Copycat Trader Joe’s Ice Cream Sandwich Recipe

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If you’ve ever indulged in Trader Joe’s ice cream sandwiches, you know they’re the perfect blend of chewy cookies and luscious ice cream—pure dessert bliss! But what if I told you that you could recreate this iconic treat in the comfort of your own kitchen?

How to make Trader Joe’s Ice Cream Sandwich

Trader Joe’s Ice Cream Sandwich is a frozen dessert made with creamy ice cream layered between two soft, chewy chocolate chip cookies. It’s their take on the classic ice cream sandwich, but with a more bakery-style cookie texture instead of the thin, cakey wafers found in traditional versions.

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Optional: Mini chocolate chips for rolling (to mimic Trader Joe’s Sublime version).

For the Ice Cream Filling:

• 2 pints vanilla ice cream (or any flavor you prefer — Trader Joe’s has amazing options like Mint Chip or Coffee Bean).
• Optional: 1-2 cups crushed toppings — mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, or crushed nuts for coating.

Instructions

Prepare the Cookies:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until fully combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.
5. Scoop out dough (about 2 tablespoons per cookie) and roll into balls. Place them on the baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Flatten slightly to ensure an even shape.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Let cool completely on a wire rack; the cookies need to be firm enough to hold ice cream without breaking.

Get the Ice Cream Ready:

1. While the cookies are cooling, soften your ice cream by letting it sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes. You want it scoopable but not liquid.
2. Scoop about ¼ cup of ice cream (or more for thicker sandwiches) and flatten between two pieces of parchment paper to create a circular disc. Place the discs in the freezer to firm up while you work on the cookies.

Build the Ice Cream Sandwiches:

1. Take one cookie and place a disc of ice cream on top. Sandwich it with a second cookie, applying gentle pressure to ensure the ice cream spreads evenly without oozing out.
2. If you’re mimicking Trader Joe’s Sublime sandwiches, roll the edges of the ice cream in mini chocolate chips for a crunchy, decorative finish.
3. Freeze to Set: Wrap each sandwich in parchment paper or plastic wrap to help keep its shape. Place them in the freezer for at least 2 hours before serving for the best results.

Tips for Success

• Mix and Match Flavors: Feel free to switch up the cookie dough (e.g., peanut butter or oatmeal) or use flavored ice cream such as mint chip, cookie butter, or salted caramel. Trader Joe’s fans love experimenting!
• Cookie Size: Keep your cookies on the smaller side and uniform in shape for easier sandwich assembly.
• Ice Cream Handle: Use a silicone muffin tin to mold ice cream discs for neatly cut pieces.
• Storage: Wrap each sandwich individually to prevent freezer burn. These can last up to 2 weeks stored in an airtight container in the freezer.
• Vegan/Dairy-Free Version: To recreate Trader Joe’s Oat Non-Dairy Sandwiches, use plant-based cookies and an oat milk ice cream alternative.

What to serve with

While Trader Joe’s ice cream sandwiches are delightful on their own, pairing them with complementary treats and drinks can make your dessert experience even more exciting.

• Chocolate Ganache or Syrup: Warm, rich chocolate sauce pairs perfectly with a vanilla ice cream-filled sandwich. Let guests drizzle or dip for extra indulgence.
• Caramel Sauce: Trader Joe’s salted caramel sauce adds a layer of gooey sweetness to complement Trader Joe’s Ice Cream Sandwich. You can also sprinkle sea salt for a salty-sweet combo.
• Berry Coulis: Serve your sandwiches with a fresh berry sauce (made from strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries) to add a fruity punch that balances the richness of the Trader Joe’s Ice Cream Sandwich.

Ingredients Substitutes

Sometimes you’re all set to make Trader Joe’s Ice Cream Sandwich, but you realize you’re missing a key ingredient—or you might prefer healthier, allergy-friendly, or vegan options.

1. Cookie Substitutes

The cookies are the foundation of the sandwich, and thankfully, there’s plenty of flexibility here! Whether you want to change the flavor, cater to dietary preferences, or simply adapt to what you have, here are some alternatives:

a. Flour Substitutes (for Gluten-Free)

• Almond Flour or Oat Flour: Swap all-purpose flour with almond flour or oat flour for a gluten-free option. They add unique textures and flavors but may require adjustments to binding agents (e.g., adding an egg or xanthan gum).
• Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour Blends: Trader Joe’s has excellent gluten-free flour blends that can replace regular flour 1:1.

