Festive Football Ice Cream Sandwiches made with soft chocolate chip cookies and creamy vanilla ice cream are the ultimate game day dessert. With a few simple steps, I can put together a fun and sweet treat that’s perfect for tailgate parties, Super Bowl spreads, or any sports-themed celebration. These sandwiches are not only adorable but incredibly easy to make, even at the last minute.
Ingredients
(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
1 dozen chocolate chip cookies (store-bought or homemade)
1 quart vanilla ice cream (softened slightly)
White decorator icing or melted white chocolate
Brown gel food coloring (optional, if cookies need darkening)
Wax paper or parchment paper
Optional: mini chocolate chips or sprinkles for rolling sides
Directions
I line a baking sheet with wax or parchment paper and place it in the freezer to chill.
If I’m using homemade cookies, I let them cool completely first.
I scoop about 2 tablespoons of slightly softened ice cream onto the flat side of one cookie.
I press a second cookie on top to create a sandwich and gently squeeze so the ice cream spreads to the edges.
I use a butter knife to smooth the edges and then roll the sandwich in mini chocolate chips or sprinkles if I want extra flair.
I place the finished sandwiches on the chilled baking sheet and freeze them for at least 1 hour.
Once they’re firm, I pipe football laces on top using white decorator icing or melted white chocolate.
I return them to the freezer for another 10 minutes, or I store them in an airtight container until it’s time to serve.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 6 ice cream sandwiches.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Calories per sandwich: approximately 290 kcal
Variations
I like to switch things up with different cookie and ice cream combinations. Chocolate cookies with mint ice cream make a cool twist, or I’ll use peanut butter cookies with chocolate ice cream for a richer treat. For a fun game-day surprise, I sometimes dye the ice cream in team colors using food coloring or swap out the chocolate chips for themed sprinkles.
Storage/Reheating
I keep these ice cream sandwiches stored in an airtight container in the freezer, where they’ll stay fresh for up to 2 weeks. I separate the layers with parchment paper to keep them from sticking. There’s no need to reheat—just let them sit at room temperature for 1–2 minutes before serving if they’re too hard to bite into.
FAQs
How far in advance can I make football ice cream sandwiches?
I usually make them up to a week in advance. Just be sure to keep them in a well-sealed container in the freezer.
Can I use other types of cookies for this recipe?
Absolutely. Sugar cookies, oatmeal cookies, or even brownie cookies work great and can give a different flavor and texture.
Do I need special tools to pipe the football laces?
Not at all. I often use a plastic sandwich bag with the tip snipped off if I don’t have a piping bag on hand.
Can I make these dairy-free?
Yes, I use dairy-free ice cream and cookies to make this recipe suitable for anyone with dairy allergies or dietary preferences.
How do I keep the cookies from getting too hard in the freezer?
I find that slightly underbaking homemade cookies keeps them soft even after freezing. If I’m using store-bought, I look for ones labeled as soft-baked.
Conclusion
These Football Ice Cream Sandwiches are a playful, delicious addition to any game day celebration. They’re easy to make, endlessly customizable, and guaranteed to be a touchdown with kids and adults alike. Whether I’m hosting a big party or just watching the game with friends, I love having these sweet sandwiches ready to go.
📖 Recipe:
Football Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 sandwiches
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Festive football-themed ice cream sandwiches made with soft chocolate chip cookies and creamy vanilla ice cream. A simple and customizable treat perfect for game day celebrations.
Ingredients
1 dozen chocolate chip cookies (store-bought or homemade)
1 quart vanilla ice cream (softened slightly)
White decorator icing or melted white chocolate
Brown gel food coloring (optional, if cookies need darkening)
Wax paper or parchment paper
Optional: mini chocolate chips or sprinkles for rolling sides
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with wax or parchment paper and place it in the freezer to chill.
- If using homemade cookies, allow them to cool completely before assembling.
- Scoop about 2 tablespoons of slightly softened ice cream onto the flat side of one cookie.
- Press a second cookie on top to form a sandwich and gently squeeze so the ice cream spreads to the edges.
- Smooth the edges with a butter knife and roll in mini chocolate chips or sprinkles, if desired.
- Place the finished sandwiches on the chilled baking sheet and freeze for at least 1 hour.
- Once firm, pipe football laces on top using white decorator icing or melted white chocolate.
- Return to the freezer for another 10 minutes or store in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Notes
Use soft-baked or slightly underbaked cookies to keep the sandwiches easy to bite into after freezing.
Decorating with team-colored sprinkles adds a festive touch.
Dairy-free ice cream and cookies can be used for a dairy-free version.
Sandwiches can be made up to 2 weeks in advance and stored in the freezer.
A plastic sandwich bag with a snipped tip works well as a DIY piping tool.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
