Ice cream sandwiches, fresh and made at home! Once you've made them from scratch, you'll never want to buy the boxed kind again!
I got the best email the other day. It pretty much read, "would you like to sample some ice cream?" Um, yeah. Do you really need ask a girl if she wants to sample some ice cream? Might as well just send it and assume no one will turn down the mail man when he comes knocking.
Graeter's Ice Cream quickly shipped out 6 pints of their signature flavors in a sturdy styrofoam cooler with dry ice and it arrived pretty much over night and really ...uh, annoyed Handsome by telling him we couldn't eat any until I could figure out how to review it. Not one bite.
I read that this ice cream was featured on Oprah, and if she says it's good, the whole world knows about it and wants it. But I don't watch Oprah, and I'm not down with reading her magazine reviews, so I was clueless.
What I can say about Graeter's is that it's the only time I've 'sampled' more than a spoonful of chocolate ice cream. Normally, I hate it, but there is something about their chocolate that isn't too thick or artificial tasting. There are chunks of delicious chocolate that are soft to the bite, and yet still tact and firm. Not like that one time I broke a tooth...
The black raspberry flavor has large chunks of black raspberries in it. No difference with strawberry, and the vanilla is so simple and smooth, it's just pleasant to enjoy one spoonful at a time.
This ice cream is also very, very scoop-able, making it really hard to prep for photographs. It's so soft, there is no struggle with the spoon. I thought maybe my freezer had just changed its setting, but I had another brand in the same freezer and well, we'll just say my spoon was not as happy to be in that container.
I did check the Graeter's website after licking the bowl clean to find out if it was stocked any where near me. It's not. 🙁
But they do offer mail order, and if it is nearly as quick and efficient as my samples, I'm sure it won't disappoint.
Now let's make some homemade ice cream sandwiches with it!
Ice Cream Sandwiches
From Annie's Eats, adapted from Tartlette
Ingredients:
4 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- ¼ tsp. salt
- Ice cream for the centers
Preparation:
In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the butter, vegetable oil and brown sugar. Beat on medium speed until combined. Blend in the eggs one at a time, and the vanilla extract until smooth. In a separate bowl combine the cocoa powder, flour, baking powder and salt; whisk to blend. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients to the bowl with the wet ingredients and mix just until incorporated and a soft dough forms. Gather the dough into a disc, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 1 hour.Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thick. Use a cookie cutter to cut out as many pieces as you can, transferring the cut outs to the prepared baking sheet. Gather and re-roll the dough scraps as needed. If desired, use a wooden skewer to make a dotted pattern on the cookies. Bake 8-10 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
To assemble the sandwiches, use the same cookie cutter that was used for the cookies to cut out pieces of ice cream. Layer one piece of ice cream between two of the cookies and return to the freezer immediately. Wrap the sandwiches individually as desired. Keep frozen until ready to serve.
I used black raspberry, mint chocolate chip and vanilla for these ice cream sandwiches.
The giveaway originally noted in this post has ended.
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
Best giveaway! I love any ice cream with chocolate and peanut butter in it:-)
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
I follow you on Twitter.
Margo says
My favorite flavor is vanilla--I know people think it's a boring flavor but I really think it's simple, classic and, if done well, has a lot of depth of flavor.
I also have subscribed to your RSS, liked you on Facebook and liked Graeter's on Facebook.
Tanya says
These look so good! I love black rasberry! Beautiful pictures, wish I could grab one to eat!
Tommy says
Cake Batter is the best!!
Blog is the New Black says
Ice cream is my favorite food. I like this certain one called "Swamp" from a local place.
Blog is the New Black says
I follow you on the book...
Blog is the New Black says
And twitter!
Blog is the New Black says
And subscribe via RSS!
Vicki @ Wilde in the Kitchen says
MMm, I want some of that Black raspberry ice cream, it's my fave!
Vicki @ Wilde in the Kitchen says
And I follow you on facebook!
Steph says
My favorite would have to be peanut butter - bonus if they're are chocolate sprinkles on top!
