How to Make a Sprinkle-Covered Birthday Cake Ice Cream Sandwich

Everyone loves a good birthday cake, especially a confetti cake, but it’s a treat we’ve all had before. Why not take those same flavors to the next level this summer with the mashup we all have been waiting for: a birthday cake ice cream sandwich.

These homemade birthday cake ice cream sandwiches have the festive look and flavor of a good confetti cake with ice cream sandwiched in between. It doesn’t get better than that, so let’s get started!

How to Make Birthday Cake Ice Cream Sandwiches

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Ingredients

2 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
2/3 cup canola oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/4 cups sprinkles, divided
1-1/2 quarts vanilla ice cream

What You’ll Need

Rainbow sprinkles: No birthday cake recipe is complete without sprinkles! Make sure you have plenty on hand; this birthday cake ice cream sandwich recipe uses more than a cup.
Ice cream sandwich scoop: Portioning ice cream for each ice cream sammie is super easy with this specialty tool—just one of our favorite ice cream gadgets.
Small cookie scoop: Make sure your cookies are identically sized with a cookie scoop.

Directions

Step 1: Make the Cookie Dough

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Start the cookie dough by beating the eggs, oil and vanilla until well blended. Be sure to use high-quality vanilla extract here. It’s the primary flavor in these cookies, so it’ll really stand out.

In another bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Then add the dry mixture to the wet mix and blend until just combined. Finally, stir in a half-cup of rainbow sprinkles.

Editor’s Tip: Our recipe calls for canola oil, but vegetable oil or grapeseed oil will also work.

Step 2: Shape and Bake the Cookies

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Next, portion out the cookie dough. A tablespoon-sized cookie scoop is perfect for the job. Flatten each dollop of cookie dough slightly with a measuring cup or glass.

Bake the cookie dough at 350ºF until lightly browned around the edges—8 to 10 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the sheet for two minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely. Make sure the cookies are completely cool before moving to the next step.

Editor’s Tip: You want the cookies to be identical in shape and size for sandwiches. The cookie scoop will help with the size. To get the perfect round shape, use this round cookie trick. Just take a round cookie or biscuit cutter and scoot the cookie around inside while it’s still warm. This will make the cookie perfectly round.

Step 3: Add the Ice Cream

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Before you scoop, let your favorite ice cream soften on the countertop for about 15 minutes. This will make it easy to scoop and press between the cookies.

Once it’s softened up, scoop third-cup portions onto half the cookies. This handy ice cream sandwich maker makes portioning and getting the right flat shape so easy. But your go-to ice cream scoop will work as well. After scooping, press another cookie on top to form the perfect ice cream sammie.

Stash the cookies in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes before giving these birthday cake ice cream sandwiches the finishing technicolor touch.

Step 4: Finish with More Sprinkles

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After a quick chill, these cookies are ready for the last but perhaps most important touch: even more sprinkles! Roll the edges of each sandwich in more rainbow jimmies before enjoying.

To store for later, freeze for an hour, then wrap in plastic wrap. For best results, pop those individually wrapped sammies in a zip-top bag or airtight container. Eat them within three months.

Tips for Making Birthday Cake Ice Cream Sandwiches

This birthday cake ice cream sandwich is straightforward, but you can definitely take a few shortcuts and make a few tweaks so these frozen treats are uniquely yours. Here are a few tips to make the process simple and delicious:

Prep the cookies in advance: You can prep these cookies ahead of time. Stash the cookies in an airtight container for a few days or even freeze them for a month or two. When you’re ready to assemble, no need to defrost!
Go for store-bought cookies: If you don’t have time for scratch-made cookies, opt for your favorite packaged cookie. If you ask us, these Milk Bar Confetti Cookies are a great substitute!
Switch up the ice cream: Our recipe calls for vanilla ice cream, but feel free to use whatever flavor of ice cream (or froyo or gelato) that you like most. Here are some pints that our editors love and a few homemade ice cream recipes to inspire your next ice cream sammie combos.
Add even more extras: Sprinkles are just the beginning! You can roll the edges of your ice cream sandwiches in nuts, chocolate chips or whatever ice cream toppings you like most.

Make More Sprinkle-Covered Treats

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Birthday Cake Pancakes

For my kids' birthdays, I like to make these cake mix pancakes. Frosting and more sprinkles seal the deal! —Dina Crowell, Fredericksburg, Virginia

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