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Healthy Ice Cream Sandwiches

April 11, 2013 by Lindsay 87 Comments

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Hi Friends!

EDITED TO ADD: For an updated version of this recipe with better pictures and directions, please visit this post: Vegan Ice Cream Sandwiches.

————

I haven’t been this excited to post a recipe in a long time. Healthy Ice Cream Sandwiches. Does it get any better than that?! I think not.

These Healthy Ice Cream Sandwiches are gluten free, dairy free and the perfect dessert to have in your freezer when a craving hits!

So, how did this all come about? Well…..earlier this week I did a little experiment in the kitchen. My last Foodie Penpal sent me some dried turkish figs and I was trying to figure out how to use them. After some research, it seemed to me that they were kinda like dates. So I thought I would blend them up with some nuts and make a larabar type thing…kinda like these LaraBites I made last year. However, in the spirit of trying new ingredients, I decided to use pistachios instead of the almonds I would normally use. We don’t typically buy pistachios but we recently bought a giant bag at Costco so I had some to use up!

Then I started thinking about how it might be good to add some peanut butter in there.

IMG_3548

At this point I wasn’t really sure what else to add…so I just turned on the food processor and hoped from the best. I ended up with a crumbly type mixture which, upon experimentation, appeared to stick together when pressed together firmly…and tasted good as well. I thought it might make a good crust, so I pressed it into a pan and stuck it in the fridge until I could come up with something tasty to use it for.

Later that night, I had an epiphany and decided to turn it into an ice cream sandwich of sorts. But instead of ice cream, I used banana fro yo.

That’s right…a 4 ingredient dessert that tastes great!

Here’s how you do it:

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Healthy Ice Cream Sandwiches

healthy ice cream sandwiches
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You read that right: nutrition in an ice cream sandwich. Can you hear the ice cream truck tunes playing now?

  • Author: Author: Lindsay L
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 hours
  • Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup dried figs, roughly chopped (or dates)
  • 1/2 c pistachios, without the shells (or almonds)
  • 1/3 c peanut butter
  • 2–3 medium bananas, cut into chunks & frozen
  • unsweetened cocoa powder, optional

Instructions

  1. In a food processor, combine the figs, pistachios, peanut butter and cocoa powder (if using. I used about 1/4 cup. Start with a couple tablespoons, taste and add more if desired).
  2. Pulse until well combined into a crumbly dough.
  3. Transfer contents from food processor to a piece of saran wrap. Gather the edges of the saran wrap and squeeze dough into a ball.
  4. Wrap and place ball on a jelly roll pan. Use the saran wrap to press the dough flat on the pan, trying to make it an equal thickness all the way around.
  5. Cover with saran wrap and place in the fridge for 1-2 hours until chilled.
  6. Remove from fridge and cut into sandwich sized pieces of desired size. Make sure you have pieces are the same size so the tops and bottoms will be even.
  7. Place the dough pieces back in the fridge.
  8. Clean out the food processor, then add the frozen banana chunks to it. Process until a smooth ice cream/fro-yo consistency is reached.
  9. Get your sandwich pieces out, scoop some banana ice cream onto one sandwich piece. Top with another and press gently to flatten.
  10. Wrap each sandwich individually in saran wrap and place in the freezer until desired firmness is reached.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @theleangreenbean on Instagram

*Side note, you can easily double this recipe! If things aren’t coming together in the food processor, add a couple tablespoons of water*

Making these is a little bit time intensive…but it’s totally worth it!

healthy ice cream sandwich 2

I’ve made two batches of these. One with cocoa powder and one without. They both taste great. My best advice is handle the “dough” as little as possible. Cut it into sandwich size pieces so you have tops and bottoms that are the same size, then stick them back in the fridge while you make the fro yo. Then make quick work of scooping some fro you onto one side of the sandwich, topping with the other half, pressing down gently and wrapping in saran wrap. Stick them in the freezer as you finish each one!

