Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches (with Homemade Coffee Chip Ice Cream)
These Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches with Homemade Coffee Chip Ice Cream are the most indulgent and irresistible frozen treat you will ever make. A rich, creamy, and perfectly sweet coffee custard ice cream base is churned to absolute perfection and loaded with chocolate chunks dispersed throughout every single bite. Sandwiched between two layers of rich and fudgy brownie that are absolutely decadent and pair perfectly with the bold coffee chip ice cream — then dipped into chocolate for the most incredible finishing touch!
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Ingredients You Need:
Full ingredients and recipe are in the recipe card below. Read through this section for all the ingredients substitution and baking tips!
Whole Milk: The base of the rich and creamy coffee chip custard ice cream — whole milk adds a luscious, full-bodied richness that creates the most incredibly smooth and perfectly textured ice cream base throughout.
Heavy Cream: Used in two portions in the coffee chip custard ice cream base — one portion is heated with the milk and vanilla to create the rich custard base and the second portion is whipped to soft peaks and folded in right before churning for an extra layer of creaminess and a lighter, airier texture throughout.
Vanilla Bean Paste or Extract: Adds a warm, sweet, and aromatic flavor that enhances the bold coffee and rich chocolate flavors throughout the coffee chip custard ice cream base.
Egg Yolks: The key to the richest, creamiest, and most perfectly set coffee chip custard ice cream — five egg yolks add a beautiful golden color, a rich depth of flavor, and a thick, luxurious texture that makes the ice cream truly stunning throughout.
Granulated Sugar: Used in both the coffee chip custard ice cream base and the fudgy brownie layers to sweeten and balance all the rich coffee and deep chocolate flavors throughout every single bite.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the bold coffee and rich chocolate flavors throughout the coffee chip custard ice cream base and the fudgy brownie layers.
Instant Espresso Powder: The star ingredient that gives the coffee chip ice cream its signature bold, rich, and perfectly balanced coffee flavor — whisked directly into the custard base after tempering the eggs for the most evenly distributed and intensely flavored coffee ice cream throughout.
Dark Or Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips Or Chopped Chocolate Bar: Folded into the churned coffee chip ice cream at soft serve consistency for the most satisfying pockets of rich, deep, and indulgent chocolate flavor that pairs absolutely perfectly with the bold coffee custard base throughout every single bite.
Salted Butter: Melted together with the dark chocolate for the fudgy brownie layers for a rich, buttery depth of flavor that creates the most perfectly dense, fudgy, and indulgent brownie base throughout every single ice cream sandwich.
Dark Chocolate: Melted together with the salted butter for the fudgy brownie layers to create a rich, deep, and intensely chocolatey base that gives the brownie layers their signature fudgy and irresistible texture — also used in the chocolate coating for a perfectly crisp and glossy shell on every single ice cream sandwich.
Light Brown Sugar: Added to the fudgy brownie layers alongside the granulated sugar for a deep, molasses-like sweetness that enhances the rich chocolate flavor and keeps the brownie layers incredibly moist, dense, and perfectly fudgy throughout.
Eggs: Provide structure, richness, and stability to the fudgy brownie batter while helping the brownie layers bake up with that signature shiny, crinkly top and perfectly fudgy texture throughout every single ice cream sandwich.
All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure for the fudgy brownie layers while keeping them incredibly dense, moist, and perfectly fudgy — the perfect base for holding the rich and creamy coffee chip ice cream between every single layer.
Dutch-Process Cocoa Powder: Adds the deepest, richest, and most intensely chocolatey flavor to the fudgy brownie layers — dutch-process is strongly recommended for the best dark, fudgy, and irresistible brownie layers throughout every single ice cream sandwich.
Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Optional but strongly recommended — folded into the fudgy brownie batter for little pockets of rich, melty chocolate throughout the brownie layers that pair absolutely perfectly with the bold coffee chip ice cream in every single bite.
Coconut Oil: Melted together with the dark chocolate to thin it to a perfectly smooth and dippable consistency that sets into a beautifully crisp chocolate shell on each ice cream sandwich — without it the chocolate may be too thick to dip evenly and may not set as cleanly throughout.