Steph says
Liked pass the sushi on fb
Steph says
And subscribed to sushi!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says
Yeah, I'm thinking blackberry ice cream would be a new favorite!
mary says
I would very much like to win some iced cream. 😀
RavieNomNoms says
YUM, ice cream sandwiches make me think of summers as a kid. These look so great!
Erin says
Blackberry chip!
Erin says
I like Pass The Sushi on FB
Erin says
I like Graeter's on FB
Erin says
I follow Pass The Sushi on Twitter
Erin says
I follow Graters on Twitter
Erin says
Oo, sorry I just realized you said you don't have to make separate comments for all of these things. But to end it, I also subscribe to your RSS feed.
Culinarian says
These ice cream sandwiches look delicious. And, that totally is the best email ever:)
Meg says
I love chocolate pb and mint chocolate chip!! But I can be forced to eat any flavor 🙂
Laura says
Yum! My favorite ice cream is coffee flavored!
kitchenarian says
I love buttered pecan ice cream...and coffee ice cream...and chocolate with peanut butter ice cream...and...
kitchenarian says
I follow Pass the Sushi on twitter
Steph@stephsbitebybite says
What a yummy sandwich you have there! My fav is good ole rocky road, I love those marhsmallows 🙂 So happy summer is here so that Ice Cream can make a regular apperance again
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time says
Your ice cream sandwiches are beautiful, even if the ice cream was soft! Wow. I have to admit that my favorite is the basic vanilla. There's just nothing that beats its purity. Congrats on getting the free sample!
Kate@Diethood.com says
Sampling ice cream would be my dream job!! 🙂 I think my favorite ice cream flavor is vanilla!
Mary at n00bcakes says
How cool! Nothing perks up your day like getting asked to try free ice cream. Free is,after all, the best price. Also, I follow you on Twitter and will definitely tweet about this upon my arrival home. 🙂
Jenny says
Three words...Mint Chocolate Chip!
Rebecca says
Black licorice is my all time favorite, followed by ginger.
Diana Simmons says
Yummy!!! Do we have to pick just one?? Vanilla with peanut butter and some bits of chocolate mixed in does it for me.
Sophie says
Ben & Jerry's new flavor Bonnaroo Buzz… OM NOM NOM!!!! jklsuiofeklSO GOODsjakfoeuoa!
Scott says
Grew up eating Graeters' ice cream and I love it. Sadly I don't live near it anymore. My favorite flavor it their Strawberry Chip ice cream. The huge dark chocolate chips are awesome.
Anne says
Mint Chocolate Chip, of course!
Those sandwiches are absolutely adorable but I wouldn't have the patience to put them together-- I would just eat the ice cream straight from the container ^_^
Charissa says
Sweeeet. The purple one really caught my attention. Beeeautiful. Can`t wait for summer weather!
Lauren @ FromtheLittleYellowKitchen says
Awesome giveaway! I looove chocolate peanut butter ice cream. Mmmm. I'm already subscribed and follow you on fb and twitter 🙂
Dionne Baldwin says
Oh man I have to pick a favorite? I say peanut butter cup. But any flavor (especially something different) is good by me! Also an excellent source of calcium!
Dionne Baldwin says
I follow you on Facebook, I now follow Graeter's on Facebook too. I subscribe to emails and I follow your RSS whenever I am looking for a good recipe. I follow you (religiously!) on Twitter. I also retweeted so my friends will hopefully enter this giveaway and share the ice cream with me if they win. 🙂
I hope you are having a good Monday!
Taylor Thomson says
i follow you on twitter! my favorite ice cream EVER and i do mean EVER is from a little shop i found one day while rock climbing in Wisconsin with my family. It was your typical chocolate bear track ice cream, except for the fact that it practically gave me a mouthgasm! such a sweet rich chocolate and smooth peanut butter i almost died! love ya!- Taylor
Kalli says
Graeter's is from southern Ohio just like me and it's the absolute best! I miss the black raspberry chip so much. It's awesome when you find an enormous slab of chocolate "chip"!
thechildcooks says
Black raspberry in a waffle cone. I liked you and Graeter's on facebook.