A few other things to note:

  • Don’t make the dough too thin when you press it into the pan, otherwise it will crumble when you try to cut it into squares and remove it.
  • You may need to trim off the very edges before cutting your sandwich sides as they tend to crumble.
  • The dough is very oily. I’m not sure if it’s from the figs or the pistachios…but using a piece of saran wrap to press it flat into the pan helps a lot!

These Healthy Ice Cream Sandwiches are gluten free, dairy free and the perfect dessert to have in your freezer when a craving hits!

Since I know some of you will ask…here are my thoughts on substitutions:

  • I think you could substitute dates for figs if you wanted to
  • I also think another kind of nut besides pistachios would work equally well.
  • I THINK the two statements above. I don’t know. I haven’t tried it. No promises.

Have fun with it. Play around. Try some different combinations. Feel free to make a mess!

healthy ice cream sandwiches 5

And if you don’t want to go through all the trouble of making ice cream sandwiches, just roll the dough into little balls and eat it that way:

pistachio ball

But trust me, the ice cream sandwiches are worth the work:

These Healthy Ice Cream Sandwiches are gluten free, dairy free and the perfect dessert to have in your freezer when a craving hits!

In my opinion at least…some people seem to disagree:

IMG_3568

But hey, you can’t please everyone!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

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Filed Under: Dessert, Snack

About Lindsay

Lindsay Livingston is a Registered Dietitian and new mom from Columbus, Ohio. On her blog, she shares simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, workouts and snapshots of her life. Follow her on Twitter @LeanGrnBeanBlog and Instagram @TheLeanGreenBean and be sure to subscribe via RSS or email so you never miss a post!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jennifer Speer says

    April 11, 2013 at 12:13 AM

    They look yummy! I just made some of the quinoa protein bars and for whatever reason (subconscious perhaps) I read to use prunes instead of dates, it worked pretty well and taste great! Reading this I am wondering if it wouldn’t work for these as well. I am still playing with it to make it a bit more solid and a tiny bit less mushy for the bars. Maybe the cocoa powder is the solution? I must try this though because I love the banana ice cream!

    Reply
  2. Debbie @ Live from La Quinta says

    April 11, 2013 at 12:14 AM

    lol at the instagram comment. I think they sound (if not look) great! Healthy and vegan..I’m in!

    Reply
  3. Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says

    April 11, 2013 at 12:15 AM

    Haha – if this is what raccoon poop is, then I’ll take TWO!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:34 PM

      i love you!

      Reply
  4. GiGi Eats Celebrities says

    April 11, 2013 at 12:37 AM

    How did you even know that recipe was going to taste good??! LOL!! This may be the most creative recipe I have seen yet!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:34 PM

      i didn’t! 🙂 pure luck!

      Reply
  5. Fancy Nancy says

    April 11, 2013 at 4:30 AM

    Those look awesome….yeah totally not raccoon poop!

    Reply
  6. Kerry@TheAdventuresofZ&K says

    April 11, 2013 at 4:42 AM

    These look amazing! I’ve been on quite a “don’t deprive yourself of treats instead make them yourself and make them healthier” kick. Especially now that I’m attempting low FODMAP eating, altering recipes to fit that type of diet is my new challenge. The less ingredients the better and these certainly fit the bill! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:34 PM

      awesome! i’m glad to hear it!

      Reply
  7. Michelle @ Eat Move Balance says

    April 11, 2013 at 5:21 AM

    Raccoon poop? Hilarious. I think they look incredible. Especially after seeing such a simple ingredient list. What’s not to like?? 🙂

    Reply
  8. Nelly says

    April 11, 2013 at 6:17 AM

    HAHA love the comment. Rabbit poop must taste good though 🙂

    Reply
  9. Linz @ Itz Linz says

    April 11, 2013 at 6:24 AM

    lol that comment is ridiculous… who says things like that?! haha! i think it looks and sounds delicious!!! the balls look good too!!

    Reply
  10. Andrea says

    April 11, 2013 at 6:35 AM

    Well, I don’t know what raccoon poop looks like.. who does?!? But since you posted this on instagram I’ve been eagerly awaiting the recipe!! Love it!!

