Ultimate Homemade S’mores Ice Cream Sandwiches: A Chilly Summer Dream Featuring Hershey’s Milk Chocolate
Homemade graham cracker cookies, generously packed with real pieces of creamy Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars, are expertly sandwiched around luxurious toasted marshmallow ice cream to create an utterly irresistible s’mores dessert experience. Forget the campfire – this is your new go-to for summer sweetness!
This recipe is proudly sponsored by Hershey’s.
As the mercury rises and the summer sun beats down, many of us find ourselves yearning for ways to beat the relentless heat. What could be better than the blissful relief of air conditioning, a refreshing dip in the pool, or, perhaps best of all, a perfectly chilled, decadent ice cream treat? This season, we’re all about embracing those cool comforts, and I’m thrilled to share a frozen delight that promises to become a staple in your summer dessert repertoire.
I’m back with yet another sensational frozen treat, and let me assure you, it certainly won’t be the last. This particular creation brings together three quintessential ingredients that define summer joy: the subtly sweet and crunchy graham cracker, the delightfully gooey marshmallow, and, of course, the unparalleled richness of Hershey’s Milk Chocolate. These aren’t just any ingredients; they are the very heart of the classic s’mores experience, reimagined for those sweltering days when a campfire just isn’t an option.
Imagine sinking your teeth into a dessert that captures all the nostalgic flavors of s’mores – the crumbly cookie, the melty chocolate, and the smoky sweetness of toasted marshmallow – but with a refreshingly cool twist. These S’mores Ice Cream Sandwiches deliver precisely that, offering a convenient, mess-free, and utterly delicious way to enjoy your favorite campfire treat, even when it’s too hot to light a fire.
At first glance, these spectacular ice cream sandwiches might appear to be a labor-intensive project. However, I’ve meticulously crafted this recipe to be as straightforward and simple as possible, ensuring that anyone can whip up these delicious treats without unnecessary fuss. The secret lies in smart ingredient choices and streamlined steps that don’t compromise on flavor or quality.
Let’s talk about the cookies. Far from being complicated, they are essentially a delightful twist on your average chocolate chip cookie base. What makes them special? A generous infusion of graham cracker crumbs, giving them that unmistakable, comforting graham cracker flavor and texture. Instead of standard chocolate chips, we elevate the experience by incorporating chopped pieces of classic Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars. This ensures every bite delivers that authentic, creamy milk chocolate goodness that is so essential to a true s’mores experience, perfectly complementing the graham cookie.
And the ice cream? It’s pure genius in its simplicity. We take regular store-bought vanilla ice cream – a beloved pantry staple – and transform it into something extraordinary by blending it with perfectly toasted marshmallows. The result is a creamy, dreamy toasted marshmallow ice cream that is then refrozen until firm. It truly couldn’t be easier, yet the flavor profile is incredibly complex and utterly delicious. The toasted marshmallows lend a depth of smoky sweetness that mimics the campfire experience, without any of the smoky smell or hassle.
So, for those evenings when the air is too thick and heavy to even consider sitting beside a blazing fire, these S’mores Ice Cream Sandwiches emerge as the perfect solution. They are the ideal way to satisfy your summer sweet tooth, offering that beloved combination of chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cracker, while simultaneously providing a much-needed cooling sensation. It’s a win-win: all the flavor, none of the heat!
These ice cream sandwiches are not just a dessert; they’re an experience. They bring the joy of a classic summer treat into a convenient, handheld, and refreshingly cold format. Perfect for backyard BBQs, pool parties, or simply as a delightful indulgence on a quiet evening, they’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults. Plus, the homemade cookies ensure a fresh, soft chewiness that you just can’t get from store-bought versions.
The Enduring Quality of Hershey’s Milk Chocolate: A Tradition of Real Milk
One of the aspects I most cherished about my trip to Hershey headquarters in Pennsylvania last summer was the insightful discovery that Hershey’s still sources and uses fresh, liquid milk from local dairy farms in their iconic milk chocolate. In an era where a significant portion of our food is often over-processed and contains a myriad of unfamiliar ingredients, it was incredibly reassuring and refreshing to learn that one of my all-time favorite milk chocolate bars maintains such a strong commitment to using actual, real milk as a core ingredient. This dedication to quality and traditional methods truly sets Hershey’s apart and contributes to the distinct, creamy taste we all know and love.
This commitment to high-quality ingredients, particularly fresh milk, is central to the rich, smooth, and utterly delicious flavor of Hershey’s Milk Chocolate. When you bite into one of these s’mores ice cream sandwiches, the creamy chocolate pieces aren’t just there for sweetness; they provide a depth of flavor that only real, carefully sourced ingredients can offer. It’s this attention to detail that makes Hershey’s an indispensable part of countless cherished recipes and memories.
