Irresistible Gluten-Free Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches: Your Ultimate Homemade Chipwich Recipe!

Craving a classic ice cream sandwich without the gluten? Look no further! These homemade gluten-free cookie ice cream sandwiches are the perfect refreshing dessert. Whether you stick to our delightful classic combination or unleash your creativity with unique ice cream flavors and toppings, these treats are guaranteed to be a hit.

Remember the joy of a Chipwich on a hot summer day? That iconic blend of soft chocolate chip cookies, creamy ice cream, and a rim of mini chocolate chips? For those of us navigating a gluten-free lifestyle, this beloved classic has often been out of reach. But today, that changes!

We’re thrilled to share our ultimate recipe for crafting a homemade gluten-free Chipwich-style ice cream sandwich that’s not only incredibly delicious but also surprisingly simple to make. Thanks to our specially designed thin and crispy gluten-free chocolate chip cookie recipe, you can create these charming, irresistible frozen delights right in your own kitchen.

Perfect for cooling down after a vibrant summer BBQ, a relaxing pool day, or simply as a delightful indulgence, these gluten-free cookie ice cream sandwiches are a testament to the fact that going gluten-free doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or fun. Just like our other popular frozen desserts, such as Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches, “Fried” Ice Cream, and Grasshopper Ice Cream Pie, this recipe is designed for maximum enjoyment and minimal fuss.

The magic begins with a batch of perfectly thin, gluten-free chocolate chip cookies, paired with your favorite creamy ice cream. Let’s embark on this delicious journey!

Essential Ingredients for Your Gluten-Free Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Our goal is to create a slightly softer, yet still wonderfully thin and flavorful version of our signature gluten-free chocolate chip cookies. The slightly softer texture is ideal for freezing, ensuring your cookies don’t become too hard to bite into, while their thinness makes for an easy-to-eat sandwich. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

• Butter: Opt for softened butter, which creams beautifully. We often find that salted butter adds an extra layer of flavor that perfectly complements the sweetness of the cookies.
• Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: This dynamic duo is crucial for achieving the perfect balance of sweetness and chewiness. Granulated sugar contributes to crispiness, while brown sugar adds moisture and a subtle caramel note.
• An Egg Yolk: A single egg yolk is our secret weapon for adding richness and a wonderfully soft texture to the cookies, ensuring they hold up well when frozen. (If you need a refresher, learn how to separate egg yolks & whites here).
• Vanilla Extract: Don’t skimp on the vanilla! A generous amount of high-quality vanilla extract is essential for a truly inviting aroma and depth of flavor in your cookies.
• Gluten-Free Flour Blend: To keep things straightforward, we recommend a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Our top choice is King Arthur Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour due to its consistent results. If you opt for another brand (like Bob’s Red Mill), ensure it explicitly states it contains xanthan gum. Xanthan gum is vital for providing structure and preventing your gluten-free cookies from becoming crumbly.
• Baking Soda: This leavening agent ensures your cookies achieve just the right amount of puff and spread, contributing to their ideal thinness.
• Salt: A pinch of kosher salt is indispensable for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the wonderful flavors in your chocolate chip cookies.
• Mini Chocolate Chips: Mini chocolate chips are preferred over regular-sized ones for two main reasons: they distribute more evenly throughout the thin cookie dough, and they’re perfect for rolling the sides of your finished ice cream sandwiches for that classic Chipwich look.
• Your Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: While classic, creamy vanilla ice cream is showcased in many of our photos and is always a timeless choice, feel free to get creative! We’ll share plenty of flavor ideas below to inspire you.
• Optional Extras for Decorating: To elevate the visual appeal and add extra texture, consider having additional mini chocolate chips, finely chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts), colorful sprinkles, crunchy toffee bits, or fun mini M&Ms ready to roll the sides in.

Why These Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches Will Be Your New Favorite

Beyond being a delicious gluten-free alternative, there are countless reasons to fall in love with making your own cookie ice cream sandwiches:

• Customizable Fun: The ability to choose your favorite ice cream flavor and an array of toppings means every sandwich can be a unique creation. From classic vanilla to adventurous flavors, the possibilities are endless.
• Perfect Texture: Our cookie recipe is designed for a thin, slightly chewy cookie that softens perfectly when frozen, preventing the hard, crumbly texture often found in store-bought gluten-free frozen treats.
• Allergy-Friendly: Beyond gluten, you can easily adapt this recipe for other dietary needs by choosing dairy-free or vegan ice cream and ensuring your chocolate chips are allergen-friendly.
• Family Activity: Making these sandwiches can be a delightful activity for the whole family, with everyone contributing to the assembly and decoration.
• Ideal for Entertaining: Prepare a batch in advance for parties, BBQs, or simple gatherings. They look impressive and are always a crowd-pleaser!
• Better Than Store-Bought: Freshly baked cookies and your preferred quality ice cream combine for a superior taste and texture that no pre-packaged option can match.

How To Make Gluten-Free Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches: A Step-by-Step Guide

For precise ingredient measurements, detailed instructions, and helpful tips, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card located at the bottom of this article.

Part 1: Crafting Your Delicious Gluten-Free Cookies

The foundation of any great ice cream sandwich is a fantastic cookie. Our recipe ensures your gluten-free cookies are perfectly thin and just soft enough to complement the creamy ice cream without crumbling.

