Description
These Lavender Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Sandwiches combine delicate floral notes of culinary lavender with rich vanilla bean ice cream, all sandwiched between soft, chewy cookies. Perfect for a refreshing summer treat or an elegant dessert, this recipe balances the fragrant lavender with classic vanilla for a sophisticated twist on a beloved classic.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon culinary dried lavender
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or scraped seeds from 1 vanilla bean
Ice Cream Filling
- 1 pint vanilla ice cream, softened slightly for scooping
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasoning.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a separate large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which will give the cookies a tender texture.
- Add Flavorings: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and vanilla bean paste until fully incorporated, then stir in the dried culinary lavender for that signature floral note.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, which could toughen the cookies.
- Shape and Bake Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cookie edges turn lightly golden.
- Cool Cookies: Remove from the oven and transfer cookies to a wire rack, allowing them to cool completely, which is crucial before sandwiching with ice cream.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Place a scoop of slightly softened vanilla ice cream between two cookies, gently pressing them together to create a sandwich.
- Freeze to Set: Wrap each ice cream sandwich in parchment paper or plastic wrap, then freeze for at least 1 hour to firm up before serving.
Notes
- Use culinary-grade lavender to avoid any bitterness and ensure a pleasant floral aroma.
- For a more intense lavender flavor, steep the dried lavender in melted butter for 10 minutes before mixing it into the dough.
- Feel free to substitute honey lavender ice cream or vanilla bean ice cream for a flavor variation.
