Pecan-Oatmeal-Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

When it comes to baked goods, I’m more of a cake person than a cookie person. However, these oatmeal-peanut-pecan cookies are a major improvement over a basic oatmeal raisin and they make delicious ice cream sandwiches. Try experimenting with different flavors of ice cream and toppings, or invite friends over for a make-your-own ice cream sandwich party (kids would love it). Of course, the cookies are great on their own with a nice balance of crunchy, soft, salty, and sweet. You can freeze the leftovers, but I doubt you’ll have any.

Pecan-Oatmeal-Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches:

For Cookies

• Combine 1/3 c. toasted pecans and 1/3 c. smooth peanut butter in a food processor until almost smooth.
• Meanwhile, beat together 1 stick of room-temperature butter, 1/2 c. white sugar, and 1/2 c. light brown sugar until fluffy, about 3 minutes.
• Add in peanut butter mixture, 1 egg, and 1 tsp. vanilla extract until well mixed.
• In another bowl, whisk together 3/4 c. flour, 1 tsp. baking soda, and a pinch of salt.
• Add dry ingredients to the peanut mixture and combine well.
• Stir in 1/2 c. quick-cooking oats and 1/2 c. old-fashioned oats.
• Let cookie dough cool in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.*
• Use an ice-cream scoop to create even-sized cookies and place on parchment-lined baking sheets.**
• Place cookies in a 375°F oven for 10 minutes, or until golden.***
• Let cookies cool completely before serving.

For Ice Cream Sandwiches

• Let 1 pt. of good-quality vanilla ice cream soften at room-temperature for 10-15 minutes.
• Use an ice cream scoop and place one scoop on top of a the bottom (flat) side of a cookie.
• Place another cookie, flat side down, on top the ice cream and press down until the ice cream extends to the rim of the cookies.
• Roll the ice cream rim in mini-chocolate chips until the whole outside of the sandwich is sprinkled with chips.
• Place sandwich pack in the freezer until ice cream hardens, at least 20 minutes.
• Repeat until all cookies are turned into cookie sandwiches.

Makes 12-15 cookies and 6-7 ice cream sandwiches
*Or place in the freezer for an hour.
**Make sure to space your cookies about 1" apart, and do not flatten the spoonfuls. 
***Watch them carefully, I ended up burning a few of mine!