Biting into an ice cream sandwich is a quick ticket to childhood memories for me. Lazy warm summer days, riding bike all the day long with my sisters and friends, finding cool relief from a sprinkler’s swaying arch…and enjoying a cold treat from the giant chest freezer that Mom kept stocked so well. Ice cream sandwiches were one of my very favorites.
These Patriotic Ice Cream Sandwiches are a fun take on an old classic, with a twist of red velvet cake. Creamy cheesecake ice cream is sandwiched between crisp red velvet shortbread cookies, all in the shape of a star. Just the ticket for staying cool and celebrating the fourth of July!
Ingredients
- 8 oz. cream cheese
- zest of 1 lemon
- 1 c. sour cream
- 1/2 c. half-and-half
- 2/3 c. sugar
- pinch of salt
- 1 c. unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 c. sugar
- 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
- 2 c. all-purpose flour
- 4 T. cocoa powder
- 2 T. (1 oz.) red food coloring
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- red sugar, to sprinkle on top
Preparation
Cut cream cheese into small pieces and place into a blender or food processor. Add the lemon zest, sour cream, half-and-half, sugar, and salt. Puree until very smooth. No chunks!
Chill the mixture thoroughly in the refrigerator for 1 hour, then freeze it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Line a 9'' square pan with parchment paper and then spread the ice cream into the prepared pan, smoothing it out as much as possible. Freeze ice cream in the pan until it is completely frozen. This will take at least 2 hours.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter and sugar until the mixture is a bit fluffy. Add in the salt and flour and mix until just incorporated. Then add the cocoa powder and mix again. Carefully add the food coloring and vanilla, stirring until red coloring is evenly distributed. Divide dough into 2 equal portions and pat each into a 4" round disc. Wrap each disc in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.
Heat oven to 350°. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Remove one dough disc from the refrigerator and roll to about 1/4'' thick. If the dough is sticky, just pick it up and pat into a round, flour your surface again, and roll out the dough again. I found that this second rolling did the trick every time. With a small star shaped cookie cutter (mine measured 2-1/4'' across), cut out star shapes and place them on your parchment lined cookie sheet. Sprinkle with red sugar. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes, taking care to not let the cookies brown. Let cookies rest on cookie sheet a couple minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
Cut the ice cream around the edge of the pan and then gently remove the frozen slab of ice cream using the parchment paper overhang. Dip the same star cookie cutter you used for the ice cream into a shallow bowl of hot water and start cutting out ice cream stars, dipping the cutter into the hot water in between each cut.
Turn a star cookie upside down and place an ice cream star on top of the cookie. Top with another star cookie (right side up) and gently press together to make a sandwich. Repeat until all ice cream stars are used. You will have more star cookies than you need. Immediately place the ice cream sandwiches in the freezer to freeze thoroughly. Keep frozen until ready to serve.
Source
Red Velvet Shortbread Stars adapted from Raspberry Shortbread Hearts, originally from Betty Crocker's 40th Anniversary Edition Cookbook's Scotch Shortbread recipe. Cheesecake Ice Cream adapted from Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream, originally from The Perfect Scoop by David Lebovitz.
I’m linking up with:
- Cheryl at TidyMom for I’m Lovin’ It (WIN a copy of SprinkleBakes!)
- Robyn at Add a Pinch for Mingle Monday (Hydrangea Lovin’)
- Allison at Alli ‘n Son for Sweet Tooth Friday (Butterscotch Revel Bars)
So cute! When I posted my red velvet cream cheese ice cream sandwiches a couple months ago I didnt even think to adapt them to a patriotic theme!
Amanda recently posted..Desserts for the Deserving II
Thanks Amanda! Yours are so lovely…sorry to say I must have missed your post. Is that from your upcoming book? I can’t find a link to the recipe?? It was so good to see you last Saturday. We need to get something on the calendar for summer coffee!
