Being the early riser that I am I often peruse my email or Facebook while waiting for my partner to escape the sandman’s grasp. While doing so last week I stumbled upon an article by Refinery 29’s Kelsey Miller that speculates  2014’s food item “in” list. It was tongue-in-cheek but also somewhat believable, although my fellow ModelWellFed and I lamented over the idea of kale being, potentially, passé. 

The article, “Eat Up! 20 Major Food Trends for 2014,” inspired me to try my hand at ice cream sandwich making as I needed a bring for a small dinner party that same night. They were a hit…except for the host is allergic to coconut.

Note: It is NEVER en vogue to poison your host.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 c. + 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 5 oz. semisweet chocolate
• 1 1/2 c. brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• ice cream, any variety (I used Breyers vanilla)
• toasted coconut, mini chocolate chips, roasted chopped nuts, etc (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven 325. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl.
3. Heat butter and semisweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a double boiler until melted. OR nuke in the microwaves for 30 second intervals until melted.
4. Beat sugar, eggs, vanilla, and melted-chocolate mixture with a mixer on medium speed until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Reduce speed to low, and gradually beat in flour mixture until just combined.
5. Using a 1 1/2-inch ice cream scoop, drop dough about 2 inches apart.
6. Bake, rotating and tapping sheets on counter halfway through, until cookies are flat and surfaces begin to crack, 15 to 17 minutes. Transfer cookies on parchment to a wire rack and let cool.
7. To assemble the sandwiches, scoop ice cream onto half of the cookies and top with remaining cookies. Gently squish to push ice cream to edge of cookies.
8. Place toppings in separate bowls. Roll outside of sandwich in desired toppings. Freeze until ready to serve.                                                                            

Xox,
Amanda