Are you ready to take the humble ice cream sandwich and transform it into an epic, multi-layered dessert masterpiece? Imagine a soft, chewy chocolate chip cookie topped with sweet, fresh banana slices and creamy ice cream, then sandwiched with another cookie that’s been coated in a layer of rich chocolate and crunchy toffee bits.
This recipe for Frozen Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches is your guide to creating a truly spectacular, “Chunky Monkey”-inspired treat that is packed with incredible flavors and textures. By using a few smart shortcuts and a genius assembly technique, you can create a gourmet-quality dessert that will absolutely wow your friends and family. This isn’t just an ice cream sandwich; it’s a complete sundae in a handheld package.
What makes this recipe so special is the way each component is prepared separately before the final assembly, ensuring every layer is perfect. This guide will walk you through creating these amazing Frozen Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches, a perfect project for a fun weekend or a special celebration.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
The Secret to a Perfect, No-Mess Ice Cream Sandwich
The true genius of this Frozen Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches recipe is the unique assembly method. Instead of trying to layer everything at once, which can be a messy, slippery process, we prepare the top and bottom cookie halves separately and freeze them before putting them together.
- Freezing the Banana Layer: By placing the banana slices on the bottom cookie and freezing them solid, you prevent them from getting mushy or sliding around when you add the ice cream. It creates a stable, chilled base to build upon.
- Freezing the Chocolate-Toffee Layer: Spreading the top cookie with melted chocolate and toffee, then freezing it, turns the topping into a solid, crunchy, candy-bar-like disc. This adds an incredible textural snap and prevents the melted chocolate from smearing everywhere during assembly. This simple extra step is the key to a clean, beautiful, and structurally sound Frozen Banana Ice Cream Sandwich.
The Key Ingredients for Your “Chunky Monkey” Sandwiches
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create a truly spectacular result.
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough: Using a high-quality, store-bought refrigerated cookie dough (like Nestle Toll House) is the perfect shortcut that saves you time and effort.
- Bananas: Use bananas that are perfectly ripe—sweet with a few brown spots—but still firm enough to hold their shape when sliced.
- Vanilla or Banana Ice Cream: The creamy filling! A high-quality vanilla ice cream is the perfect classic choice, while a banana-flavored ice cream will amplify the tropical fruit flavor in your Frozen Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches.
- Semisweet Chocolate Chips & Oil: Melting chocolate chips with a teaspoon of a neutral oil (like peanut or vegetable oil) makes the chocolate smoother, glossier, and easier to spread. It also gives the hardened shell a slightly softer “snap” that’s easier to bite through.
- Chocolate-Toffee Candy Bars: This is the crunchy, buttery, “x-factor” ingredient. Finely chopped Skor or Heath bars provide the perfect sweet and crunchy texture.

Step-by-Step Guide to Your Frozen Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches
This recipe is all about simple assembly in stages. Follow these detailed steps for a flawless result.
Part 1: Bake the Cookies and Prepare the Halves
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 325°F. Form the cookie dough into 12 equal-sized balls and place them on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, until they are lightly browned around the edges but still soft in the center. For a chewy sandwich cookie, it’s better to slightly underbake than overbake.
- Cool Completely: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This will take about 20 more minutes. The cookies must be at room temperature before you proceed.
- Melt the Chocolate: While the cookies cool, create a simple double boiler. Place the chocolate chips and oil in a small, heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over a pan of gently simmering water (don’t let the bowl touch the water) and stir until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
- Prepare the Top Halves: Line a baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper. Spread the smooth, melted chocolate evenly over the tops of 6 of the cooled cookies. Immediately sprinkle the chopped chocolate-toffee candy pieces over the melted chocolate. Place these cookies on the prepared baking sheet.
- Prepare the Bottom Halves: Place the remaining 6 cookies, flat-side-up, on the same baking sheet. Arrange the banana slices in a single, even layer on top of these cookies.
- The First Freeze (The Key Step): Place the entire baking sheet with both sets of prepared cookie halves into the freezer. Freeze for 45 to 60 minutes, until the chocolate has hardened and the banana slices are frozen solid.
Part 2: Assemble and Final Freeze
- Prepare the Ice Cream: While the cookie halves freeze, let your pint of ice cream soften at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes until it is soft and easily scoopable.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Remove the baking sheet from the freezer. Using an ice cream scoop, place about 1/3 cup of the softened ice cream on top of each of the banana-covered cookies.
- Top the Sandwiches: Place a chocolate-covered cookie on top of each ice cream scoop and press down gently to form a perfect sandwich. The frozen components will make this a surprisingly neat and easy process.
- Final Freeze: Your Frozen Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches are now assembled! Return them to the baking sheet in the freezer for at least 3 to 4 hours, or until the ice cream is completely firm and solid.

