Crafts with Kendra: Father's Day Ice Cream Sandwiches

This year make something for dad that shows how much you appreciate him and his sweet tooth. Crafter Kendra Smoot's clever ice cream sandwiches are a cinch to make and will be very welcome on a hot summer day. Be sure to make room in your freezer and stomach and follow these simple directions.

Supplies:

2 baking pans

parchment paper

alphabet cookie cutters

ice cream scoop

spatula

Step 1: Make your own cookie dough recipe or follow my favorite recipe below. Bake dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup unsalted butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 egg

1 egg yolk

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions for cookies

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Line with parchment paper.

2. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar and white sugar until well blended.

3. Beat in the vanilla, egg, and egg yolk until light and creamy. Mix in the flour, baking soda, and salt until just blended.

4. Stir in the chocolate chips. Spread on to baking sheet using a rubber spatula.

5. Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges are toasted.

Step 2: Let cookie dough cool. Use alphabet cookie cutters to cut out multiple cookies. Deep cookie cutters work best. You can decide if you want to cut out the middle parts of the letter. I left them in for a more equal cookie to ice cream ratio. Place cut cookies on another baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze.

Step 3: Scoop 1 pint of ice cream into a casserole dish and let soften a little. Spread evenly with a spatula. Freeze until hard.
Step 4: Use alphabet cookie cutters to cut out ice cream. If you dip the cookie cutter into a bowl with hot water the ice cream will come off easier. Place between two cookies to make a sandwich. Eat immediately or freeze until later.

Makes about 10 ice cream sandwiches.