vegan ice cream sandwiches
Pick one!
When it’s sultry out, I have to comfort myself by making ice cream sandwiches, popsicles, and other frozen treats. Whenever I throw a party in the summer, I start preparations ahead of time by making ice cream sandwiches for everyone. So, when I decided to celebrate in July, I invited my favorite vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores, and made these delicious vegan ice cream sandwiches.
vegan ice cream sandwiches
Move fast, before they melt
I have a great recipe for chocolate sandwich cookies in my book, Big Vegan, so I thought that would be a good starting point for an ice cream sandwich. There are also a few really good vegan ice cream recipes in the book, so if you want to make your own, look there. I was not in the mood to make both components, so I did the lazy thing. I bought some Cashew and Coconut based ice creams, and both were delicious. The cookies take a while to make, since you have to roll the dough into balls and flatten each one, then transfer to a baking sheet. That’s why you should start them a week or so ahead. Once you get them made, freeze them, and then you can fill with ice cream at your leisure.
vegan ice cream sandwiches
Plenty for a party!
Filling the sandwiches can be a messy affair, so have a damp towel handy for wiping your fingers. I use an ice cream spade to shave out inch thick wedges of ice cream, and build an even layer that way. You’ll end up using your fingertips to press the pieces down and gently press the top cookie on. If you want perfectly even layers of ice cream, you can always spread the ice cream in a sheet pan and freeze, then cut out rounds with a large biscuit cutter. I don’t care about perfection, so I didn’t do that. Of course, if you are not avoiding dairy, you can make these with butter and your favorite ice cream or frozen yogurt. But don’t assume that the vegan version isn’t delicious. I promise that these will ring all your ice cream bells, without the cow. Stay cool, and enjoy the rest of the summer!
vegan ice cream sandwiches
Perfect on a hot day!

Vegan Ice Cream Sandwiches

Make your own chocolate wafer cookies and fill them with your favorite ice cream, for a sure-fire hit with kids or adults!
Course Dessert
Servings 12
Author Robin Asbell

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup vegan margarine or shortening
  • 1 cup organic sugar
  • 2 tablespoons non-dairy milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 1/2 cups unbleached flour
  • 3/4 cup cocoa
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups cashew or coconut milk ice cream approximately

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325 F. Prepare two baking sheets by lining with parchment or silicone mats.
  •  In a stand mixer or bowl, cream the vegan margarine with the sugar. Beat in the rice milk and vanilla. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa, and salt. Mix into the wet mixture, it will make a stiff dough.
  •  Scoop two tablespoon-sized portions and form into disks, then use a metal spatula to flatten. Dip the spatula in flour to keep it from sticking. Flatten each cookie to 1/4 inch thick. 
  • Bake for 8 minutes, turn pans, then bake for about 8 minutes, check at five for scorching. The cookies will have a golden brown edge. Cool on racks.
  • Freeze the cookies before filling. Use a spoon to scoop slightly softened ice cream on a cookie, smooth the edges, and place another cookie on top, freeze.
  • Keeps tightly covered for up to a month.

Vegan Ice Cream Sandwiches

Make your own chocolate wafer cookies and fill them with your favorite ice cream, for a sure-fire hit with kids or adults!
Course Dessert
Servings 12
Author Robin Asbell

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup vegan margarine or shortening
  • 1 cup organic sugar
  • 2 tablespoons non-dairy milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 1/2 cups unbleached flour
  • 3/4 cup cocoa
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups cashew or coconut milk ice cream approximately

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325 F. Prepare two baking sheets by lining with parchment or silicone mats.
  •  In a stand mixer or bowl, cream the vegan margarine with the sugar. Beat in the rice milk and vanilla. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa, and salt. Mix into the wet mixture, it will make a stiff dough.
  •  Scoop two tablespoon-sized portions and form into disks, then use a metal spatula to flatten. Dip the spatula in flour to keep it from sticking. Flatten each cookie to 1/4 inch thick. 
  • Bake for 8 minutes, turn pans, then bake for about 8 minutes, check at five for scorching. The cookies will have a golden brown edge. Cool on racks.
  • Freeze the cookies before filling. Use a spoon to scoop slightly softened ice cream on a cookie, smooth the edges, and place another cookie on top, freeze.
  • Keeps tightly covered for up to a month.