CHOCOLATE DIPPED ICE CREAM SANDWICHES


Come June, my head spins as end-of-the-year school functions approach with rapid fire. And this year, I also find myself in the last week of finishing the manuscript for my book, which feels very much like giving birth to a 3rd child! Life is extremely busy, and can feel like a bit of a whirlwind for someone like me who enjoys being social, but also craves slowness and quiet.

My natural clock keeps telling me it's time for summer vacation - my inner teenager wants to sleep 'til noon, laze around in the sun, read trashy novels, and gobble ice cream sandwiches while belting out, "School's out for summer... School's out forever..."

Have you tried an It's-It? Ice cream, sandwiched between two oatmeal cookies, then dipped in chocolate... that's right. That's the kind of summer treat I'm craving these days. It's-Its were created in San Francisco in the 1920s and you can still find them tucked into ice cream freezers all over the West Coast. When I saw a recipe for homemade It's-Its in Jennie Schacht's charming new book, I knew I had to make them with Lilah and her buddy, Anni.

I hummed Alice Cooper the whole time.



INGREDIENTS - slightly adapted from Jennie Schacht's I Scream Sandwich!
(printable recipe)

Oatmeal Cookies:
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2/3 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup all purpose flour {GF folks: I use Pamela's Bread Mix and Flour Blend}
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • generous pinch of sea salt
  • 1 1/2 cup rolled oats {GF folks: be sure to buy GF oats}
  • optional: 1/2 cup raisins
Chocolate Shell:
  • 1/2 pound semisweet chocolate, chopped
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil
 Ice Cream: Jennie makes her own, but I was too lazy this week.
  • Store-bought vanilla ice cream for filling. For those of your who can't tolerate dairy, try Coconut Bliss... it's really creamy and good. {GF friends: be sure to check the ice cream label to be certain it's gluten-free}


Preheat oven to 350.

First, go ahead and make your cookies. In a standing mixer with the paddle attachment, or using a medium mixing bowl with a hand-mixer, cream together butter and sugar.  Add egg and vanilla. Blend until ingredients are integrated.

In a separate small mixing bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. While the standing mixer is still whirling, slowly add the dry ingredients. Finally, add oats to the batter. Mix until batter is well blended.

Line 1-2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop dough onto the lined cookie sheets. Jennie very wisely suggests making 24 tablespoon size cookies. (We went ahead and made 14 bigger cookies - piggies, I know. From here on out, I'll stick to Jennie's reasonable portions!) Give the cookies some room to spread during baking, and use your fingertips to flatten the dough a bit, flatter disk-shaped cookies make for more manageable ice cream sandwiches.

Bake cookies for 8-12 minutes until golden, rotating the cookie sheets halfway through baking to ensure even browning.  Let cookies cool for 5 minutes on their baking sheet, then transfer them to a rack to finish cooling.

Once cookies have cooled completely, scoop (slightly softened) ice cream between two cookies to make a sandwich. Stick the prepared sandwiches in the freezer on a parchment-lined baking sheet to chill thoroughly before dipping them into the chocolate shell.


Making the chocolate shell... Gently melt chocolate with coconut oil in a double boiler, or microwave. Once the chocolate is warm, liquidy, and smooth, stir and you've got your dipping chocolate.


Take each fully-frozen ice cream sandwich, and dip it halfway into the the melted chocolate. Let the drips fall away and then return the dipped sandwich to your cold, parchment-lined baking sheet.  Freeze the sandwiches again for 15 minutes, until the chocolate had chilled and hardened.


Eat and enjoy! Wrap any extra ice cream sandwiches in parchment and store them in the freezer until you're ready to munch again.

makes 12 ice cream sandwiches (we made 7 monster-size sandwiches, but I will definitely stick with a more manageable size next time)


Happy Summer everyone!!!

If you want more summer ice cream deliciousness, check out Phyllis' genius recipe for S'Mores Ice Cream on Food 52...


62 comments:

  1. Divine! Those ice cream sandwiches are so tempting.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  2. Rosa, they are SO good!
    Wishing you the best,
    E

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  3. Such a fun way to spend a June day! And I totally approve of your monster-sized ice cream sandwiches ;)

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    1. It was so fun. We ended up with chocolate all over the kitchen.

      And I hear you, Kathryn.. the monster-size cookies are so my style. But I knew they were too big when three drooling kids could only eat 3/4s of a sandwich before needing to save the rest for later;)

      Hope your break is going well!
      xoxo
      E

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  4. Replies
    1. :))) That's me smiling with double chins.

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  5. Gah! This looks so lovely and fun!! Can't wait to try!

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    1. Katrina, it's really quite easy and so fun to make such treats at home. Messy good!
      xo
      E

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  6. Thanks for sharing my Better-Than-It ice cream sandwich with your readers. It looks like Lilah and Anni are having a great time, and that's what it's all about. And there is no shame in using store-bought ice cream!

