Saturday, July 17, 2010

Fudgsicles and Mint Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwiches



What was your favorite frozen treat when you were a kid? Mine was Fudgsicles!

This recipe from Essence of Chocolate by Robert Steinberg and John Scharffenberger are wonderfully chocolaty and reminiscent of Fudgsicles but so much better - I highly recommend this recipe!


I found these adorable star popsicle molds online and have used them over and over for our grandsons.




I also tried another classic - mint chocolate chip ice cream made into sandwich cookies.  Since I have two varieties of mint growing in pots on my patio this summer, I decided to use my Chocolate Mint for this one (yes, there really is such a variety and you can smell the scent of chocolate in the leaves!).  Regular mint on the left, chocolate mint on the right:


First, fresh mint leaves are steeped in hot cream and the cream is infused with the minty flavor.


The fudge cookies alone are reason enough to try this recipe...soft, brownie-like and delicious!


When paired with a scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream - pure ice cream and chocolate indulgence!


I found the recipe for the ice cream and fudge cookies in A Passion for Ice Cream by Emily Luchetti.  It's the recipe right off of the front cover! What a fantastic book and full of cool, delicious, summery treats!


Cocoa Ice Pops (Fudgsicle)
Adapted from Essence of Chocolate by Robert Steinberg and John Scharffenberger
Printable Recipe

3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (the best you can find)
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1-1/3 cups whole milk
1-1/3 cups water

In a medium saucepan, whisk together the cocoa powder, sugar and 1/2 cup of the milk until you have a smooth paste. Whisk in the rest of the milk and water, 1/2 cup at a time.

Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir in a wooden spoon or silicone spatula just until the cocoa powder and sugar have dissolved just until you start to see steam rise. Do not allow to boil or be on the heat too long as flavor could be lost.

Pour the mixture into a heat-proof container, preferably with a spout, and cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until cold.

Stir to recombine the settled cocoa and pour into molds, allowing some room for expansion when the mixture freezes. Add sticks and cover according to the directions provided with the molds. Freeze for a least a few hours.

If you are serving to a group, chill a bowl in the freezer or serve over crushed ice.

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Mint Chip and Fudge Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches
Adapted from A Passion for Ice Cream by Emily Luchetti
Printable Recipe

Mint Chip Ice Cream

2-1/2 cups heavy cream
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup lightly packed fresh mint leaves
1 cup sugar
4 large egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped

In a medium, heavy saucepan, heat the cream, milk, mint, and 1/2 cup of the sugar over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until almost simmering. Turn off the heat, cover pan, and steep the mint in the cream for 15 minutes. In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, remaining 1/2 cup sugar, and salt. Slowly add the hot liquid into the eggs, whisking constantly so as not to make scrambled eggs. When done, return the pan to the stove and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or silicon spatula, until it reaches 175F and lightly coats the back of the spoon. Cool to room temperature and then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Chop the chocolate into very small pieces. Put the chocolate in a bowl in the freezer. Place the cooled ice cream base in an ice cream machine and mix according to machine directions until it resembles soft serve ice cream. Place the ice cream in a freezable container and add the chocolate pieces and fold together. Freeze for about 4 hours or longer.

Fudge Cookies

2 ounces (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter
12 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3 large eggs
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone liner. Melt the butter and chocolate together in a double boiler over hot water. Stirring occasionally until melted. Let cool to room temperature.

Sift the flour and baking powder together and add the salt. In a medium bowl, whip the eggs, sugar and vanilla extract until thickened with an electric mixer set on high speed. Stir the cooled chocolate mixture into the egg mixture a little at a time until combined. Stir in the flour mixture and let the batter rest for 5 minutes. Drop large, heaping tablespoons of batter onto the prepared baking sheets, spreading them to about 3" and leaving 2" between each cookie. There should enough batter for about 20 cookies. Bake for about 10 minutes or until the tops crack and are no longer shiny on top. Allow to cool and then remove from the pans with a spatula.

To assemble the sandwiches, top a cookie with a scoop of ice cream and top with a second cookie and gently press down to adhere. This is easier if the ice cream isn't frozen solid. Serve immediately or freeze until ready to serve.

49 comments:

  1. The heat index here is going to be 110 today...I wish I could stop by for some cool ice cream treats. These look delicious!! Love the fudge pops...I've been eyeing pop molds all summer. Keep telling myself, it's ONE MORE kitchen thing, do I really need it :)

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  2. All of these ice cream treats look way too fantastic!!

