As if I had a choice…
Last week I made Vegan Chai Ice Cream* and fell in love. The creamy, spicy-sweet goodness that is this cashew-based dessert has made me a vegan ice cream belieber. I’m never going back.
While I could’ve just eaten the entire batch as is, I had a sneaking suspicion it could somehow be elevated. Fate would have it that John asked me that same day whether or not we had any ice cream sandwiches on the site.
The short answer was: yes. Yes, we do. However, there could always be more, right?
*Learn more about the origins of chai here!
What pairs well with chai?
My mind immediately went to these gluten-free vegan ginger cookies I shared over Christmas. When made into circles instead of cutout shapes, they tend to be a little more tender and easy to work with. Plus, hello! Ginger cookies + chai ice cream? Match made in heaven!
I intentionally under-baked the cookies just a tad so they would be extra soft and tender when biting into, especially when frozen. It worked wonders for the texture! However, if you’re into a crispier bite, bake them another 1-2 minutes. Either way, the flavor will be amazing.
Friends, I am SO stinking excited about how these turned out! They’re:
Creamy
Slightly spicy
Sweet
Tender
Perfectly ginger-y
Beautifully infused with molasses flavor
Spot-on chai tastiness
Super satisfying
& Kind of perfect
I take that back. Absolutely perfect.
And when you bite in?! Oh man! The cookie texture is tender and moist and the ice cream melts perfectly – super velvety and creamy. Plus, the chai-ginger combination is to die for.
You must try these babies! And if you do, tag @minimalistbaker on Instagram! I’d love to see!
Chai Ginger Ice Cream Sandwiches
Ingredients
- ~2.5 cups Vegan Chai Ice Cream
- 16 whole Vegan Gluten-Free Ginger Cookies (made in circles, not shapes)
Instructions
- See cookie recipe and follow instructions. Once prepared cookies are cooled, pop them in the freezer to harden.
- In the meantime, soften chai ice cream until scoopable. Then form into disc shapes by scooping 1/4 cup amounts into the lid of a peanut butter jar or similar-shaped object, lined with plastic wrap. Fold the plastic wrap to completely cover the ice cream, remove from lid and shape into a loose disc. Pop in the freezer to re-harden. Alternatively, if you don’t care about the shape, just smash a big scoop between the cookies.
- After about 30 minutes, unwrap the ice cream discs and sandwich them between two cookies of similar size/shape. Press down to flatten and then use a spoon, knife or clean finger to smooth the sides and make them more uniform.
- Pop back in the freezer to set momentarily. Will keep in the freezer in freezer bag or container for up to a couple weeks, though best within the first several days.
- To eat, let them set out for 5-10 minutes to soften. If you’re impatient like me, microwaving them for 8 seconds makes them perfectly soft. Oh my word.
Notes
*If you are unable to make the ginger cookies, sub a store-bought version of vegan and/or gluten-free ginger cookies.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate.
Eden Passante says
This sounds SO good! And I love that it’s vegan too! Yum!
Haley says
Dana, these were so darn good! I gave them to family members and some friends who were not vegan, and they were described as “heavenly” by most! Everyone said they would never have guessed these were vegan. I used the gluten-free flour mix for the ginger cookies that you have posted on your site with cornstarch substituted for the potato starch, and they still turned out great! Cookie was crispy on the outside and chewey in the middle. And the ice cream. There are not words for how delicious this ice cream was. I will definitely make this again! I will try your GF pancake mix with the buckwheat flour next time. :)
Samantha says
I’m interested to know what brand of gluten free baking mix you use.
best hotel management colleges in Kolkata says
Liked your recipe a lot. Looking forward for some more mouth watering recipes. Keep up the good work.
kendra says
I made these and they are totally delectable!!! The cookies taste just like pogens gingersnaps and the ice cream is velvety smooth and creamy …these recipes are easy and decedent!!! Thank you!!
Yay! So glad you enjoyed them, Kendra. Thanks for sharing!!! xoxo
Micky says
This sounds delicious. I’m tempted to try a truly South African approach (as I can’t have ginger due to IBS) and use rooibos tea and honey instead of chai and the spices. Thanks for the recipe! Ice cream maker, here I come!
Yay!
Adriana says
To make the disks, I’m wondering if you could freeze the ice cream in cans and slice it like we do cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving?
Bat says
Oh and the pictures and the video are amazing. Keep up the good work.
Thanks, Bat!!
Bat Abbit says
These are the best. I made them for a party and they were the perfect dessert, totally make ahead, and a wow factor. I laughed reading Dana’s comments but she was right, they are perfect. I made a coconut milk based ice cream and was not impressed but this cashew base is so creamy. If you haven’t made these then you need to go do it right now.
