Best Chocolate Sandwiches Recipes

CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well., Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets, forming 16 cookies. Flatten slightly with a glass. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Bake 8-10 minutes or until set. Remove to wire racks to cool., To make ice cream sandwiches, spread a 1/4 cup of ice cream on bottoms of half of the cookies; cover with remaining cookies. Wrap each in plastic wrap; freeze on a baking sheet overnight.

CHOCOLATE-PEANUT BUTTER SHEET PAN ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Place a rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Generously coat a 18x13" rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray . Melt 1 cup (2 sticks) butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Let cool slightly.
• Whisk together cocoa powder, kosher salt, baking powder, and 1½ cups sugar in a medium bowl. Drizzle in butter; reserve saucepan. Whisk until butter is incorporated, then add vanilla and 2 eggs and whisk until batter is glossy and smooth. Add 1¼ cup flour and whisk until no dry streaks remain.
• Melt remaining ¼ cup (½ stick) butter in reserved saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat, add peanut butter, and whisk until smooth. Whisk in remaining 1 egg and ½ cup sugar, then add remaining ½ cup flour and whisk until smooth.
• Pour chocolate batter into prepared pan and, using a rubber spatula or your fingers, smooth into an even layer, spreading all the way to the corners and sides; the batter will be quite thin. Dollop peanut butter batter over chocolate batter and press into an even layer. Sprinkle sea salt on top.
• Bake cookies until top looks dry and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 14-17 minutes (cookies will seem too soft, but they'll firm up as they cool). Let cookies cool in baking sheet, then use a sharp knife to cut into 32 pieces (8 across on long sides and 4 down on short sides). Carefully remove pieces from pan with a thin spatula.
• Meanwhile, line a rimmed 13x9" rimmed baking sheet or baking dish with plastic wrap, layering sheets both lengthwise and crosswise and leaving a few inches of overhang on all sides. Transfer softened ice cream to prepared pan and spread into an even layer. Fold overhang up and over the top and freeze ice cream until firm, at least 1 hour.
• When you're ready to assemble sandwiches, use plastic overhang to transfer frozen ice cream block to a cutting board. Working quickly, cut into 16 pieces (4 across on long sides and 4 down on short sides-mirroring half of the cookie slicing method above). Sandwich each ice cream rectangle between 2 cookies, arranging cookies top side out and place on a baking sheet. Freeze until firm all the way through, then transfer sandwiches to an airtight container or individually wrap in foil. Keep frozen until ready to serve.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a mixer, combine the brown sugar, white sugar, butter and margarine until combined. Add the vanilla and eggs, and stir together.
• In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, instant coffee and salt. Add to the wet ingredients in three batches, mixing gently after each addition. Stir in the chocolate chips, flax seed and millet.
• Drop balls of dough on a cookie sheet and bake for 11 minutes. Remove from the cookie sheet and allow to cool.
• Using a kitchen scoop, take one scoop of ice cream and place it onto the flat side of a cookie, then top with second cookie, pressing to allow the ice cream to spread slightly. Immediately roll the edges of the cookie in chocolate chips or candies so that the ice cream is coated. Wrap individually in plastic and freeze until the ice cream is very firm, at least 4 hours.

CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt, and set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter, vanilla, and sugar. Add eggs and milk, and mix until combined. Add reserved flour mixture, and mix on low speed until incorporated, scraping the sides of the bowl at least once. Divide the dough in half, and shape each half into a flat disk. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap, and chill until firm, about 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Roll dough out on a floured surface, sliding an offset spatula under the dough to release it every few turns of the rolling pin. Roll dough to 1/8 inch thick. Cut dough using a variety of heart-shape cookie cutters 2 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter, making sure each cookie has a match to make a sandwich. Place hearts on a parchment-lined baking sheet; chill until firm, about 30 minutes. Remove from refrigerator; use a fork to prick the cookies all over with holes. Bake until just firm, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool on baking sheet; transfer to a wire rack.
• With the underside of half the cookies face up, spoon softened strawberry ice cream about 1/2 inch thick to cover one side. Place matching cookie on top of ice cream, top side facing out. Transfer immediately to freezer to harden; repeat with remaining cookies and ice cream. Serve directly from the freezer. Sandwiches can be kept stored in an airtight container in the freezer for 3 to 4 days.

