A holiday waffle ice cream sandwich recipe using cake mix that couldn't be easier! Stir in peppermint candy for a festive flavor and fill with rich vanilla ice cream.
As seen in All Recipes magazine with Breyers Ice Cream.
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Waffles and ice cream are the perfect match
Who says that breakfast food and ice cream don't go together? I love making an ice cream sandwich with homemade waffles because it makes a substantial dessert.
In this recipe, a pair of peppermint waffles (made with cake mix! Woop!) squish creamy vanilla ice cream to make a festive homemade ice cream sandwich. This low-effort dessert is the perfect holiday recipe for your get-togethers.
Seriously perfect for Christmas, these ice cream sammies are easy enough for kids to make too. They can mix up the batter with the cake mix, add the peppermint, and spoon it onto the waffle iron.
Let them devour them immediately or store them in the freezer for later. I'm giving you permission to eat ice cream with whatever you want!
Store bought or homemade ice cream sandwiches?
Remember those brick-shaped chocolate ice cream sandwiches that you bought from the ice cream man as a kid? I absolutely loved those. Well, even though I am, ahem, grown-up, I still have an affinity for ice cream sandwiches. I just prefer homemade ice cream sandwiches now!
Many other homemade ice cream sandwich recipes are made with drop cookies, and I think those get too hard in the freezer.
Making them with waffles is the perfect solution. Like the classic sandwich, these waffles stay perfectly soft.
And bonus: they are peppermint just like my Peppermint Marshmallow Sandwich Cookies!
Ingredients and equipment
Use cake mix for the easiest dessert waffles recipe
You're going to absolutely love this recipe for two reasons: it's delicious and it's easy.
These waffles are made with a boxed cake mix! So you know that it's going to be good. All you have to do is combine the cake mix with a little water and oil, a couple of eggs, and throw in some crushed peppermint candies.
You can certainly crush your own peppermints or candy canes for this recipe, but I like to buy them pre-crushed! The candy dust has been removed and they look beautiful. Grab a small package of candy cane crunch online.
If you make a lot of peppermint desserts, get a large size crushed peppermint candy container. If kept in a cool, dark place, this candy can last several years and still taste great. You can use it on flavored brownies, in cookies, waffles, on ice cream and cakes.
Equipment you'll need
You almost can't find small-hole, American style waffle makers anymore. These mini waffles work the best on that style of waffle maker, not a Belgian waffle iron.
If you don't have your grandmother's waffle iron, and really want a classic American style waffle, you can invest in a Croquade waffle iron and get the Galettes waffle plate.
Of course, you can make these on a Belgian waffle iron if that is all you have. They will just look slightly different!
A make-ahead waffle ice cream sandwich
There are a few ways to make these treats ahead of time.
Make the cake mix peppermint waffles, let them cool and freeze them in a ziptop bag. When you are ready to serve, just fill them with ice cream.
The other option is the make and assemble the ice cream sandwiches completely and freeze them individually wrapped. Work quickly to get them into the freezer so the ice cream doesn't melt, and refrain from adding the extra candy garnish until you pull them out of the freezer to serve.
Fun ice cream sandwich ideas and flavors
If you're looking for more ice cream sandwich ideas, I've got a few for you.
- Start with picking out your cookie, or in this case your waffle! Other cookies that would work for ice cream sandwiches are my Award-Winning Chocolate Chip Cookies or my Soft Gingerbread Cookies.
- Then choose your ice cream. Use store-bought (super easy) or make your own. A classic Vanilla Ice Cream or Rich Chocolate Ice Cream will do the trick. Into totally fun flavors of ice cream? Try one of my 24 Different Ice Cream Flavors.
For a sophisticated ice cream sandwich twist, try my Profiteroles Recipe with Ice Cream Filling. It's another delicious take on the classic hand-held dessert that feels fancy! Top it with hot fudge and you'll go to heaven.
FAQ
You can eat waffles hot, warm, or cold. And this recipe votes for cold! I love an indulgent breakfast of waffles topped with ice cream and fruit. This is my holiday take on that delight.
More Christmas desserts
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📖 Full Recipe
Peppermint Waffle Ice Cream Sandwiches
Ingredients
- ½ cup cold water
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoon canola oil or avocado oil
- 1½ cups white cake mix
- ¼ cup crushed peppermint candies (plus more for garnish)
- 4 ounces white or dark chocolate (melted)
- 3 cups Breyers Natural Vanilla Ice Cream
Instructions
- Heat a waffle iron to medium-high heat. Ideally use a waffle iron with small holes.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the water, egg, and oil. Add the dry cake mix and whisk just until mixed and smooth, about 30 seconds. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the crushed peppermint candies.
- Spoon or scoop 1½-to-2-tablespoons batter onto the center of each square of the waffle iron. Sprinkle with some of the peppermint candies. Close and cook until just golden and cooked according to the appliance directions, 1 minute to 90 seconds. Use a fork to gently remove waffles from iron. Repeat with all the batter.
- Using a pastry brush, brush one side of each waffle with the melted chocolate and let it set, chocolate side up, for about 5 minutes.
- Working quickly, scoop about ⅓ cup Breyers Ice Cream onto the chocolate side of one waffle and sandwich with another. Drizzle ice cream sandwiches with extra chocolate and sprinkle with extra peppermint candy if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
Tara Teaspoon
I’ve been in food publishing for over 25 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television, food brands, & advertising. With two cookbooks under my belt and thousands of my recipes at your fingertips, I hope you'll be inspired to spend more time in the kitchen!
Also written by Lindsay Steele
Mia says
OH! My! Goodness! This is high on the list to try ASAP. Peppermint and waffles! could there be a better combination?
Megan Palmer says
I love how you can prep this beforehand! Definitely making this soon.