Description
Glow Swirl Ice Cream Sandwiches are vibrant, fun treats featuring neon-colored swirl cookies sandwiching colorful, stabilized ice cream. Perfect for glow-in-the-dark or neon-themed parties, these soft, chewy cookies paired with creamy ice cream deliver a visually stunning and delicious dessert experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon milk (optional, for extra softness)
- Neon food coloring (red, blue, green, or your choice of colors)
Ice Cream Filling
- 4 cups vanilla ice cream (or any ice cream of your choice, softened)
- Neon food coloring (same colors as the cookies or any desired shades)
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (optional, for stabilization)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cookie Dough: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, which should take about 2-3 minutes with a mixer.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture until fully combined, creating a smooth batter.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until the dough forms and is combined.
- Adjust Dough Consistency: If the dough feels too thick or dry, incorporate up to a tablespoon of milk to soften it for easier handling and a softer cookie texture.
- Divide Dough for Coloring: Split the dough into 3 to 4 small portions depending on how many neon colors you want to use for the swirl effect.
- Color the Dough: Add a few drops of neon food coloring to each portion and knead thoroughly until the color is evenly distributed. Use gloves to avoid staining your hands.
- Shape Multicolored Dough: Roll small balls of each colored dough and place them close together on the baking sheet so the colors touch but do not mix fully.
- Form Cookie Mounds: Gently press the dough balls together and flatten them slightly with your palm, creating multi-colored mound shapes for a swirl effect.
- Bake Cookies: Bake on the preheated baking sheet for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are just lightly golden. Avoid overbaking to keep cookies soft.
- Cool Cookies: Remove from oven and transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before assembly.
- Prepare Colored Ice Cream: In separate bowls, divide the softened vanilla ice cream into portions matching the number of cookie colors and add matching neon food coloring to each, stirring well for even color.
- Stabilize Ice Cream: Optionally, mix in a tablespoon of powdered sugar into the colored ice cream to help prevent quick melting.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Once cookies are fully cooled, scoop a generous amount of neon-colored ice cream onto the flat side of one cookie.
- Complete Sandwich: Place a second cookie on top of the ice cream and gently press to create a sandwich.
- Repeat Assembly: Continue assembling all cookies in this manner until finished.
- Freeze Sandwiches: Arrange the sandwiches on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for at least 1-2 hours to allow the ice cream to firm up properly.
- Serve: Serve the Glow Swirl Ice Cream Sandwiches chilled; their neon colors will glow vibrantly under UV light, perfect for themed parties.
Notes
- Use gloves when handling neon food coloring to prevent skin staining.
- If dough is too firm, add milk gradually to achieve soft and pliable consistency.
- Do not overbake cookies to maintain a soft, chewy texture ideal for ice cream sandwiches.
- Powdered sugar in ice cream filling stabilizes it to help prevent melting during handling.
- For best visual effect, serve under UV or black light.
- Ice cream should be softened slightly before coloring for easier mixing.
- Store assembled sandwiches in an airtight container in the freezer to maintain freshness.