TRIPLE-CHOCOLATE COOKIE AND STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Combine strawberries, 1/3 cup sugar, and corn syrup in medium bowl. Using potato masher, mash until puree forms; let stand 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring cream, milk, and remaining 1/4 cup sugar to simmer in heavy medium saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat. Using electric mixer, beat yolks in medium bowl until thick and pale yellow, about 3 minutes. Gradually beat in hot cream mixture. Return mixture to saucepan. Stir over medium heat until custard thickens and forms path on back of spoon when finger is drawn across, about 4 minutes (do not boil). Strain custard into large bowl. Cool. Stir in strawberry mixture and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate custard until cold, at least 3 hours and up to 1 day.
• Process custard in ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer ice cream to container; cover and freeze until firm, at least 6 hours. (Can be prepared 3 days ahead. Keep frozen.)
• Place 1 frozen Triple-Chocolate Cookie flat side up on work surface. Place 1/2 cup ice cream atop cookie. Using offset spatula or butter knife, gently spread ice cream to cover cookie; top with another cookie, flat side down, and press gently to adhere. Repeat with remaining ice cream and cookies, making 8 ice cream sandwiches total. Wrap and freeze until firm, at least 4 hours or overnight. Let ice cream sandwiches stand at room temperature 5 minutes before serving.

CHOCOLATE-MALT SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make cookies: Sift together flour, cocoa powder, malted milk powder, baking soda, and salt. With an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy. Mix in egg, vanilla, creme fraiche, and hot water. Reduce speed to low; mix in flour mixture.
• Space tablespoon-size balls of dough 3 1/2 inches apart on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Bake until flat and just firm, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool on parchment on wire racks.
• Making filling: Melt chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring. Let cool. With an electric mixer, beat malted milk powder and cream cheese on medium speed until smooth. Gradually mix in half-and-half, chocolate mixture, and vanilla. Refrigerate, covered, until thick, about 30 minutes. Mix on high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes.
• Assemble cookies: Spread a heaping tablespoon filling on the bottom of one cookie. Sandwich with another cookie. Repeat.

CHOCOLATE COOKIE ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Combine the butter, shortening, brown sugar and granulated sugar in a large bowl and beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the cocoa powder, baking powder, vanilla and salt and beat until combined. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add 1 1/2 cups flour and 3 tablespoons water. Add the remaining 1 1/2 cups flour and 3 more tablespoons water and beat until the dough is smooth. (Add 2 to 3 more tablespoons water if the dough seems dry.)
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Divide the dough in half. Pat each piece into a flat square on a lightly floured surface, then roll out until to 1/4 inch thick. Cut into 2-to-3-inch squares with a paring knife or cut out shapes with cookie cutters. Transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheets. Poke several holes in each cookie with a skewer (to look like a classic ice cream sandwich cookie), then transfer to the freezer until hard, about 10 minutes.
• Bake the cookies until set, about 10 minutes. Let cool slightly on the baking sheets, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. Sandwich with ice cream and fillings; freeze at least 45 minutes before serving. To store, wrap the ice cream sandwiches individually in plastic wrap and freeze up to 2 days.
• Ice cream and filling combinations:
• Black raspberry ice cream, raspberries and fudge sauce
• Mint chip ice cream and marshmallow cream
• Chocolate ice cream, dulce de leche and fudge sauce
• Vanilla ice cream, fudge sauce and cherry jam

