Trader Joe’s Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches are thick chocolate chip cookies filled with vanilla ice cream and rolled in mini chocolate chips along the edges. This copycat bakes the cookies from scratch and fills them with TJ’s ice cream. Makes 6 to 8 sandwiches with about 20 minutes of active work and 4 hours total including chill time.
The key step is chilling the cookie dough before baking. It stops the cookies spreading flat in the oven and gives you a thick, round shape that holds the ice cream without cracking. I skipped the chill once and ended up with thin discs that couldn’t support a scoop.
The finishing detail that makes these look like the real thing is rolling the edges in mini chocolate chips right after assembly. Do it immediately before the ice cream freezes again or the chips won’t stick. Work fast and do one sandwich at a time.
Trader Joe’s Ice Cream Sandwich Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy8
servings20
minutes12
minutes370
kcalHomemade Trader Joe’s Sublime Ice Cream Sandwich copycat — thick chocolate chip cookies filled with TJ’s ice cream and rolled in mini chocolate chips along the edges. Makes 6 to 8 sandwiches.
Ingredients
- For the cookies:
1¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup brown sugar, packed
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- For assembly:
1 pint Trader Joe’s vanilla ice cream (or Coffee Bean, Mint Chip, or Cookie Butter ice cream)
½ cup mini chocolate chips
Directions
- Make the cookie dough:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
- Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for 1 hour.
- Bake the cookies:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop heaped tablespoons of dough, roll into balls and place 2 inches apart on the trays. Flatten slightly with your palm.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are golden brown. Leave on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.
- Assemble:
- Remove the ice cream from the freezer and leave it at room temperature for 5 minutes until just scoopable.
- Scoop a generous portion of ice cream onto the flat side of one cookie. Place a second cookie on top, flat side down, and press gently until the ice cream reaches the edges.
- Immediately roll the exposed ice cream edges in the mini chocolate chips to coat.
- Wrap each sandwich in parchment paper and place in the freezer. Freeze for at least 2 hours before serving.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought cookies instead of baking from scratch?
Yes. Any thick, chewy chocolate chip cookie works TJ’s packaged chocolate chip cookies are a quick shortcut. Just make sure the cookies are soft and not crisp, or they will crack when you press them together around the ice cream.
My ice cream squirts out the sides when I press the cookies what went wrong?
The ice cream was too soft. Five minutes at room temperature is the maximum if your kitchen is warm, check it sooner. The ice cream should hold its shape when pressed. If it starts to melt, put it back in the freezer for 10 minutes before continuing.
Can I freeze the cookie dough before baking?
Yes. Roll the dough into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer to a sealed bag. Bake from frozen at 350°F, adding 2 to 3 extra minutes. The dough keeps in the freezer for up to 3 months.
What TJ’s ice cream flavours work best?
Vanilla is the classic match for the chocolate chip cookie. TJ’s Coffee Bean Ice Cream gives a mocha-style sandwich that pairs naturally with the cookie. TJ’s Cookie Butter Ice Cream makes a richer, spiced version. Any of the three work well.
What should I serve these with?
They work on their own as a standalone dessert, but if you are building a full dessert spread, Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter Cookies give guests a warm baked option to go alongside the frozen ones. For a full party table, a Trader Joe’s Dessert Charcuterie Board is the natural way to frame them alongside other TJ’s sweets.