1. Prepare Your Baking Environment: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two standard baking sheets with parchment paper. Using two sheets allows you to alternate between batches, ensuring your cookie dough is placed on a cool surface each time, which promotes even baking and prevents excessive spreading.
2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, preferably using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer, combine the softened butter with both granulated sugar and light brown sugar. Beat these ingredients together for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is visibly smooth, lighter in color, and achieves a fluffy consistency. This creaming process incorporates air, which is vital for the cookie’s texture.
3. Incorporate Egg Yolk and Vanilla: Add the single egg yolk and the vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Continue mixing until these ingredients are fully incorporated and the batter is homogeneous. The egg yolk enhances richness and softness, while vanilla boosts the overall flavor.
4. Introduce Dry Ingredients: Pause to scrape down the sides of your bowl with a spatula to ensure everything is well mixed. Then, add your gluten-free flour blend, baking soda, and salt. Mix on low speed until just a few streaks of flour remain visible. Overmixing gluten-free dough can lead to tougher cookies, so mix only until barely combined.
5. Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough and no dry flour patches are left. Mini chips are preferred here as they create a more consistent chocolate distribution in thin cookies.
6. Scoop and Shape the Dough: Using a small cookie scoop (approximately 1 Tablespoon in size), portion out the cookie dough. Quickly roll each portion into a smooth ball between your palms. Arrange 6-8 cookie dough balls on each prepared baking sheet, leaving ample space between them to allow for spreading.
7. Bake and Cool to Perfection: Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes. Look for edges that are set and lightly golden, while the centers still appear slightly soft or “underdone.” This indicates a perfectly chewy cookie. For aesthetics, immediately after removing them from the oven, you can use a round cookie cutter slightly larger than your cookies to gently reshape them into perfect circles. You can also press a few extra mini chocolate chips onto the tops for a beautiful finish. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat this process until all your cookie dough is baked. *If you find your cookies spreading too much, chilling the dough for 20-30 minutes before scooping can help control the spread.*
8. Crucial Freezing Step: Once completely cooled, arrange the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (you can reuse one from baking). Place the sheet in the freezer for at least 30-60 minutes. This step is absolutely critical! Freezing the cookies hardens them, preventing them from breaking when you later press the ice cream between them. At this stage, you can also transfer the frozen cookies to an airtight freezer bag and store them for up to 2-3 weeks, making them ideal for meal prep.

Part 2: Assembling Your Delicious Ice Cream Sandwiches

Speed and preparation are key when assembling ice cream sandwiches to prevent excessive melting. Follow these steps for perfectly built frozen treats:

9. Strategic Ingredient Gathering: Before you even think about scooping, gather all your components. This includes your frozen cookies, your chosen ice cream, a shallow plate or bowl filled with any desired toppings (mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, sprinkles), and a sheet pan or platter lined with parchment paper, ready to go into the freezer with the finished sandwiches. The quicker you work, the less your ice cream will melt!
10. Focus on One Sandwich at a Time: Resist the urge to create an assembly line. Ice cream melts quickly, so the most efficient way to maintain structure and minimize mess is to fully assemble and decorate one ice cream sandwich before moving on to the next.
11. Scoop, Press, and Layer: Using a standard 1/4-cup ice cream scoop, place a generous scoop of your preferred ice cream onto the flat bottom of one frozen cookie. Gently top with a second frozen cookie, ensuring the tops of both cookies face outwards. Carefully press the top cookie down to spread the ice cream slightly and create an even filling. If your ice cream is particularly firm, an offset spatula can be helpful to gently spread the ice cream on the bottom cookie before adding the top.
12. Decorate with Flair: Now for the fun part! Gently roll the sides of your freshly assembled ice cream sandwich in your chosen toppings (mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, etc.). This adds visual appeal and extra texture. Immediately transfer the decorated sandwich to your prepared plate or tray in the freezer.
13. Freeze for Optimal Texture: Once all sandwiches are assembled and decorated, place the tray back into the freezer for at least 2-3 hours. This crucial freezing period allows the ice cream to firm up completely and the flavors to meld, resulting in the perfect eating texture – firm but not too hard.
14. Serve and Store for Later Enjoyment: For convenient storage and to prevent freezer burn, wrap each individual frozen ice cream sandwich tightly in plastic wrap, wax paper, or parchment paper. Store them in an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag. These delightful treats can be kept in the freezer for up to 2 months, making them perfect for grabbing a quick, refreshing dessert whenever the craving strikes.

FAQs & Expert Tips for Your Best Gluten-Free Ice Cream Sandwiches

To help you achieve perfection with every batch, here are answers to common questions and invaluable tips:

Are Store-Bought Chipwich Ice Cream Sandwiches Gluten-Free? Unfortunately, no. The original, popular Chipwich ice cream sandwiches available in stores contain gluten in their cookies. Our homemade recipe, however, is 100% gluten-free, allowing you to enjoy that iconic taste without any dietary concerns.

Elevate Your Treat with a Chocolate Dip! For an extra touch of elegance and flavor, consider dipping half of each finished ice cream sandwich into a homemade magic chocolate shell. The chocolate hardens quickly, creating a satisfying crack as you bite into it. Just pop them back in the freezer for a few minutes after dipping to set.

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