Flaky Sea Salt: Optional but strongly recommended — a generous sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the chocolate coated portion of each ice cream sandwich balances all the rich, sweet flavors and takes every single bite completely and utterly over the top.
Why You’ll Love Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches (w/ Homemade Coffee Chip Ice Cream):
Rich, Creamy, And Perfectly Sweet Coffee Chip Ice Cream: The homemade coffee chip ice cream is incredibly rich, creamy, and perfectly sweet with a bold coffee flavor that pairs absolutely beautifully with the rich and fudgy brownie layers and dark chocolate dip throughout every single bite.
Chocolate Chunks Throughout: Rich chocolate chunks are dispersed throughout every single scoop of coffee chip ice cream for the most satisfying pockets of deep, indulgent chocolate flavor that pairs absolutely perfectly with the bold coffee custard base throughout.
Rich And Fudgy Brownie Layers: The rich, dense, and incredibly fudgy brownie layers are absolutely decadent and pair perfectly with the bold coffee chip ice cream for the most indulgent and irresistible ice cream sandwich experience in every single bite.
Chocolate Dip Finish: Dipping each ice cream sandwich into chocolate adds the most incredible finishing touch — the chocolate sets into a perfectly crisp shell that pairs beautifully with the rich fudgy brownie and bold coffee chip ice cream throughout.
The Perfect Flavor Combination: The bold coffee chip ice cream, rich fudgy brownie, and dark chocolate dip come together for the most perfectly balanced and absolutely irresistible flavor combination that makes every single bite completely unforgettable.
The Ultimate Indulgent Frozen Treat: These brownie ice cream sandwiches are the most indulgent, impressive, and completely irresistible frozen treat that looks and tastes like it came straight from a high-end ice cream shop but is made completely from scratch right in your own kitchen.
Perfect For Any Occasion: Whether it is a summer gathering, a dinner party dessert, a special treat, or any time an ice cream craving hits, these brownie ice cream sandwiches are always the ultimate showstopper on the dessert table.
Impressive Yet Surprisingly Simple: These ice cream sandwiches look and taste incredibly impressive but are surprisingly simple to make with straightforward ingredients and easy steps that anyone can follow for the most stunning frozen treat.
Tips for Making Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches (w/ Homemade Coffee Chip Ice Cream):
Freeze The Ice Cream Maker Base The Night Before: Place the base of your ice cream maker in the freezer the night before making the ice cream — preferably in the back or coldest part of the freezer — a properly frozen base is essential for churning the ice cream to the right consistency.
Make The Custard Ice Cream Base And Brownies On The Same Day: Prepare the custard ice cream base first and while it is chilling in the refrigerator, bake the brownies so that both components are cooled and ready to assemble at the same time — this saves time and makes the whole process much more efficient.
Heat The Milk Mixture Until Just Simmering: Heat the whole milk, heavy cream, and vanilla until they just reach a simmer — do not bring it to a full boil or it can affect the texture of the custard and make it difficult to temper the eggs properly.
Temper The Eggs Slowly And Carefully: When streaming the hot milk mixture into the egg yolk and sugar mixture, go slowly and whisk continuously — pour a small amount of the hot mixture in first, whisk quickly, and then continue pouring slowly and steadily to prevent the eggs from cooking and scrambling.
Whisk In The Espresso Powder After Tempering: Whisk the espresso powder into the combined mixture right after tempering the eggs and make sure it is completely dissolved and combined — this ensures the bold coffee flavor is evenly distributed throughout every single scoop of ice cream.
Cook The Custard Low And Slow: Cook the custard base over medium-low heat and whisk continuously — do not be tempted to turn up the heat as this will scramble the eggs and ruin the custard. The mixture is ready when it just barely coats the back of a spoon and reaches between 170F–180F.
Strain The Custard Base For The Smoothest Result: Pour the custard base through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl after cooking — this removes any small lumps and gives the ice cream base an incredibly smooth and silky texture throughout.
