One of the most loved ice cream toppings gets a major upgrade in this fun and colorful ice cream sandwich recipe. It’s beautiful, colorful and looks fragile like stained glass… but what is it?
It’s what all kids’ dreams are made of — these ice cream sandwiches are made of gummy bears! Vanilla ice cream is sandwiched between two thin gummy layers. For an even bigger wow factor, dip them in chocolate!
For this recipe, there are a few things you’ll need to prepare for:
- Your children constantly asking, “Please, may I have just one gummy bear?!”
- Resisting the urge to eat one (or many) yourself.
- Make sure there’s a fresh roll of parchment paper in your kitchen.
- Remind the entire household that patience is a virtue. Especially when the sandwiches look done but actually need to go back in the freezer.
GUMMY BEAR ICE CREAM SANDWICHES
Makes about ten 2½” square sandwiches.
INGREDIENTS:
- 24 ounces of gummy candies
- 1½-quart container (about 6 cups) of vanilla ice cream
- 8-12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
TOOLS:
- Parchment paper
- 11″ x 17″ baking sheet
- 9″ x 13″ baking pan
- 2½” square cookie cutter
- Coconut or olive oil for cutting
- Cornstarch for cutting
STEP 1:
Preheat oven to 300 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
STEP 2:
Then arrange the gummy bears in the center of the pan in a single layer, making an abstract color design. After the gummies melt, you’ll swirl surface of the gummies. Intermingling them like this make sure you get an interesting color pattern. For a real rainbow look, try forming rows of each color.
STEP 3:
Place the gummies into the oven and allow them to melt. Check on them after 20-25 minutes. The edges should be melted, but the center may still be intact.
Turn the oven temperature down to 275 F and allow them to melt for 10 more minutes.
STEP 4:
Use a toothpick, fork to break the surface of the gummies swirl the colors in a back-and-forth or swirl motion. This breaks and blends the baked “skin” that’s covering the liquified gummies underneath it.
After swirling, let the sheet of gummies cool completely and sit at room temperature for at least 2-3 hours. Avoid touching the surface to maintain that glossy sheen.
Then it’ll look like this! Don’t worry about the little lumps and bumps in the gummies.
STEP 5:
While the gummies are melting in the oven, place the container of ice cream in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to soften. Line a 9″ x 13″ baking pan with parchment, making sure all sides are lined.
After 30 minutes, scoop softened ice cream into parchment paper–lined pan.
Use a spatula to spread it into an even layer. Place the pan in the freezer for at least 2-3 hours or more to harden.
STEP 7:
To make the assembly go fast (and avoid a mess of melted ice cream), cut the ice cream into squares ahead of time.
After the ice cream has been in the freezer for a few hours, use the parchment paper to lift the hardened ice cream out of the pan. Use a 2½” cookie cutter to cut squares from the sheet of ice cream. Place these cut-outs in a parchment paper–lined pan and place back in the freezer.
STEP 8:
Next, cut out the gummy sheet. Carefully grease the edge and walls of the square cutter with coconut or olive oil. Then dip the edge into the cornstarch.
Press the cutter lightly into the sheet to mark a row.
If the edge or corners of the gummy square stretch a bit, that’s OK. Just push and position the corner or edge back in place and the gummy will mold it back.
Cut an even number of squares. Place the cut squares onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
STEP 9:
Time to assemble — you’ll need to work fast!
Place an ice cream squares on a gummy square, then place the other gummy square over the ice cream. Place the assembled sandwiches on a parchment-lined baking sheet. When you’ve assembled all the sandwiches, place the pan in the freezer for an hour or two.
STEP 10:
This step is optional, but it’s delicious and keeps the ice cream contained while slower (littler) eaters nibble away at them.
When the chocolate is completely melted, dunk the sides of the ice cream sandwich into the chocolate and place on parchment paper. It will harden rather quickly.
When the sandwiches come out of the freezer, the gummy parts will be a little hard at first but will soften with the warmth of little (or big) fingers. Enjoy this fun cold gummy treat! It’ll be a favorite for the little, big and adult kids alike!