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  3. Don't know where to start - they alllook fantastic. My Dad's favorite was a Fudgsicle..thought of him right away.
    The vanilla is one you would think we would all try first - using a vanilla bean may be the reason for me to give it a try now.
    Mint chocolate chip with the fidge cookie would be the one really calling my name.. I remember seeing the chocolate mint plant at the nursery this spring. How great that you have both, I have a better reason now for next year to plant mint plants!!
    Super post with gorgeous photos!! Now off to copy and paste!

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  4. Un post golosissimo... wow!!! :-)

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  5. OH my goodness! Love everything you've done Susan. I actually almost did ice pops too but just didn't get the time. And the mint chocolate chip was also on my list of possible to dos. Its one of my very favorite flavors. Your vanilla looks delish too. I used the vanilla beans too and I really love the way it tastes. Your post is beautiful and I'm so glad you joined me :-). This event gives us all an excuse to indulge!

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  6. This post is making me so hungy- well, more of a craving. I have already bookmarked it so I can return, even just to dream.

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  7. Haven't thought of fudgesicles in forever, but I'll be thinking of them now. That recipe sounds easy enough if I can find some molds...yours are wonderful.

    The cookies and mint ice cream sound amazing, too, and they look so pretty. Hmmm, wonder who needs impressing...

    Thanks for the recipes!

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  8. Home made mint chocolate chip ice cream!!! I just bought my machine today and I have mint from my G-Mom-B's yard growing on the side of the house-can't wait!

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  9. WOW, all fantastic! When does Mack get to have a taste of that fudgsicle? That is my absolute favorite! I love them! Have you ever had the one that is half banana and half fudgsicle? I can't find them any more around here, so I will copy your recipe fro the fudgy one and improvise! Great post, Susan!

    Have to get some of those molds!

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  10. Your ice cream sandwich is so beautifully photographed, and looks delightful! I am in awe of how you improvised and used your fresh mint. It sounds truly delicious - as does your vanilla bean ice cream. Thanks for sharing! I want to try these!

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  11. Oh my..what an accomplished dessert maker you are. These all not only look beautiful...they sound delicious.
    My favorite, all time ice cream is the olden FudgeCicle...gotta go to the store right now and buy a whole box of them..hide them from Mr. Sweet and maybe even from grands....:)))

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  12. They all look so good. But I think I want to try the Ice Cream Sandwich.

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  13. Thanks for all of the wonderful recipes. We will have to file them and try them all. Your photos are so beautiful. They make my mouth water.

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  14. I will take a scoop of the vanilla with the pecans. :D In reality - guess I will have some of the fat free sherbet in my freezer.
    Enjoy your weekend.

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  15. All of this ice cream has me drooling! I should get my friends to have an ice cream social with me so I can make all these flavors but won't be compelled to eat it all myself!

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  16. Suzy, what a lovely post from your picture of the fudgesicles standing at attention to the delicious-looking mint chocolate chip ice cream sandwich.

    The butter pecan is a "must-try". It's one of my favorite flavors and can only imagine how tasty the homemade version would be.

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  17. You must have been reading my mind! Been slightly addicted to Fudgsicles as of late, and am dying to make them from scratch. Now...if I only had some cute molds to go with them!

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  18. Susan, they all look like winners to me! Yum!

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  19. What a yummy looking post! I love the look of the cookie sandwiches especially!

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  20. I am totally hooked on the mint ice cream. I have a lot of mint in my herb garden right now! You also hooked me on your blog... I am now a follower!

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  21. All of these sound wonderful, but fudge bars were always a fav of mine, so that's the first recipe I'm going to try. (What cute little pop sticks you have!) Thank you for sharing these recipes. laurie

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  22. It all looks so wonderful...but I'll take one of those ice cream sandwiches with the mint ice cream!

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  23. I just have to try your mint chocolate chip ice cream, Susan. I can almost taste the wonderful flavor of fresh minth. Fudgesicles are still one of my favorite frozen treats along with creamsicles. Lovely post.

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  24. I haven't thought of fudgesicles in so long... figured they were really bad for me... this recipe, with all fresh ingredients is spectacular.... can't wait to try it and the others. It really is a whole party in one post... and spectacular photos... love that green color!

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  25. What wonderful photos! Magazine quality.
    The pops are so cute, perfect for your little guy to ease his teething pain!
    And a cookie sandwich...perfect to sit out on the porch and eat!

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  26. Wonderful creations! I want a cookie with ice-cream pls!

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  27. All these recipes sound fabulous! (And look that way, too! Great pics!)
    Those fudge cookies with the mint ice cream will be dessert for next week's gathering. Thank you for sharing.

    And thanks for stopping by Artfully Graced. Hope you like the fudge sauce. It's great on mint ice cream! For Christmas, I use it on peppermint ice cream and top it with crushed candycanes and grated chocolate. Mmmmmm...
    Jane (artfully graced)

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  28. Susan, I have loved fudgesicles since I was knee high to a grasshopper! And I know you will be putting those pop molds to good use with Mack. I have plenty of mint, including Mojito mint, so I'll be trying those delightful ice cream cookies. Beautiful photos!