Chill The Custard Base Completely Before Churning: The custard base must be completely cold before churning — chill for at least 4–6 hours or preferably overnight for the best churning result and the creamiest, most perfectly textured coffee chip ice cream.
Reserve The Second Cup Of Heavy Cream: Keep the remaining 1 cup of heavy cream refrigerated until you are ready to churn — whipping it to soft peaks and folding it into the completely chilled custard base right before churning adds extra richness, creaminess, and a lighter, airier texture to the final ice cream.
Cool The Chocolate And Butter Mixture Before Adding To The Brownie Batter: Allow the melted chocolate and butter mixture to cool just slightly before adding it to the egg and sugar mixture — adding it too hot can scramble the eggs and affect the texture of the fudgy brownie batter.
Whisk The Eggs And Sugar Until Frothy: Whisk the eggs, sugars, and vanilla together until the mixture is frothy and well combined — this is what gives the brownie layers their signature shiny, crinkly top and perfectly fudgy texture throughout.
Spread The Brownie Batter Into An Even Layer: Divide the brownie batter evenly between the two quarter sheet pans and spread into an even layer — even brownie layers are essential for beautiful and consistent ice cream sandwiches throughout.
Do Not Overbake The Brownies: The brownies are done when the top looks shiny and crinkly, the edges are set, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs — overbaking will result in dry brownies that do not have that signature fudgy texture.
Cool The Brownies Completely Before Assembling: The brownies must be completely cooled before assembling — warm brownies will melt the ice cream too quickly and affect the texture of the final ice cream sandwiches throughout.
Add The Chocolate Chips At The End Of Churning: Add the chopped chocolate or chocolate chips only after the ice cream reaches soft serve consistency and churn for just 3–5 more minutes — adding them too early can cause them to break down too much and lose those satisfying chocolate chunks throughout.
Line The Pan With Plastic Wrap That Hangs Over All Four Sides: Line the 9x13" assembly pan with plastic wrap that hangs over all four sides — this makes it much easier to lift the assembled ice cream sandwich slab out of the pan cleanly once fully frozen.
Press The Second Brownie Layer Down Gently: When placing the second brownie layer on top of the ice cream, gently press it down to adhere evenly — a gentle press ensures the brownie layer sticks to the ice cream without cracking or breaking.
Freeze Overnight For The Best Result: While 6 hours is the minimum freeze time, freezing overnight gives the best texture, the cleanest cuts, and the most beautiful ice cream sandwiches that hold together perfectly when dipped in chocolate.
Use A Sharp Knife For Clean Cuts: Use a sharp knife to cut the frozen ice cream sandwich slab into 12 equal pieces — cutting immediately after removing from the freezer gives the cleanest and most beautiful cuts before the ice cream softens.
Dip In Chocolate Immediately After Cutting: Dip the end of each ice cream sandwich into the chocolate coating immediately after cutting and place onto the cooling rack — working quickly prevents the ice cream from softening too much and ensures the chocolate sets beautifully on every single sandwich.
How to Store Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches (w/ Homemade Coffee Chip Ice Cream):
Make Ahead (Custard Ice Cream Base): The coffee chip custard ice cream base can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator until ready to churn — this is a great way to save time and spread the recipe over multiple days.
Make Ahead (Brownies): The brownies can be baked up to 2 days in advance and stored covered at room temperature or in the refrigerator until ready to assemble — having them baked and ready ahead of time makes the assembly process much quicker and more efficient.
Make Ahead (Assembled Ice Cream Sandwiches): The fully assembled ice cream sandwich slab can be made up to 1 week in advance and stored tightly covered in the freezer — this is a wonderful make-ahead frozen dessert that is perfect for summer gatherings and special occasions.
Storing The Assembled Slab: Store the fully assembled ice cream sandwich slab tightly covered in the freezer for up to 1 week before cutting and dipping in chocolate — slice and dip right before serving for the freshest and most beautiful result.