~thechildcooks
Christy says
Mint chocolate chip all the way! Creamy, cool, yum!
Sprinkled With Flour says
Oh man, my husband would love these ice cream sandwiches! I especially love the bright purple middle:)
briarrose says
Oh the torture of having to wait to sample. 😉 The black raspberry calls to me.
LimeCake says
Hands down: Mint chocolate chip!
Iris says
Pumpkin ice cream is my favorite! This giveaway is the best 🙂
Camilla says
My favourite would be cherry or banana.
Melissa T says
mmmm.... I looooove all ice cream!! My all time favorite is Sea Salt and Caramel ice cream, but good ol vanilla bean ice cream hits the spot every time too. :)*
-I follow Pass the Sushi on Facebook
-I follow Grater's on Facebook 🙂
-I just joined Pass the Sushi's subscription list!
-Following Graeter's on Twitter
-Tweeted about the giveaway: https://twitter.com/abitnerdy/status/65217630520348673
-Just subscribe to the RSS feed via google reader 🙂
Cheers! *crossing fingers* Love the site.
Jeremy says
Mint chocolate chip is my favorite ice cream~!
Jeremy says
I like you on FB as Jay Cee.
Jeremy says
I like Graeter's on FB as Jay Cee.
Jeremy says
I subscribe to your e-mail.
Janelle M says
Favorite icecream is the black raspberry
Jeremy says
I follow you on Twitter as @bikeohio.
Jeremy says
I follow Graeter's on Twitter as @bikeohio.
Janelle M says
Following Graeter’s on Twitter
Reweeted about the giveaway: @jterts
Jeremy says
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/bikeohio/status/65224811756011520
Jeremy says
I subscribe via Google Reader. And now I see you did not want separate comments~ Please let me know if I should consolidate all of my entries into one comment! (I won't blame the girlfriend, but she WAS talking to me as I was entering 😉 Sorry for the confusion!
Jenn says
Opera, or Oprah?
Andy says
green tea!!!!!
sara says
OMG, I love Graeter's and I've totally missed it since moving to California! Their black raspberry chip is definitely the best ice cream flavor EVER! 🙂
I also...
like Graeters on FB
like Pass the Sushi on FB
follow Graeters on twitter
subscribe to Pass the Sushi on RSS feed
Thanks!!! 🙂
Diana says
my favorite flavor is mint chocolate chip...actually mint anything is great! 😛
fooddreamer says
Favourite flavour of ice cream? That's tough, because I love so many. But I am partial to those that have lots of chunks and inclusions, and peanut butter!
nicole says
i'm following graeters on twitter
nicole says
my FAVORITE ice cream is cookiss and cream. I love, love, love it!
nicole says
i'm suscribed to your RSS feed in my google reader
nicole says
I follow you on Twitter
nicole says
I like you on FB!
nicole says
I tweeted about the giveaway!
Peggy says
We actually have a Graeter's w/in walking distance (seriously less than 2 minutes) from our house.... but, didn't mean to rub that in =)
I'd have to say my favorite flavor is the Raspberry Chip. Definitely a solid choice! =)
KK says
I am an ice cream fanatic, pick me! My Fave ice cream is Cookie Dough I think, but its hard to choose just one!
I am - Following Pass the Sushi on Facebook
I am - Following Graeter’s on Facebook
Just found your site on taste spotting, love it!
-KK
IceCreemDreem.com
Emma says
Oh how I love ice cream. My favorite flavor is definitely Cookie Dough with chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla.
Lisa says
My favorite ice cream would have to be chocolate with peanut butter swirled in. I know what you mean about chocolate ice cream often tasting funny, which is why I make my own! 🙂
Meryl says
It's funny that they put real black raspberries in their black raspberry because I was just thinking the other day that I've never had any with real raspberries in it!!
As for favorite flavors, I lovvve anything with peanut butter in it, but I also like fruity flavors (think orange pineapple) and random strange flavors that I've never heard of. I'm adventerous sometimes!
Following you &Graeters on Facebook!
Chris M. says
Chocolate. plain and simple.