For those interested in delving deeper into Hershey’s process and their unwavering dedication to quality, you can learn more about how they utilize fresh milk – including their rigorous quality checks and the steps they take to ensure humane treatment of cows – by watching this informative video. Furthermore, you can explore Hershey’s broader commitment to quality ingredients and best practices across their product lines here. Their transparency and dedication to wholesome ingredients make them a brand you can truly trust to deliver exceptional taste and quality every time.
S’mores Ice Cream Sandwiches
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Ingredients
For the S’mores Graham Cracker Cookies:
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter , at room temperature (141 grams)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (100 grams)
- ½ cup packed light or dark brown sugar (105 grams)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour (180 grams)
- 1 ½ cup graham cracker crumbs (213 grams, about 2 sleeves)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars , chopped into delightful chunks
For the Toasted Marshmallow Ice Cream:
- 2 cup marshmallows (86 grams, mini or regular size)
- 1 pint high-quality vanilla ice cream , softened slightly at room temperature (250 ml)
- Additional marshmallows for garnishing , optional, for that extra s’mores touch
Instructions
To make the Delicious Graham Cracker Cookies:
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Begin by preheating your oven to a precise 350°F (175°C). Prepare a large baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper; this will prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
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In the spacious bowl of a stand mixer, equipped with a paddle attachment, or using a large bowl and a trusty hand-held mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together. Continue mixing until the mixture becomes wonderfully light, fluffy, and creamy, which should take approximately 3-4 minutes. Next, add the large eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Finally, mix in the vanilla extract, blending until just combined to infuse a sweet aroma.
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In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking soda, and salt until evenly distributed. Gradually add these dry ingredients to your wet mixture, mixing on low speed until they are just combined and no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix! Gently fold in the chopped Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar pieces until they are just incorporated throughout the dough, ensuring every cookie gets a generous chocolate chunk.
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Scoop rounded tablespoons of the cookie dough and place them onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a few inches between each to allow for spreading. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven until their edges just begin to turn a beautiful golden brown, typically around 9-10 minutes. It’s crucial not to overbake them, as this will result in a crispier cookie, and we want them soft and chewy for our sandwiches. Once baked, let them cool on the baking pan for about 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting period helps them set without breaking.
To create the Toasted Marshmallow Ice Cream:
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Now for the magic: toast your marshmallows! You can achieve a perfect golden-brown toast using a kitchen torch for precision, over a gas burner on your stovetop for that classic flame-kissed flavor, or even over a real campfire if you happen to have one. A word of caution: avoid using an oven broiler, as marshmallows melt rapidly and can create a sticky, hard-to-clean mess. We’re looking for that wonderfully charred, slightly caramelized exterior.
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Once toasted, transfer the marshmallows to a food processor or a heavy-duty blender. Add the slightly softened vanilla ice cream and blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy, with no large chunks of marshmallow remaining. The toasted flavor should be beautifully integrated. Pour this enticing mixture back into a medium bowl or a plastic, freezer-safe container, then freeze until it becomes firm enough to scoop, which will take at least 2 hours. For best results, allow it to freeze overnight.
To assemble your S’mores Ice Cream Sandwiches:
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Once your cookies are completely cool and your toasted marshmallow ice cream is firm, it’s time for assembly. Take an inverted cookie (flat side up) and scoop approximately ¼ to ⅓ cup of the toasted marshmallow ice cream onto its center. Gently top with another cookie, pressing down slightly to create a perfect sandwich. Repeat this delightful process with the remaining ice cream and cookies. For an optional extra touch of s’mores authenticity, you can add a few freshly toasted mini marshmallows to the ice cream as you scoop it onto the cookie.
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Place the assembled sandwiches back into the freezer to firm up for about 20 minutes before serving. This ensures they are perfectly chilled and hold their shape, making them easier and more enjoyable to eat.
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If you plan to make these delicious treats ahead of time or have leftovers, wrap each individual ice cream sandwich tightly in plastic wrap. This crucial step will protect them from freezer burn, preserving their exquisite taste and texture for longer. They can be stored in the freezer for up to a week.
Disclosure: This blog post is a part of my participation in The Hershey Company’s Food Ambassador program and is sponsored by them. Rest assured, all thoughts and opinions expressed here are 100% my own, as they always are. I am grateful for the opportunity to partner with brands I genuinely believe in, as these collaborations allow me to continue bringing you innovative and delicious new creative content. Your support of these partnerships means the world.