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Come Party With Me: Graduation — Desserts

partysugar — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:00:41 -0700

A sheet cake is the standard dessert for most graduation parties. However, my party is all about pleasing the eighth-grade graduate, so we're serving ice cream sandwiches! The handheld, frozen treat is perfect for the party because everyone loves them and they have to be made in advance. A variety of ice cream flavors can be used for the filling. Let guests select their favorite.

Wrapped in wax paper, these sandwich resemble fabulous, little gift packages. To take a look at the recipe,

Make These Valentine's Day Treats for Your Sweetheart

YumSugar — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 09:10:52 -0800

If you still haven't figured out how to treat your loved ones this Valentine's Day, then check out some of our favorite recipes from the past. I personally love the heart-shaped ice cream sandwiches, but the champagne risotto is nice too. Check them all out, hit the "Start Slideshow" button below.

Our Favorite Ice Cream Sandwiches

YumSugar — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 14:31:39 -0800

This Summer, PartySugar and I took turns making ice cream sandwiches each week. We made fourteen different variations, but for our Best of 2007 coverage, we decided to pick our top five. Here they are, starting at the top left corner:

And this Heart-Shaped Chocolate Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwich wasn't one of ours, but it was so popular, I had to share it with you all again!

Summer of Sandwiches: Summer's Over

YumSugar — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 12:01:33 -0700

I can't believe that summer is just about over. Seems like we were just eating ice cream sandwiches yesterday... oh wait, we were! But in all seriousness, the end of the summer also means the end of our summer of sandwiches — after all, we have to make room for new fall features! However, just in case you missed any of them, here's a full recap.

Minty Fresh: Fresh Mint Ice Cream with Ice Cream Cone Cookies
Classic Choco-Vanilla: Chocolate Cookies with Vanilla Ice Cream
The Americone Dream: Americone Dream Ice Cream with Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Peachy Keen: Peach Ice Cream with Ginger Cookies
Salty Sweet: Vanilla Caramel Ice Cream with Saltine Crackers

Graham Caramel: Dulce De Leche Ice Cream with Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers
Cravers: Crave Treat Cookies with Coffee Ice Cream
Puff Ups: Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream with Puff Pastry
Bisco Inferno: Chocolate Citrus Biscotti with Orange Ice Cream
Minis It's Its: Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream with Bite-sized Oatmeal Cookies

Berry Heaven: Vanilla Berry Ice Cream with Fudgy Brownies
PB Choco: Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Ice Cream
Old School Nilla: Strawberry and Banana Ice Cream with Nilla Wafers
Coo-Coo for Coconut: Coconut Macaroons with Creme Brulee Ice Cream

Summer Of Sandwiches: Coconut Macaroon & Creme Brulee

partysugar — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 13:13:33 -0700

Sadly, the end of summer is this weekend. With its finish comes the conclusion of our 14 week series on ice cream sandwiches. For my last batch of sandwiches, I focused on the perfect pairing of cookie and ice cream flavors. I was a little disappointed in the overpowering peanut butter taste of my last ice cream sandwiches, so I found myself spending quite some time debating in the grocery store. First I picked out the chewy perfectly sized coconut macaroons. Next, after much time staring into the freezers, I decided on the custardy creme brulee ice cream.

Eureka! The pairing was sheer sweetness! To see how I made this super easy and delicious dessert,

Summer of Sandwiches: Strawberry & Banana Ice Cream and Nilla Wafers

YumSugar — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 12:01:31 -0700

When I was a kid, one of my favorite desserts was banana pudding with Nilla Wafers. My mom used to make it often, and my siblings and I would chow down on it like there was no tomorrow. I haven't had it in years, but recently someone mentioned Nilla Wafers to me, and they've been on my brain ever since.

So naturally, when it came time to make this week's ice cream sandwiches, Nilla wafers were my first choice. Originally I wanted to make my own banana ice cream, however my ice cream maker wasn't ready. So I picked up a pint of the next best thing — Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey — and headed over to my sister's house.

While there I decided that her strawberry ice cream looked great too, and that a slice of banana would be a nice touch — cut yours thinner than mine so the sandwiches stay bite-sized. The Nilla Wafers were smaller than I remembered them, so I ended up using a melon baller to scoop the ice cream out. I then created a little assembly line — wafer, ice cream dollop, banana, ice cream scoop, wafer — in order to make a bunch to enjoy at once. I then stuck them in the freezer and counted down until dessert time. They made perfect appetizer sized sandwiches, and would make great desserts for a party.

