Making these 3-ingredient ice cream sandwiches is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be enjoying frozen treats in no time:

1. Prepare Your Cookies: Lay out half of your cookies, flat-side up, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or wax paper. This will prevent the cookies from sticking to the sheet and make removal easier later. Ensure the cookies are evenly spaced to allow for easy assembly. If your cookies are very freshly baked and still slightly warm, allow them to cool completely before proceeding. Warm cookies can melt the ice cream too quickly and make assembly messy.
2. Soften Your Ice Cream (Slightly): Take your ice cream out of the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for about 5-10 minutes to soften slightly. You want the ice cream to be scoopable and spreadable, but not completely melted. Softening the ice cream makes it much easier to work with and prevents you from smashing the cookies when trying to scoop hard ice cream. Avoid letting the ice cream become too soft, as this can lead to a soupy mess. The ideal consistency is similar to soft-serve ice cream or slightly firmer. If you are using very hard ice cream, you might need to let it soften a bit longer, but keep a close eye on it.
3. Scoop and Spread the Ice Cream: Using an ice cream scoop or a spoon, scoop a generous amount of softened ice cream onto the flat side of each cookie you laid out earlier. The amount of ice cream will depend on the size of your cookies and your personal preference, but aim for a layer that is about ¾ to 1 inch thick. Once you’ve placed the ice cream on the cookie, use a spatula or the back of a spoon to gently spread the ice cream evenly over the surface of the cookie, leaving a small border around the edges. This helps to prevent the ice cream from squeezing out too much when you add the top cookie. Work quickly during this step, especially if your kitchen is warm, to minimize melting.
4. Top with the Remaining Cookies: Carefully place the remaining cookies on top of the ice cream-covered cookies, flat-side down, to create your ice cream sandwiches. Gently press down on the top cookie to sandwich the ice cream in between. Be gentle but firm enough to ensure the cookies adhere to the ice cream. If some ice cream squeezes out the sides, you can use a spatula or your finger to smooth it out and neaten the edges.
5. Freeze for at Least 2 Hours (Or Until Firm): Transfer the baking sheet with the assembled ice cream sandwiches to the freezer. Freeze for at least 2 hours, or preferably longer, until the ice cream is firm and the sandwiches are solid. Freezing time will depend on the temperature of your freezer and the consistency of your ice cream. Freezing solidifies the sandwiches, making them easier to handle and less messy to eat. For best results, freeze overnight to ensure they are completely firm.
6. Decorate with Sprinkles (Optional): Once the ice cream sandwiches are frozen solid, you can add sprinkles or other decorations if desired. To decorate, remove one ice cream sandwich from the freezer at a time. Pour your sprinkles into a shallow dish. Gently roll the exposed ice cream edges of the sandwich in the sprinkles, pressing lightly to help them adhere. Alternatively, you can use a spatula to spread a thin layer of melted chocolate or frosting around the edges of the ice cream sandwich before dipping it in sprinkles or other toppings. Work quickly, as the ice cream will start to soften as it warms up.
7. Serve and Enjoy!: Once decorated (if desired), your 3-ingredient ice cream sandwiches are ready to be served and enjoyed! Serve them straight from the freezer for the best texture and flavor. They are perfect for a hot summer day, a fun dessert after dinner, or a delightful treat for parties and gatherings. Store any leftover ice cream sandwiches in an airtight container in the freezer to keep them fresh and frozen for up to a few weeks.