
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe is a delicious harmony of textures and flavors. The peanut butter cookies offer a soft, nutty, slightly salty base that pairs beautifully with the smooth richness of chocolate ice cream. Whether you’re serving it as a fun summer dessert or a make-ahead treat for special occasions, it’s always a crowd-pleaser. Plus, it’s easy to prepare in advance and customize to your liking.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the peanut butter cookies:
- Creamy peanut butter
- Unsalted butter (softened)
- Brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
For the chocolate ice cream:
- Heavy cream
- Whole milk
- Granulated sugar
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Semisweet chocolate (chopped or chips)
- Vanilla extract
- Egg yolks
Directions
- Prepare the chocolate ice cream: In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together milk, cocoa powder, and sugar. Stir until warm and combined. In a separate bowl, beat egg yolks, then slowly temper them with the warm mixture. Return the custard to the pan and cook until slightly thickened. Remove from heat, add chopped chocolate and vanilla, and stir until smooth. Stir in the heavy cream. Chill completely, then churn in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions. Freeze until firm.
- Make the peanut butter cookies: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Cream together peanut butter, softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Mix in flour, baking soda, and salt until fully combined. Scoop dough onto a baking sheet and flatten slightly with a fork. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until golden. Cool completely.
- Assemble the sandwiches: Allow the ice cream to soften slightly. Scoop and spread ice cream onto the flat side of one cookie, then top with another cookie. Press gently. Smooth the edges if desired and place in the freezer until firm.
Servings and timing
This recipe yields approximately 8–10 ice cream sandwiches.
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Chilling/freezing time: 4–6 hours
Baking time: 10–12 minutes
Total time: about 6 hours 45 minutes
Variations
- Use crunchy peanut butter for added texture in the cookies
- Add mini chocolate chips to the cookie dough
- Roll sandwich edges in crushed peanuts or mini M&Ms for extra flair
- Use dark chocolate or mint chocolate chip ice cream for a flavor twist
- Make mini sandwiches for bite-sized treats
Storage/Reheating
Store assembled sandwiches in a single layer or wrapped individually in parchment or plastic wrap inside an airtight container. Keep frozen for up to 2 weeks.
Do not reheat. Let sit at room temperature for 3–5 minutes before eating for easier biting.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought cookies?
Yes, store-bought peanut butter cookies work fine if you’re short on time, though homemade gives the best flavor and texture.
What kind of chocolate is best for the ice cream?
Semisweet chocolate is ideal, but you can also use bittersweet or milk chocolate depending on your preference.
Can I make this without an ice cream maker?
Yes, pour the custard into a shallow dish and freeze, stirring every 30 minutes until creamy. The texture may be less smooth but still delicious.
How can I make the cookies softer?
Do not overbake and store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain softness before assembling.
Can I use chunky peanut butter?
Absolutely. Chunky peanut butter adds a great texture and a bit more nuttiness to the cookies.
Can I make the ice cream in advance?
Yes, the ice cream can be made and stored in the freezer up to 3 days ahead before assembling the sandwiches.
What if I don’t want to use eggs in the ice cream?
You can make an egg-free version using just cream, milk, sugar, and chocolate, though it will be less custard-like.
Can I freeze just the cookies?
Yes, baked cookies freeze well. Store them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months.
How long do the sandwiches need to freeze before serving?
Freeze assembled sandwiches for at least 1–2 hours to set fully before serving.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, substitute the flour with a gluten-free all-purpose baking blend and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free.
Conclusion
Peanut Butter Cookie & Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwiches are a delightful blend of sweet and salty, creamy and chewy. Whether you’re enjoying them as a nostalgic childhood treat or impressing guests with a homemade dessert, this recipe delivers comfort and flavor in every bite. Simple, satisfying, and endlessly customizable, it’s a dessert worth repeating all year round.
Print
Peanut Butter Cookie & Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwich
- Total Time: 6 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 sandwiches
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Rich and indulgent, these Peanut Butter Cookie & Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwiches combine soft, chewy peanut butter cookies with creamy homemade chocolate ice cream for a nostalgic, crowd-pleasing treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped or chips
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 large egg yolks
Instructions
In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together milk, cocoa powder, and sugar until warm and fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, beat egg yolks, then slowly temper with the warm chocolate mixture. Return to the saucepan and cook until slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat, add chopped chocolate and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth. Stir in heavy cream. Chill thoroughly in the refrigerator.
- Churn in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer to a container and freeze until firm.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, cream together peanut butter, softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs and vanilla extract. Mix in flour, baking soda, and salt until fully incorporated.
- Scoop dough onto a baking sheet and flatten with a fork. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until golden. Let cookies cool completely.
- Allow chocolate ice cream to soften slightly. Scoop and spread onto the flat side of one cookie, then top with another cookie and press gently.
- Smooth edges if desired, then freeze sandwiches until firm before serving.
Notes
- Use crunchy peanut butter for added texture in cookies.
- Roll sandwich edges in mini M&Ms, crushed peanuts, or chocolate chips for a fun twist.
- Store sandwiches individually wrapped for better freezer protection.
- Let sit at room temperature for 3–5 minutes before eating to soften slightly.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking & Freezing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 34g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 110mg