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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.
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?
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 🙁
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!
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
Hi! These look amazing! Do you know how many calories there is in one icecream?
Amber, perhaps honey, molasses, raisins?
<3
These were absolutely delicious! Came out perfectly. I used my Vitamix for the ice cream 🙂
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
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.”
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 😀