The Chipwich is a summer classic, but what if we made it gluten free, dairy free, and upgraded it with homemade salted caramel? These Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches with Salted Caramel are made with chewy chocolate chip cookies sandwiched around a salted caramel ice cream. All completely allergy friendly and honestly better than the original. No gluten, no dairy, no nuts, no compromise.
Welcome to my healthy ice cream sandwich series where I'm taking ice-cream truck classics and making healthier ice cream sandwich versions! Along with a few unique flavors along the way. I have lots of delicious flavors (linked below), with more to come.
For today's ice cream sandwich makeover, we are taking the classic Chipwich and turning it into a gluten free and dairy free version with salted caramel. A salted caramel Chipwich, if you will.. The Chipwich is a classic ice cream truck dessert, so you knew it would show up in this series, but just making a gluten free and dairy free version wasn't enough. I had to upgrade it by adding some salted caramel, which really takes these homemade ice cream sandwiches to the next level.
More Ice Cream Sandwich Recipes
Banana Pudding Ice Cream Sandwiches
Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Sandwiches
Golden Milk ice Cream Sandwiches
Blackberry Swirl Ice Cream Sandwiches
Why You'll Love These Gluten Free Salted Caramel Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Allergy friendly: like all my recipes, these ice cream sandwiches are no different. Gluten free, dairy free, corn free, soy free, and nut free.
- Salted caramel upgrade: not just a plain chipwich. Homemade date-based salted caramel swirled into creamy vanilla ice cream takes these to a completely different level!
- Refined sugar free option: the cookies and homemade ice cream are refined sugar free, but use refined sugar free chocolate chips and this is completely refined sugar free treat.
- Part of the series: I add to my ice cream sandwich series with new flavors every year. This recipe is one of many, so don't miss the others!
Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich Ingredients
Ice Cream
- Homemade vanilla ice cream or store-bought vanilla ice cream: either will work for this recipe. I've linked my homemade dairy free vanilla ice cream recipe, but you can also use my Ninja Creami recipe if you have one.
- Medjool dates: used to make the healthy salted caramel.
- Coconut milk: this adds creaminess to our homemade caramel sauce.
- Flaky salt: I love using Maldon Sea Salt for the best sea salt caramel.
Cookies
- (Vegan) butter or coconut oil: any or all will work in the cookie recipe!
- Coconut sugar: the unrefined sweetener used for baking these cookies.
- Egg: you'll need one egg a room termperature.
- Gluten free flour: be sure to use a 1:1 all purpose gluten-free flour with xanthan gum.
- Chocolate chips: stick to mini chocolate chips for the best outcome.
- Vanilla extract, baking soda, salt
How to Make Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches with Salted Caramel
Date Salted Caramel
- Soak the dates in hot water for 10 minutes until soft.
- Combine the dates, coconut milk, and salt in a blender and blend until you have a smooth caramel.
Ice Cream
- Combine the dates, coconut milk, and salt in a blender and blend until you have a smooth caramel.
- If you are making my homemade ice cream in a regular ice cream maker, at the end of churning, add the caramel to mix in with the ice cream. Then transfer the ice cream to a freezer safe container and freezer until ready to use.
- If you are using a store-bought vanilla ice cream, soften it until you can swirl in the caramel. Then place back in the freezer to set before using.
Cookies
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Whisk together the melted butter/oil and sugar until combined in a large bowl.
- Whisk in the egg and vanilla.
- Add the dry ingredients and whisk until combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Use a large cookie scoop to scoop cookie dough onto prepared cookie sheet. You may need to bake one batch of cookies at a time.
- Bake on the middle rack for 10-12 minutes, until edges are golden brown. Sprinkle the top of the cookies with flaky sea salt when they come out of the oven.
- Let cookies cool for 5-10 minutes on the pan before removing to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Assembly
- Use a large ice cream scoop to scoop ice cream onto one cookie then top with another cookie and press down to spread ice cream evenly. Use a spoon or offset spatula to even out the edges if desired.
- Roll the cookie sandwiches in mini chocolate chips then place on a freezer safe cutting board or plate.
- Let the ice cream sandwiches set in the freezer for at least 3 hours before eating.
Substitutions and Variations
- Ice cream: you can also add chocolate chips to the ice cream or purchase a chocolate chip ice cream then swirl in the caramel for even more chocolate flavor!
- Cookies: the cookies use butter or coconut oil. I use a dairy free butter and highly suggest using either butter or dairy free butter for best results. See Tips below for more info.
- Add-ins and variations: add caramel chips, chocolate chips, or nuts to the ice cream or roll your ice cream sandwiches in any if those.
