Peanut butter and jelly — a childhood staple turned timeless classic. Now imagine that iconic duo sandwiched between soft, chewy peanut butter cookies with a thick layer of vanilla ice cream and a swirl of jam in every bite. That’s exactly what you get with these PB&J Ice Cream Sandwiches — a frozen treat that combines nostalgia with a gourmet twist.
This fun and delicious dessert recipe is perfect for hot summer days, birthday parties, or when you simply crave something sweet and creamy. Whether you’re a parent looking for a family-friendly dessert, a baker seeking creative ice cream sandwich ideas, or a foodie in love with the peanut butter and jelly flavor combo — you’re going to fall in love with this.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A Frozen Upgrade of Your Favorite Sandwich: Think of it as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich that’s gone to culinary school.
- Soft Cookies That Don’t Freeze Solid: These soft peanut butter cookies remain chewy, even after freezing — making them perfect for sandwiching ice cream.
- Easy to Customize: Whether you’re into raspberry jam or strawberry preserves, chocolate chips or sprinkles, this recipe can be adapted in so many delicious ways.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare these in advance, store them in the freezer, and always have a sweet treat ready to go.
- Perfect for Parties: Individual, handheld, and totally fun — guests of all ages will love them.
🍪 Ingredients for PB&J Ice Cream Sandwiches
🥜 For the Soft Peanut Butter Cookies (makes 12 sandwiches)
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter (don’t use natural PB here)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temp
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
🍦 For the Filling
- 1 pint high-quality vanilla ice cream (or use homemade!)
- 1/2 cup raspberry or strawberry jam
- Optional: sliced strawberries or bananas
🍫 Optional Chocolate Dip
- 1 cup dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- Optional toppings: chopped peanuts, mini chocolate chips, crushed pretzels, sprinkles
🧁 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the Peanut Butter Cookies
These are not your average peanut butter cookies. They’re soft, thick, and slightly chewy — exactly what you need to hold up the creamy filling without crumbling or freezing too hard.
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the peanut butter, butter, and both sugars until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a soft dough forms.
- Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop even-sized dough balls onto the baking sheets.
- Flatten slightly with your hand or the bottom of a glass — don’t overdo it; you want thick cookies.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes. Cookies should be lightly golden at the edges and soft in the center.
- Let them cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Pro Tip: For uniform sandwiching, pair cookies of equal size and shape.
2. Soften the Ice Cream
Let the vanilla ice cream sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes to soften slightly — it should be spreadable but not melting.
3. Warm the Jam
Microwave the jam for 10–15 seconds until it’s loose and spreadable. Stir well.
4. Assemble the Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Flip half of the cookies upside down.
- Spread 1 teaspoon of jam onto the bottom of each cookie.
- Top with a generous scoop of ice cream (about ¼ cup).
- Press another cookie on top, jam side down, and press gently to sandwich.
- Smooth the sides using a spoon or small spatula for a neat edge.
5. Freeze Until Set
Place the sandwiches on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 1–2 hours until firm.
6. Optional: Dip in Chocolate
For a stunning (and tasty!) finish, try dipping half of each sandwich in melted chocolate:
- Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil together in a microwave-safe bowl or over a double boiler.
- Dip one end of each frozen sandwich into the chocolate, then place back on parchment.
- Before the chocolate sets, sprinkle with chopped nuts, sprinkles, or crushed cookies.
- Freeze for another 10–15 minutes until chocolate is set.
🍨 Flavor Variations & Customization Ideas
These sandwiches are endlessly customizable. Here are a few fun twists:
🧁 Cookie Variations:
- Sugar Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich – Use soft sugar cookies for a classic, mild base.
- Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich – Replace PB cookies with double chocolate cookies for a brownie-and-jelly combo.
- Oatmeal Cookies – Add rolled oats or use oatmeal peanut butter cookies for added chew.
🍧 Ice Cream Variations:
- Strawberry Ice Cream – Doubles down on the fruity flavor.
- Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream – For true PB fanatics.
- Cookies & Cream Ice Cream – Adds texture and richness to each bite.
🍓 Jam or Jelly Options:
- Raspberry Jam – Slightly tart and full of real berry flavor.
- Strawberry Preserves – Sweet and chunky.
- Grape Jelly – Classic school-lunch vibes.
- Mixed Berry Compote – For a gourmet feel.
🍫 Toppings & Coatings:
- Crushed pretzels for salty crunch
- Mini M&Ms for a colorful twist
- Crushed graham crackers
- Toasted coconut flakes
🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Wrap each sandwich tightly in plastic wrap or parchment paper.
- Store in a large freezer-safe container or ziplock bag.
- Freeze for up to 2–3 weeks.
- Remove from freezer and let sit for 3–5 minutes before serving for the perfect soft bite.
👩🍳 Pro Tips for Perfect PB&J Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Don’t overbake the cookies: Keep them soft to prevent cracking when frozen.
- Work in batches: Assemble a few sandwiches at a time and freeze in stages to avoid melting.
- Use a cookie cutter for tidy edges: For that Pinterest-perfect look, use a round cutter to trim the edges once assembled and frozen.
- Pre-scoop ice cream: Place scoops on a tray and freeze, so you can just pop them between the cookies for mess-free assembly.
🎉 Serving Ideas
PB&J Ice Cream Sandwiches are great for:
- Summer BBQs and cookouts
- Fourth of July celebrations
- Birthday party desserts
- After-school snacks
- Late-night sweet cravings
Serve them with a Cookies and Cream Milkshake for the ultimate dessert pairing or turn them into mini versions for party platters.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use store-bought cookies?
Yes! For convenience, soft-baked peanut butter cookies work well. Just ensure they’re thick and chewy, not crispy.
Can I use homemade ice cream?
Absolutely! Vanilla bean, honey vanilla, or even peanut butter swirl homemade ice cream takes these sandwiches to the next level.
How do I keep them from being too hard to bite?
Use soft cookies and allow the sandwiches to sit at room temperature for 2–3 minutes before eating.
Can I make them dairy-free?
Yes! Use dairy-free ice cream (coconut or almond-based) and make cookies with vegan butter and egg substitutes.
📝 Final Thoughts
PB&J Ice Cream Sandwiches are more than just a dessert — they’re a celebration of memories, flavor, and fun. With soft peanut butter cookies, creamy vanilla ice cream, and a swirl of berry jam, each bite delivers a perfect mix of sweet, salty, creamy, and chewy. Whether you dip them in chocolate or keep it classic, they’re guaranteed to be a hit.
You don’t need a fancy ice cream maker or pastry skills to pull this off — just simple pantry ingredients, a love for peanut butter and jelly, and a craving for something cool and satisfying.
