Cool off During Ice Cream Month with Ice Cream Sandwiches from Nielsen-Massey Vanillas

This July, join Nielsen-Massey Vanillas as they celebrate National Ice Cream Month, as well as National Ice Cream Day on Sunday, July 20. What started 30 years ago has grown into a much-anticipated opportunity for kids and adults alike to cool off on warm summer days with ice cream treats of all types, including homemade ice cream sandwiches – currently one of the hottest dessert trends. I don’t know about your family, but we are big fans of ice cream in my house!  My son and I just recently baked cookies and made ice cream sandwiches out of them. One of our favorite things to do is to roll the sides (as mentioned below!) in sprinkles. We love the Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwiches recipe from Nielsen-Massey Vanillas! (Keep reading for the recipe!)

Whether you want to be a star at the Summer Block Party or you are looking for a fun recipe for baking with kids this summer, making homemade ice cream sandwiches is sure to be a new family favorite.

Following are some tips and shortcuts for making and personalizing your own homemade ice cream sandwiches:

• Dress it up: Roll the sides of finished ice cream sandwiches in mini chocolate chips, mini M&Ms, sprinkles, toasted coconut or nuts to add color and texture.
• Take a shortcut: If you are short on time, purchase bakery cookies to use with the homemade strawberry ice cream recipe, below, to build your own ice cream sandwiches.
• Chill out: Keeping your homemade ice cream cold is the secret to a sandwich that won’t fall apart or get soggy. Take the time to re-freeze ice cream between steps – your patience will be rewarded with perfect sandwiches every time.
• Keep them fresh: Wrap each sandwich individually in plastic wrap immediately after building each sandwich. Keep them in the freezer until just before serving.

This brand-new recipe for Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwiches from Nielsen-Massey Vanillas celebrates another summer favorite – fresh strawberries. Nielsen-Massey Tahitian Pure Vanilla Extract and Pure Lemon Extract add depth to the ice cream and complement the sweet summer strawberries. The ice cream rests between homemade chocolate sandwich cookies bursting with flavor from cardamom, Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract and Pure Chocolate Extract for an irresistible summer treat that literally melts in your mouth.

Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwiches

Ice Cream
(Yield 1½ Quarts)

Ingredients
1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and washed
¾ cup sugar
2 teaspoons Nielsen-Massey Tahitian Pure Vanilla Extract
¼ teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Pure Lemon Extract
¼ teaspoon salt
1½ cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup whole milk

Directions
In a 4 quart glass measuring cup, add berries, sugar, vanilla and lemon extracts, and salt. Smash with a potato masher; stir in cream and milk; set aside.

Assemble ice cream maker. Turn ice cream maker on and pour ice cream mixture into *frozen container. Let mix until ice cream thickens, about 20 minutes.

Transfer ice cream into an air tight container; freeze for several hours, or for a firmer ice cream, freeze overnight. Scoop ice cream, place between 2 cookies and gently press.
Or, for a prefect ice cream round; line a 9×13-inch pan with foil then evenly spread ice cream with a rubber spatula; cover and freeze overnight. Then use a cookie cutter to cut desired diameter of ice cream rounds and place between 2 cookies. 

*Follow manufactures directions for freezing container, 24 hours or longer is ideal.

We have teamed up for a Giveaway! One winner will win their own 2 fl. oz bottle of Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract from Nielsen-Massey Vanillas. To enter, leave a comment below telling us your favorite thing about July! Next, “like” Nielsen-Massey Vanillas FB page. For an extra entry, follow them on Twitter! Deadline to enter is July 8th, 2014 at noon. One winner will randomly be selected from all entries!

Self Disclosure: I received free samples of  Nielsen-Massey Vanillas to facilitate this feature. Photo Credit: Nielsen-Massey Vanillas.