So I feel like I should start this post by saying that this is one of those recipes I will probably not repeat for a long long time, because it was such a pain in the arse to make…. but look how cute!!!!! I got a moose-shaped cookie cutter from Ikea (inspired by the fantastic Molly Yeh), and I can’t stop using it. Love me some meese-shaped baked goods. I’ve got a moose-themed, moose-sized cake project this summer, which I will surely be sharing with you all, but for now let me get you in the moose-y spirit with these moose track ice cream sandwiches!
Moose Track Ice Cream Sandwiches
Adapted from Smitten Kitchen
Ingredients:
For the cookies:
2 2/3 cups flour
2/3 cup + 1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 1/4 cup softened butter
1 cup sugar
3/4 tsp salt
2 large egg yolks
1 Tbsp vanilla
For the filling:
1/2 gallon of ice cream, softened. (Any flavor you desire!)
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Sift flour and cocoa, and set aside. Use a mixer to beat butter, sugar, and salt until light and fluffy. Add yolks and vanilla, mix until combined. Add flour mixture, a little at a time, mix until combined.
2. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and divide into two equal pieces.
3. Roll dough about 1/4 inch thick and cut using cookie cutters into desired shapes (I would recommend rectangles or squares for the least messy experience possible!). Transfer to prepared sheets and poke holes all over (I used the sharp end of a meat thermometer). Bake 16 minutes. Allow cookies to cool.
4. While cookies are baking, take ice cream out of the freezer to soften. Line a large baking pan with parchment paper, allow an overhang of parchment paper so that you can pull the ice cream filling out of the baking pan easily. Spread the softened ice cream into an even layer, about 3/4 inches thick. Place pan in freezer and allow to freeze completely.
5. Once ice cream is frozen, lift the ice cream out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang and place onto your work surface. Cut ice cream into the shapes of your cookies by using either a cookie cutter or a knife. Place one cookie on top of the filling piece and use a spatula to lift from the bottom and flip over. Place the other cookie on the filling to form a sandwich. Repeat to make all the sandwiches!
*Note: for the moose-shaped sandwiches, because it was very difficult to get an intact moose-shaped ice cream filling piece, I ended up just scooping some ice cream onto one cookie and then using a spoon to fill in the shape as best as I could (the antlers and legs were a huge challenge!) and then finishing the sandwich with the other cookie.
