These cherry brownie ice cream sandwiches are made with rich fudge brownies (that stay soft when frozen!) and are layered with vanilla ice cream, chocolate ice cream, and cherry jam.
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cherry brownie ice cream sandwiches
It’s hot outside which means it’s the perfect time for ice cream! These cherry brownie ice cream sandwiches are chocolate cherry *perfection.* These wouldn’t be considered a true black forest dessert, but if you’re a fan of black forest cake – you’ll definitely be a fan of these bars. They start out with a rich, super chocolatey and fudgy brownie that stays fudgy and fairly soft even when frozen. Then, they’re filled with a a swirl of vanilla ice cream & chocolate ice cream and a homemade cherry jam.
why you’ll love these cherry brownie ice cream sandwiches:
- They’re super fudgy. I took my perfect fudge brownies and adjusted them so that they stay fairly soft and fudgy even when frozen.
- They’re super customizable. You could use dairy-free chocolate & dairy-free ice cream to make these dairy free, gluten-free flour to make them gluten free, and fill them with whatever ice cream flavor your heart desires.
- Easy to assemble. All you need to do is bake the brownies in a square pan, then assemble them in one loaf pan.
expert baking tips
Weigh your ingredients:
My recipes are all written in grams because it is the most accurate way to bake. When you use a kitchen scale, you ensure that your baked goods turn out as close to the written recipe as possible. Plus, the cleanup is way easier when using a scale! I will provide standard cup measurements but please note that I have not tested the recipe using cup measurements and therefore can not guarantee your recipe will come out how mine did. Here is my favorite kitchen scale.
THE SECRET TO CRACKLED BROWNIE TOPS
The secret to getting those perfectly crackled tops in brownies is all in the eggs, sugar, and chocolate. Typically I beat the eggs and sugar in a different bowl, but to make these bars a bit easier you’ll just want to make sure you beat the eggs into the batter for a good minute or two to get that crackled top. Also note that I’ve found that chocolate chips make a more prominent crackled top than chocolate bars.
HOW TO GET PERFECT BROWNIE SLICES
Brownies and bars can be annoying to cut, especially when they start dragging the batter and it seems like half of the brownies have ended up on your knife! To get perfect brownie cuts, get a clean knife and a tall glass of hot water. Dip the knife in the hot water, then make a slice in the brownies. Continue dipping and slicing to be left with perfectly cut brownie slices!
HOW TO TELL WHEN BROWNIES ARE DONE BAKING
Fudge brownies are a little more difficult to tell when they’re done since they are essentially meant to be a little raw. For that reason, I definitely don’t recommend using the standard toothpick test. Instead, you’ll know that your brownies are done when the edges have fully set and the middle of the brownies just BARELY move when the pan is jiggled. You can also use a thermometer to check – the brownies are done when they are 200F / 93C in the center.
the ice cream needs time to set
The bars will need to be set in the freezer for at least 4 hours but will be best if it’s made in the beginning of the day and served at night, or if it’s made at night then served the next day.
ingredients for cherry brownie ice cream sandwiches –
fUDGE BROWNIEs:
- All purpose flour: for structure.
- Salt: helps balance and bring out the sweetness and flavor of the brownies.
- Vegetable oil: usually I opt for butter in brownies but we’re using oil in these so they stay soft when frozen in the ice cream.
- Semi-sweet chocolate: where the main flavor of these brownies comes from! I use chocolate chips as I have noticed that they are better for bringing out that crackled top when compared to using a baking bar. You could also use dairy-free chocolate chips here to make the brownies dairy-free, but you may not get a crackled top.
- Granulated sugar: for sweetness and for locking moisture into the brownies.
- Dutch process cocoa: lends a deeper chocolate flavor to the brownies. I love using dutch process cocoa because it has a deeper and richer flavor than natural cocoa, but natural cocoa or even black cocoa powder can easily be substituted in here.
- Eggs: binds the brownie batter together, adds moisture to the brownies, and is the main contributor to getting that perfectly crackled top.
Cherry jam & filling
- Cherries: I like using frozen because you don’t have to do all the work of de-stemming and getting rid of the pits, but fresh will work great here as well.
- Granulated sugar: to sweeten the jam a bit.
- Lemon: you’ll need 1 small lemon for the zest and juice, to brighten up the jam.
