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Guests will love making custom ice cream cookies at your ice cream sandwich bar. The perfect party treat for a warm summer day.
Summer is here and that mens it is time for outdoor barbecues, patriotic parties, and all manner of neighborhood gatherings. I love getting my family and friends together this time of year. And one of my favorite things to do is put together an ice cream sandwich bar.
The Ice Cream
Provide a variety of flavors of ice cream. The basic such as vanilla, chocolate and strawberry are always a good idea. I like throwing in one other fun flavor of ice cream such as Blue Moon Ice Cream or Mint Chocolate Chip. It is also nice to have a non dairy option available such as sorbet or coconut base ice cream.
The Cookies
Offer a selection of at least four cookies. I like to have a selection of four different flavors and also make the cookies different sizes, a large and a smaller size. Those who want to try a variety of flavor combos can go with the smaller cookies.
Toppings
This is the fun part. Provide a selection of toppings that guests can roll their ice cream sandwich in. Some of my favorites are:
- Rainbow sprinkles
- Mini M & M’s
- Crushed Oreo cookie
- Mini chocolate chips
- Mini ]marshmallows
- Crushed peanuts
- Toffee Bits
Tips for Putting Together An Ice Cream Bar
- Pre Scoop the ice cream. This makes things easier and the line move faster. Scoop the ice cream onto a baking sheet and then freeze until you are ready to serve. Plan on 1 qt. of ice cream for every 6 guests.
- Offer a selection of cones and bowls for those guests who don’t feel like an ice cream sandwich.
- To keep the ice cream frozen, I put the scoops into bowls and then set the bowls into containers full of ice. Depending on your temperature, you might need to use dry ice to keep the ice cream from melting too quickly.
I think the process of making the ice cream sandwiches is almost as fun as eating them!
But eating them is definitely the best. Be sure to have plenty of napkins on hand as they can be a bit messy!
You should also check out the fun Ice Cream Soda bar we have enjoyed at our neighborhood parties! Also be sure and try this Ice Cream Sandwich Snack Board idea.
Be sure and follow me over on YouTube for weekly cooking demos.
Valerie H. says
Leigh Anne~ I just love your ice cream sandwich bar!!! I am sure your neighbors will always remember how fun and special that BBQ was. Love is in the details and you never disapoint! The pictures are great and reflect the joy that was felt that day.
Krystina Montemurro says
CAN’T SAY NO TO THAT!!! Looks delicious Leigh Anne! What a great idea!
Patti says
We can see the peanut butter cookies from the photo with the ice cream scoops! I’m also wondering how you kept the ice cream from melting into puddles too quickly!
Leigh Anne says
They froze pretty hard in the freezer and then you may notice is some of the pictures we are wearing sweaters and jackets! We had a rather cool Fourth of July. I was tempted to serve hot chocolate!!
Melanie says
You have the most amazing ideas, and you make everything so darling with all the labels, etc. LOVE your website! Pre-scooping the ice cream was such a great idea, but I was wondering how they could possibly last just sitting out in a bowl on the 4th of July. Then I realized a lot of you were wearing sweaters and even a jacket!!! Summer is very different here in North Mississippi! That party would have had to be held indoors for the ice cream to last at all.
Lorie says
What a wonderful idea! You always come up with the cutest food “stations”. It gives me great ideas…even though it can’t compete with yours. Thank you for sharing your creativity and talent!