Chocolate Doughnut Ice Cream Sandwich: Ultimate Summer Dessert
Turn pantry staples into a chilled, crowd-pleasing treat perfect for warm-weather fun.
Chocolate Doughnut Ice Cream Sandwich Recipe
Looking for an indulgent twist on a summertime favorite? This chocolate doughnut ice cream sandwich brings together rich, homemade chocolate doughnuts and your favorite ice cream for a fun, crowd-pleasing treat. Whether you’re throwing a party, celebrating with family, or just want to cool off with something special, these sandwiches are the perfect answer—they’re playful, nostalgic, and endlessly customizable.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Dessert
- Ingredient Overview
- Step-by-Step Guide
- Pro Tips and Variations
- Serving and Storage
- Nutrition & FAQs
Why You’ll Love This Dessert
- Perfect Texture: The doughnuts are soft and slightly cakey, providing just the right structure for a creamy, melting center.
- Customizable: Use any flavor of ice cream, decorate with sprinkles or mini chips, and switch up glazes for endless variety.
- Homemade Feel: Baking chocolate doughnuts from scratch gives a depth of flavor and freshness you can’t get from store-bought versions.
- Fun to Make: Great for baking with kids or impressing guests with a unique dessert they’ve never tried before.
Ingredient Overview
This recipe uses simple pantry staples to create doughnuts with big chocolate flavor. Here’s a look at the star ingredients and their roles:
- All-purpose flour: The base for forming the doughnuts’ structure.
- Cocoa powder: Provides deep chocolate taste and color; use Dutch-process for a smoother flavor, or natural cocoa for more acidity.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel-like sweetness to the doughnuts.
- Eggs: Bind and enrich the batter, giving the doughnuts a soft crumb.
- Yogurt: The secret to softness; it adds a slight tang and keeps the doughnuts tender.
- Butter or oil: Fat is essential for richness and a moist interior.
- Baking powder & baking soda: Leavening agents that create lift for a pillowy texture.
- Vanilla extract & salt: Amp up the flavors, balancing the sweetness.
- Chocolate glaze (optional): A simple icing for the doughnuts. If you want the classic doughnut look, add sprinkles or toppings before the glaze sets.
- Ice cream: Choose your favorite flavors—classic vanilla, chocolate, or something more adventurous like coffee, peanut butter, or mint chip. Use store-bought or homemade ice cream.
Suggested Ingredient Swaps
- Gluten-free flour blend can be used in place of all-purpose for a gluten-free treat.
- Dairy-free yogurt and vegan butter can be swapped for a fully plant-based dessert. Pair with dairy-free ice cream for a vegan version.
- Add-ins like mini chocolate chips or crushed cookies can be folded into the doughnut batter for added texture.
Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s how to make chocolate doughnut ice cream sandwiches at home, broken down into manageable steps.
- Prepare the Doughnut Batter
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two standard doughnut pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, yogurt, melted butter (or oil), and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. The batter will be thick and glossy.
- Bake the Doughnuts
- Spoon or pipe the batter evenly into the prepared pans, filling each well about two-thirds full.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the doughnuts spring back when lightly pressed. Let cool for a few minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Chocolate Glaze (Optional)
- In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and a splash of milk or cream until smooth and pourable.
- Dip the tops of cooled doughnuts in the glaze. Add sprinkles or chopped nuts before the glaze sets if desired.
- Assemble the Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Let the glazed doughnuts set for at least 20-30 minutes so the icing forms a slight crust.
- Let ice cream soften at room temperature for 5 minutes so it’s easy to scoop and spread.
- Slice doughnuts in half horizontally using a serrated knife.
- Scoop about 1/3 to 1/2 cup ice cream onto the bottom half of each doughnut.
- Place the top half back on each sandwich, pressing lightly. For a neat look, wrap the sandwiches with parchment or wax paper and freeze for at least 1 hour before serving.
| Step | Tips |
|---|---|
| Making the batter | Don’t over-mix after adding wet ingredients to avoid tough doughnuts. |
| Filling the pans | Use a piping bag for even, clean rings with no mess. |
| Glazing | Let doughnuts cool fully before glazing for best results. |
| Ice cream choice | Soften ice cream but don’t let it melt completely for easy scooping and clean assembly. |
| Freezing sandwiches | Wrap tightly with plastic for up to 1 month of storage; thaw 5 minutes before eating. |
Pro Tips and Variations
- Let baked doughnuts cool completely before slicing—if they’re even a little warm, the ice cream will melt too quickly and cause a mess.
