treat! They have soft, chewy brownies on the outside, packed with creamy ice cream in the middle. Yummy!
Who wouldn’t love these? They’re great for parties or just a cozy night in. I like to use different ice cream flavors to keep things exciting—chocolate mint, anyone? 🍦
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Unsalted Butter: This is key for rich flavor in the brownies. If you’re out of unsalted butter, use salted butter but reduce added salt to 1/4 teaspoon. Coconut oil can also be used for a dairy-free option.
Cocoa Powder: Use unsweetened cocoa powder for the best flavor. If you don’t have cocoa powder, you might try carob powder, though it will change the taste. I prefer using a high-quality cocoa powder for a deeper chocolate flavor!
Granulated Sugar: White sugar gives the brownies sweetness and moisture. For a subtle difference, try brown sugar instead; it adds a bit of caramel flavor. You could also use coconut sugar for a healthier twist.
Ice Cream: Vanilla is a classic, but feel free to use any flavor like cookies and cream or mint chocolate chip. Just make sure to soften it for easier spreading. Sorbet can be a refreshing substitute for a dairy-free treat.
Mini Chocolate Chips: While optional, these add extra texture and chocolatey goodness. Try substituting with a different kind of chip, like peanut butter or white chocolate, or even chopped nuts for a crunch!
How Do You Get the Brownies Just Right Without Overmixing?
A common challenge is ensuring your brownies are perfectly textured. To avoid overmixing, always mix dry and wet ingredients separately first. When combining, stir until everything is just mixed. It’s okay to have a few lumps; they’ll disappear as the brownies bake!
- Start by melting butter and mixing in sugar. Let it cool slightly.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing gently. This helps maintain moisture.
- When you add the flour mixture, fold gently until no dry flour is visible.
- Avoid beating the batter vigorously to keep brownies chewy, not cakey.
Use a toothpick to check doneness; a few moist crumbs are perfect. This ensures that your brownies are fudgy and delicious!
How to Make Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Brownies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
For the Ice Cream Layer:
- 1 quart vanilla ice cream (or any flavor of your choice)
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
You’ll need about 15 minutes to prep the ingredients and mix everything together, plus 25-30 minutes for baking the brownies. After that, you’ll allow at least 2 hours for chilling the assembled sandwiches in the freezer. So, set aside about 3 hours in total, but most of that time is just waiting!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your brownies bake evenly and come out perfectly delicious!
2. Prepare the Brownie Batter:
In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once it’s melted, take it off the heat and stir in the granulated sugar until everything is well combined. Let this mixture cool for a few minutes, then add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Finally, stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. This step helps ensure that your dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
4. Combine Mixtures:
Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough brownies.
5. Bake the Brownies:
Pour the brownie batter into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan and spread it out evenly. Bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs—this means your brownies are perfect!
6. Cool the Brownies:
Once your brownies are baked, take them out of the oven and let them cool in the pan on a wire rack. After they are completely cooled, remove them from the pan and cut them into rectangles around 3×1.5 inches each.
7. Prepare the Ice Cream Layer:
Let the vanilla ice cream sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes so it softens a bit. If you want to add mini chocolate chips, now’s the time! Just fold them gently into the softened ice cream.
8. Assemble the Sandwiches:
On a clean surface, place one brownie rectangle down, scoop a generous amount of ice cream on top, and then cap it with another brownie rectangle. Press gently to secure the sandwich. Repeat this until you’ve made sandwiches with all of your brownies and ice cream.
9. Freeze the Sandwiches:
Put your assembled brownie ice cream sandwiches onto a baking sheet and place them in the freezer for at least 2 hours, or until the ice cream is nice and firm.
10. Serve:
When you’re ready to enjoy, take the sandwiches out of the freezer. You can slice them if you want, then dig in and enjoy this delicious treat! Don’t forget to put any leftovers back in the freezer to keep them fresh.
Enjoy your homemade Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches! They’re perfect for any occasion!
Can I Substitute the Butter for Oil?
Yes, you can substitute the unsalted butter with an equal amount of vegetable oil or melted coconut oil. This will yield a slightly different texture, giving you denser brownies, but they will still be delicious!
Can I Use Gluten-Free Flour in This Recipe?
Absolutely! You can use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend instead of all-purpose flour. Make sure it contains xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t already include it, as this helps with the structure of the brownies.
How Can I Store Leftover Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches?
To store leftovers, keep the sandwiches in an airtight container in the freezer. They should last for about 1-2 weeks. You can also wrap each sandwich individually in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn and make them easy to grab!
What Ice Cream Flavors Work Best for These Sandwiches?
While vanilla is a classic choice, feel free to experiment! Chocolate, mint chocolate chip, or cookie dough flavors work wonderfully. The key is to choose a flavor you love, so have fun with it!
