Mocha Macadamia Nut Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches Recipes

MOCHA-MACADAMIA NUT-CHOCOLATE COOKIE ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

Steps:

• In the large bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle or beaters, on medium speed soften the butter. Add the brown and granulated sugars. When the sugar is incorporated, raise the speed to high and continue to beat until fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl and under the beaters with a rubber spatula, as necessary. Lower the speed to medium and add the eggs, 1 at a time, and the vanilla, again scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Turn the speed to low, gradually pour in the flour mixture, and beat until just combined. Add the chocolate and nuts and again beat until just combined.
• Sift together the flour, cocoa, espresso, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
• Scrape the dough out of the bowl and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 2 to 3 hours, up to overnight. Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 1 or 2 baking trays with parchment paper.
• Remove the dough from the refrigerator and divide into mounds, about 1-ounce each (the size of an unshelled walnut). Roll between the palms of your hands, forming 60 to 62 balls of dough. Arrange the balls on the prepared trays, about 2 inches apart. Bake until slightly firm to the touch, 13 to 15 minutes, reversing the trays from front to back after 7 minutes to ensure even baking. Place the trays on racks to cool. After a few minutes, transfer the cookies to the racks with a wide metal spatula to continue to cool. If reusing the baking tray, cool slightly before arranging the balls of dough on it.
• Take the ice cream out of the freezer and let soften slightly for 10 minutes. When the cookies have cooled, spread half of the cookies with some ice cream. Top with another cookie and press lightly. Wrap in plastic wrap and freeze until firm.

MOCHA ICE CREAM SANDWICHES WITH MACADAMIA NUT-HAWAIIAN VINTAGE CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES

Steps:

• Let the ice cream soften at room temperature until a spreadable consistency, about 5 minutes.
• In a shallow dish, spread the toasted coconut.
• Place one 1/2-cup scoop of ice cream in the center of 6 cookies. Press down on the ice cream with the scoop to push the ice cream out to the cookies' edges. Top with the remaining cookies, pressing together to form sandwiches. With a butter knife, smooth the ice cream around the edges. Roll the sandwiches in the toasted coconut and place on a baking sheet. Freeze until just firm, about 10 minutes before serving. (Or, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and keep frozen until ready to serve.)
• In the top of double boiler set over medium high heat, melt the chocolate. Remove from the heat.
• In a medium saucepan, bring the cream to a gentle boil. Remove from the heat.
• In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until slightly thickened. Whisk 1/2 cup of the hot cream into the egg mixture. Whisk in the coffee powder. In a slow, steady stream, gradually add the egg mixture to the pan of hot cream. Cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon and reaches 170 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and strain the mixture into a clean bowl through a fine mesh strainer, pressing against the strainer with the back of a spoon. Add the melted chocolate and vanilla. Pour into a container and cover with waxed paper or plastic wrap, pressing down against the surface to keep a skin from forming. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
• When cold, pour into the bowl of an ice cream machine. Churn and freeze according to manufacturer's instructions. When the ice cream has come together, transfer to an airtight container and place in the freezer until ready to serve.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a baking sheet and set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the egg, almond extract, and vanilla and mix well.
• Onto a sheet of waxed paper or into a bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and mix well. Fold in the chocolate and nuts.
• With a 1/4-cup scoop, portion out the dough onto the baking sheet, leaving 2-inches between each piece. Bake until the edges are golden brown but the centers are still slightly soft, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. With a spatula, transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool before assembling the ice cream sandwiches.