Cool Down with Fudgy Vegan Ice Cream Sandwiches
Is it just me, or is it absolutely scorching outside? It's the kind of heat that calls for a serious dose of something sweet, cold, and utterly satisfying. That's where these amazing vegan ice cream sandwiches come in! Think classic ice cream sandwiches, but elevated with wholesome ingredients and a whole lot of love.
These aren't just your run-of-the-mill frozen treats. We're talking creamy, no-churn vanilla ice cream, snuggled between two layers of the most decadent, fudgy vegan brownies you can imagine. Seriously, they're so good, they might just become your new favorite thing (they are certainly mine).
Making the Magic Happen
The magic of these sandwiches lies in their simplicity. Instead of eggs in the brownies, we're using the amazing power of flaxseed, it gives you that perfect fudgy texture we all crave. It works like a charm, binding the batter together to create a brownie that is so good, you will want to eat it on its own!.
For the ice cream, we're keeping it simple and healthy with a base of blended cashews and coconut cream. These two ingredients combine to create a rich, creamy texture that's just like dairy ice cream. No ice cream maker is needed here, just blend it all together and pop it in the freezer to set.
Swaps and Customizations
Not a fan of cashews? No problem! You could try macadamia nuts instead for that same creamy texture. And if you don't have time to make your own ice cream, grab your favorite vegan flavor from the store, spread it between two brownies, and you're good to go!
Feel free to experiment with different flavors too. Why not add a dash of peppermint extract to the ice cream for a refreshing twist? Or, add some chopped nuts to the brownies for extra crunch.
Ingredient Spotlight:
- Cashews: These are the secret to that creamy ice cream texture. Make sure to soak them first to get them nice and soft.
- Coconut Cream: Use the thick, fatty part from a chilled can of full-fat coconut milk for the creamiest results.
- Maple Syrup: This adds sweetness and a touch of maple flavor to the ice cream.
- Dark Chocolate: Use good-quality dark chocolate for the most intense chocolate flavor in the brownies.
- Muscovado Sugar: This gives the brownies a delicious fudgy interior, but you can use regular caster sugar if you don't have any.
- Flaxseeds: These act as an egg replacement in the brownies and are a great source of fiber and omega-3s.
The Recipe
Ingredients
For the Ice Cream
- 160g raw cashews, soaked
- 210g solid coconut cream
- 80ml maple syrup (or other liquid sweetener)
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- ⅛ tsp salt
For the Brownies
- 8g ground flax + 120ml soy milk (or 120ml aquafaba)
- 200g caster sugar
- 125g all-purpose flour (or GF mix)
- 8g cornstarch
- 50g unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- 150g vegan dark chocolate
- 100g vegan butter
- 50g light muscovado sugar
Instructions
Make the Ice Cream:
- Blend all ice cream ingredients until smooth.
- Pour into a lined container and freeze until solid.
Make the Brownies:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (355°F). Line two 20cm (8 inch) square baking tins.
- Mix the flax and soy milk and let it sit for 20 minutes. (Skip this step if you use aquafaba)
- Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl.
- Melt the chocolate, butter and sugar together.
- Whisk flax mixture with an electric mixer for 2 minutes, then mix in the melted chocolate.
- Add dry ingredients, in batches, to the wet ingredients, gently folding to combine
- Divide batter between the two tins and bake for 15 mins.
- Cool completely and refrigerate for a few hours.
Assemble the Sandwiches:
- Remove the ice cream from the freezer and unmold.
- Flip one brownie upside down, place ice cream on top and then the other brownie on top of that.
- Cut into 15 pieces with a warm, sharp knife.
- Store in the freezer for up to a month.
Final Thoughts
These vegan ice cream sandwiches are the perfect treat for a hot day. They're easy to make, completely customizable, and oh-so-delicious. So go ahead, whip up a batch and enjoy! You'll be glad you did.