Description
Glow Swirl Ice Cream Sandwiches are vibrant, colorful treats perfect for neon-themed parties. These soft, multi-colored cookies sandwich neon-hued ice cream, creating a fun and playful dessert that glows under UV light. The recipe combines classic soft cookies with a swirled ice cream filling enhanced with neon food coloring for an eye-catching dessert experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 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 prepare for baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated into the creamed mixture.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until everything is combined and no large flour pockets remain.
- Adjust Dough Consistency: If the dough feels too thick or dry, add a tablespoon of milk to soften it slightly for easier handling.
- Divide Dough and Add Color: Divide the dough into small portions based on the number of neon colors you want to use (usually 3-4). Add a few drops of neon food coloring to each portion and knead until the colors are fully blended in. Use gloves to avoid staining your hands.
- Form and Assemble Dough Balls: Roll small balls from each colored dough portion. Place the different colored dough balls close together on the baking sheet, ensuring they touch but do not mix completely.
- Shape Cookies: Gently press the dough balls together and flatten slightly with the palm of your hand to form multi-colored mounds.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden but the center remains soft. Be careful not to overbake.
- Cool the Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before assembling the sandwiches.
- Prepare Neon Ice Cream: Soften the vanilla ice cream and divide it into separate bowls for each neon color. Add a few drops of neon food coloring to each bowl and stir well to achieve your desired bright hues. Mix colors to create swirls if desired.
- Stabilize Ice Cream (Optional): To help prevent quick melting, mix a tablespoon of powdered sugar into each colored ice cream bowl for a more stable filling.
- Assemble Ice Cream Sandwiches: Once cookies are fully cooled, scoop a generous amount of the neon ice cream onto the flat side of one cookie.
- Complete Sandwich: Place a second cookie on top of the ice cream and gently press together to form the sandwich.
- Repeat Assembly: Continue assembling all the remaining cookies and ice cream until finished.
- Freeze the Sandwiches: Arrange the assembled sandwiches on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for at least 1-2 hours to allow the ice cream to firm up fully.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once firm, serve the Glow Swirl Ice Cream Sandwiches. They display vibrant colors and glow beautifully under UV light, making them ideal for neon or glow-in-the-dark parties.
Notes
- Use gloves when working with neon food coloring to avoid staining your hands.
- Do not overbake the cookies; they should remain soft to hold the ice cream nicely.
- Softening ice cream before coloring allows easy mixing but work quickly to prevent melting.
- The optional milk in the dough helps achieve a softer cookie texture.
- Powdered sugar in the ice cream filling stabilizes it and slows melting.
- For best glow effect, serve under UV or black light.
- Store assembled sandwiches in the freezer until ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
