Don’t mind us, we’ll just be in the kitchen all summer long making these stunning, protein-rich Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches to treat ourselves to something sweet. Made with Lifeway Farmer Cheese, these indulgent ice cream sandwiches are given a gut-healthy upgrade since they’re made with Lifeway, and they’re packed with protein to keep your muscles just as happy as your taste buds.
Our creamy, cultured farmer cheese used as the base in these delicious Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches delivers live probiotics to your gut to support microbiome health, and it’s lactose intolerant-friendly. Cheese in dessert, you ask? Yes! Our creamy farmer cheese can be used just like cream cheese or other dessert cheese varieties since it’s mild in flavor and contains no added salt or sugar. That means you can use it in just about any type of recipe you can think of no matter what your heart desires to create. It’s also high in complete protein with 15 grams per 1/2 cup serving, so it’s a natural, whole food source that contains a variety of nutrients unlike highly-processed options.
In this recipe, our farmer cheese is whipped with a little honey or maple syrup, cashew butter (or another nut butter), sea salt, and vanilla to create the base to resemble ice cream before adding it between two chocolate chip sandwiches. Then, it’s off to the freezer for a little bit to let the magic happen. You can make your own homemade chocolate chip cookies with better-for-you ingredients, or you can choose a healthy store brand if you prefer. Whatever the case, just be sure you make these and share them with a fellow chocolate chip lover. These are too good to gatekeep!
Find Lifeway Farmer Cheese and other probiotic Lifeway products in a store near you here, or shop online to have them delivered. You can also discover more delicious ways to enjoy Lifeway products in all types of recipes here.
The Benefits of Cultured Dairy for Better Health:
Research continues to show the importance of eating healthy foods, including cultured dairy such as kefir, for better gut health, a strong immune system, and to support the microbiome. Fermented foods like kefir hold important value in this line of research due to the link between the gut-brain axis and overall health.
Specifically, kefir has been shown to help diversify the microbiome, support the digestive system, reduce inflammation, support healthier blood sugar levels, and improve satiety since the bioavailable protein it contains triggers the release of GLP-1. Lifeway Kefir also contains a variety of nutrients that are vital for healthy bones and overall health including vitamins D3, K, and B 12 along with calcium and potassium. Along with our kefir, we also offer our creamy, cultured Lifeway Farmer Cheese, a high protein cheese made with live and active cultures to support a healthy microbiome that’s easy to spread and contains no added salt or sugar.
Prep Time: 2.5 -3 hours Servings: 4-6Ingredients
- 1 (16 ounce) container Farmer Cheese
- 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
- 3-4 tbsp. pure maple syrup or raw honey
- 1/8 tsp. sea salt or kosher salt
- 3 tbsp. creamy cashew butter, almond, or peanut butter*
- 1/3 cup mini dark chocolate chips
- 8 baked soft chocolate chip cookies (homemade or a natural store-bought brand like Sweet Loren's)
Directions
- Line a pan/baking sheet that will fit in the freezer with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a food processor or blender, add the container of farmer cheese, vanilla, maple syrup, salt, and cashew butter (or other nut butter). Whip the mixture until thick and creamy. Scoop into a bowl, then fold in the chocolate chips with a spatula.
- Take one chocolate chip cookie, and spread 1/4 the farmer cheese mixture from above onto the inside of the cookie. Press another cookie on top and set on the parchment-covered pan. Repeat with the other cookies to make all four chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches.
- Gently cover the pan with foil or plastic wrap, then set in the freezer for 2.5 - 3 hours. Remove and enjoy!**
- *Cashew butter is mildest and works best here.
- **If making a large batch, be sure to store extra servings in the freezer in a freezer safe container.