Storing Individual Ice Cream Sandwiches: Once cut and dipped in chocolate, wrap individual ice cream sandwiches in parchment paper and store in a freezer-safe bag or container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. Remove from the freezer and allow to sit at room temperature for 2–3 minutes before serving for the best texture.
Storing The Chocolate Coating: Store any leftover chocolate coating in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Gently reheat in the microwave at 20-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth and perfectly dippable before using again.
Softening Before Serving: Remove the ice cream sandwiches from the freezer and allow them to sit at room temperature for 2–3 minutes before serving — this makes them much easier to bite into and gives the most perfectly creamy and indulgent texture throughout.
Refreezing: If the ice cream sandwiches soften too much during cutting or dipping, place them back in the freezer for 15–20 minutes to firm up before continuing — working in a cool environment and moving quickly is the key to the most beautiful and clean finished ice cream sandwiches.
FAQs:
Q: Do I need an ice cream maker for this recipe?
A: Yes. An ice cream maker is needed to churn the coffee chip custard ice cream base to the best creamy, smooth, and perfectly textured result. Make sure to freeze the base of your ice cream maker the night before for the best churning result.
Q: Can I use store-bought ice cream instead of making homemade?
A: Yes, absolutely! You can fill these brownie ice cream sandwiches with any flavor of ice cream you’d like. Feel free to use store-bought ice cream to make them even easier!
Q: Can I make the custard ice cream base ahead of time?
A: Yes. The coffee chip custard ice cream base can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator until ready to churn — this is a great way to save time and spread the recipe over multiple days for a more manageable process.
Q: Can I make the brownies ahead of time?
A: Yes. The brownies can be baked up to 2 days in advance and stored covered at room temperature or in the refrigerator until ready to assemble — having them baked and ready ahead of time makes the assembly process much quicker and more efficient.
Q: Can I use a different pan size for the brownies?
A: Yes. Two quarter sheet pans or two 9x13" pans both work well for this recipe. Make sure to spread the brownie batter into an even layer in each pan for the most consistent and beautiful ice cream sandwich layers throughout.
Q: Why do I need to temper the eggs?
A: Tempering the eggs by slowly streaming the hot milk mixture into the egg yolk and sugar mixture prevents the eggs from cooking and scrambling — going slowly and whisking continuously is the key to a perfectly smooth, silky, and lump-free custard base every single time.
Q: Why do I reserve one cup of heavy cream for later?
A: The reserved cup of heavy cream is whipped to soft peaks and folded into the completely chilled custard base right before churning — this adds an extra layer of richness, creaminess, and a lighter, airier texture that gives the ice cream its signature smooth and luxurious result throughout.
Q: When do I add the chocolate chunks to the ice cream?
A: Add the chopped chocolate or chocolate chips only after the ice cream reaches soft serve consistency during churning — churn for just 3–5 more minutes until the chocolate is fully incorporated and evenly dispersed. Adding them too early can cause them to break down too much and lose those satisfying chocolate chunks throughout.
Q: How do I get clean cuts when slicing the ice cream sandwich slab?
A: Use a sharp knife to cut the frozen ice cream sandwich slab immediately after removing from the freezer — cutting while the slab is completely frozen gives the cleanest and most beautiful cuts before the ice cream begins to soften. Wiping the knife clean between each cut also helps achieve the most precise slices throughout.
Q: Why do I add coconut oil to the chocolate coating?
A: The coconut oil thins the melted chocolate to a perfectly smooth and dippable consistency that sets into a beautifully crisp chocolate shell on each ice cream sandwich — without it the chocolate may be too thick to dip evenly and may not set as cleanly throughout.
Q: Can I freeze the assembled ice cream sandwiches ahead of serving?
A: Yes. Once cut and dipped in chocolate, wrap individual ice cream sandwiches in parchment paper and store in a freezer-safe bag or container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. Remove from the freezer and allow to sit at room temperature for 2–3 minutes before serving for the best creamy and indulgent texture throughout.
Love these? Check out my other summer recipes:
Make sure to tag me @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and leave a review or comment if you make these brownie ice cream sandwiches (w/ homemade coffee chip ice cream)!
