These aren’t your average ice cream sandwiches.
They feature sweet vanilla ice cream sandwiched between two chocolate cookies, but these particular sandwiches are grain-free and dairy-free, and are sweetened with only fruit!
Like most raw desserts, they’re also incredibly quick and easy to prepare, with no need to turn on the oven. All you need is a food processor, or mini food chopper! I hope you and your family enjoy them as a healthy alternative to traditional ice cream sandwiches this summer.
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Raw Ice Cream Sandwiches (Vegan, Paleo)
makes 4 sandwiches
Adapted from Sweet Gratitude
Ingredients:
For the Chocolate Cookies:
3/4 cup raw almonds (or other nuts of choice)
5 soft Medjool dates, soaked in water for 10 minutes
3 Tablespoons raw cacao powder
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
For the Ice Cream:
2 frozen bananas
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
water, as needed for blending
Directions:
Combine the almonds, cocoa powder and salt in the food processor (I used this mini food chopper) and process until a fine powder is created. Add in the dates and vanilla extract, and process again until a uniform, sticky dough is formed. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides to help with even processing.
*Note: What I love most about raw desserts is that you can taste the batter as you go! If you want a sweeter cookie, or more chocolate flavor, feel free to adjust the ingredients to suit your tastes.
Transfer the cookie dough to a pan lined with parchment paper, and use your hands (wet hands can help prevent sticking) to shape the dough into a rectangle shape, about 1/4-inch thick. Place the dough in the freezer to set for 20 minutes, then use a large knife to cut the dough into 8 rectangular cookies. Return the cookies to the freezer while you prepare the ice cream.
To make the ice cream, you’ll need to use the same food processor again. For easiest processing, cut the frozen bananas into chunks before blending, then combine them with the vanilla extract and 1-2 tablespoons of water in the food processor. Blend until completely smooth and creamy, like ice cream! (Add more water, if needed, to achieve this texture.)
Remove the chocolate cookies from the freezer, and place a large spoonful of ice cream on to four of the sandwich sides. Use the other four cookies to create sandwiches, then press the cookies together to even-out the ice cream middles. Place in the freezer to allow the ice cream to solidify, about 20-30 minutes, then serve!
Store the remaining ice cream sandwiches in a sealed container in the freezer.
Raw Ice Cream Sandwiches (Vegan, Paleo)
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cookies:
- 3/4 cup raw almonds (or other nuts of choice)
- 5 soft Medjool dates , soaked in water for 10 minutes
- 3 Tablespoons raw cacao powder
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
For the Ice Cream:
- 2 frozen bananas
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- water , as needed for blending
Instructions
- Combine the almonds, cocoa powder and salt in the food processor (I used this mini food chopper) and process until a fine powder is created. Add in the dates and vanilla extract, and process again until a uniform, sticky dough is formed. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides to help with even processing.
- Transfer the cookie dough to a pan lined with parchment paper, and use your hands (wet hands can help prevent sticking) to shape the dough into a rectangle shape, about 1/4-inch thick. Place the dough in the freezer to set for 20 minutes, then use a large knife to cut the dough into 8 rectangular cookies. Return to the freezer while you prepare the ice cream.
- To make the ice cream, you'll need to use the same food processor again. For easiest processing, cut the frozen bananas into chunks before blending, then combine them with the vanilla extract and 1-2 tablespoons of water in the food processor. Blend until completely smooth and creamy, like ice cream! (Add more water, if needed, to achieve this texture.)
- Remove the chocolate cookies from the freezer, and place a large spoonful of ice cream on to four of the sandwich sides. Use the other four cookies to create sandwiches, and press the cookies together to even-out the ice cream middles. Place in the freezer to allow the ice cream to solidify, about 20-30 minutes, then serve! Store the sandwiches in a sealed container in the freezer.
Nutrition
Calories per ice cream sandwich: 310, Fat: 14g, Carbohydrates: 44g, Fiber: 8g, Protein: 7g
Hope you enjoy them!
Substitution Notes:
- I have a feeling any type of nut will work with this recipe, so feel free to use pecans, walnuts, etc. if you prefer. You may also be able to use sunflower seeds instead of nuts, but they tend to be more bitter and may affect the overall flavor of the cookies.
- The dates are what hold these cookies together, so other sweeteners may or may not work. Please leave a comment below if you have any successful experiments!
- Try using Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream or Chocolate Ice Cream as a filling, if you prefer!
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Reader Feedback: Are you a fan of ice cream sandwiches? Any other flavor combos you love?
