KJL's TV Dinners: Michelle Tanner's Ice Cream and Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwiches

Nothing makes Michelle Tanner happier on Full House than a bowl of ice cream, a piece of chocolate cake, or a cookie jar. She loves sweets and she's not afraid to tell everyone about her sweet tooth. She loves chocolate. 

I have always loved Full House. I grew up watching reruns and it's a wholesome, funny show about a "full" family with single dad Danny Tanner (Bob Saget), Uncle Jesse (John Stamos), Joey (Dave Coulier), and the three Tanner girls: D.J. (Candace Cameron Bure), Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin), and Michelle (Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen). Yes, the show is cheesy at times, but it's also uplifting and comforting. It reminds you of the most important family values. 

"Full House" (photo/Los Angeles Times)

Because the show is so nostalgic and still popular with fans, I thought it would be appropriate to feature in my next installment of "KJL's TV Dinners." It was difficult to decide which recipe I should feature from the show. There are many memorable "food-related" moments from the show. 

In general, D.J.'s long-term boyfriend, Steve (Scott Weinger), basically ate anything in the Tanner kitchen. Danny's fiance, Vicky (Gail Edwards), prepared homemade pizza with goat cheese and pasta with green pesto sauce. Danny made "turkey in a boot" for Vicky. Finally, a Thanksgiving episode from the show's first season had poor results. 

But, I ultimately decided to focus on Michelle's love for chocolate, cookies, and ice cream. It's almost summer, which means we'll be eating ice cream more often now. It's a refreshing, delicious treat on a hot summer day. So, I present to you a recipe for homemade ice cream sandwiches. These dessert sandwiches combine homemade chocolate chip cookies and ice cream. 

Michelle Tanner would LOVE this dessert, and I'm sure you will, as well. 

Ice Cream Sandwiches 

Ice cream and chocolate chip cookie sandwiches.

I haven't had ice cream sandwiches since I was a kid. It was a refreshing, delicious summer treat, especially after spending the day playing outside or swimming in the pool. I'm combining vanilla ice cream with chocolate chip cookies in this ice cream "chipwich" recipe. It's easy to prepare, but the secret is all in the homemade chocolate chip cookie. 

You need to freeze the cookies after they're done baking so the sandwiches aren't "mushy." Freezing the cookies makes them sturdier. You need stiff cookies in order to sandwich the ice cream in between them, or else you'll have a crumbly cookie. No one wants to eat that. The chilled cookies will maintain their delicious flavors. 

To prepare these ice cream sandwiches, you will need the following ingredients: 

• 1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt 
• 7 Tbsp. butter, room temperature
• 3/4 c. brown sugar, packed
• 2 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips (a few more chocolate chips for the sandwiches)
•  Half gallon vanilla ice cream 

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a mixing bowl (or a stand mixer), beat on medium speed the butter, brown sugar, and sugar until light and fluffy. This will take about four minutes. Add the egg and vanilla, and beat until combined. 

With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the dough. Be careful not to overbeat the mixture. With a wooden spoon, fold in the chocolate chips in the dough. 

Scoop about two tablespoons of the cookie dough, place onto the prepared baking sheet, and shape it into a ball. Repeat by placing each ball of cookie dough about 1-to-2-inches apart. Bake for about 12 minutes, or until the cookies start to turn brown. 

Allow the cookies to cool completely. Then, transfer to the freezer for about 20 to 30 minutes. The cookies should be hard when you assemble the sandwiches. 

Ice cream and chocolate chip cookie sandwiches.

To make the ice cream sandwiches, take one cookie and place a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the flat side of the cookie. Top with the flat side of the second cookie to make a sandwich. Place mini chocolate chips on a plate. Roll the sides of the sandwich in the chocolate chips. Serve immediately so the ice cream doesn't melt. If you have any leftover sandwiches, you can wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store in the freezer. Enjoy! 

Michelle Tanner would approve of this dessert. After all, she said, "Ice cream is very important." I can't disagree with her. 

-KJL-