Summer Of Sandwiches: Peanut Butter Cookie & Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwiches

partysugar — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 08:53:18 -0700

I recently realized that I had never made homemade chocolate ice cream. So naturally, I decided chocolate ice cream would be involved in the next round of ice cream sandwiches. What complements chocolate more perfectly than peanut butter? I made pairs of crisped peanut butter cookies and smashed the gooey, gorgeous ice cream in between. The end result? A delicious and satisfying dessert that will please both chocolate and peanut butter lovers alike. You could easily make these sandwiches with store bought cookies and ice cream, but to check out how I made them 100% from scratch — if I had a cow I would have milked it! —,

Summer of Sandwiches: Vanilla Berry Brownies

YumSugar — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 08:03:28 -0700

It was my turn to make ice cream sandwiches this week — I know, tough task! — and I was staring at some leftover rich, fudgy brownies when it hit me. Duh! Why not cut the brownies in half and fill them with ice cream?!?

Once I had a plan, it was time to determine the flavor. I really wanted mint-chip, but we had vanilla in the house, and more than one open container of ice cream at a time is really bad news in our house... However, I wasn't totally thrilled with plain vanilla, so I took some fresh blueberries and raspberries and mixed them in.

To learn how to do it yourself, as well as more pictures of brownie-ice cream goodness,

Summer Of Sandwiches: Mini It's It

partysugar — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 07:03:13 -0700

Last Saturday night I met up with a few of my Spanish friends who happened to be traveling through San Francisco. Earlier that day I found myself enjoying a glass of wine at the Ferry Building when I suddenly realized I should host an impromptu dinner for them! Dessert, of course, would be in the form of ice cream sandwiches. Not just any ice cream sandwich, the It's It — a San Francisco tradition since 1928 — is vanilla ice cream smashed between two oatmeal cookies, and then dipped in chocolate. Everything is so much cuter in mini form, so I made mine bite-sized. I prefer It's Its with mint chocolate chip ice cream rather than boring old vanilla, so that's what I used as well. To see how I did it — it's really simple, you can do it too! —

Summer of Sandwiches: Chocolate Citrus Biscotti with Orange Ice Cream

YumSugar — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 08:01:31 -0700

While I was chomping down on the biscotti I made the other day, I realized that it would be an even better treat if there was ice cream involved. The biscotti had an citrus hint to it, so I figured why not up the ante a bit and add an orange flavored ice cream. I found a recipe for a simple (no cooking involved, just mix, chill and freeze) recipe for orange ice cream, and the results were fantastic. It was almost like adding a creamsicle between two crispy crunchy cookies! The cornmeal in the biscotti really paired nicely and this ice cream recipe is one I'll definitely be making again. To get the recipe, and see more photos of drool-worthy ice cream sandwiches,

Summer Of Sandwiches: Puff Pastry & Cherry Chocolate Sandwiches

partysugar — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 10:53:13 -0700

After obsessing about what to make for my next ice cream sandwich - seriously I discussed it nonstop with my poor friend Deiter for over 20 minutes - I finally decided on puff pastry "cookies" and cherry ice cream with chocolate shavings. Because the ice cream mixture is whisked, the most difficult part of this recipe is pitting the cherries - unless you have a cherry pitter of course! If you don't own an ice cream maker simply purchase Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia. These babies are big and you may need a fork to eat them. To kick it up a notch drizzle warm chocolate over the top. Take a look at how I made these ice cream sandwiches - Dieter thinks "it's a winner" - just

Yummy Link: Chocolate Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches

YumSugar — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 15:00:32 -0700

Looks like Party and I aren't the only ones who are into ice cream sandwiches. These double chocolate brownie cookies with vanilla mint ice cream sound way too good to pass up. - Foodie Obsessed

Summer of Sandwiches: Crave Treats and Coffee Ice Cream

YumSugar — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 12:28:31 -0700

A few weeks ago Grace of Crave Treats sent us a care package containing three packs of adorable, miniature cookies. Naturally we had to taste them all, and although they were lovely (even if the mint was a bit overpowering in the brownie mint), we immediately knew that they would be the perfect vehicle for ice cream. So the next day we purchased a pint of Häagen-Daz coffee ice cream and set about making mini-ice cream sandwiches.