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    1. Jennie, Your Better Than-It are wonderful! We had such a great time, and it has been years since I've tasted an It's It. Such a delicious trip down memory lane thanks to you. You're book is fantastic.... We can't wait to make more ice cream sandwiches.
      xoxo
      E

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  7. Completely stuffed after my dinner and suddenly craving these gorgeous ice cream sandwiches! Only you can do that:)

    Such an exciting time for you, Erin, finishing your book. I can't wait to see it, read it and cook from it!

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    1. Denise, I feel honored;)
      And thanks for the support about my book... I can't tell you how much it means to me.
      xoxo
      E

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  8. Blimey, they look amazing. Can I fly over now? Would be lovely to see you too ;)

    So excited for the book!

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    1. Yes, Emma, please fly over! I'd love to share these ice cream sandwiches with you:)
      xoxoxoxo
      E

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  9. fantastic summer treat!


    and I can't wait to devour your cookbook :)

    m.

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  10. M, Your note just gave me the biggest smile! xoxoxo E

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  11. The ice cream sandwiches look so good! I'll go for anything dipped in chocolate. Our next door neighbors have 3 daughters who are out of school on sumer break, and I've enjoyed watching them run around, soaking up the summer with abandon.

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    1. Jess, don't you wish we could all run around with such abandon? Maybe the ice cream sandwiches will help;)
      Hope all is well with you way over there across the Atlantic.
      xoxo
      E

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  12. Looks like so much fun!!!! Who wouldnt love these!!!

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    1. That's what I keep thinking. My boy Otis just ate the last one and said.. we need to make these all the time.
      xoxo
      E

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  13. These look delish. The chocolate almost seems like it is gilding the lily! I have never thought of ice cream cookie sandwiches with oatmeal cookies. Such a great idea. Yum!

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    1. When the chocolate hardens on the oatmeal cookies is really is heaven. Okay, I'm getting hungry now:)
      xoxo
      E

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  14. This looks so stunning and simple. I'll try to surprise my beloved. Thanks for recipe.

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    1. Vanya, they really are easy and so fun! Good luck with your surprise. I know I would be thrilled if someone made these for me!
      xo
      E

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  15. Oh my. It's so cold here I have my gloves on, but that wouldn't stop me from eating one of these Erin!!! Yum. Good luck with the final week, thinking of you xxx

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    1. Emma, I'm always so jealous when you talk about your amazing summery tropical fruits and veg when we are mid winter here;)
      Thanks for the good wishes. I'm guessing your turned your manuscript in. Huge congrats!
      xoxo
      E

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  16. As a native San Franciscan, I can proudly say I grew up with It's It's. When I was little, I'd split one with my Dad, as they just seemed so enormous back then. ;)

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    1. Yay to native San Franciscans! So cute to imagine you with your dad, Carolyn.
      I had my first It's It when we moved to California when I was 10, just another sign of how wonderful this state is.
      xoxo
      E

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  17. LOVING your ice cream sandwiches! I bet your kids were in heaven with these tasty treats. Loving the photos. This weekend should be toasty in the Bay Area and how great would these be. Hope you are having a great week Erin!!!

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    1. Lisa, I'm thinking the sunshine this weekend might be a good excuse for another batch or two!
      Hope you are well:)
      xoxoxo
      E

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  18. Hi Erin,
    So good to see you a couple weeks ago at the reading. It's been too long.... Once again I just finished making your gorgeous recipe and as I write the sandwiches are in the freezer getting ready to be sampled by my teenage testers!
    I wanted to address one thing, the dipping sauce came out crazy thick and nothing like your photos. Is this normal? I basically ended up scooping the chocolate onto each sandwich instead of dipping them. Do you have any thoughts for me about what I did wrong? I am sure they will taste amazing but the perfectionist baker in me wants to figure out what I need to tweak...thanks for all the foodspiration

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    1. Shawn, It was so fun to see you too!

      About the chocolate shell... I'm thinking it needs to be warmed more. You do want the chocolate to be nice and liquidy, but not crazy hot.

      I must admit, I use a microwave to melt my chocolate. I heat it for a minute, then stir. Do another 30 seconds stir. Another 30 stir. Etc.. until the consistency is just right. I hope that helps. I want the perfectionist in you to be satisfied:)

      I hope your boys enjoy.

      xoxoxo to you and the gang,

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    2. Such a good tip! I will be very "anti Berkeley" from this point forward and microwave away. They were amazingly delicious and Oscar rated them an 8.5! Thanks again for you killer recipes. Shawn

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    3. I know what you mean... I'm almost ashamed to admit that I have a microwave in this town. But it really makes melting chocolate easy. One other thought... if you got even a drop of water in your chocolate when using the double-boiler method, the chocolate will seize up, and it can never loosen again. Ugh.
      Glad Oscar liked them - I know your boys know their food:)
      xoxo
      E

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  19. Goodness gracious! You made me want to bit my screen...aiming for that ice cream sandwich, of course. Seems like the girls are having fun in the kitchen with you too. :) I love ice cream and cookies...but haven't make them at home yet. Guess I'll have to give these a try. Thank you so much for sharing.