- For parties: Decorate the sandwiches with themed sprinkles or drizzle with melted chocolate for a festive look.
- Filling variations: Try strawberry or caramel ice cream, or layer in fresh berries or crushed cookies between the ice cream and doughnut.
- Shortcut: For an even quicker version, use plain chocolate cake doughnuts from a good bakery. Glaze and fill as described for homemade taste plus convenience.
- Make mini sandwiches: Use a mini doughnut pan and shape smaller ice cream scoops for bite-size treats.
Serving and Storage
- Serve sandwiches frozen, allowing them to sit at room temperature for 2-5 minutes to soften slightly before eating.
- They can be made ahead and frozen in an airtight container or wrapped tightly for up to one month. Place parchment between sandwiches to prevent sticking.
- If making for a party, assemble and glaze up to a day in advance—the sandwiches will be firm and less likely to melt quickly when served.
What others are reading
Nutrition & FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cocoa powder is best for chocolate doughnuts?
Use unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa for a smoother, darker chocolate flavor. Natural cocoa is also fine, though it produces a lighter taste and color.
Can I make the doughnuts ahead?
Yes. Bake and glaze doughnuts up to 2 days in advance; store them at room temperature in an airtight container. Assemble with ice cream shortly before serving or freeze assembled sandwiches for later.
Can I use different ice cream flavors?
Absolutely! Vanilla, chocolate, salted caramel, pistachio, or any bold flavor pairs beautifully with chocolate doughnuts. Mix up flavor combos for a personalized dessert table.
How do I keep the sandwiches from getting soggy?
Let doughnuts cool completely before assembling, and freeze sandwiches soon after prepping. If transporting, keep chilled until ready to serve.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free or vegan?
Yes! Substitute a quality gluten-free baking flour and use plant-based yogurt, non-dairy butter, and vegan ice cream to suit dietary needs.
Quick Nutrition Information (per sandwich, estimated):
- Calories: ~400-500 (depends on ice cream type and size)
- Fat: ~20g
- Sugar: ~30g
- Protein: ~5g
Troubleshooting & Expert Guidance
- Doughnut texture issues: If doughnuts turn out dense or rubbery, it’s usually due to over-mixing or over-baking—mix the batter until just combined and keep an eye on baking time.
- Melting mess: If ice cream melts before you finish assembly, put everything back in the freezer for 10-15 minutes, then resume. Work in small batches for best results.
- Unmold with ease: To remove doughnuts from pans, let them cool for 5 minutes before gently twisting each one free. If stubborn, run a thin spatula around the edges.
Entertaining & Serving Ideas
- Set up an ice cream sandwich bar at a summer party—lay out a variety of doughnut flavors, ice creams, and toppings like sprinkles, crushed Oreos, toasted coconut, and chopped nuts so guests can assemble their own.
- Dip each finished sandwich in melted chocolate or white chocolate and shower with festive toppings for a photogenic dessert tray.
- Pair with cold brew coffee or homemade lemonade for a complete sunny-day treat.
Final Thoughts
This chocolate doughnut ice cream sandwich recipe is more than just a mashup—it’s the ultimate dessert for anyone who wants to surprise and delight family and friends. With flexible options for flavors, dietary preferences, and creativity, you’re set to enjoy the pleasures of summer (or any season) in the sweetest way imaginable!
References
- https://www.foodbloggerpro.com/blog/structuring-the-perfect-recipe-blog-post/
- https://bootstrapped.ventures/seo-for-food-blogs/
- https://www.pragm.co/post/seo-strategy-for-your-food-blog
- https://searchengineland.com/the-ultimate-recipe-for-writing-seo-optimized-content-388941
- https://autopagerank.com/seo-for-recipe-blogs-my-proven-strategies-for-skyrocketing-traffic/
- https://foodiedigital.com/seo-tips-for-food-bloggers/
- https://elementor.com/blog/seo-writing/
- https://www.chefadora.com/blog/what-makes-a-recipe-seo-friendly-how-chefadoras-recipe-genie-helps-you-rank-higher-on-google
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Sneha is a relationships and lifestyle writer with a strong foundation in applied linguistics and certified training in relationship coaching. She brings over five years of writing experience to thebridalbox, crafting thoughtful, research-driven content that empowers readers to build healthier relationships, boost emotional well-being, and embrace holistic living.
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