Strawberry and Ice Cream Sandwiches

Strawberry and Ice Cream Sandwiches
Johnny Miller for The New York Times. Food Stylst: Laurie Ellen Pellicano.
Total Time
15 minutes, plus time to heat grill, if using
Rating
4(305)
Notes
Read community notes

This summertime snack is a spin on the Italian treat, brioche con gelato, which is typically served in hotter months for breakfast. This ice cream sandwich is made with actual bread — rather than cookies — landing this dessert in the not-too-sweet category. Griddling or grilling the buns with a butter-sugar finish adds a bit of caramelized sweetness. These are best eaten immediately, so have guests at the ready for assembling. The combination of still-warm bread, melting ice cream and strawberries is bliss.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 to 6 sandwiches
  • 1pint/12 ounces strawberries, washed, hulled and roughly chopped
  • 1tablespoon granulated sugar, plus more for sprinkling
  • 4 to 6slider buns or dinner rolls, preferably brioche (see Tip)
  • ¼cup salted butter, melted
  • Amaro Montenegro, for drizzling (optional)
  • 1pint vanilla or strawberry ice cream
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (24 servings)

333 calories; 9 grams fat; 4 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 3 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 52 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 5 grams sugars; 10 grams protein; 404 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    If grilling, heat the grill. If griddling, heat your griddle or pan to medium.

  2. Step 2

    Using a fork, mash strawberries with 1 tablespoon sugar until saucy with fine chunks.

  3. Step 3

    On a cutting board, open buns, leaving them connected on one edge. Brush the cut, flat surfaces with the melted butter and sprinkle lightly with sugar.

  4. Step 4

    Cook buns, buttered side up, until lightly toasted underneath, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip and toast the buttered sides until golden and the sugar caramelizes, imparting a nice sheen, 2 to 3 minutes. (You may need to rotate the buns to ensure even coloring and adjust heat lower, or move to a cooler spot if using a grill.) Transfer to a cutting board and let cool before assembling.

  5. Step 5

    Drizzle open buns with a little Amaro, if using. Top each bottom half with a spoonful of strawberry mash, followed by a single scoop of ice cream, then another spoonful of strawberry mash. Close up sandwiches and serve immediately.

Tip
  • You’ll want a bun that is sturdy enough to hold up under the ice cream, so choose one that has a bit more heft.

Ratings

4 out of 5
305 user ratings
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Cooking Notes

It’s not for polite cultured people, This is obviously a meal for something like a relaxed 4th of July celebrations with kids. Bruh

My mom used to make these all the time in the summer with round choux pastry - basically cream puffs with strawberries added to the whipped cream. Sweet light and delicious! And messy! The problem I have is that the humidity in summer can make them a bit soft.

Wonderful way to use up a handful of leftover brioche dinner rolls. Used (also leftover) chilled, rosemary-and-EVOO-roasted cherries instead of strawberries (mashed those into the softened ice cream, then back into the freezer until after dinner. Drizzled just a bit of chilled Amaro on the toasted brioche before serving. As my 16-year old daughter put it: “This doesn’t suck.”

Use “Hawaiian” buns as a perfect carrier for these.

Wow! Made this with extended family gathered together in the kitchen. Everyone was moaning with pleasure while ice cream dripped down arms. Please make this for the people you love! And be sure to use salted butter!

Someone please explain the buttering instructions - do you butter inside and outside - or only the outside of the buns?

Even white sandwich bread will work in a pinch (I live in rural Iowa, and if I want brioche, I have to make it myself. WHICH I DO. It’s a process, but a fulfilling one.)

This is also done in the Philippines. So-called dirty ice cream from a street sorbetero in a soft monay bun!

Didn't have Amaro Montenegro, so drizzled a bit of amaretto over the toasted brioche, so good. We might have to try it for breakfast!

Reminds me of the way ice cream was served to us from a cart in Bangkok about 20 years ago: in small scoops on a hot dog bun, drizzled with sweetened condensed milk. It was absolutely delicious, and the bun helped insulate the ice cream from the warm air.

Wow! Made this with extended family gathered together in the kitchen. Everyone was moaning with pleasure while ice cream dripped down arms. Please make this for the people you love! And be sure to use salted butter!

I don't understand this at all: "Cook buns, buttered side up, until lightly toasted underneath, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip and toast the buttered sides.." what's the first part? 'cook' how? and why 'flip' if the buttered sides are already 'up'?

Made these with pretzel rolls - wonderfully delicious!

Use “Hawaiian” buns as a perfect carrier for these.

Agree 100%. Hawaiian rolls are the way to go here. we used the small slider size hawaiian rolls. I have made these twice and they are super quick to make. the first time I made them i wasn't sure how much I liked the pairing of a hot bun with ice cream, but the second time around that didn't bother me at all. These are delish.

Wonderful way to use up a handful of leftover brioche dinner rolls. Used (also leftover) chilled, rosemary-and-EVOO-roasted cherries instead of strawberries (mashed those into the softened ice cream, then back into the freezer until after dinner. Drizzled just a bit of chilled Amaro on the toasted brioche before serving. As my 16-year old daughter put it: “This doesn’t suck.”

My mom used to make these all the time in the summer with round choux pastry - basically cream puffs with strawberries added to the whipped cream. Sweet light and delicious! And messy! The problem I have is that the humidity in summer can make them a bit soft.

Not for the polite cultured crowd. A real sloppy mess to try eating. Will not repeat.

It’s not for polite cultured people, This is obviously a meal for something like a relaxed 4th of July celebrations with kids. Bruh

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