Ice cream sandwiches are a little taste of childhood magic.

Use store-bought vanilla ice cream for an iconic pairing and easier construction.

Or make your own ice cream in any flavor for a bespoke dessert sure to wow the crowd.

Southern Living Ice Cream Sandwiches stacked to serve

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Learn how to make ice cream sandwiches, and relive a bit of childhood for dessert tonight.

But leaving it to chill until the dough is firm can make it harder to roll out.

What’s the Best Ice Cream for Ice Cream Sandwiches?

Southern Living Ice Cream Sandwiches Ingredients

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you’re free to use store-bought ice cream to make the sandwiches or make your own.

)all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface

1/2cup(about 1 5/8 oz.

)Dutch-process cocoa

1 1/2tsp.malted milk powder

1/4tsp.table salt

1/4tsp.instant espresso granules

10Tbsp.

Southern Living Ice Cream Sandwiches on a marble platter to serve

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Freeze, uncovered, until firm, at least 4 hours or up to 12 hours.

Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper, and set aside.

Add milk, and beat on low speed until dough forms, about 30 seconds.

Southern Living Ice Cream Sandwiches making the ice cream filling layer

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Place dough on a lightly floured work surface, and divide in half.

Pat and shape each half into a 6-inch square; wrap tightly in plastic wrap.

Refrigerate until slightly chilled, about 20 minutes.

Southern Living Ice Cream Sandwiches whisking together the dry ingredients for the cookies

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Remove and discard plastic wrap.

Trim edges into a 12- x 8-inch rectangle.

Cut dough into 12 (4- x 2-inch) rectangles.

Southern Living Ice Cream Sandwiches beating the butter and sugar until fluffy

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Pierce center of dough 4 times down center of each rectangle using fork tines.

Repeat process with remaining dough half, placing on remaining prepared baking sheet (24 rectangles total).

Let cool slightly on baking sheets, about 15 minutes.

Southern Living Ice Cream Sandwiches after adding the egg yolk and vanilla

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Refrigerate, uncovered, until cookies are cold, about 30 minutes.

Place Ice Cream Sandwiches in an even layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Serve immediately, or freeze, uncovered, until firm, about 4 hours.

Southern Living Ice Cream Sandwiches adding the flour mixture

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Southern Living Ice Cream Sandwiches adding the milk to the dough

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Southern Living Ice Cream Sandwiches dough divided in half

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Southern Living Ice Cream Sandwiches shaping the dough into squares

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Southern Living Ice Cream Sandwiches rolling the dough into a rectangle

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Southern Living Ice Cream Sandwiches cutting the dough into smaller rectangles

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Southern Living Ice Cream Sandwiches piercing the dough with a fork

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Southern Living Ice Cream Sandwiches cookies after baking

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Southern Living Ice Cream Sandwiches cutting the ice cream layer into pieces

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Southern Living Ice Cream Sandwiches assembling the sandwiches

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