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  29. Fudgesicles have always been my favorite as well. I will definitely bookmark this post so that I can try them sometime. The vanilla ice cream sounds fantastic. I wish I would have remembered to buy vanilla beans for my recipe. I love the chocolate mint ice cream sandwiches too and will remember definitely be trying this one too. We just had ice cream sandwiches this weekend with my mocha ice cream - they were good as well :)

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  30. You were one busy cook making all of these wonderful ice creams an the cookies too. I like to use vanilla bean in my ice cream too.
    Joyce

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  31. I bought the Essence of Chocolate at the Sharfennberber factory tour in Berkely last fall and haven't made the pops. I love your star molds. You have been a busy woman. Thanks for three great recipes.

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  32. I can't decide which to try first! The ice cream sandwiches caught my eye on Tastespotting, but your other frozen treats look just as tempting. Thanks for sharing such timely treats- It's stinkin' hot here in my neck of the woods!

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  33. mammamia !!! Love everything you've done Susan,thanks for sharing....kisses

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  34. What an incredible assortment of flavors. I especially love the addition of chocolate cookies!

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  35. Now why didn't they make those cute popsicle makers when my kids were little??? We could have had so much fun.
    I love a basic vanilla ice cream too, Susan. I use Maida Heatter's recipe and swoon with delight.
    But I've never made any with a mint flavor. Looks great with the cookie!
    Last fall I did a butter pecan with a ginger cookie...and everyone loved them. Think of all the ice cream and cookie combos we can come up with!

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  36. I'm always scream for ice cream! Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessss!

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  37. Favorite childhood memory: Sitting on the front porch, reading a book and having a fudgcicle!! Even better, eating a peppermint patty along with that fudgcicle. Thanks for the memory and the recipe!!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  38. These treats are making me want an afternoon snack! The ice pops are so great. I need some popsicle molds!

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  39. The ice cream is rocking at your house this Summer. Love the idea of the ice cream social blogger event.

    I am really feeling the love for the mint ice cream sandwiches. I think my son would go nuts over the fudgicicles.

    Happy Summer to you!

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  40. Ice cream is a best and there's nothing like an ice cream social. The ice cream sandwiches got my attention quickly! Great post!

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  41. Wow! I thought the fudgsicles were super impressive but then I suddenly saw the ice cream sandwiches and started swooning... They look SO good! I need to invite you to my next ice cream social :)

    Sues

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  42. wow Susan complimenti!!!quanti gelati buonissimi!!!bravissima!!

    mi piace molto il biscotto/gelato!

    ho fatto anch'io quello alla vaniglia e ho usato come te il baccello e ho lasciato i semi così si vedono nel gelato!! (devo ancora pubblicarlo)

    Peccato che sei lontana se no ci incontravamo per gustare insieme i gelati!!!

    complimenti ancora!!!
    baci!!!
    Federica

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  43. Love these fudge popsicles and the mint ice cream sandwiches are just ready to be sold in every ice-cream parlor in America; lovely treats!
    I am craving ice-cream now, all your fault! :)

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  44. Hi Susan

    The fugsicle pops look so delicious! I clicked on your link to see where I could buy the molds to make them but the link took me to a chocolate cookbook for sale on Amazon? If you have a chnace culd you send me the link to where you purchased the molds? Thanks!

    I love the WS recipe too -- all of their recipes are usually wonderful!

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  45. Hi! The chocolate pops are beautiful! I bet they taste as good as they look! I love your photos . Sunny19

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  46. Pinning! I am trying those Cocoa Ice Pops. Yummy!

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  47. I LOVE this recipe. I made it in quantity for a lunch for a juding event at a county fair. I 4x'ed it. It was a big hit! Many people wanted your website for the recipe.

    I changed the delivery system a little: I put the liquid into 10 dixie cups (on a tray). I let them freeze on a tray for 1 hour- 1 hour and 15 minutes, until they started to set up. Plopped wooden sticks in them, and let them freeze. It made 10 servings, and each was just the right size. I had trouble getting the traditionally made ones out of the mold. They were half melted by the time I got them out. Making them in the little cups, then peeling the cups off when eating them makes it much easier.

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    1. Wow, that's great! Thanks for letting me know. The Dixie cup is a terrific idea.

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  48. When I was a little girl living in Dallas..(now, keep in mind that I am VERY olden) the ice cream man came by every single day ....and every single day, I chose a FudgeSicle.
    My favorite of all time.
    I can hardly wait to try your recipe...AFTER I order those cute sticks. :)

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