The Ultimate Frozen Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches
A semi-homemade frozen dessert, these ice cream sandwiches feature chocolate chip cookies baked from pre-made dough. Half of the cookies are topped with melted chocolate and chopped chocolate-toffee candy bars, while the other half are topped with fresh banana slices. After the components are frozen, they are assembled with a scoop of vanilla or banana ice cream in the center to create a rich and flavorful treat.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 35 minutes (includes cooling and intermediate freezing)
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 52 minutes (includes final freezing time)
- Yield: 6 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking, Assembling, Freezing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 pound chocolate chip cookie dough (recommended: Nestle Toll House)
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon peanut or vegetable oil
- 2 (1 1/2 ounces) chocolate-toffee candy bars, chopped (recommended: Skor)
- 2 medium bananas, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
- 1 pint vanilla or banana ice cream, softened
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and place an oven rack in the center.
- Form the cookie dough into 12 equal-sized balls and place them on an ungreased baking sheet.
- Bake for 16 to 18 minutes until lightly browned around the edges.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely (about 20 minutes).
- While the cookies cool, melt the chocolate. In a small bowl, toss the chocolate chips with the oil. Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water and stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Spread the melted chocolate on top of 6 of the cooled cookies. Place these on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Sprinkle the chopped chocolate-toffee candy pieces over the melted chocolate.
- Place the remaining 6 cookies, flat-side-up, on the same baking sheet. Arrange the banana slices in a single layer on top of these cookies.
- Freeze all 12 prepared cookie halves for 45 to 60 minutes, until the chocolate has set and the banana slices are frozen.
- To assemble, scoop about 1/3 cup of softened ice cream onto each of the banana-topped cookies.
- Place a chocolate-toffee topped cookie on top of the ice cream and gently press to form a sandwich.
- Repeat with the remaining ice cream and cookies to make 6 sandwiches.
- Wrap the finished sandwiches and freeze for 3 to 4 hours, or until firm.
Notes
- Using store-bought cookie dough makes this recipe quicker and easier.
- Ensure the cookies are completely cooled before adding toppings to prevent melting.
- Freezing the individual components before final assembly helps the sandwiches hold their shape.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 700-850
- Sugar: 70-90 g
- Sodium: 300-400 mg
- Fat: 35-45 g
- Saturated Fat: 18-25 g
- Carbohydrates: 85-100 g
- Fiber: 5-7 g
- Protein: 8-10 g
- Cholesterol: 60-80 mg
Storage Information
Once your Frozen Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches are completely firm, it’s best to wrap them individually in plastic wrap. This will keep them fresh and prevent them from absorbing any freezer odors. They can be stored in the freezer for up to one week for the best flavor and texture.
Creative Recipe Variations
This unique assembly method is a perfect template for other delicious creations.
Flavor Variation | How to Adapt the Recipe | The Delicious Result |
---|---|---|
“Strawberry Banana” Sandwiches | Use sugar cookie dough. Replace the banana slices with fresh strawberry slices. Use strawberry ice cream. For the top cookie, use melted white chocolate and crushed freeze-dried strawberries instead of toffee. | A bright, fruity, and beautiful version of these Frozen Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches. |
“Peanut Butter Banana” Sandwiches | Use peanut butter cookie dough. Use peanut butter or chocolate-peanut butter swirl ice cream. Swirl a tablespoon of creamy peanut butter into the melted chocolate before spreading it on the top cookie. | The ultimate treat for the peanut butter and banana lover. |
“Double Chocolate” Sandwiches | Use double chocolate chip cookie dough. Use a rich chocolate ice cream. Top the chocolate-coated cookie with mini chocolate chips or chocolate sprinkles instead of toffee. | An incredibly rich and decadent version for the serious chocoholic. |
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Conclusion: The Ultimate Handheld Sundae
These Frozen Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches are a masterclass in texture and flavor. The clever technique of freezing the components separately makes them surprisingly easy to assemble and results in a perfectly layered, structurally sound dessert that is pure joy to eat. The combination of chewy cookie, sweet banana, crunchy toffee, and creamy ice cream makes every bite an adventure. Get ready to impress everyone with this incredible, homemade treat!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I have to use store-bought cookie dough?
No, you can absolutely use your favorite from-scratch chocolate chip cookie recipe! Just be sure to bake the cookies so they are soft and chewy, not thin and crispy, as a chewy cookie works much better for an ice cream sandwich.
My banana slices turned brown. How can I prevent this?
Bananas begin to oxidize and brown quickly once they are sliced. The key is to assemble and freeze them immediately after slicing. Because they are quickly covered with ice cream and frozen solid, they should not have a chance to brown significantly in this recipe for Frozen Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches.
Why do I need to add oil to the melted chocolate?
Adding a small amount of a neutral oil to melted chocolate chips helps to make the chocolate smoother and more fluid, which makes it easier to spread. It also helps the chocolate harden with a slight softness, so it has a pleasant “snap” when you bite into it instead of being rock-hard and brittle.