Why You’ll Love This Homemade Ice Cream Sandwich
Let’s be real—summer mornings are the worst for cooking. It’s so hot, the last thing you want to do is stand over a stove. But here’s the thing: your kids (or let’s be honest, you) still need something tasty to start the day. Enter this ice cream sandwich. It’s cool, it’s sweet, and it takes almost no effort. Plus, the combination of warm, crispy toast and cold ice cream? Chef’s kiss. It’s like a little summer party in your mouth.
I’ve made this a few times now, and every time, my family goes crazy for it. It’s perfect for lazy weekends or even busy school mornings (if you prep the bread ahead). Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be making it on repeat all summer long.
Ingredients You’ll Need
First, let’s talk about what you need. The bread is homemade (because store-bought just doesn’t hit the same), but don’t worry—it’s super easy with a bread machine. Here’s the list:
- 250g high-gluten flour (this makes the bread nice and chewy)
- 125ml milk (warm it up a little to help the yeast work)
- 2g salt (just a pinch to balance the sweetness)
- 55g sugar (gives the bread a subtle sweetness)
- 1 egg (adds richness)
- 20g butter (softened, for that buttery flavor)
- 4.5g yeast (active dry yeast works best)
- Ice cream (any flavor! I love vanilla, but chocolate or strawberry is great too)
- 35g dark chocolate (for drizzling—optional but so worth it)
Pro tip: If you don’t have a bread machine, you can make the dough by hand. Just knead it for about 10 minutes until it’s smooth. But let’s be real, the bread machine is a lifesaver here.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Okay, let’s get cooking. I’ve broken this down into super simple steps, so even if you’re a beginner, you can do this.
Making the Homemade Bread
First, we need to make the bread. This is the base of our sandwich, so let’s get it right.
1. Add ingredients to the bread machine: Start with the wet ingredients first—milk, egg, and butter. Then add the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, and salt. Make a little well in the flour and add the yeast. This keeps the yeast from touching the wet ingredients too early, which can kill it.
2. Set up the bread machine: Pop the bucket into the machine and twist it to lock it in place. Super easy, right?
3. Start the machine: I used the “standard bread” setting, with medium crust and the default weight. Make sure the fruit/nut dispenser is closed (we don’t need that here). Hit start and let the machine do its thing.
4. Check the dough: After about 28 minutes, the machine will finish kneading. Pause it and check the dough. It should be smooth and stretchy—you should be able to pull a thin “windowpane” without it breaking. If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour. If it’s too dry, add a splash of milk.
5. Cool the bread: Once the bread is done, take it out immediately and let it cool on a wire rack. Don’t skip this step—if you cut it while it’s hot, it’ll be gummy. Trust me, I’ve made that mistake.
Assembling the Ice Cream Sandwich
Now for the fun part—putting it all together!
6. Slice the bread: Once the bread is cool, cut two thick slices. I like mine about 1 inch thick—perfect for holding the ice cream.
7. Prep the ice cream: Take your ice cream out of the freezer about 5 minutes before you use it. This makes it easier to spread. If it’s too hard, you’ll end up squishing the bread.
8. Toast the bread: Pop the slices into a toaster on medium heat (I used setting 2). You want it crispy on the outside but still soft on the inside.
9. Take it out: Let the toast cool for a minute—you don’t want it to melt the ice cream right away.
10. Trim the edges: Optional, but trimming the crusts makes it look neater. I like to do this because it’s more fun for the kids (and let’s be honest, I love the soft part best).
11. Get ready to assemble: Lay one slice of toast on a plate.
12. Melt the chocolate: Put the dark chocolate in a piping bag (or a plastic bag with the corner cut off) and melt it in a bowl of hot water. Stir it until it’s smooth.
13. Add the ice cream: Spread a thick layer of ice cream on the toast. Don’t be shy—more ice cream means more fun!
14. Drizzle chocolate: If you’re using chocolate, drizzle it over the ice cream. This adds a rich, decadent touch.
15. Top it off: Put the second slice of toast on top. Press down gently to make sure everything sticks together.
16. Final chocolate drizzle: Drizzle a little more chocolate on top for extra flair. You can also add sprinkles if you want—go wild!
17. Enjoy: Cut it in half (diagonally is more fun) and serve immediately. Watch as your family’s faces light up!
18. Final thought: This sandwich is best eaten right away, but if you have leftovers (unlikely!), you can wrap it in plastic and put it back in the freezer. Just note that the toast might get a little soft.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Ice Cream Sandwich
Here are a few little tricks to make this even better:
- Add fruit: Slice up some strawberries, bananas, or blueberries and put them between the ice cream and toast. It adds a fresh, sweet crunch.
- Try different flavors: Swap vanilla ice cream for mint chocolate chip, cookies and cream, or even salted caramel. The possibilities are endless!
- Use different bread: If you don’t want to make homemade bread, store-bought white bread or brioche works too. Just make sure to toast it well.
- Make ahead: You can make the bread the night before and store it in a plastic bag. Then all you have to do in the morning is toast it and add the ice cream.
And one last thing—don’t worry if it’s messy. That’s part of the fun! Just have napkins ready.
Why This Is the Best Summer Breakfast
Let’s be honest—summer breakfasts are usually boring. Cereal, toast, maybe a smoothie. But this ice cream sandwich? It’s a game-changer. It’s cool, it’s sweet, and it’s something the whole family will look forward to. Plus, it’s so easy to make—you don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen.
I’ve made this for my kids on lazy Saturdays, and they beg for it every week. It’s also great for brunch with friends—everyone will be impressed that you made the bread from scratch (even if it was the bread machine doing the work).
So next time you’re struggling to come up with a summer breakfast idea, give this ice cream sandwich a try. I promise you won’t regret it.