MINI CHOCOLATE CHIP ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees, with rack in center. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add sour cream, egg, and vanilla; beat until smooth. With mixer on low, gradually add flour mixture; mix in 1 cup chocolate chips.
• Using 1 rounded tablespoon per cookie, drop mounds of dough, about 1 1/2 inches apart, onto two baking sheets. (You'll have 25 to 30 cookies.) Bake until golden, 10 to 12 minutes; transfer to a rack to cool completely.
• Scatter remaining chocolate chips on a plate. Place about 2 tablespoons ice cream between 2 cookies, bottoms facing in; press gently. Roll the sides of each sandwich in chips. (If ice cream is melting, place sandwiches in freezer until firm enough to roll in chips.) Transfer sandwiches onto baking sheets. Freeze until firm, at least 2 hours; then wrap individually in plastic.

STAR ANISE ICE CREAM AND ORANGE, ALMOND, CRANBERRY AND SEMISWEET CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

Steps:

• For the ice cream: In a medium saucepan set over medium-low heat, combine the cream, 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar, the star anise and vanilla seeds. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, and remove from the heat.
• In a small bowl, combine the eggs, salt and the remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and beat until smooth.
• Strain the cream mixture through a fine mesh sieve, and then whisk a third of the cream mixture into the eggs. Immediately whisk the eggs back into the cream mixture. Chill the ice cream base over an ice bath and freeze for 30 minutes.
• Using an ice cream maker, churn the ice cream base according to the manufacturer's instructions. Freeze in an airtight container for 1 hour.
• For the cookies: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Sift the flour, baking soda and salt into a medium bowl and set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar. Cream together on medium speed until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Beat in the vanilla and eggs. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the mixer, and mix until the batter is smooth. Turn off the mixer and fold in the 3/4 cup coarsely chopped almonds, cranberries, 12 ounces chocolate chunks and orange zest using the spatula.
• Scoop about 1/4 cup of the cookie dough onto the prepared cookie sheets, leaving some room between each cookie, for about 12 cookies total. Press down the tops slightly, and bake until the cookies are light brown, 12 minutes for chewy cookies or about 15 minutes for crispy cookies.
• Cool the cookies on the baking sheets for 5 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
• In a shallow dish, combine the 3/4 cup finely chopped almonds with the 3/4 cup finely chopped chocolate. Using an ice cream scoop, scoop some ice cream onto a cookie, and top with another cookie to form a sandwich. Roll in the almond-chocolate mixture and freeze for 10 minutes before serving.

ICE CREAM SANDWICHES WITH CHOCOLATE ALMOND CAKE AND MARCEL'S CARAMEL-BANANA-CHOCOLATE CHIP ICE CREAM

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 12 by 17-inch rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and brush the sides of the baking sheet with melted butter.
• In a large bowl, sift together the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, then stir in the almond meal.
• In an electric stand mixer or in a large bowl with handheld electric beaters, whip the egg whites until frothy, then add a pinch of salt. Whip the whites to soft peaks, then add the sugar gradually. Continue whipping until the peaks are firm yet glossy. Gently fold in one-third of the dry ingredients, then fold in the remainder.
• Pour the batter onto the prepared baking sheet and spread evenly. Bake until the cake springs back when touched, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool completely, then place the baking sheet in the freezer until the cake is cold.
• For the ice cream: Peel the bananas and mash them roughly with a wooden spoon. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing the wrap directly against the mashed bananas, and set aside.
• In a saucepan, combine 6 tablespoons of the sugar, the lemon juice, and 1/4 cup water. Cook over medium heat, swirling the pan until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and cook until the syrup begins to turn a rich caramel color, about 3 minutes. Once it begins to change color, it darkens quickly, so watch carefully, swirling the pan so the caramel cooks evenly. Remove the pan from the heat and add the half-and-half and cream-carefully, as they will splatter. Stir in another 6 tablespoons sugar and return the pan to medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring with a wooden spoon to dissolve the caramel.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and the remaining 6 tablespoons sugar until thick and pale. Whisk in about 1 cup of the hot caramel mixture to warm the egg mixture, then pour the combined mixture into the saucepan of caramel and cook, stirring, until it visibly thickens and reaches 178°F on an instant-read thermometer. Pour over the bananas and stir well. Chill quickly in an ice bath. When cold, stir in the chocolate chips.
• Churn in an ice-cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Transfer to a freezer container and freeze until the ice cream is firm enough to spread without melting.
• Take the cake from the freezer. Put a sheet of parchment paper and a cooling rack on top, then invert the cake. Remove the baking sheet and top sheet of parchment, and cut the cake in half across the middle of the long side. Spread one half with ice cream, making an evenly thick layer. Invert the other half, including the parchment sheet under it, over the ice cream. Return the cake to the freezer for at least 2 hours.
• To serve, take the cake from the freezer and remove the top sheet of parchment. With a serrated knife, trim the edges of the cake neatly. Cut the cake in half lengthwise, then cut each half into 5 triangles. Transfer the triangles to a serving platter, lifting them away from the bottom sheet of parchment. Serve immediately.

