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These cherry brownie ice cream sandwiches have become my summer entertaining secret weapon. I discovered this recipe a few years back when looking for something more exciting than plain ice cream for a backyard barbecue. The combination of fudgy brownies, cherry-studded ice cream, and that elegant chocolate drizzle creates this perfect balance of flavors and textures that makes people think you spent all day in the kitchen, when really they're surprisingly simple to make.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- The make-ahead nature makes them perfect for entertaining
- The contrast of warm brownie flavor and cold ice cream is irresistible
- The cherries add a fruity brightness that cuts through the richness
- They're customizable to different ice cream flavors for endless variations
Last July, I made these for a family gathering. My teenage nephew, who typically inhales desserts without noticing what he's eating, actually stopped mid-bite, looked at his sandwich, and said, "Whoa, these are actually amazing." His mother nearly fell off her chair – apparently getting him to comment on food is rarer than spotting a unicorn. He even asked to help make them for his birthday party the following month.
Key Ingredients
- Butter and two sugars - The combination of butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar creates that chewy, fudgy texture that makes these brownies sturdy enough for ice cream sandwiches without becoming rock-hard when frozen.
- Cocoa powder - This gives the brownies their intense chocolate flavor without making them too heavy. Dutch-processed cocoa creates the darkest color and deepest flavor, but regular works beautifully too.
- Vanilla ice cream - The canvas for our cherry mix-in. A good quality vanilla with real vanilla bean specks works best, but even a basic brand becomes special with the cherry addition.
- Fresh or frozen cherries - These add pops of color and bursts of fruity flavor throughout the ice cream. Fresh cherries have the best texture, but frozen work perfectly when cherries aren't in season.
- Chocolate drizzle - This final touch not only looks impressive but adds another layer of chocolate flavor that brings everything together. Plus, it hides any imperfections in your assembly!
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Brownie Magic
- Perfect pan prep - That parchment paper lining is non-negotiable – it ensures your brownies release cleanly for perfect sandwich building. I leave an overhang on two sides to create a sling for easy removal.
- Fudgy texture secrets - Melting the butter completely before adding sugars creates that signature dense, fudgy texture. Don't overmix after adding the flour – just fold until barely combined.
- Baking discipline - The hardest part is not overbaking! They should still look slightly underdone in the center when you remove them from the oven. The residual heat will finish the job while maintaining that perfect chewy texture.
- Cooling completely - Patience is key here. Warm brownies + ice cream = messy disaster. I sometimes speed this up by placing the entire pan in the freezer for 20 minutes after they've cooled to room temperature.
- Even cutting - Using a ruler as a guide helps get uniform squares for the most professional-looking sandwiches. Wipe your knife clean between cuts for the neatest edges.
- Assembly strategy - Working quickly with slightly softened ice cream is crucial. I scoop the ice cream into a bowl, quickly fold in the cherries, then immediately start assembling to prevent melting mayhem.
You Must Know
- The brownies can be baked a day ahead and kept tightly wrapped
- The ice cream should be soft enough to spread but not melting
- Freeze the assembled sandwiches for at least an hour before drizzling
I've been perfecting this recipe for years, making small tweaks each time. My first attempts used brownies that were too cakey, which became rock-hard when frozen. Finding that perfect fudgy texture was crucial for a sandwich you can actually bite into straight from the freezer. The cherry addition evolved too – originally I used maraschino cherries, but they were too sweet and artificial tasting. Fresh or frozen natural cherries provide that perfect balance of sweetness and tartness that complements the chocolate beautifully.
Serving Ideas
Serve these sandwiches on a pretty platter with extra cherries scattered around for a beautiful presentation. For a dinner party, plate individual sandwiches with a small fork and a few fresh cherries on the side. If serving at a summer gathering, keep them in a cooler with dry ice so they stay perfectly frozen even in the heat. I sometimes wrap individual sandwiches in parchment paper tied with twine for a rustic, grab-and-go dessert option at parties.
Tasty Twists
Try using chocolate ice cream with the cherries for an extra chocolate experience. Swap the cherries for raspberries or strawberries for a different fruit pairing. Add a layer of salted caramel between the ice cream and brownie for an indulgent twist. My personal favorite variation folds crushed chocolate-covered cherries into the ice cream instead of plain cherries – it creates little pockets of chocolate-cherry goodness throughout.
Storage Smarts
These ice cream sandwiches keep beautifully in the freezer for up to 2 weeks when wrapped individually in plastic wrap, then stored in an airtight container. For the best texture, let them sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes before serving – this allows the brownies to soften just enough for the perfect bite. If you're making them more than a day in advance, I recommend adding the chocolate drizzle just before serving for the most attractive presentation.
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Sweet Secrets
For the cleanest cuts, freeze the brownies for 30 minutes before slicing
Pitting fresh cherries is easier with a paper clip if you don't have a cherry pitter
Adding a tiny bit of coconut oil to the chocolate drizzle helps it set with a nice shine
I've made these cherry brownie ice cream sandwiches for countless summer gatherings, birthday celebrations, and even as a cool treat during holiday seasons when everyone is overwhelmed with warm, heavy desserts. There's something about that combination of fudgy chocolate, cold creamy ice cream, and bright cherry flavor that just hits all the right notes. The individual portions make them perfect for sharing, though I'll admit to sometimes making a small batch just for my household, hidden in the back of the freezer for those moments when only a really special dessert will do.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use store-bought brownies instead of making them from scratch?
- Yes! Store-bought brownies work well as a time-saver. Look for fudgy rather than cakey brownies, as they freeze better and provide a better texture contrast with the ice cream.
- → What type of cherries work best in this recipe?
- Both sweet and tart cherries work well. Sweet cherries like Bing provide a traditional flavor, while tart cherries offer a nice contrast to the sweet ice cream and brownies. Fresh cherries in season are wonderful, but frozen work great year-round.
- → How do I prevent the ice cream from melting while assembling the sandwiches?
- Work quickly and keep everything cold. Have your brownies completely cooled (or even chilled), mix the cherries into the ice cream and immediately assemble the sandwiches. Place them in the freezer as soon as each one is assembled.
- → Can I make these ahead for a party?
- Absolutely! These ice cream sandwiches can be made up to two weeks ahead. Assemble them, freeze solid, then wrap each sandwich individually in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container.
- → What can I use instead of cherries if I'm not a fan?
- You can substitute other fruits like strawberries, raspberries, or chopped peaches. You could also use chocolate chips, chopped nuts, cookie pieces, or swirl in some caramel or fudge sauce instead.
- → My brownies are too soft to hold the ice cream. What went wrong?
- Underbaked brownies can be too soft for ice cream sandwiches. Make sure your brownies are fully baked (a toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs). You can also freeze the brownies for 30 minutes before assembly to firm them up.