Of the three cookie flavors - brownie mint, pb chip and mocha chip - our favorite was the mocha chip. The way the flavors blended with the ice cream caused a taste explosion in my mouth. To make your own mini-ice cream delights, you can order a dozen mini-cookies and have them shipped to your front door. A dozen will cost you $9 or you can get a combo pack for $24. Personally I want to try her PB+Jellyness cookies, I think they would be smashing with creme fraiche ice cream. What do you think? What flavors would you choose and what ice cream would you use?

Yummy Link: Chocolate-Ginger Bathing Beauties

YumSugar — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 10:43:37 -0700

Leave it to Martha to come up with the most adorable ice cream sandwiches I have ever ever seen. These chocolate-ginger bathing beauties adorned with napkin blankets and paper umbrellas, are almost too cute to eat! - Martha Stewart Kids

Yummy Link: Blisscotti

YumSugar — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 06:28:39 -0700

Our pal Amy lets us in on her new favorite item: Bliscotti Ice Cream Sandwiches. The SF Chronicle didn't like them, but she did. I can't wait to give them a try and see how they are! - Cooking With Amy

These Ice Cream Sandwich Molds Will Have You Seeing Stars... and Pigs and Cows

YumSugar — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 03:40:39 -0700

These little molds came out a while back, but I could not let National Ice Cream Sandwiches and the Summer of Sandwiches pass without mentioning them. They come in packs of three - a cow, a pig and a star - and are used to mold ice cream and cookies into the perfect little ice cream sandwiches. The best part is that the ice cream sandwich molds are now on sale for $10 (they were $14 last year).

Plus, if you're hesitant to order them because they're "uni-taskers", then don't fret - the folks at Lunch In A Box have used them to create perfectly molded hard-boiled eggs!

Source: Neatorama

Happy Ice Cream Sandwich Day!

partysugar — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 01:11:31 -0700

Yum and I have been celebrating summer by making our delicious variations of ice cream sandwiches, but today, August 2, is National Ice Cream Sandwich Day! It is believed that the ice cream sandwich was invented in the Lower East Side of New York City in 1900. According to an article in the Washington Post, the ice cream sandwich man, whose street cart was "elaborately decorated with signs in Hebrew characters," made sandwiches quickly with a tin mold. His little stand was so popular, he had no time to make change and insisted on getting the exact price of the sandwiches. The original cost was 1 cent and the cookie was a tiny slab of water wafer. After this, ice cream sandwiches became more mainstream and in 1926 the first patent was given to an ice cream sandwich making machine. So go out and celebrate!

Source
Image Source

Summer Of Sandwiches: Dulce De Leche Ice Cream & Choco Covered Graham Cracker Sandwiches

partysugar — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 12:27:31 -0700

Ever since I ripped the recipe out of Gourmet magazine back in April, I've been dying to make dulce de leche ice cream. Dulce de leche is a South American treat similar to a thick creamy version of caramel. I talked about making it for months and I finally made it this weekend!! It tastes super delicious alone (I had homemade dulce de leche ice cream for dinner 2 nights this week) or smashed between two chocolate covered graham crackers. I took the time to make the ice cream and dulce de leche, but Starbucks helped me out by making the chocolate covered graham crackers. Don't have time or an ice cream maker? Purchase dulce de leche ice cream and serve these as dessert after a Mexican inspired meal. For the recipe and my flipbook style pics,

Summer of Sandwiches: Vanilla Caramel & Saltines

YumSugar — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 10:01:38 -0700

What I'm about to say is going to sound a little crazy, but you're going to have to just trust me on this one. When I was a little kid, my uncle took me to an ice cream factory that made the most amazing ice cream sandwiches. There was a rich layer of vanilla ice cream sandwiched between two crisp saltine-style crackers. That's right, salty thin crackers. Before you knock it, you must absolutely give it a try - the salt/sweet combo works well, and the texture is perfect. I personally think they taste best when they're firm, but they're pretty good when the ice cream is gooping out of the sides too.

In order to indulge in this taste sensation, all you have to do is pick up a high-quality ice cream (I suggest vanilla, strawberry, or some sort of vanilla/caramel) and plain saltine crackers.