Oh Megan! I just LOVE your recipes! You’re such a genius! I’ll try these very, very soon:-) Thank you
I was just saying the other day how I could really go for an ice cream sandwich, but knew that I would be hard pressed to find one that was both vegan and gluten-free. Needless to say, I’m so excited to try your recipe! Love that it’s sweetened with dates too. 🙂
These look great! You have such great ideas 🙂 I wouldn’t change a thing!
I might try using hazelnuts and figs in place of dates and almonds…we’ll see how it goes! love this recipe.
What a great idea! These look so good!
Thank you for another great addition! I wish you owned a store or a restuarant (esp in the New England area) so I could come visit and buy all these things already made 🙂 Too bad there aren’t any places like this!
Yeah! I have all the ingredients for this calling my name from the kitchen right now! Love it! Thanks!
I love ice cream sandwiches…. my favorite flavor would be mint and chip!
I just love your raw ‘instant gratification’ desserts…Keep up the great work Megan!
This looks awesome. Megan, do you think it will work in my Vitamix?
These look incredible and I love how easy they are to make. I don’t think you can go wrong with a banana soft-serve ice cream 😉
Megan, what suggestions do you have for banana replacement for ice cream please? I know I know who doesn’t eat bananas but that would be me and would love to make this, sounds divine.
Thanks
Sam
you could use her raw cheesecake batter or a coconut milk ice cream.
Great thanks Carrie & Victoria … yes forgot about coconut milk ice cream – it’s winter here in Australia but I’ve stored it for when it gets a bit warmer 🙂
Sam-you can use coconut milk to make ice cream and it is delicious!
For a butterscotch/caramel version you could add maca powder instead of cocoa powder and butterscotch/caramel extract instead of vanilla. You could also omit one banana and use 1 cup of frozen fruit such as berries. I am also wondering if you could roll the base out into one large rectangle and then add the frozen banana/fruit ice cream on top and roll it up into an ice cream log where you cut it into slices once frozen. Reminds me of the ice cream cake I used to have as a child.
This looks amazing!!! I can’t wait to try it!
Yum! These look so delicious!
These look amazing! I would love to try something raw like this.
http://www.petitepanini.blogspot.com
Megan, these were delicious! I used peanut butter and banana for the filling. My whole family loved it. The only thing is that the banana became icey instead of more like a smooth, ice cream texture. Any tips for next time ? Thanks again!
Trying this recipe this weekend. I am using raw organic coconut flakes instead of nuts (nut allergy) for the “cookie” portion. I also have some natural peanut butter and might do have with PB and half just plain. Cannot wait. Will post after we make this!
I’m eating this right now, and it is amazing!! Thanks so much for the great recipes!
Oh my goodness. I just finished eating one of these (I made them over a week ago and completely forgot they were in the freezer) and they are….wow just wow! I cannot recall the last time I had an ice cream sandwich but holy cow these are remarkable!! Thank you so much for the amazing recipe! P.S I used sunflower seeds instead of almonds and they were perfect 😀
Would it work to freeze the bottom layer, layer the ice cream, freeze, add top layer, freeze, then cut? I am afraid mine will not look “pretty.”
Has anyone tried this without the dates ? I can’t have dates and I don’t know what else would work.
Peace out,
Amber
Amber, try using raisins. Works just as well as dates
These were absolutely delicious! Came out perfectly. I used my Vitamix for the ice cream 🙂
<3
Amber, perhaps honey, molasses, raisins?
Hi! These look amazing! Do you know how many calories there is in one icecream?
Since you grind the almonds to a fine powder anyway, can you just use almond flour? Just not sure on the quantity I would use. Does anyone happen to know.
Thanks
Do I need to soak my TJ’s raw almonds or just use them right out of the bag? Thanks!! This looks awesome!
I’d also be interested in a version with soaked nuts without dehydrating them, since it goes in a batter anyway (and for the other recipes, too). Thanks!
Hello Megan ,
I try today the recipe the sandwich mix was OK .The banana ice cream had a problem i put two tablespoon of soya vanilla and the mix was running out from the sandwich 🙁
I added 3 strawberries to the bananas. Was wonderful. Thank you again.
Do you know roughly how much calories are per serving?
I used natural peanut butter rather than cocoa powder, and the sandwiches tasted like like peanut butter & jelly with bananas! Thanks for the recipe!
I have just recently stumbled on your blog and find your recipes easy and healthy. My only suggestion is to include the calorie count for your recipes, especially the sweet treats.
Thanks for all the wonderful recipes!!
I can’t wait… I’ll have to make these later.
I use maple syrup in place of vanilla extract with all your recipes and it works great. Thanks so much. I’m a huge fan of your recipes. Keep up the good work!
these ought to be illegal! so delicious and simple! two thumbs way up!
I’m impressed. I’ve tried other raw recipes and I didn’t like but this one I really enjoyed. So thank you.