    Reply
  11. lindsay says

    April 11, 2013 at 6:59 AM

    it;s like a healthy bite ice cream sandwich! hehe. LOVE!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:34 PM

      yes! just gave you your next business idea. perhaps a traveling healthy bites ice cream truck?

      Reply
  12. Alison says

    April 11, 2013 at 7:15 AM

    LITERALLY four of my favorite things put into one healthy, yummy-looking dessert!! Ahh! I was thinking of making pb banana fro-yo and sandwiching it between graham crackers to make ice cream sandwiches…But this looks better! 🙂 Thanks for another awesome idea, Lindsay!

    Reply
  13. Miz says

    April 11, 2013 at 7:23 AM

    ahhh and my child is worth the work too?
    yes!! 🙂

    Reply
  14. Kristen @ notsodomesticated says

    April 11, 2013 at 7:23 AM

    Wow, very impressive work! I love that they require such minimal ingredients!

    Reply
  15. Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says

    April 11, 2013 at 7:27 AM

    Yummo!! What a fun treat. These look delicious…as usual 🙂

    Reply
  16. Danielle @ Clean Food Creative Fitness says

    April 11, 2013 at 7:41 AM

    These look awesome! I love all the ingredients and none of them are anything I would ever think to put in an ice cream sandwich! Such a genius recipe 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:33 PM

      thanks so much danielle!

      Reply
  17. Amy says

    April 11, 2013 at 7:41 AM

    I’ve never tried a fig but I think this recipe is a great way to expand my palate. Awesome!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:33 PM

      id’ never had them either!!

      Reply
  18. Ali says

    April 11, 2013 at 7:53 AM

    These look amazing! Yum!

    Reply
  19. Dana @momrunshalf says

    April 11, 2013 at 7:55 AM

    Music to my ears, a healthy ice cream sandwich. Going to try these for my food prep this weekend

    Reply
  20. Erin says

    April 11, 2013 at 7:57 AM

    They look great~ and I’m happy to see that you use your mini-prep food processor. I have the same one and I haven’t tried chopping dates & figs because I wasn’t sure it could handle it….did you use your mini-prep for that step?

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:33 PM

      yep! i use it all the time. my fav kitchen appliance 🙂

      Reply
  21. Deb @ Dietitian Debbie Dishes says

    April 11, 2013 at 8:04 AM

    What a creative way to make due with that you had on hand! Any way you can healthify an ice cream sandwich is a win!

    Reply
  22. Ang @ Nutty for Life says

    April 11, 2013 at 8:16 AM

    I have been waiting for this recipe! Looks so YUM. The Instagram comment actually made me laugh out loud. She has a point… but that’s not going to stop me.

    Reply
  23. Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says

    April 11, 2013 at 8:26 AM

    Raccoon poop?!?! That is hilarious… but I am totally with you. Pure genius!! I make a date/cashew mixture often, and banana froyo often… never thought to combine them!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:32 PM

      definitely give it a try. i think you’ll loveit 🙂

      Reply
  24. Gabby @ Gabby's Gluten-Free says

    April 11, 2013 at 8:34 AM

    OMG. This sounds ah-mazing!!!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:32 PM

      thanks girl!

      Reply
  25. Amanda @ .running with spoons. says

    April 11, 2013 at 8:35 AM

    I love it when you can toss random ingredients in a blender, hope for the best, and have it come out amazing. Love the idea of a healthified ice cream sandwich, although I’d probably just go the lazy route and make the banana ice cream, toss in some pieces of the crust, and enjoy a cookies n’ cream version 🙂

    Reply
  26. Sara @ fitcupcaker says

    April 11, 2013 at 8:41 AM

    I need to try these. I always want ice cream now that it is warm out!!

    Reply
  27. Caity @ Moi Contre La Vie says

    April 11, 2013 at 8:50 AM

    These look AMAZING – Can’t wait to give them a try this weekend.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:32 PM

      let me know how they turn out!