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    1. Amy, thanks for stopping by! I hope you'll give the recipe a try. It's really darned easy.
      xo
      E

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  20. These. Look. Yummy! Love all the action shots and will definitely be making a batch of these soon to use up some of the ice cream I've got stashed away for a sunny day (like today!)

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    1. Oh I think you'd love these! For me, the easy chocolate shell was the real revelation in this recipe. Maybe that sort of thing is old new to an expert baker like yourself, but I was thrilled by how easy it is:)
      Hope you are well!
      xoxoxo
      E

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  21. Happy summer indeed! These ice cream sandwiches look amazing, Erin, and I have never tried making them before. I wish I had one right now!

    Good luck with finishing your manuscript. Hang on in there! :)

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  22. Happy Summer to you, Madga. If only we could all be in Greece right now;)
    Thanks for the well-wishes on my manuscript. I'm hanging in.
    xoxo,
    E

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  23. UstabahippieJune 05, 2013

    Drool, drool!! And I can't wait for your book to be done!!

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    1. Thank you! I'm dying to share it all. I couldn't be happier and it feels so great to be just about ready to turn the baby in. We still have to wait a year until it's in store. But as we know... time flies.
      xoxo to you,
      E

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  24. I wish I could grab one right now, they look so good! I can't wait to see you cookbook :) hugs!!

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    1. Najwa, thanks! I'm so excited too! Hugs back at you, E

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  25. Erin, now I have Alice Cooper in my head too :)
    These look great. I bet the kids loved dipping their own!
    I can't wait to get my hands on your book - it's going to be just as gorgeous as your blog. Happy summer to you!

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    1. Renee, I cannot stop singing Alice. Every morning these days, I'm belting it out.
      Thanks for your enthusiasm about my book. Means so much to me!
      xoxo
      E

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  26. Goodness! I've never come across a chocolate-dipped oatmeal ice cream sandwich here in the middle of the U.S. I'm so smitten by the idea, though, that I'll have to make these a reality soon! Happy summer, Erin.

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    1. Well now you can bring homemade It's Its to the middle of the country. You guys deserve them too!
      Kathryne, happy summer to you too.
      xoxox
      E

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  27. I had my first it's it in college and may have attributed to the freshmen 15, ha! But this looks like a great summer recipe I'll definitely be trying with my girls, thanks

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    1. I could see how It's Its could have helped a freshman belly to grow;) They are dangerously tasty!
      xo
      E

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  28. It's It! Cute name:)

    I'm loving the smiles, those girls look like they couldn't be having more fun - although I'm sure they did, as soon as they took their first few bites.

    Woohoo, the manuscript is coming to a close! That means we're drawing ever-nearer to the releaaaaase... I can't wait! xxoo

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    1. Emma you would love It's Its... the name is cute indeed, the packaging adorable, and the treat itself delish.

      I love the smiling faces too. So fun to have lazy messy tasty fun with the kids. Summer is the best.

      Thanks for the woohoo on the manuscript. So appreciated, Emma really. I turn it in tomorrow. Feels surreal and fantastic.

      xoxo
      E

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  29. I am not really an ice cream person but one day I made some ice cream sandwich along with some friends and loved baking the cooking and assembling the sandwich. Now, when you dip it in chocolate, that's like taking it to a whole new level :)

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    1. We are huge fans of ice cream sandwiches around our house and they always seem to make everyone so happy:) But yes the chocolate dip is a whole new level for us too!
      Hope you're well Kankana and that summer is treating you right.
      xo
      E

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  30. oh my... I LOOOOOVE every single ingredient of your ice cream sandwiches!! They look awesome... You're a true inspiration Erin!!
    xox Amy

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    1. Amy, thanks so much for your sweet note. It gave me a huge smile:)!
      xo
      E

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  31. I am certain that these would be a blast to make, and eat, with my girls. We're swamped with school being out and too much busyness. They deserve a fun treat and this is totally it. And yeah, I considered playing some Alice Cooper for my 5 year-old on her last day, but feared it might send the wrong message. Congratulations on your book! (Can't wait to get my hands on it!)

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    1. Elizabeth, I hope your move has been treating you all right!
      I always find that the transition to summer is tricky with the kiddos, and then we all finally slow down and get in the mellow groove. I love that feeling.
      xoxo
      E

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  32. I love ice cream sandwiches! I've never had an It's It, but I'd be happy to make my own. Dipping them in chocolate looks like a lot of fun!

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  33. Oh my goodness!! I've never tried one of these before and lately I've had a wicked craving for oatmeal cookies. These look fabulous

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  34. Omg Erin I can't believe you're already turning in your manuscript! It's crazy to think how fast time flies! I love a good ice cream sandwich...loving everything about these photos. Hope you are well, and relaxing, enjoying this gorgeous summer!

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  35. These look fabulous, I must make them with my children. Beautiful photographs too!

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So good to hear from you... I appreciate each and every note you leave for me!

Thanks,
E