Choose a rectangular-packed ice cream (this way you can remove the packaging and cut into perfect squares) if possible - else scoop ice cream, place between saltines and use a knife to cut off the excess sides. Place into freezer until slightly-firm and serve!

Alternatively, if you plan on making a lot of sandwiches, you could spread ice cream onto baking sheet, place into freezer until firm and cut into perfect sized squares. No matter which route you choose, remember to have fun! Oh and trust me on this one, it's a delicious combo!

Summer Of Sandwiches: Peach Ice Cream With Ginger Cookies

partysugar — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 11:01:38 -0700

Last weekend I decided to take advantage of the days out of the office and make 100% homemade ice cream sandwiches. It's a time consuming project, but the end result is absolutely worth it. It was very hot out, so I made this dessert over the course of 2 days in order to ensure that the mixture had plenty of time to chill before I put it into the ice cream machine. The end result was a smooth, creamy, super peachy ice cream that paired perfectly with lightly flavored crisp ginger cookies. If you have the time, these sandwiches make a perfect ending to a barbeque! To take a look at the recipe and see my step-by-step pictures,

Would You Rather Have An Ice Cream Sundae Or An Ice Cream Sandwich?

partysugar — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 01:38:30 -0700

Would You Rather Have An Ice Cream Sundae Or An Ice Cream Sandwich?

Ice cream sundae!

Ice cream sandwich!

Both

Neither, I prefer _____ (fill in the blank below).

Other

Summer of Sandwiches: Living the Americone Dream

YumSugar — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 13:16:39 -0700

Let's face it, some nights there's barely enough time to make a main dish, let alone dessert - especially if you're pulling together an impromptu dinner party. In a pinch, you've probably picked up a bakery cake or pie and said, "that'll do." However, now that the weather's warmer, I suggest a dessert that's just as simple and wonderfully seasonal: ice cream sandwiches. Everyone loves them and are always amazed by the effort. If you use completely store-bought ingredients (like Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream and and Pepperidge Farm cookies) the entire dessert comes together in about 2 minutes. I won't tell your guests if you don't!

To read a few tips on flavor pairings, how to choose the right cookies and how to keep your sandwiches firm,

Summer of Sandwiches: Classic Choco-Vanilla

partysugar — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 07:57:31 -0700

Last week YumSugar kicked off our new summer series - 14 weeks of ice cream sandwiches - with a delicious mint ice cream and cone cookie sandwich. For my first sandwich I thought it would be nice to begin with the classic chocolate cookie/vanilla ice cream combo. These little gourmet sandwiches - they're gourmet because they are homemade and much more sophisticated than their convenience store cousin - are super easy to make and involve NO gadgets! No Kitchenaid, ice cream maker, or hand mixer is necessary, so what are you waiting for?? Get the recipe now, enjoy this taste treat, just

Summer of Sandwiches: Fresh Mint Ice Cream with Ice Cream Cone Cookies

YumSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 10:58:19 -0700

When I think of summer, I think of hot nights and cool delicacies such as ice cream sandwiches. That's why we've decided to go all out this summer and post a recipe for a different one each week. That's right, it's officially the summer of ice cream sandwiches! We'll do fully homemade versions with homemade ice cream (like today's), as well as ones you can whip up in a snap (think semi-homemade). To get things started, I've taken yet another page out of David Lebovitz's The Perfect Scoop. This time it's fresh mint ice cream paired with crisp ice cream cone cookies. To try it out for yourself, get the recipe -

Heart Shaped Chocolate Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwiches

partysugar — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 16:27:11 -0800

To say that I have an obsession with making ice cream sandwiches is the understatement of 2007. In other words, I LOVE ice cream sandwiches. It all started out last summer when my mom bought me an ice cream maker. After I realized that I could put homemade ice cream and chewy cookies (two gigantic projects) together to make one nostalgic dessert, there was no turning back. I made chocolate cookie and vanilla ice cream, chocolate chip cookie and espresso ice cream, gingerbread cookie and pumpkin ice cream, and sugar cookies with peach ice cream. With Valentine's Day next week I was itching to make a heart themed sandwich and found this recipe for chocolate strawberry sandwiches! (I am so excited right now, you'd think I was my cocker spaniel). I know you may not have as much free time as I do, or an ice cream machine, so I simplified the recipe by substituting store bought strawberry ice cream for the homemade stuff. To make these scrumptious sandwiches for your sweetie (I'll be making them for you dad!),