Ice Cream Sandwiches for a Birthday

I am swooning in sun drenched Seattle!  The rhododendrons are bursting with blossoms, the birds are chirping and the air is warm – in fact, I can say it was even hot over the weekend.  This all made for a marvelous Mother’s Day.  Unfortunately, I was feeling crummy with a cold (where did this come from in May?) but my family pampered me well, beginning with a mimosa in bed, giving me some much needed vitamin C.  My sniffles did not deter me from having a peaceful, relaxing day, though, which I spent dozing and reading in the sun ... and contemplating birthday sweets.

A festive air begins this week as we celebrate Isaac’s birthday.  Isaac brings joy and laughter to us each day, and I am incredibly proud to be his mama.  For a number of years, he has requested strawberry birthday cake, which I’m delighted to bake and is in the oven as I write.  This year, in addition to strawberry cake, we also made ice cream sandwiches.  You can never have too many birthday treats, right?

The stirrings of summer must have prompted thoughts of ice cream.  And, when I reflect on how quickly time passes (Isaac is turning 15), I am feeling nostalgic for childhood favorites.

A thin, cake-like cookie is filled with your choice of ice cream. Isaac chose two flavors - mint chip and coffee.  Let me tell you, these ice cream sandwiches are sublime!  The cookie is rich and chocolatey (especially with some added espresso powder) and licking the ice cream from the edges before biting into one is deeply satisfying.  They are perfect to make ahead and keep stashed in the freezer, which I plan to do all summer long!

Happy Birthday, Isaac!

The recipe I used is created by the wonderful Abby Dodge at Fine Cooking and can be seen here.