Ice cream sandwich/holiday perfection. I am definitely adding this to our menu. They are adorable and look delicious, too. Perfect, Brenda!
Natalie @ Cooking for My Kids recently posted..Summer Fun: Nature Scavenger Hunt – Recipe: Strawberry Mango Papaya Banana Smoothie
Thank you, Natalie – here’s to summer!!
Ice cream sandwiches are so nostalgic to me. I am loving your twist on these. The color is fantastic!
Cassie recently posted..Confetti Cookie Dough Bites
Thanks, Cassie – they were so fun to make – and eat!
These are so cute, Brenda. Love the red velvet!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) recently posted..simple chocolate cherry cake
These look so gorgeous I can only imagine what they taste like! I can’t wait to try them, what a perfect summer treat!
My kids would love to make these with me. LOVE this idea… pinning for the 4th of July!
Kim | At Home With Kim recently posted..Weigh~In Wednesday {Perspective}
Thank you, Kim!
These are so freaking cute!! Love it!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar recently posted..Cucumber Feta Rolls
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Those are just too pretty!
Cat Davis – Food Family Finds recently posted..iPhone Photography | Rose Garden Beauties
These are so cute. Love the spin on red velvet and cheesecake ice cream is wow. Can’t wait to try!
Emily @ She Makes and Bakes recently posted..Easy Garlic Knots
Thank you, Emily. I love cheesecake ice cream! I made it with a ribbon of blueberry sauce through it last summer…so good!!
Great idea, this would even work great for Canada’s day (we’re Canadian lol).
Sure would!!
These are such adorable ice cream sammies!!
Thank you, Marla!
I’m in the process of collecting patriotic recipes and this is a fantastic one to add to the group! So cute!!!
Lovely!
What a cute and tasty looking treat Brenda.
I don’t have an ice cream maker, but I could improvise and cut up a container of vanilla or blue moon and add some white or blue sprinkles to the ice cream sides to make them red, white, and blue.
Thank you! You could still make the star cookies. Then just let some store bought ice cream soften a bit and press it into a pan lined with parchment – then cut out ice cream stars and make the sandwiches.
Great idea Brenda! Yes, I will try it that way!!
Adorable! You are one creative girl!
These look wonderful and oh so festive! I am wondering though about adapting the ice cream recipe a bit. I don’t have an ice cream maker. Is there something else I could use?
Hello again, Jonna! You could just use store bought ice cream. Let it soften a bit and then press it into a pan lined with parchment – then continue with the recipe as written.
Thank you, Brenda for your reply! I thought about using store bought ice cream, but I’m sure it wouldn’t compare to your recipe. I will still try the recipe though just for the pure joy of red velvet shortbread!
Man, oh man. I can’t remember the last time I had an ince cream sandwich! It must have been a real long time ago, but this post got me in the mood for them. I like the little red star idea. It’s so festive and perfect since it’s going to be in to high 80s and low 0s for a few weeks here.
Becca – Cookie Jar Treats recently posted..Cookie Dough Balls
This is beautiful and amazing. What a wonderful and delicious creation for the 4th….or just to celebrate summer.
Amy Tong recently posted..Black Sesame Macarons with Black Sesame Buttercream and Adzuki Beans
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Ohhh cheesecake ice cream, you’ve got it going on! These are adorable, have wonderful flavor, and they’re patriotic! Perfect!
Julia {The Roasted Root} recently posted..Southwestern Vegetarian Chili
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Not only are your desserts always delicious looking but sometimes you do put the cutest spin on them. I love these!
Paula recently posted..Nutty Oatmeal Cookies
Thank you, Paula! xo
These are adorable! and I bet delicious Brenda!
TidyMom recently posted..Cutting Edge Stencils {Giveaway}
VERY delicious! Thanks, Cheryl!
These are the cutest ice cream sandwiches, ever! Love this idea…so creative and making them into stars is such a great idea!
