Under-the-Sea Ice Cream Sandwiches for Shark Week & Beyond

What do sharks, sugar and sprinkles have in common? They all come together to create a trio of colorful, beach-inspired ice cream sandwiches.

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Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

There's no doubt about it: Ice cream sandwiches are some of the most classic (and nostalgic!) frozen treats around. But if you're looking for something a bit different, you're in luck. Inspired by Shark Week and all things ocean-themed, we've created a trio of under-the-sea cookie ice cream sandwiches that will surely make a splash.

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Video: Under-the-Sea Ice Cream Sandwiches for Shark Week & Beyond

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Let your creativity shine while constructing and decorating these sea-inspired sandwiches. As you add individual touches with plenty of ‌fin‌esse, take time to incorporate funky sprinkles and icing decorations galore. Don't hesitate to customize each delicious under-the-ocean ice cream sandwich—after all, there's a whole sea of possibilities when it comes to DIY summer treats!

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Tip

Making ice cream sandwiches is a blast, but it can also be very messy. We recommend keeping both dry and damp towels nearby, as this will make cleanup a breeze. The damp ones will be a lifesaver for sticky situations...trust us on this one! It’s also a good idea to make space in your freezer and have a few freezer-safe dishes or small baking sheets ready to go. This way, you’ll be able to quickly store finished ice cream sandwiches and limit how long they sit at room temperature.

Recipe 1: Blue Fin Ice Cream Sandwiches

Things You'll Need

  • Sugar cookie dough (regular and blue)

  • Rainbow sprinkles

  • Vanilla ice cream

  • Shark fin icing decorations

  • Circle cookie cutter

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Tip

To dye sugar cookie dough, add a few drops of blue or teal food coloring to a ball of dough. Knead until color is evenly dispersed throughout. We recommend wearing gloves during this step, as food coloring might stain your hands. Also, keep in mind that coloring will intensify over time. Start with less than you think you need; you can always add more later.

1. Make marbled "wave" cookies

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

To create marbled cookies, twist and roll two cookie doughs. It only takes a few twists to marble dough. Avoid overmixing, as this will make colors blend too much.

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Dietary Modifications for Ice Cream Sandwiches

These ice cream sandwich recipes can be totally personalized. For example, each homemade ice cream sandwich calls for sugar cookie dough, but you don’t need to make it from scratch. Feel free to use store-bought cookie dough if that’s easier. What’s more, if you follow a gluten-free diet, you can use your go-to gluten-free cookie dough. The same goes for the ice cream! You’re welcome to use dairy-free or lactose-free versions if needed.

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Form dough into uniform-size balls.

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Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Bake according to recipe, subtracting two to three minutes from listed bake time. This will ensure cookies remain soft and chewy. If cookies are extra crispy, they'll become too hard in the freezer. Let cookies cool completely.

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Tip

If cookies spread too much during baking, use a circle cookie cutter to reshape them while they’re still warm.

2. Add ice cream

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Working in batches, place a small scoop of your favorite ice cream (we used vanilla) on one cookie. As tempting as it might be, it's important to avoid overstuffing sandwiches with ice cream. Otherwise, they'll become difficult to decorate.

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3. Decorate cookies

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Press a second cookie on top of ice cream. Dip sides into rainbow sprinkles.

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Tip

If you want to keep remaining sprinkles dry, try sprinkling them onto sandwiches.

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Gently press a shark fin icing decoration into side so it appears to be swimming in the marbled "wave." Freeze or serve immediately.

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Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Recipe 2: Sandy Ice Cream Sandwiches

Things You'll Need

  • Sugar cookie dough

  • Blue icing

  • Graham cracker crumbs

  • Starfish sprinkles

  • Shell sprinkles

  • Chocolate rocks

  • Gummy sharks

  • Edible pearls

  • Cotton candy ice cream

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Tip

Feel free to use any icing you’d like. We used cream cheese frosting with a few drops of blue food coloring. You can also use teal or navy food coloring.

1. Make cookies

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Bake sugar cookies according to recipe. Again, remove cookies two to three minutes early to keep them soft. Let cool completely.

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Tip

If needed, use a circle cookie cutter to reshape cookies if they spread too much during baking.

2. Decorate cookies

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Spread blue icing onto a cookie. Add graham cracker crumbs along bottom for "sand." If you don't have graham crackers, brown sugar also works. Top with starfish and shell sprinkles. Follow with chocolate rocks, a gummy shark and edible pearls.

Tip

If possible, don’t add ice cream until you’re ready to serve the sandwiches. Freezing gummy sharks and other toppings might make them too hard to eat.

3. Add ice cream

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

When you're ready to serve your summertime treat, add a scoop of your go-to ice cream flavor to a blank cookie. We used cotton candy ice cream.

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Press a decorated beach scene cookie on top and then dive in!

Recipe 3: Shark Ice Cream Sandwiches

Things You'll Need

  • Sugar cookie dough

  • Vanilla ice cream, softened

  • All-purpose flour

  • Shark cookie cutter

  • Chunky sprinkle mix

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Tip

To soften ice cream, place carton in refrigerator for about 30 minutes.

1. Refreeze ice cream

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Line a rimmed cookie sheet with parchment paper or plastic wrap. Using a spatula, spread softened ice cream into an even layer about 1 in. thick. Freeze until solid, at least an hour. The total time it takes to freeze will depend on thickness of ice cream, brand of ice cream and your freezer.

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Tip

For a classic ice cream sandwich touch, we used vanilla ice cream. However, you’re welcome to use any flavor, like strawberry or chocolate ice cream. If you love Chipwiches, you could even fold mini chocolate chips into softened ice cream or use chocolate chip cookie dough instead of sugar cookie.

2. Bake cookies

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Dust a silicone baking mat or parchment paper with all-purpose flour. Roll out sugar cookie dough and cut out several sharks. To make this step easier, dip cookie cutter into flour before cutting out shape. This will prevent cutter from sticking to dough.

Tip

For half of the shark cutouts, be sure to flip cookie cutter. This way, you’ll have two “mirrored” cookies per sandwich.

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Bake cookies according to recipe or package, removing them two to three minutes early. Let cookies cool completely.

3. Add ice cream

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Remove ice cream from freezer. Using cookie cutter, quickly cut out a shark shape.

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Carefully place ice cream atop a cooled cookie and then press a second cookie on top.

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Tip

Return ice cream to freezer as needed. Another option is to spread ice cubes on a second sheet pan and place ice cream on top as you work.

4. Decorate cookies

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Add chunky sprinkle mix to sides of sandwich. Depending on your specific sprinkles, you might need to gently press it into ice cream.

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Serve or freeze immediately.

How to Make Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

For the ultimate no-bake summer treat, try turning shark-shaped ice cream sandwiches into a cake. Simply add a layer of sandwiches to a baking dish and then spread whipped cream on top. Repeat until dish is full and then garnish with classic ice cream toppings, like drizzled peanut butter, brownie pieces and hot fudge sauce.

You can also turn other sandwiches into an ice cream cake, with a few exceptions. For shark fin sandwiches, skip icing decorations and add them to the top of the cake just before serving. For a beach scene version, make sandwiches with plain cookies. Then, when you’re ready to serve the cake, add decorated cookies on top as a garnish. How fun is that?

Serve these chilled treats at a beach party, indulge at home or whip up a batch for an ocean-themed birthday party. No matter the occasion, these colorful creations are sure to make waves.

Can't get enough beachy desserts? Be sure to check out our cheesecake beach buckets recipe.

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