      Reply
  28. misszippy says

    April 11, 2013 at 9:16 AM

    I can live with the raccoon poop appearance if they taste as good as they sound! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  29. Lisa @ RunWiki says

    April 11, 2013 at 9:18 AM

    I think they’re genius! Can’t wait to indulge in this recipe after I get back from Boston!

    Reply
  30. Kelly @ Nosh and Nourish says

    April 11, 2013 at 9:22 AM

    I’m soooooooooooooo ready to eat that raccoon poop :p Those look amazing, despite anyone else’s comments!!!! And the ingredient list? Perfecto!!

    Reply
  31. Jess says

    April 11, 2013 at 9:27 AM

    YUMMMMMMMM!!! I’ve been waiting for you to post this bad boy, can’t WAIT to try!!!!

    Reply
  32. Sarah says

    April 11, 2013 at 9:44 AM

    Don’t take that mean comment to hard — even storebought Larabars look like that! I will probably never go to all the effort of making these ice cream bars, but your fig & pistachio combo sounds awesome just for homemade larabars (or “schweddy balls” as we call them in my house!)

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:31 PM

      haha i love it!

      Reply
  33. Danica @ It's Progression says

    April 11, 2013 at 10:07 AM

    oh, gotta love those types of comments 🙂 haha
    I think you’re a genius for coming up with these – they look (and sound) fantastic.

    Reply
  34. Christine @ Love, Life, Surf says

    April 11, 2013 at 10:08 AM

    haha. That comment is pretty funny. This look delicious. I love experiments in the kitchen like this!

    Reply
  35. Heather says

    April 11, 2013 at 10:23 AM

    I love your creativity – I would have never been able to come up with this!
    And, haha, that last comment made me laugh. You can’t please everyone, right? 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:31 PM

      thanks! having this blog definitely helps the creativity flow!

      Reply
  36. Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says

    April 11, 2013 at 11:01 AM

    Who knew ice cream sandwiches could be healthy?!? I am SO loving this!

    Reply
  37. Kim @ Living, Laughing & Losing says

    April 11, 2013 at 11:10 AM

    I fell in love with these when you posted the picture the other day. Can’t wait to try them! 🙂

    Reply
  38. Sarah Pie says

    April 11, 2013 at 11:13 AM

    I dunno about the ice cream sandwiches (I’m not a big banana fan) but the dough “bites” look like a fantastic lunch box treat… I may have to mix up a batch for next week 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:31 PM

      awesome! the dough balls were delicious all on their own so i say go for it!

      Reply
  39. Renee @ Renee Runs Miles says

    April 11, 2013 at 11:19 AM

    I’m definitely going to have to try that fig mixture. However, I’m allergic to bananas so I’ll have to come up with an alternative–they look fantastic though!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:30 PM

      hmmm you could try yogurt!

      Reply
  40. Sylvia @ Frolic Through Life says

    April 11, 2013 at 11:45 AM

    They look a little funky, but who can pass up a healthy ice cream sandwich? I wonder if I can trick my little guy into trying these. He’s an ice cream addict. :/

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:30 PM

      oooh i hope so!!! you could mix some pb in with the bananas and add a few chocolate chips to make it even more ice cream-ish!

      Reply
  41. Azia says

    April 11, 2013 at 11:59 AM

    WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! This looks INCREDIBLE! I’m excited to try this! Thank you so much for sharing. You are a GENIUS!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:29 PM

      awww thank you! hope you like them!

      Reply
  42. Tanya says

    April 11, 2013 at 1:21 PM

    Racoon poop! lol so funny. These sound good at least 🙂

    Reply
  43. Casey says

    April 11, 2013 at 1:22 PM

    these look great!