COOKIE ICE CREAM SANDWICHES- CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350. Grease cookie sheets (I use parchment paper instead).
• On medium speed, beat butter until fluffy, 1-2 minutes.
• Beat in the brown sugar until smooth, 1-2 minutes.
• Beat in egg, oats, flour, coconut, chocolate chips, baking soda and salt until blended, 1-2 minutes. The dough is very thick and stiff.
• Drop by tablespoonfuls onto baking sheets. I use a cookie scoop for this so that they all come out the same. Flatten into 2 inch rounds. You're supposed end up with 24 cookies but I always get 22. If you wet your hands, the dough will not stick to your fingers.
• Bake 10-12 minutes or until JUST starting to brown lightly.
• Cool 5-10 minutes or so on pans (or until you can lift them off easily without them becoming deformed). Transfer to racks and cool completely. At this point, I freeze the cookies. It makes putting the ice cream sandwiches together so much easier and the cookies don't crack or break.
• You want the ice cream to be JUST softened enough to scoop out. If it's too soft, it's a pain and squeezes out the sides of the cookies to much. Scoop about 1/3 cup of your favorite ice cream onto the flat side of 12 cookies and top with the other 12 cookies. Press down lightly so the ice cream squeezes out to the edges. I use a small butter knife to smooth it out all the way around. Put your sprinkles or whatever decorations you're using into a small, shallow but wide bowl or saucer. Roll the ice cream sandwiches through the sprinkles like a wheel kind of and the sprinkles will easily stick to the ice cream around the edges. See photos.
• Freeze at least 1 hour (really, I'm serious! You have to freeze them at least an hour or the ice cream will squeeze out the sides when you eat them) and then wrap the 1 or 2 that you haven't eaten (ha, ha) in plastic wrap for a midnight snack.

COFFEE CHOCOLATE CHIP ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Leave the ice cream at room temperature for about 15 minutes, until it's soft enough to scoop but not melted. Place 4 cookies, flat sides up, on a cutting board and, using a 2 1/2-inch standard ice cream scoop, put one round scoop of ice cream on each cookie. Place 4 more cookies, flat sides down, on top of each scoop of ice cream and press lightly until the ice cream is at the edge of the cookies.
• Put the toffee bits on a small plate and, working quickly, roll the edge of the sandwiches in the toffee bits, using your hand to fill in the spaces with toffee. Place the sandwiches immediately in the freezer and freeze until firm. Wrap well and keep frozen until ready to serve.