Kristen recently posted..Berry Picking and Jam Making {Giveaway: Ball Canning Discovery Kit from Kmart}
Thank you so much, Kristen. A person can’t help but to smile when eating them.
These are so summery, patriotic, beachy and fun! Love them!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen recently posted..Honeyed White Wine Poached Apricots with Yogurt and Pistachios
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I’ve had ice cream sandwiches on the brain lately, so these really caught my eye. Can’t wait to try them.
Just One Donna recently posted..Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing
Hope you like them, too!
AGAIN, so glad your Dad and I got to gobble these up last weekend. Delicious! Pretty! And just the right size.
They ARE just the right size! xo
OOOOH, those look good. I just pinned them!
Thank you, Beth!
You always come up with the cutest ideas!! Love these cute sandwiches!!
the wicked noodle recently posted..i’ll take a salted caramel sauce, straight up
Thank you, Kristy – have a great week!
These are adorable and so festive for the summer!
Jennifer | Mother Thyme recently posted..Parmesan Chicken Tenders
These are so cute and innovative!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious recently posted..Salmon BLT Sliders with Chipotle Mayo
These are the cutest EVER!!!
Thank you, Bridget!
Thanks for sharing – this is going straight into my July 4th folder!!
Yay!
These are so cute!!! I love stars especially this time of the year! I’d love to invite you to link up at my Patriotic Link-Up Party: http://www.ourhousestory.net/2012/05/patriotic-link-up-party.html
I don’t have an ice cream maker, I might try this using ice cream squares.
Thank you, Jenn! You could definitely use store bought ice cream – just soften it a bit and press it into a pan lined with parchment paper, and continue on with the rest of the recipe.
The ice cream sandwiches are so cute, and they look delicious. The patriotic theme idea is just too creative.
Jennie Scott recently posted..kimkardashiantapes.org
I love the vibrant red color! Fiery red is always in season…Love to try!
myfudo recently posted..savory dishes: taking the bull by the horns with an open faced roast beef sandwich
That is really so elegant i will try to try it but at my country half and half is not found can we replace it?
I found this same substitution quoted several places online, though I have not tried it myself: http://www.food.com/recipe/half-and-half-substitute-168150. You could also use store bought ice cream, if you didn’t want to make your own ice cream.
there are SO pretty! love the contrast of the red and white sandwiches against the blue paper!
Thank you, Michele!
Thanks for linking up to my party Brenda! I featured your post in my wrap up http://tidymom.net/2012/great-ideas-that-caught-my-eye/
Have a fabulous weekend!
Wonderful! Thank you so much, Cheryl!
these are just fabulous! they are so bright & cheery! love them.
and the ingredients you used – so perfect together!
happy post.
xo
kellie
nest of posies recently posted..Father’s day photo opp idea.
These are gorgeous!!!!
sweetsugarbelle recently posted..Crawfish Boil Cookies {Guest Post}
How beautiful are these!? Great job. I hope you will link up to my Patriotic Project Parade going on now through July 4th.
http://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com/2012/06/patriotic-project-parade-linky-party.html
AAAANNND it’s eggless!!! Can’t believe!!
Thanks so much for sharing! ^^
Oh my! These are beautiful! The stunning red velvet and the thought of cheesecake ice cream. What a lovely confection sure to satisfy that need for ice cream in the summer. Lovely work!
Super cute!
I would love to feature your treat on my blog. I am wondering if you wouldn’t mind visiting my party. Pinning Adorable!
Desiree recently posted..Show Me Extraordinary Link Party 62
I LOVE these!! They are so cute and look delicious!!
Britni recently posted..4th of July: 15 Patriotic Treats
These look absolutely amazing!
foodfashionandflow recently posted..Cherry Bomb
This is something I seriously need to try. I love red velvet cake. This just looks so good.
foodfashionandflow recently posted..Cherry Bomb
These looks so fun, festive, and delicious! They’re right up my alley!
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