Thursday, September 8, 2011

Cocoa Dreams Ice Cream Sandwiches, A Last Summer Hoorah

Being a South Florida resident saying farewell to Summer is different than in other parts of the country. Summers ends on the calendar well before it does in our weather forecast. We are still experiencing sunny 90 degree days well into October and sometimes November. So when I think of the Labor Day weekend as the end of summer I have to shake off my New England upbringing and the feeling to make a hearty soup. I am drawn more to "How can I make the summer last all year long?"
Yesterday I was in a baking mood. I grabbed my favorite "easy" cookie recipe and dolloped out some adorable little cookies. 
Although adorable, kinda nondescript looking, No?. Nothing fancy, just delicious.
How can this really delicious, fudgey cookie be a special nod to Summer?
This is a "Last Hoorah" to Summer? Nope.
Ohhhhhhhh....
Make it an Ice Cream Sandwich!!!! Yes!!!
Now we're talking!
Now that's Summer! That's a treat that can bring Summer back to your mind anytime of the year!
These beautiful little treats can be wrapped in parchment paper and frozen to bring Summer goodness well into your non-sunny months!!!
One bite of these and you are "feeling" summer all year long!!!
Just because the calendar says Fall, these make your mouth say Summer!!!

Cocoa Dream Cookies:

Ingredients:
1 pkg. Chocolate Cake mix
2 Eggs
½ cup Vegetable Oil
3 Tbsp. Cocoa
1/3 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Instructions:
Preheat Oven to 350° f
Line a Baking Sheet with Parchment

In Large Mixing Bowl: Beat 2 eggs
Add Vegetable Oil and combine until frothy.
Add Cake Mix and Cocoa, Combine until well mixed.
Fold in Chocolate Chips.

Using a small ice cream scoop or 2 teaspoons
Scoop mixture in even dollops onto parchment lined baking sheet 2 inches apart.
Give room as they spread when baking.
*Be sure to make an even amount of cookies for sandwich making.

Using clean fingers; dab fingers with water and flatten dollops to ¼ inch thick.
Bake at 350° f 10-13 minutes, depending on size.
Remove from oven, cool on rack.

Making Ice Cream Sandwiches:

Place any candies, chocolate or nuts in small bowls.
Once cookies are cooled, arrange cookies on a baking sheet bottom side facing up.
Scoop one scoop of favorite ice cream onto each and top with another cookie.
Roll “sandwiches” in chosen addition. Serve immediately

*May freeze, wrapped in parchment until ready to serve.
(Stay fresh for 2 weeks minimum in freezer. If you place the parchment wrapped sandwiches into a freezer bag, they last twice as long. If you don't eat them first..LOL)

These are so versatile. Think of all of the combinations you could make, just by varying the ice cream, the candy coating, the "cake mix"...This is a Can-Do easy!! They are a Fantastic Hit for a Birthday party!
Switch out Chocolate Chips for M&M's for a Birthday Party??? Wow! Can you say Super Mom?!?
How about Strawberry Cake Mix, Frozen Strawberries, and Strawberry Ice Cream for a Girly Baby Shower Treat? The possibilities are endless!!! Give it a try!

4 comments:

  1. This is a great way to use up some of the ice cream still in the freezer. The chocolate cookies and the ice cream wrapped in chocolate pieces is the perfect way to add some extra zip to sweet ice cream. Great post.

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  2. Very nice. this would be a great afternoon pick me up right now. Thanks for sharing

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  3. So pretty with all the chocolate shavings on the outside! I never made anything like this over the summer, it was on my list but time just got away. Supposed to be in the 80's next week, maybe there is still time!

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