CHOCOLATE SEA-SALT BROWNIE ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F, with racks in upper and lower thirds. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder, and kosher salt. Melt chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over (but not in) a pot of simmering water, or in the microwave, stirring every 10 seconds.
• Stir in shortening and vanilla to combine. Beat eggs with both sugars on medium-high speed until pale, fluffy, and doubled in volume, about 5 minutes. Gently fold in flour and chocolate mixtures, alternating in two additions each, just to combine (do not overmix).
• Scoop 1-ounce (2-tablespoon) balls of dough; transfer to prepared sheets, spaced 2 inches apart. Sprinkle tops with flaky salt. Bake, rotating sheets and rack positions halfway through, until cookies spread and dome, with small cracks beginning to form on tops, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks 5 minutes, then transfer cookies to racks and let cool completely.
• Meanwhile, temper ice cream in refrigerator until softened but not melting, about 20 minutes. Sandwich 1/4 cup ice cream between 2 cookies; repeat with remaining ice cream and cookies. Freeze until ice cream is firm, at least 1 hour, then transfer to a freezer bag to store up to 1 week.

MOCHA ICE CREAM SANDWICHES WITH MACADAMIA NUT-HAWAIIAN VINTAGE CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES

Steps:

• Let the ice cream soften at room temperature until a spreadable consistency, about 5 minutes.
• In a shallow dish, spread the toasted coconut.
• Place one 1/2-cup scoop of ice cream in the center of 6 cookies. Press down on the ice cream with the scoop to push the ice cream out to the cookies' edges. Top with the remaining cookies, pressing together to form sandwiches. With a butter knife, smooth the ice cream around the edges. Roll the sandwiches in the toasted coconut and place on a baking sheet. Freeze until just firm, about 10 minutes before serving. (Or, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and keep frozen until ready to serve.)
• In the top of double boiler set over medium high heat, melt the chocolate. Remove from the heat.
• In a medium saucepan, bring the cream to a gentle boil. Remove from the heat.
• In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until slightly thickened. Whisk 1/2 cup of the hot cream into the egg mixture. Whisk in the coffee powder. In a slow, steady stream, gradually add the egg mixture to the pan of hot cream. Cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon and reaches 170 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and strain the mixture into a clean bowl through a fine mesh strainer, pressing against the strainer with the back of a spoon. Add the melted chocolate and vanilla. Pour into a container and cover with waxed paper or plastic wrap, pressing down against the surface to keep a skin from forming. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
• When cold, pour into the bowl of an ice cream machine. Churn and freeze according to manufacturer's instructions. When the ice cream has come together, transfer to an airtight container and place in the freezer until ready to serve.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a baking sheet and set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the egg, almond extract, and vanilla and mix well.
• Onto a sheet of waxed paper or into a bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and mix well. Fold in the chocolate and nuts.
• With a 1/4-cup scoop, portion out the dough onto the baking sheet, leaving 2-inches between each piece. Bake until the edges are golden brown but the centers are still slightly soft, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. With a spatula, transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool before assembling the ice cream sandwiches.

CHOCOLATE CHIP, PB & BANANA SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Mix peanut butter, honey and cinnamon; stir in chocolate chips. Spread over bread. Layer 2 bread slices with banana slices; top with remaining bread. If desired, cut into shapes using cookie cutters.

CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM COOKIE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Make the Cookies
• Whisk cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and 2 1/2 cups flour in a medium bowl. Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Reduce mixer speed to medium and add eggs and vanilla; beat until very fluffy, about 30 seconds. Reduce speed to low and gradually add dry ingredients, beating just until combined (use a large spatula to incorporate any dry ingredients at the bottom of the bowl). Divide dough in half and wrap each in plastic, pressing down to form into 1/2"-thick disks. Chill until firm, at least 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Let 1 disk of dough sit at room temperature until softened slightly, about 5 minutes. Roll out on a lightly floured piece of parchment paper into a large 1/8"-thick rectangle (about 16x12"), dusting with more flour as needed. Use a knife and a ruler (precision is key) to cut into 4x1 1/2" rectangles, then use a thin metal spatula to transfer rectangles to a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing 1" apart. (If at any point the dough becomes too soft and sticky, slide dough with parchment onto a baking sheet and chill until firm.)
• Chill dough on baking sheet while you repeat the process with the second disk of dough. You should end up with 30 cookies total. Save scraps for another use or discard. Prick cookies in several places with a fork. Bake, rotating baking sheets front to back and top to bottom halfway through, until edges are firm, 12-15 minutes. Let cool on baking sheets. Turn half of cookies over.
• Prepare Ice Cream
• Line a 13x9" baking pan, preferably straight sided, with 2 layers of plastic wrap, leaving several inches of overhang on all sides; place in freezer. Remove both pints of first ice cream flavor from containers (just peel away container if it's paper, or use a rubber spatula to help slide ice cream out intact if container is plastic). Cut ice cream into 2" pieces and place in a large bowl. Let sit until slightly softened, about 5 minutes, then stir with a wooden spoon or a large rubber spatula until the consistency of thick cake batter. Scrape ice cream into chilled pan and smooth into an even layer with a small off-set spatula. Freeze uncovered until firm, 15-20 minutes.
• Repeat softening process with both pints of second flavor.
• Scrape second flavor over first layer and smooth out, spreading ice cream all the way to the edges and making top as level as possible. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until ice cream is hard, at least 8 hours.
• Assembly
• Remove ice cream from freezer, unwrap, and invert onto a cutting board; remove pan and peel off plastic. Trim sides of ice cream block to make a neat, straight-edged rectangle measuring 12x7 1/2" (yep, there's that ruler again). Working quickly so ice cream doesn't melt, cut block lengthwise into 5 equal rows and then crosswise into thirds so you have 15 pieces measuring about 4x1 1/2" Working with 1 brick of ice cream at a time, use a thin metal spatula to place on a flat-side-up cookie and top with a right-side up cookie. Transfer sandwiches to a rimmed baking sheet set in the freezer as you work. Freeze sandwiches until ice cream is hard, about 2 hours. Cover tray with plastic wrap and freeze at least another 8 hours to let cookies soften.
• Do Ahead
• Dough can be made 2 days ahead; keep chilled. Cookies can be baked 1 week ahead; transfer to a resealable plastic bag and freeze. Layered ice cream can be made 1 week ahead; keep frozen in pan. Sandwiches can be assembled 5 days ahead; keep frozen.

CREAM-FILLED CHOCOLATE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Into a medium-size bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream sugar and butter until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg; beat to combine. With mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture; continue beating until dough is well combined.
• Using a 1 1/4-inch ice cream scoop, drop dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Dip bottom of a glass in sugar; press to flatten cookies to about 1/8 inch thick. (You may need to carefully remove dough from glass with a thin metal spatula.)
• Transfer to oven, and bake until cookies are firm, about 10 to 12 minutes, rotating baking sheets halfway through. Transfer baking sheets to wire racks to cool completely.
• Place cream filling in a pastry bag fitted with a coupler, and pipe about 1 tablespoon filling onto the flat side of half the cookies. Place remaining cookies on top, and gently press on each to squeeze filling to edges. Filled cookies can be stored in airtight containers at room temperature up to 2 days.

CHOCOLATE CHIP AND BANANA ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. If using dough log, cut into 20 equal-size rounds. Arrange sliced dough rounds (or 20 pre-portioned rounds) on 2 baking sheets, spacing evenly. Using fingertips, press each into 2 1/2-inch round. Bake cookies until golden, about 11 minutes for sliced rounds and 15 minutes for pre-portioned dough. Transfer to rack; cool.
• Line baking sheet with foil; place in freezer. Place 1 cookie, flat side up, on work surface. Top with 1/3 cup ice cream; spread almost to edge. Top with single layer of bananas. Sandwich with another cookie; press gently to compact. Place on baking sheet in freezer. Repeat with remaining cookies, ice cream, and bananas. Freeze 2 hours. Using knife, smooth sides of ice cream sandwiches. Freeze 1 hour.
• Place chocolate chips and oil in small glass bowl; microwave on medium-high until chocolate is melted, stopping occasionally to stir, about 1 1/2 minutes. Let stand just until cool, about 10 minutes.
• Place granola or toffee (if using) on plate. Dip 1 ice cream sandwich halfway into melted chocolate; lift and quickly shake excess chocolate back into bowl. If desired, roll dipped edge in granola or toffee; return to baking sheet in freezer. Repeat with remaining sandwiches, chocolate, and granola or toffee. Freeze until firm, about 2 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Wrap each sandwich in foil; keep frozen.