b. Sweetener Substitutes

• Coconut Sugar: Replace brown or white sugar with coconut sugar for a lower glycemic index option and a slight caramel taste.
• Monk Fruit Sweetener or Stevia: For a sugar-free or reduced sugar version, use monk fruit sweetener or granulated stevia.
• Maple Syrup or Honey: For more natural sweeteners, use honey or maple syrup. Reduce other liquid ingredients in the recipe slightly to maintain the cookie dough’s consistency.

c. Dairy-Free Fat Substitutes

• Coconut Oil: Replace unsalted butter 1:1 with refined coconut oil (refined is best for a neutral flavor). It yields chewy cookies and works great for a dairy-free option.
• Vegan Butter: Brands like Miyoko’s or Earth Balance are good substitutes for butter.

d. Alternative Cookie Types

• Store-Bought Options: If you’re short on time, Trader Joe’s has a wide range of cookies like Chocolate Chips, Joe-Joe’s (their Oreo-like cookie), or Oatmeal Cookies that can be used as sandwich bases.
• Other Flavors: Substitute the classic chocolate chip cookie with snickerdoodles, gingersnaps, peanut butter cookies, or double-chocolate cookies to mix things up.
• Brownies: If you want extra indulgence, brownies cut into squares or circles can replace cookies altogether.

2. Ice Cream Substitutes

The ice cream is the star of the show, and Trader Joe’s offers so many options if you need a substitute. Whether you’re accommodating dietary restrictions or looking for a creative twist, here are great ideas:

a. Dairy-Free/Vegan Ice Cream Options

Trader Joe’s has an incredible selection of vegan ice creams, including Soy Creamy, Non-Dairy Oat Chocolate Chip frozen dessert, and Coconut Milk Strawberry Ice Cream. Any of these can replace traditional ice cream.

Other store-bought vegan brands like Ben & Jerry’s or Haagen-Dazs non-dairy lines also work well.

b. Flavor Substitutes

If you’re feeling creative, try different ice cream flavors. Some popular combinations include:

• Peanut Butter Cookies + Chocolate Ice Cream.
• Double Chocolate Cookies + Mint Chip Ice Cream.
• Oatmeal Cookies + Coffee Bean Ice Cream.
• Vanilla Ice Cream as a neutral base with any cookie flavor.
• Add mix-ins (like crushed cookies, caramel swirls, or chocolate chips) to plain vanilla ice cream for a Trader Joe’s Sublime-style customization.

c. Lighter Alternatives

• Frozen Yogurt: Create lighter ice cream sandwiches by using Trader Joe’s frozen yogurt, available in classic flavors like vanilla and chocolate. Greek frozen yogurt works particularly well for tangier notes.
• Banana Ice Cream: Blend frozen bananas with a splash of milk or nut milk to make a creamy, healthy “nice cream.” Add cocoa powder or peanut butter for extra flavors.

3. Egg Substitutes

Eggs give structure to the cookies, but if you’re baking for someone with egg allergies or following a vegan diet, you can replace them easily:

• Flax Eggs: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water for each egg. Let sit for 5 minutes to form a gel-like consistency.
• Chia Eggs: Similar to flax eggs, mix 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water.
• Unsweetened Applesauce: Use ¼ cup of applesauce per egg. This also adds a slight natural sweetness.
• Mashed Bananas: Replace each egg with ¼ cup mashed ripe banana for a slightly fruity flavor.
• Aquafaba: The liquid from canned chickpeas can replace eggs in a 3-tablespoon-per-egg ratio. Whip it slightly for better results.

4. Chocolate Chip Substitutes

Chocolate chips are a staple in classic ice cream cookies, but you can mix it up if needed:

• Dairy-Free Chocolate Chips: Use vegan chocolate chips such as Enjoy Life or Trader Joe’s Semi-Sweet Vegan Chocolate Chips.
• White Chocolate Chips: For a sweeter switch, try white chocolate chips.
• Chopped Chocolate Bars: Trader Joe’s has a variety of chocolate bars (dark, milk, caramel-filled) that can be chopped up and used in the dough.
• Dried Fruits or Nuts: For a unique twist, replace chocolate chips with dried cranberries, raisins, or nuts like pecans or walnuts.
• Candy Mix-Ins: Add candy pieces (like crushed Trader Joe’s peanut butter cups or M&Ms) in place of traditional chocolate chips for a fun, colorful variation.

Final Thoughts

Making Trader Joe’s ice cream sandwiches at home is all about creativity and flexibility.

More Trader Joe’s Recipes:

• Copycat Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Puree Recipe
• Copycat Trader Joe’s Vanilla Bean Paste Recipe
• Copycat Trader Joe’s Banana Bread Recipe
• Copycat Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash Recipe
• Copycat Trader Joe’s Maple Butter Recipe