How To Serve and Store These Salted Caramel Ice Cream Sandwiches
Serve: Let these homemade ice cream sandwiches sit for 5-10 minutes at room temperature for the best texture. Just don't let them sit out too long or they'll melt!
- Drizzle extra date caramel on top before serving for presentation
- Serve alongside your other ice cream sandwich flavors for a party platter
Store: After initially freezing them, you can wrap each sandwich individually in plastic wrap, parchment paper, or wax paper if desired. Place all of the chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches into a large ziplock bag or freezer safe, airtight container and store in the freezer until ready to eat. You can store them for up to 3 months.
Tips for the Best Gluten Free Dairy Free Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Use butter not coconut oil for the cookies. Use a form of butter (dairy free or regular) rather than coconut oil for the cookies. Coconut oil hardens significantly in the freezer making the cookies rock hard. Butter holds a soft chew even when frozen which makes these much more enjoyable to eat. Of course, you can use coconut oil if it's your only accessible dairy free option though.
- Don't over bake the cookies! It's easy to over bake gluten free baked goods, but remember that the cookies will continue cooking some as they cool. For the perfect cookie, take them out right before they seem done so they are still soft and chewy when frozen.
- Use high quality ice cream. If you are buying the ice cream, be sure to buy a good quality ice cream (whether it's dairy free or regular).
- Don't be afraid of salt. Salt helps balance sweetness and these ice cream sandwiches are quite sweet. Don't be afraid to use enough salt in the caramel.
- Cool cookies completely before assembling. If the cookies are warm, the ice cream will melt and you'll have a big mess.
- Work quickly during assembly. Make sure to have everything prepped and ready before you start. Once the ice cream softens it moves fast.
FAQ
Yes, they are gluten free as written. Just be sure to check your ingredient labels,
Yup, they are also dairy free as written!
Yes, but it's often hard to find a dairy free caramel in stores.
You sure can. You can use a vanilla ice cream, soften it, swirl in the caramel then re-freeze before assembling the ice cream sandwiches.
You definitely can! Make them up to a week before serving for the best impression. Just keep them frozen in a freezer safe container then let sit out for 5-10 minutes before serving.
They can keep for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Although the salted caramel ice cream can be made vegan, I have not tested a vegan chocolate chip cookie. You can certainly try replacing the egg in the cookies with a flax egg or egg replacer. Or, use your favorite vegan chocolate chip cookie recipe instead! You can use whatever cookies you like and then sandwich the salted caramel ice cream between them.
If you try this recipe, let me know what you think by leaving a rating and review below. I'd love to hear what ice cream sandwich flavor you want to see next. Happy baking!
Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches with Salted Caramel (Dairy Free)
Equipment
Ingredients
Ice Cream
- Homemade vanilla ice cream or 2 pints of store-bought vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup pitted medjool dates soaked in hot water for 10 minutes
- ½-3/4 cup full fat coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
Cookies
- ½ cup melted (vegan) butter or coconut oil (I highly suggest a form of butter, though. See recipe notes above for details)
- ½ cup + 2 Tbsp coconut sugar
- 1 egg room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cup 1:1 gluten free flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- Extra flaky salt
Assembly
- 1+ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
Ice Cream
- Combine the dates, coconut milk, and salt in a blender and blend until you have a smooth caramel. Start with ½ cup of milk and add more if needed.
- If you are making my homemade ice cream, at the end of churning, add the caramel to mix in with the ice cream. Then transfer the ice cream to a freezer safe container and freezer until ready to use.
- If you are using a store-bought vanilla ice cream, soften it until you can swirl in the caramel. Then place back in the freezer to set before using.
Cookies
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Whisk together the melted butter/oil and sugar until combined.
- Add the egg and vanilla and whisk to combine.
- Add the flour, baking soda, and salt and whisk until combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Let dough sit for a few minutes while you line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Using a large 1.5-2 tablespoon sized scoop, scoop batter onto cookie sheets. Make sure cookies are at least 2 inches apart as they will spread. Sprinkle some extra salt on top (just a pinch).
- Bake on the middle rack for 10-12 minutes, until edges are golden. You will probably have to bake in batches.
- Let cookies cool for 5-10 minutes on the pan before removing to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Assembly
- When cookies are completely cooled and ice cream is set, but soft enough to scoop and work with, you can begin assembly.
- Scoop several scoops of ice cream onto one cookie then top with another cookie and press down to spread ice cream evenly.
- Roll the cookies in mini chocolate chips then place on a freezer safe cutting board or plate.
- Let the ice cream sandwiches set in the freezer for at least 3 hours before eating.
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