MALT CHOCOLATE AND MARSHMALLOW SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Prepare the cookies: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, malted chocolate powder and baking powder.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the butter, brown sugar, honey and salt. Mix with the paddle attachment on low speed until completely incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add the flour mixture and heavy cream. Mix on low speed until it comes together in a smooth dough. Transfer to a work surface and pat into a 1-inch disk. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Wash and dry the mixing bowl and set aside.
• Prepare the ganache topping: Transfer the chocolate pieces to a small bowl. In a small pot, heat the cream gently over low heat until it just begins to steam, about 4 to 5 minutes. Pour the hot cream mixture over the chocolate pieces. Allow the chocolate and cream mixture to sit for 5 minutes. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted and the ganache is smooth. Set aside.
• Position oven racks near the center and heat oven to 350 degrees.
• Once the dough is chilled, unwrap and place the dough in the center of a sheet of parchment. Place the second sheet of parchment on top and roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Peel off the top layer of parchment and use it to line one of the baking sheets. Line a second baking sheet with parchment. Using a 2-inch round biscuit cutter, cut out cookies and transfer them to the lined baking sheets, spacing them about 1 ½ inches apart. Press scraps together, and fold the remaining parchment over the dough. Reroll and cut out rounds. (You can reroll the dough up to 2 times.) Bake until the cookies are set and the tops lose their shine, about 12 minutes, rotating the pans and switching racks halfway through baking. Let cool on the baking sheets for 5 to 10 minutes before moving the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Make the marshmallow filling: In a small pot, combine the sugar, honey, salt and 1/4 cup water. Stir to incorporate and cook over medium-high until the sugar dissolves and the temperature of the syrup reaches 240 degrees, about 5 minutes.
• Add 1/4 cup water to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Sprinkle in the gelatin and gently stir to moisten the grains. Allow the gelatin to bloom, about 3 minutes, while the sugar mixture cooks.
• When the sugar reaches 240 degrees and the gelatin has bloomed, turn the mixer on low, and slowly add the syrup in an even stream. Increase the speed to high and whip the mixture until the meringue is thick and doubled, about 5 to 7 minutes. Scoop the mixture into a piping bag, seal the top by twisting, snip the end and set aside.
• Assemble the cookies: Pipe a 1-inch mound of meringue on the flat side of half the cookies, leaving a 1/8-inch border. Allow to set for 2 to 3 minutes, then top each with another cookie. Thoroughly stir the ganache until smooth. Spoon a tablespoon of ganache in the center of each top cookie and spread evenly over the surface, allowing the ganache to drip down the sides. (If your ganache is completely cooled and set at this point, you can stir and spread it like frosting, or see Tip below for loosening.) Once all the cookies have been topped with ganache, allow the ganache to set slightly, about 5 minutes, and top each with gold leaf accents or luster dust, if using. Allow the cookies to set before serving, about 15 minutes.

LACY CHOCOLATE OATMEAL COOKIE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Set the racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Pour the melted butter into a bowl; 1 at a time, stir in the remaining ingredients, except the chocolate, stirring smooth after each addition.
• Use a 1/2-teaspoon measure to drop the batter on the prepared pans. Space the cookies about 3 inches apart in all directions, to allow room for them to spread. Bake the cookies for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until they have spread and are brown around the edges and lighter toward the center. Slide the paper or foil onto racks to cool the cookies.
• When the cookies are completely cool, peel them off the foil and arrange half of them bottom side up on a pan. Use a small offset spatula to spread about 1/2 teaspoon of chocolate on each inverted cookie. Top with another cookie, bottom to bottom. Store the finished cookies between sheets of parchment or waxed paper in a tin or plastic container with a tight-fitting cover.