Summertime Dessert

With the warmer months come messy foods meant to be eaten outdoors. These Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches are one of those foods. These are one of our favorites and I usually make them when we have company because they please both grown-ups and kids. There are always lots to share (which my neighbors are thankful for!). The cookies themselves are pretty good, but sandwich in some vanilla ice cream and let them sit for a few hours in the freezer and they become delicious!

Mini Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches
Makes 12- Everyday Food June 2007

* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
* 1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
* 1/4 cup granulated sugar
* 1/4 cup sour cream
* 1 large egg
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
* 1 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips
* 1 pint vanilla ice cream, softened

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, with rack in center. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add sour cream, egg, and vanilla; beat until smooth. With mixer on low, gradually add flour mixture; mix in 1 cup chocolate chips.

2. Using 1 rounded tablespoon per cookie, drop mounds of dough, about 1 1/2 inches apart, onto two baking sheets. (You'll have 25 to 30 cookies.) Bake until golden, 10 to 12 minutes; transfer to a rack to cool completely.

3. Scatter remaining chocolate chips on a plate. Place about 2 tablespoons ice cream between 2 cookies, bottoms facing in; press gently. Roll the sides of each sandwich in chips. (If ice cream is melting, place sandwiches in freezer until firm enough to roll in chips.) Transfer sandwiches onto baking sheets. Freeze until firm, at least 2 hours; then wrap individually in plastic. Freeze up to 2 weeks.

I usually wrap mine in Press and Seal or plastic wrap immediately after putting together and then place them in the freezer to firm up. And I assure they won't last for 2 weeks in your house!