Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream Sandwiches

Sometimes, out of nowhere, I feel an intense rush of joy and gratitude and think to myself I LOVE what I do. Ever since I started blogging full time last August I wake up everyday (without an alarm clock!) feeling free. I wish I could share this feeling with everyone, I wish no one had to be trapped in a job they hate. Of course, it isn’t all glamorous and there are moments when I stress myself out thinking about all the things I have to get done, or the fact that I don’t always have a steady paycheck or benefits like a “normal” job. There are days when I have complete failures in the kitchen, behind the camera, or at my computer. But most of the time I feel incredibly lucky to be doing what I’m doing, even though I’ve worked hard to get here. I hope I can sustain this career path for years to come and with YOUR continued support!

The first time I truly realized this whole blogging and food writing thing was more than just a hobby was when I was contacted by a cookbook agent asking if I’d be interested in writing a cookbook. Fast forward to last May when my cookbook, Cookies & Cream: Hundreds of Ways to Make the Perfect Ice Cream Sandwich, was released the same month I finished culinary school. That was almost a year ago and I realized I haven’t shared a recipe from the book since then!

This recipe for homemade peanut butter cup ice cream sandwiches is basically the perfect frozen treat. And while there is some work involved in making these from scratch, it’s all SO worth it, promise. The super peanut buttery cookie dough will be wet and sticky, that’s fine! This allows the cookies to spread relatively thin so you can sandwich a big ole’ scoop of ice cream between them and not have to unhinge your jaw to take a bite. I may be totally biased, but I think this is the best chocolate ice cream ever! It actually has an intense chocolate flavor, unlike so many store bought chocolate ice creams. Even vanilla-loving Jared likes this chocolate ice cream. If you can find Dutch-process cocoa powder, use it. I just ran out so I used regular natural cocoa powder. If I had used Dutch-process the ice cream itself would be much darker in color.

Read more about my cookbook Cookies & Cream HERE!

5 from 1 vote

How to make

Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream Sandwiches

Yield: 12 ice cream sandwiches

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Freezing time 8 hours

Total Time: 8 hours 40 minutes

Homemade Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream Sandwiches combine ultra chocolaty, creamy, and rich ice cream with chewy peanut butter cookies and crunchy salted peanuts.

Ingredients

For the chocolate ice cream:

• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 3/4 cup sugar, divided
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably Dutch-process, sifted
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 8 ounces (about 2 cups) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, melted
• 4 large egg yolks

For the peanut butter cookies:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Chopped salted peanuts, for rolling

Directions

For the ice cream:

1. Prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice cubes and a cup or two of water. Place a medium bowl fitted with a fine strainer inside the ice bath.
2. In a medium saucepan combine the milk, cream, 1/2 cup of the sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and vanilla. Set over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is warm and begins to steam, about 5 minutes. Stir in the melted chocolate.
3. Whisk together the egg yolks and remaining 1/4 cup of sugar. Carefully whisk half of the warm milk mixture into the egg yolks, one ladleful at a time, until the egg mixture is warmed. Whisk the egg-milk mixture back into the saucepan. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of the spoon and registers around 175°F on an instant-read thermometer, about 5 to 7 minutes. Be careful not to boil the mixture.
4. Immediately strain the mixture through the fine strainer into the prepared ice bath. Cool the custard in the ice bath until it’s at room temperature, stirring often. Press plastic wrap against the surface of the custard and refrigerate until chilled, about 4 hours or up to 1 day.
5. Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer’s directions. Transfer to an airtight container, press plastic wrap against the surface of the ice cream, and freeze until firm and flavor is ripened, at least 2 hours.

For the cookies:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high speed until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Beat in the peanut butter until fully incorporated. Beat in the egg and then the vanilla. On low speed, gradually add the flour mixture, beating until combined. Dough will be sticky and wet.
4. Drop 2-tablespoon sized balls of dough on prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2-inches apart. Slightly flatten the dough with wet fingers. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, rotating halfway through, until the edges are slightly browned. Let cool completely. Freeze the cookies until frozen, at least 1 hour. Cookies can be stored in airtight containers in the freezer for up to 1 month.

To assemble:

1. Place the peanuts in a shallow dish. Top one cookie with a scoop of ice cream. Place another cookie on top of the ice cream and gently press down to form a sandwich. Roll the edges in the peanuts. Repeat for the remaining cookies. Freeze for at least 1 hour before serving.
2. Sandwiches can be individually wrapped in plastic and stored in the freezer for up to 1 week. Let stand at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Recipe Notes

From my cookbook Cookies & Cream: Hundreds of Ways to Make the Perfect Ice Cream Sandwich

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: homemade, summer

If you make this recipe, be sure to snap a picture and share it on Instagram with #handletheheat so we can all see!

Recipe by Tessa Arias