COOKING WITH GALA

Ice Cream Treats - Sandwiches and Bonbons

Ice cream sandwiches: Buy or bake your favorite cookies (flat on one side and a bit chewy).  To make a sandwich, lay one cookie down with the flat side up, put a slightly softened scoop of ice cream onto the center of the cookie, then put an other cookie, flat side down, on top.  Gently press to spread ice cream to edges, place on a tray and freeze at least one hour, or until firm. Eat as is or roll the sides with crunchy toppings (nuts, chocolate chips or dried fruit).   Some favorites are ginger cookies with lemon ice cream and vanilla cookies with mixed berry ice cream.  If you want to store these, just wrap tightly in plastic wrap.

Ice cream bonbons :  Use small ice cream scoop to make even-sized ice cream bonbons and put them on a foil covered baking sheet or tray that will fit in your freezer.  Freeze, uncovered, for one hour, or until firm.  When you are about ready to dip them, put some dark chocolate or chips in a small glass bowl and microwave at 30 second intervals, until just melted (stir between each interval). You want the chocolate to be  smooth and not very hot or it will not adhere to the bonbons. 

Use a thin skewer to stab the ice cream balls and then twirl them in the chocolate (use a spoon to help cover completely).  Put each bonbon back on the foil and freeze at least 30 minutes before serving.  You can make these ahead and store in a tightly covered container with waxed paper betweem layers.