Katie says
My favorite ice cream is coconut pineapple. 🙂
ap says
loooove coffee ice cream 🙂
Shari says
I can't resist banana ice cream, especially if it has chunks of chocolate and nuts in it!
I am --
Following Pass the Sushi on Facebook
Following Pass the Sushi on Twitter
Following Graeter's on Facebook
Following Graeter's on Twitter
Have subscribed to your RSS feed via Google Reader
Sara says
Test some ice-cream?! Hmmm, yes please. I'm a vanilla girl! Definitely vanilla!
Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels says
Oh my word ice cream!!!! My favorite is rocky road. But I love all ice cream 🙂
Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels says
Follow you on facebook!
Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels says
Follow Graeter's on Facebook
Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels says
Follow you on twitter!
Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels says
Follow Graeter's on Twitter!
Caroline says
favorite ice cream flavor would be pumpkin or mint chocolate chip. anything with brownies, peanut butter cups, or chocolate flecks are all great as well!!!
Geni says
My favorite flavor of ice cream is strawberry...especially when it's in milk shake form!
DessertForTwo says
Ooh! Yum! Love the idea of making your own sandwiches for ice cream sandwiches 🙂
My favorite flavor is pistachio gelato.
Ken says
Strawberry!
Kari says
My favorite ice cream flavor is Birthday Cake. Yummy!!!
Kari says
I joined your email subscription.
Susie D. says
Anything with chunky bits in it- brownies, cookie dough, cake pieces, nuts, etc. MM! I would love to win this. Thanks for the chance.
kate o'connor says
my favorite flavor has to be simple cookies and cream :). I am following Pass the Sushi and Graeter on twitter.
Julie says
Pecan praline! I love ube ice cream, too, but that's harder to come by unless you're near an Asian market that carries it.
Reese@SeasonWithSpice.com says
My favorite flavor is chocolate ice cream. Thanks!
GL says
Favorite would have to be Vanilla Bean, I also get your e-mail subscription, follow on facebook, and check sushi every day. (Yes, I know I have a problem. haha)
Felice says
I am a big fan of vanilla ice cream.
Felice says
I follow you on Facebook.
Felice says
I get your emails.
Felice says
I follow you on Twitter.
Felice says
I am now following Graeter’s on Facebook.
BigFatBaker says
YUM! I love Graeters! Their black raspberry chip is so sinful...It is one of those ice creams I have to force myself to stop eating. I have been meaning to try more of their flavors but I always go back and get the same one... Great job on the ice cream sandwiches, they look so pretty and tasty.
I am also following Graeters on Twitter/Facebook.
I follow you on Twitter/Facebook.
And I tweeted the giveaway.
Have a great day!
Charity S says
My favorite flavor is banana.
Charity S says
•Following Pass the Sushi on Facebook
charity s
Charity S says
•Following Graeter’s on Facebook
charity s
Charity S says
•Following Pass the Sushi on Twitter
ccboobooy
Charity S says
tweet
https://twitter.com/ccboobooy/status/67245493373251584
jean says
Your posts always make me smile. Love the ice-cream sandwich idea! 🙂
torviewtoronto says
this is delicious looks wonderful
Fresh and Foodie says
Practically my entire family lives in Cincinnati, so I grew up eating Greater's and it's still one of my favorite things to get when I visit twice a year. My favorite is the peanut butter chocolate chip, but around the holiday's they have the most amazing peppermint ice cream (which I don't normally like, but I make an exception for Greater's). It'll always hold a special place in my heart.
Adore the ice cream sandwiches!
Michelle says
My favorite flavor is Salted Caramel!
Chef Dennis says
how could you not love ice cram and Graeters looks incredible!!
thanks for sharing it with us, now just keep one of those sandwiches waiting for me!
Megan @ pipandebby says
Ben & Jerry's Half Baked, hands down!
Megan @ pipandebby says
Following you through RSS-google (mmporta).
Jodi says
Found you on Pinterest! Looks so yummy.
You're spelling Oprah wrong. Not Opera but Oprah. 🙂
Darlene says
I love chocolate! I follow you and Graeter's on FB and subscribe to your emails. 🙂