This Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich recipe is a summer hit! Your favorite creamy ice cream is sandwiched between soft and chewy M&M cookies—bringing two classic desserts together in the most delicious way.

ice cream cookie sandwiches stacked in a loaf pan

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Ice cream cookie sandwiches are the ultimate summer treat—cool, fun, and a hit with everyone. When my daughter had friends over to celebrate summer break, I set out a big tray with cookies, ice cream, sprinkles, and let them build their own. It was a huge success and way easier than assembling them all myself! Perfect for parties, family nights, or anytime you want a crowd-pleasing dessert.

Why this is the summer dessert you need

  • Totally customizable: Mix and match cookies, ice cream, and toppings to suit any craving.
  • Make-ahead friendly: Prep your ice cream sandwich cookies in advance and keep them stashed in the freezer.
  • No baking required: I love using homemade cookies. But if you’re short on time, store-bought cookies make for an instant dessert without turning on the oven.
  • Kid & adult-approved: A nostalgic treat that everyone gets excited about!

This recipe is soooooo good!!! I have now made the cookie sandwiches 3 times in the past 3 weeks! I substituted semi-sweet chocolate chips instead of m&ms, and still delicious!! My teenage kids and husband are big fans!! As am I!!!

— Robin
M&M ice cream cookie sandwiches with sprinkles

Ingredients you’ll need

Making an ice cream cookie sandwich is really easy, but there are two VERY important components… the cookies and the ice cream! Here’s everything you’ll need:

  • Ice cream: Use any favorite brand and flavor. Vanilla ice cream is classic, but chocolate, strawberry, or something like cookies and cream would be delicious. Soften slightly before assembling for easier scooping.
  • M&M cookies: Chewy and colorful, these homemade M&M cookies are soft enough to sandwich but sturdy enough to hold the ice cream. For a more traditional cookie ice cream sandwich, use my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe.
  • Optional add-ins: Mini M&Ms, crushed M&Ms, mini chocolate chips, or sprinkles are all perfect for rolling the edges and adding fun texture and color.

For the cookies

  • All-purpose flour: Provides structure. For best results, spoon and level or use a kitchen scale.
  • Baking powder + baking soda: A combo of both ensures the cookies rise slightly while staying chewy.
  • Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness.
  • Unsalted butter: Use softened butter for the perfect creamy base and best cookie texture.
  • Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a rich, caramelly flavor. Light or dark both work well.
  • Granulated sugar: Helps the cookies spread and contributes to crisp edges.
  • Eggs: Bind everything together. Make sure they’re at room temperature for even mixing.
  • Vanilla extract: Adds depth and warm flavor to the cookie dough.
  • M&M’s: The star ingredient! Use regular or mini M&Ms and press extras on top before baking for the best look.
Ice cream cookie sandwiches stacked in a loaf pan.
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Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich

Yield: 15 ice cream cookie sandwiches
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 42 minutes
This Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich recipe is a summer hit! Your favorite creamy ice cream is sandwiched between soft and chewy M&M cookies—bringing two classic desserts together in the most delicious way.
Author: Kim

Ingredients

For the Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches

  • 2 pints (about 4 cups) ice cream (use any favorite brand and flavor)
  • 32 M&M Cookies (recipe below)
  • Optional for rolling the sides of the cookie sandwiches: mini M&Ms, crushed M&Ms, mini chocolate chips, sprinkles

For the M&M Cookies

  • 3 ¼ cup (390g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup, 2 sticks, (226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups (288g) light or dark brown sugar
  • ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups M&M’s, plus more for tops if desired

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Instructions 

M&M Cookies

  • Preheat oven to 365ºF or 185ºC. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.
  • Whisk together dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  • Add softened butter and sugars to a large mixing bowl and use an electric mixer to beat together on medium speed until combined and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition until just combined. With the last egg, add in vanilla extract.
  • On low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter/sugar mixture. Fold in the M&M’s. I have had success baking this dough without chilling it, but chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes will yield the best cookie.
  • Drop balls of cookie dough onto the lined cookie sheet. I use about 2 tablespoons of dough for each cookie.
  • Bake for 10-12 mins. Remove from the oven right when edges start getting golden.
  • If desired, while the cookies are still warm, press a few extra M&M’s into the tops of each cookie. Cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet. Transfer cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely. Cookies stay fresh covered at room temperature for up to 1 week. Before making the ice cream cookie sandwiches, transfer to the freezer for 20-30 minutes.

Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich Assembly

  • Take one cookie and place a scoop of ice cream (about 1/3 to 1/4 cup) on the flat side of the cookie. Top with flat side of second cookie to make a sandwich.
  • Optional: Place mini or crushed M&Ms, sprinkles or mini chocolate chips in a bowl or on plate. Roll sides of the sandwich in the chips or sprinkles. You can serve immediately or wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze.

