It’s that time of year when nothing feels as refreshing on a hot day — and as satisfying for a sweet tooth — as a perfect ice cream sandwich. As a child, summer Sundays at my grandparents often ended with boxed supermarket ice cream sandwiches with those thin wafers on the outside. I never loved them, and even now I tend to reach for cake or cookies before ice cream. But modern homemade ice cream sandwiches have changed my mind: inventive cookies, brownies, waffles, donuts, and even pie make excellent vessels for all kinds of ice cream, and many people are even churning their own frozen fillings.
Here are 20 of the best ice cream sandwich recipes to try this summer, featuring a variety of flavors and techniques — from indulgent bacon-maple combinations to delicate macarons and vegan options.
Maple, Bacon & Buttermilk Ice Cream Sandwiches (via Butterlust Blog): Think of pancakes in frozen form — sweet maple, tangy buttermilk, and the salty crunch of bacon combine for a grown-up, unforgettable treat.
Blueberry Pie Ice Cream Sandwiches (via The Kitchen McCabe): If you love pie, try it incorporated into an ice cream sandwich. Flaky crust and jammy filling paired with cold ice cream make a stunning and surprising dessert.
Cookie Monster Ice Cream Sandwich (via The Cake Blog): Cookie dough encases homemade chocolate chip ice cream for a nostalgic, over-the-top combination that cookie lovers will adore.
Waffle Ice Cream Sandwiches (via Handmade Charlotte): Simple and brilliant: use waffles as the sandwich layers. Crisp edges and tender centers pair perfectly with a scoop of your favorite ice cream.
Vegan Chai Ginger Ice Cream Sandwiches (via Minimalist Baker): Warm chai spices and ginger in a vegan frozen filling make a fragrant, dairy-free option that still feels indulgent.
Homemade Birthday Cake Ice Cream Sandwiches (via Country Cleaver): Blondie-style birthday cake layers sandwich a creamy filling for a festive dessert that’s perfect for celebrations.
Donut Ice Cream Sandwiches (via Paper and Stitch): Use donuts as the outer layers for a playful, over-the-top sandwich — soft, sweet, and perfectly paired with cold ice cream.
Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream Sandwiches (via The Gunny Sack): Peanut butter and chocolate are a classic duo; here they’re reimagined into a cold, handheld dessert that’s easy to assemble and highly satisfying.
Brownie Raspberry Swirl Ice Cream Sandwiches (via Sugarhero): Rich chocolate brownies frame raspberry swirl ice cream for a rich, fruity contrast that reads like a classic gourmet dessert.
Pumpkin and Gingerbread Ice Cream Sandwiches (via Cannelle Vanille): The cozy pairing of pumpkin and gingerbread feels like autumn in a bite — spiced, sweet, and deeply comforting even on a summer evening.
Skinny Macaron Ice Cream Sandwiches (via Sugar & Cloth): Elegant and delicate, macaron shells filled with ice cream make a refined, portion-controlled treat — just don’t eat too many at once.
Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Greek Yogurt Ice Cream Sandwiches (via Creme de la Crumb): Swap traditional ice cream for frozen Greek yogurt and dip the sandwiches in chocolate for a tangy, refreshing, and slightly lighter option.
Salted Chocolate Diablo Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches (via The Artful Desperado): Intense dark chocolate cookies with a hint of cayenne and a sprinkle of salt surround a creamy vanilla filling for a bold, complex flavor profile.
Peanut Butter & Jelly Ice Cream Sandwiches with Rosemary and Marionberry (via Desserts For Breakfast): Artful and beautiful, these sandwiches layer homemade components for a show-stopping twist on a childhood favorite.
Butterscotch Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches (via Kitchen Confidante): Chewy, cream cheese-based butterscotch cookies sandwich a creamy filling for a rich, chewy, and deeply satisfying bite.
Whether you prefer classic chocolate chip cookie layers, fudgy brownies, light macarons, or bold experimental combinations, there’s an ice cream sandwich here to suit your summer cravings. Try a few variations, mix and match fillings and bases, and enjoy the endless possibilities of this cool, handheld dessert.