
When it’s scorching hot and the kids come running in from outside with wet hair and hungry tummies, nothing gets smiles faster than a treat like this. These Nutella Ice Cream Sandwiches are simple to make, a little messy to eat, and completely worth it.
Is it hot where you are right now? Do you have hungry children who need an afternoon snack? Do you love Nutella? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then this recipe is just for you!


This Nutella Ice Cream Sandwich recipe combines summer, hungry children, and ice cream in the best possible way.
This treat was born on a hot summer day when our grands had been out swimming. They were dripping wet, full of laughter, and convinced they might starve before supper made it to the table.
Knowing that a snack was in order, I grabbed the Nutella jar, spread some on the cookies, tucked in a scoop of ice cream, and handed one over. They took a bite and looked at me like I had just performed a magic trick, and I got a bunch of kisses and hugs for this snack. It was a win-win all the way around.
I don’t usually bother writing down a recipe for something this simple, but this one is too good not to share. It’s the kind of no-fuss dessert that fits right into any summer day, whether you’re serving hungry grandkids or sneaking one for yourself after the dinner dishes are done.
Recipe Snapshot
Cuisine: American
Cooking Method: None
Total Time: 5 Minutes
Servings: 4
Primary Ingredient(s): Sugar cookies, Nutella spread, vanilla ice cream
Skill Level: Ridiculously Easy
What You’ll Like About This Recipe
- It’s fast and fuss-free. You can make these ice cream sandwiches in less time than it takes to referee an argument over the last popsicle.
- Kids love helping. Little hands love spreading the Nutella and pressing the cookies together.
- Customizable with what you have. Use sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies, or even graham crackers. And any scoopable ice cream works just fine.
- Perfect to make ahead. Wrap them up and stash them in the freezer for a ready-to-go treat.
Ingredient Notes
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- Sugar Cookies – I used sugar cookies with sprinkles from my grocery store bakery because they have a simple flavor profile and the kids love the colorful sprinkles, but just about any cookie will work.
- Nutella – Nutella is a classic hazelnut spread. It adds a rich, creamy layer that goes perfectly with cold ice cream and soft cookies. No need to measure exactly. Just swipe a generous layer onto each cookie.
- Vanilla Ice Cream – I used plain vanilla ice cream because it doesn’t compete with the flavor of the Nutella, but almost any flavor you like or have on hand will work just as well. If you let the ice cream soften just a bit, it will spread much more easily without breaking the cookies.
The complete ingredient list with detailed measurements is included in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make a Nutella Ice Cream Sandwich
- Place the cookies so that the bottoms are facing up. Spread a good layer of Nutella on each one.
- Place a scoop of softened ice cream right in the center of one of the Nutella-covered cookies.
- Set the second cookie on top, Nutella side down, and press gently until the sandwich holds together.
Recipe Tips
- Soften the ice cream a bit. If the ice cream is too hard, it can break the cookies when you press them together. Let it sit on the counter for a few minutes (or give it 10 seconds in the microwave) until it’s easy to scoop and spread.
- Use sturdy cookies. Thin or crumbly cookies will fall apart once you add the ice cream. Go with something that can hold up to a little pressing.
- Wrap well. If you’re making these ahead, wrap each sandwich tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container. This keeps them fresh and helps avoid freezer burn.
- Let them sit a minute before eating. If you’re serving them straight from the freezer, give them a couple of minutes at room temperature so they soften just a bit.
Recipe Variations / Options / Add-ins
- Try different cookies. Chocolate chip, peanut butter, oatmeal, or snickerdoodles all work great. Just make sure they’re not crumbly.
- Switch up the ice cream. Vanilla is classic, but others are good, too. I like Neapolitan, myself! Try chocolate cookies with strawberry ice cream, oatmeal cookies with butter pecan ice cream, or double chocolate cookies with mint chip ice cream.
- Roll the edges. Once the sandwich is assembled, gently roll the exposed ice cream edge in mini chocolate chips, crushed nuts, or rainbow sprinkles for fun.
How to Store the Ice Cream Sandwiches
Once your ice cream sandwiches are assembled, wrap each one individually in plastic wrap. Then place them in a freezer-safe container with a tight-fitting lid to keep them from drying out or picking up freezer odors.
They’ll keep well in the freezer for up to one week. When you’re ready to serve, let them sit at room temperature for about five minutes. That little bit of softening time makes a big difference; the cookies are easier to bite into, and the ice cream has that perfect creamy texture.


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Questions About Nutella Ice Cream Sandwich
Freezer burn happens when air reaches the surface of frozen food, drying it out and forming ice crystals. It often changes texture and taste, but it doesn’t make the food unsafe to eat. To prevent it, wrap each sandwich tightly and keep them in a sealed, freezer-safe container.
Yes, giving them five to ten minutes at room temperature helps soften cookies and ice cream just enough to make them easy to bite without squishing the filling. This really improves the overall quality.


Have a question or thought to share?
If you have a question about the recipe or if you’ve made it and want to share how it turned out, I would truly enjoy hearing from you. Just scroll down to leave a comment or add your star rating.
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Recipe
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Spread Nutella on bottoms of cookies.
8 tablespoons Nutella, 8 sugar cookies
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Top one cookie bottom with a scoop of ice cream.
4 scoops vanilla ice cream
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Top with the second cookie. Press down to flatten slightly.
- Let the ice cream soften slightly before assembling to prevent the cookies from cracking.
- Wrap each sandwich in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container for up to one week.
- For best texture, let the sandwiches sit at room temperature for about five minutes before serving.
Serving 1sandwich | Calories 439kcal | Carbohydrates 51g | Protein 5g | Fat 23g | Saturated Fat 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat 2g | Monounsaturated Fat 3g | Cholesterol 29mg | Sodium 139mg | Potassium 300mg | Fiber 3g | Sugar 38g | Vitamin A 296IU | Vitamin C 0.4mg | Calcium 127mg | Iron 2mg
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
— This post was originally published on July 20, 2011. It has been updated with additional information.