Notes

*Transferring the baked cookies to the freezer is very important. If you try to make the sandwiches without freezing the cookies first, the cookies will break when you press the ice cream between them.
Storing ice cream cookie sandwiches: Once assembled, let them harden in the freezer for an hour. Then, individually wrap them in plastic wrap or place in reusable storage bags. They will keep in the freezer for about 2-3 months.
This recipe was originally published July 2020. It was updated with new content May 2025.
Photos by Molly at Yes to Yolks.
Author: Kim
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Serving: 1ice cream sandwich cookie, Calories: 534kcal, Carbohydrates: 79g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Cholesterol: 69mg, Sodium: 292mg, Potassium: 183mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 54g, Vitamin A: 642IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 137mg, Iron: 2mg

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How to make an ice cream cookie sandwich

Stirring M&Ms into cookie dough.

Step 1. Whisk the dry ingredients together and set aside. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugars until creamy, then mix in the eggs and vanilla. Gradually add the dry ingredients, then fold in the M&M’s. The dough can be baked right away, but chilling for 30 minutes gives the best results.

Balls of dough on a parchment lined sheet pan.

Step 2. Use a cookie scoop to drop balls of cookie dough onto a lined cookie sheet. I use about 2 tablespoons of dough for each cookie. Be sure to space these out further apart than what the above picture shows.

Baked M&M cookie on a parchment lined cookie sheet.

Step 3. Bake for 10-12 mins. Remove from the oven right when edges of the cookies start getting golden. If desired, while the cookies are still warm, press a few extra M&M’s into the tops of each cookie. Cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet.

M&M cookies on a wire rack.

Step 4. Transfer cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely. Before making the ice cream cookie sandwiches, transfer the cooled cookies to the freezer for 20-30 minutes.

Using an ice cream scoop to add ice cream to a cookie.

Step 5. Take one cookie and place a scoop of ice cream (about 1/3 to 1/4 cup) on the flat side of the cookie. Top with flat side of second cookie to make a sandwich.

Hand holding an ice cream cookie sandwich with a bite taken out.

Step 6. As an option, you can place mini or crushed M&Ms, sprinkles or mini chocolate chips in a bowl or on plate. Roll sides of the sandwich in the chips or sprinkles. You can serve immediately or wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze.

Helpful tips

This ice cream cookie sandwich recipe really is so easy, but here are some tips, so that your dessert is absolutely perfect!

  • Under bake cookies: It’s best to slightly under-bake the cookies. You want the M&M cookies to be super soft and easy to bite into, after freezing them.
  • Freeze cookies: Don’t forget to freeze the cookies for about thirty minutes before making the ice cream cookie sandwiches. I typically make the cookies the day before we make the ice cream sandwiches.
  • Use real ice cream: No-churn homemade ice cream doesn’t work as well in an ice cream sandwich recipe, because it melts faster than regular ice cream.
  • Get creative! Feel free to experiment with different ice cream flavors and cookie varieties!
  • Rolling sandwiches: If you plan to roll your ice cream cookies in sprinkles or candy, be sure to have lots of fun options available!

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to use homemade cookies?

Not at all! While homemade cookies taste amazing, store-bought ones or even store-bought cookie dough will work great if you’re short on time.

Why are my cookies too hard after freezing?

If your cookies are very crunchy, they can freeze too firm. Use soft and chewy cookies for the best texture straight from the freezer.

How do I keep the sandwiches from getting messy while eating?

Wrap one end in parchment or serve them with small napkins to keep little (and big) hands clean!

two M&M ice cream cookie sandwiches stacked

How to store ice cream cookie sandwiches

After you’ve assembled the ice cream cookie sandwiches, freeze them on a baking sheet or pan until the ice cream is solid. Once solid, transfer the sandwiches to airtight containers or individually wrap each one in plastic wrap or place them in a zip-top freezer baggie. Ice cream sandwiches will keep for up to about 2-3 months in the freezer.

Tools you’ll need

There’s nothing too complicated required to make ice cream sandwiches! You will want to have a nice ice cream scoop to give you cookies that are all the exact same size and the perfect amount of ice cream between each sandwich. The one linked is very inexpensive and has over 20,000 5-star reviews.

ice cream cookie sandwich with a bite taken out

More favorite summer desserts

Looking for more ways to beat the heat? Here are some of my other favorite warm-weather treats!

oreo pie with a cool whip filling topped with crushed Oreos

No-Bake Oreo Pie – Only 3 Ingredients!
Frozen yogurt bark topped with berries, pretzels and chocolate on a sheet pan.

Frozen Yogurt Bark
Slice of cream cheese pie topped with cherry pie filling.

Easy No-Bake Cheesecake Recipe
Pouring coffee over ice cream in a small glass.

Salted Caramel Affogato

If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment and if your family loves it as much as mine does, be sure to give it a five star ⭐️ rating! Also, tag @kimscravings on Instagram with a picture of your creation. Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.