- Corn starch: to thicken the jam.
- Vanilla & chocolate ice cream: I used vanilla bean.
how to make cherry brownie ice cream sandwiches
Here’s a few images on what the process of making these ice cream sandwiches looks like. You can find the full recipe at the end of this blog post!
- Melt the chocolate, then mix in the cocoa powder, sugar, and oil, followed by the eggs.
- Mix in the flour and salt, then pour into an 8″ square baking pan and bake.
- Cook the cherry jam on the stove.
- Assemble the ice cream sandwiches in a loaf pan, let them set in the freezer, then slice, serve, and enjoy!
cherry brownie ice cream sandwiches
recipe q&a
can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten free flour such as King Arthur’s or Bobs Red Mill’s in the brownies to make them gluten free.
can I make this dairy-free?
Yes! Use your favorite non-dairy chocolate chips in the brownies (note: you might not get a crackled top on top of the brownies this way) and use your favorite non-dairy vanilla ice cream.
what size loaf pan do I need?
You will need an 8×4″ loaf pan and an 8″ square pan. If you don’t have an 8″ square pan, you can bake the brownies in two 8×4″ loaf pans. If you only have a 9×5″ loaf pan you will want to bake the brownies in a 9″ square pan.
tools and ingredients:
You can find all my favorite tools and ingredients that I use on my Amazon Storefront page, here!
other recipes you might enjoy:
did you make this recipe?
I’d love to see and know your thoughts! please leave a comment and review below, and tag me on instagram @freshbeanbakery. #freshbeanbakery
Cherry Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches
Ingredients
Fudge Brownies
- 180 g semi-sweet chocolate chips (1 c.)
- 24 g dutch processed cocoa powder (¼ c.)
- 200 g granulated sugar (1 c.)
- 90 g vegetable oil (¼ c. + 3 tbsp.)
- 2 eggs
- 60 g all purpose flour (½ c.)
- ½ tsp. salt
Cherry Jam & Filling
- 140 g dark red cherries fresh or frozen, pitted (1 c.)
- 50 g granulated sugar (¼ c.)
- zest of 1 small lemon
- 2 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp. corn starch
- 240 g vanilla bean ice cream (½ pint / 1 c.)
- 240 g chocolate ice cream (½ pint / 1 c.)
Instructions
Fudge Brownies
- Preheat the oven to 350°F / 175°C. Butter and line an 8" square pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium sized microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips in 30 second intervals, stirring between each interval, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
- Add in the cocoa powder, sugar, and oil and mix until smooth.
- Add in both eggs and mix vigorously for 1-2 minutes until well combined.
- Add in the flour and salt. Use a rubber spatula to lightly fold the flour into the ingredients just until no flour streaks remain.
- Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan. Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes, until the brownies are set on the outsides and only ever so slightly jiggle in the middle.
- While the brownies are baking, make the cherry jam.
Cherry Jam
- Add the cherries, sugar, lemon zest & 1 tbsp. of lemon juice to a small saucepan. Set the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Lightly mash the cherries as they soften.
- In a small bowl, mix together the corn starch and the remaining 1 tbsp. of lemon juice. Allow the cherry mixture to come to a simmer. Then, while constantly stirring the jam, pour in the corn starch slurry. Continue to mix the jam until it thickens, then remove it from the heat.
- Set the jam aside until you're ready to assemble the bars. Allow the brownie to completely cool to room temperature before assembling the bars.
- Pull out the ice cream ~10 minutes before using it to allow it to soften.
- Once the brownies have cooled to room temperature, slice them in half to get two even pieces.
- Line a 8×4" loaf pan with plastic wrap. Place on half of the brownie upside down into the pan (you may have to press it gently into place.)
- Top the brownie with half of the ice cream, alternating scoops of vanilla and chocolate. Then smooth it into an even layer. Add all of the cherry jam on to the ice cream and use a knife to swirl it into the ice cream.
- Add the remaining ice cream on top and smooth it into an even layer. Top the ice cream with the other half of the brownie, face up. Cover the loaf pan with plastic wrap and leave it in the freezer to set for at least 4 hours.
- Once the bars have set, remove them from the pan, slice them*, then serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Please note that the nutrition facts are only an estimate and may vary based on different brands of ingredients and any substitutions made.