    Reply
  44. Kierston @candyfit says

    April 11, 2013 at 1:46 PM

    Yummers! Love that tweet lol

    Reply
  45. Melissa @ Treats With a Twist says

    April 11, 2013 at 1:49 PM

    These look great! I was on a homemade Larabar kick a few years ago, so I knew immediately when I saw your IG pic what that was!! Great idea! 🙂

    Reply
  46. Tina @ Best Body Fitness says

    April 11, 2013 at 2:06 PM

    Like a larabar banana froyo mash up. Sounds good to me! And I don’t see racoon poop in there at all. Pure deliciousness only.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:29 PM

      haha thanks lady 🙂

      Reply
  47. Kaylie says

    April 11, 2013 at 2:10 PM

    These look SO good! I love ice cream and have missed it terribly since trying out the Paleo Diet- I must try these!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:29 PM

      yay! hope they can be a good substitute!

      Reply
  48. Lindsay says

    April 11, 2013 at 3:21 PM

    Most definitely trying this out!! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:29 PM

      let me know what you think!

      Reply
  49. Amanda @ Run Principessa says

    April 11, 2013 at 3:27 PM

    Ice cream sandwiches can be as time intensive as they please, as far as I’m concerned. They look so tasty! And unlike raccoon poop. 😉

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:28 PM

      haha love it. dessert is worth the time and effort 🙂

      Reply
  50. Liz (Little Bitty Bakes) says

    April 11, 2013 at 4:52 PM

    Ahh, when I saw these on Instagram I knew they had to be Larabar-ish! And I love the banana fro yo in the middle, what an awesome idea. Perhaps I’ll cheat and just use premade Larabars to try this out. 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:28 PM

      i won’t tell 🙂 enjoy!

      Reply
  51. jobo says

    April 11, 2013 at 5:43 PM

    GENIUS!!!! WANT!! def making these soon!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:28 PM

      let me know what you think!

      Reply
  52. Marissa @Barefoot Colorado says

    April 11, 2013 at 5:55 PM

    These look dreamy!!! And who the heck knows that raccoon poops look like!?

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:28 PM

      right?! that’s what i said!

      Reply
  53. Jody - Fit at 55 says

    April 11, 2013 at 6:21 PM

    I don’t have a food processor but you can send one my way! 🙂 NO, ya can’t please everyone! 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:28 PM

      it’s one of my fav kitchen appliances!

      Reply
  54. Emily says

    April 11, 2013 at 6:59 PM

    “Raccoon poop” … haters gotta hate!

    And I’m sold on anything with just four ingredients. Because I’m lazy and forget to shop.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:28 PM

      i agree. simple ingredient lists for the win!

      Reply
  55. Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:58 AM

    can’t wait to try them!

    Reply
  56. Nutmeg Nanny says

    April 12, 2013 at 1:32 PM

    These are so interesting, I love the use of dates! I have to give this a try sometime soon 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:16 PM

      hope you like them!

      Reply
  57. E says

    April 12, 2013 at 1:47 PM

    Ha! You’re right, you can’t please everyone! Plus, if people didn’t eat things, solely based on their looks, I’d imagine that we’d be missing out on some amazing foods! I’ve tried a similar combination, sans the PB, but using almonds, dates, coconut oil, and cocoa powder, and it makes a similar concoction. It’s pretty versatile and tasty! Nice idea making it into an ice cream sandwich!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:15 PM

      thanks girl 🙂 i’m a sucker for desserts!

      Reply
  58. Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says

    April 13, 2013 at 1:50 PM

    Whether it looks like raccoon poop or not, I think it sounds delicious! Wanna share?? 😉

    Reply
  59. Annette@FitnessPerks says

    April 14, 2013 at 3:41 PM

    Mmmmm! Yummers! Ice cream anything is a winner in my book!

    Reply
  60. Amber says

    May 6, 2013 at 2:36 PM

    Can’t wait to make these later tonight, can you tell me an estimate on how many these make so I can get the nutrition facts?? Thanks!!

    Reply

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Lindsay Livingston The Lean Green Bean Healthy Living Tips and Tricks

I'm a Registered Dietitian and mom of three from Columbus, Ohio. I use this blog to share simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, and an honest glimpse of motherhood!

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