Lulu | Voyage Gourmand says
I would really love to have a bite in those!! +it’s gluten free and vegan, just perfection!
This chai ice cream really intrigates me, but I have no doubt it goes perfectly with the ginger cookies…. saving this recipe for the warm days in France! :)
Let me know if you give it a go!
Lauren @TheSaltyTomato says
I tried coconut ice cream at home and I wasn’t in love. I am very excited to try a cashew based version. And ginger cookies…they look amazing on their own. I can’t wait to try this! Thank you.
Trish says
These are something out of a dream! oooooh I really want to make these.
Trish
Daniela says
Oh my! I’m going to have to bring out the sweat pants for these babies! I see an innumerable and possibly scandalous amount of ice cream eating in my near future. I’m sure this will only worsen with the coming of summer.
Garage Gyms says
I gotta say, you have succeeded in making me crave ice cream sandwiches now. You definitely know what you are doing with that camera. I’m actually on Amazon now looking at what an ice cream maker costs lol
Consider me flattered! Hope you get an ice cream maker soon and try this recipe! Let me know if you do! I have a feeling you’re going to love them :D
WorldlyPost says
These look so delicious! I also love your recipe for Deep Dish Pizza! Cannot wait to try that one! I was on the search for a recipe!
Anina @ Aninas-Recipes says
I love this!! I can’t stop looking at the beautiful pictures, amazing!!
Love from South Africa
Anina x
Thanks Anina!
Maja says
WoW this looks amazing. I love ice crem sandwiches :) Great work.
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen says
I can’t wait to try these this summer for when I finally get that ice cream maker!!! These look amazing – Pinned :)
Jenny @ BAKE says
oh my goodness I want one of these right now! I love the sound of warming spices with cold ice cream!
Marly says
I’m in love with so many things – my family, animals, my cobalt blue drinking glasses, and now I can add Chai Ginger Ice Cream Sandwiches to the list! Can NOT wait to try these!!
Jessica (bakecetera) says
i think i need to invest in an ice cream maker for the sole purpose of creating these sandwiches! WOW! they look so incredible and i bet the chai + ginger/molasses cookie flavour is top!
Madelein - mother to six wonderful kids says
Great recipe, looks delicious!
Meriem @ Culinary Couture says
I love that you create recipes. And then create recipes out of those recipes. What I don’t love is that we aren’t neighbors.
*heart:warmed*
Alanna says
I die.
Katie | The Surly Housewife says
These look divine!! totally in love with the recipe and the photography. I need an ice cream sandwich now! Something so nostalgic about these little things.
Katy says
Soft cookies are totally necessary for ice cream sandwiches and these look amazing! Now you’ve got me thinking of summer and the “ice cream every day” philosophy.
Emily @ Life on Food says
Hello lovelies!!!
Ana @ fit, fun & delish! says
These looks sooo good! I’ve been wanting to get an ice cream machine but been hesitant due to the extra work. Doing homemade ice cream seem worth it now after your post! It’s great to experiment with flavors! Thanks so much! Can’t wait to try them :)
Ana, believe me, I’m all for keeping your kitchen simple. But if there’s a certain dessert or dish you love that you make over and over again, it’s worth getting a tool or appliance that makes that possible/easier! For me, an ice cream maker was a no brainer, especially since I can’t have dairy ice cream and would rather make my own than buy a $5 pint from the store. Hope you try this recipe! It’s one of my favorites to date :D
ana @ fit, fun & delish! says
Hey Dana! That’s a great point on not being able to have dairy and you making your own ice cream. I’m the same way and this is a great reason! I will be buying one pretty soon for sure. Thanks again and have a great Sunday!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
I can’t believe I haven’t tried these cookies yet – they look too good! Plus, these sandwiches are unreaaaaal! So excited to make this!
Alex Caspero MA,RD (@delishknowledge) says
Love these sandwiches! What a fabulous idea! Can’t wait to try them :)
Abbie @ Needs Salt says
These ice cream sandwiches look amazing! That combination of flavors is stunning. Gorgeous cookies, ice cream – gorgeous everything! In love.
Pinning!
Maryea {happy healthy mama} says
I agree with the previous commenter! If I wasn’t sure if I needed an ice cream maker, I’m sure now. These look incredible.
Ha! It’s so worth it. It’s the one appliance I’ll get rid of three others to have :D
Reesa says
Hahaha! Well, I guess that settles it! Ice cream maker, here I come!!
Stephanie says
Oh man, perfect! It’s only 7 am and I’m dying to bite into these. The way you described it and photographed it, holy smokes. I’m a huge lover of chai anything so I can only imagine how luscious it would be as ice cream nestled in between two tender ginger cookies. :) Dying to try.
Right? You MUST try this flavor combo if you’re into ginger and chai. Let me know if you do, Stephanie!