Creamy no-churn peanut butter ice cream sandwiched between two tender peanut butter cookies. This delicious low carb, grain-free dessert recipe requires no ice cream maker. What are you waiting for?
What do you consider the first day of summer? Do you go by the official solstice or is there another date that marks the occasion in your mind? I have heard some say that Memorial Day is the start of summer but I don’t get that. Perhaps it’s because I live in the northeast, where chilly, rainy temperatures can hold on well into June. They certainly did this year and it’s only just now beginning to feel a bit summery. But for me, summer doesn’t really start until school ends. That’s how I saw it as a kid, as a university student, as an academic advisor and now how I see it as a parent. We aren’t free to enjoy summer weather until school is out so it’s best not to even consider it summer until that first day of freedom. For my kids, that’s not until next Wednesday, thanks to all of the snow days we had this past winter. So June 25th is the first day of summer this year, I don’t care what anyone else says.
But given that the “official” first day of summer is three days away, I felt duty-bound to offer up a truly summery treat. You can’t have summer without a good ice cream sammie recipe, right? I mean, hand-held ice cream treats are practically required when the mercury rises and the humidity strikes. Remember being a kid and hanging out with your friends, riding your bikes down to the local convenience store to pick out popsicles and ice cream sandwiches? And then eating those treats, starting out slowly and lazily, then having to gobble them down faster and faster to avoid losing too much of the sweet goodness to the summer heat.
Of course, it’s not like we really have that option on a low carb diet. There are a few lower carb ice cream treats on the market but they tend to be a bit junky still and not as low carb as they are when I make them myself. Plus homemade means that they usually taste better and I can play around with flavour ideas to my liking. Sure, it’s a little more effort, but I think it’s worth it. And these low carb peanut butter ice cream sandwiches are especially worth it, because the ice cream filling doesn’t require any churning! Yep, you read that right. You do NOT need an ice cream maker to make these awesome low carb treats. And awesome they are, my friends, I do declare.
I originally intended for them to be made with churned ice cream, as I was going to use my low carb peanut butter ice cream recipe for the filling. Then I switched gears at the last minute and decided I would follow the recipe for my low carb Peanut Butter Popsicles instead. But the filling was so thick, I realized that I would have to thin it out a lot to be able to churn it in an ice cream maker. So I decided to skip the churning process altogether and slap it between the cookies as it was. And hope for the best upon freezing. Thankfully, it worked perfectly. The thickness and richness of the “ice cream” filling means it doesn’t freeze overly hard. And it also doesn’t melt and drip everywhere as it warms up. It stays nice and creamy, right in the middle of your ice cream sandwich instead of dripping all onto the plate or the floor. I have to say, it might be one of my better last minute ideas…
- 1 1/2 cups almond flour
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp xanthan gum
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup Kelapo coconut oil softened
- 1/2 cup Swerve Sweetener
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup powdered Swerve Sweetener
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp stevia extract
- 3/4 cup heavy cream room temperature
- Preheat oven to 325F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, xanthan gum, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat together peanut butter and coconut oil until well combined. Beat in sweetener, then beat in egg and vanilla extract.
- Beat in almond flour mixture until dough comes together.
- Form dough into 1-inch balls and place about 3 inches apart on prepared baking sheets (you should get 30 cookies).
- Use a flat-bottomed glass covered in parchment or plastic wrap to press cookies into flat discs about 1/4 inch thick. Score tops with a fork to create a criss-cross pattern.
- Bake cookies 13 to 15 minutes, or until just lightly browned and set. Remove and let cool completely.
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and peanut butter until smooth. Beat in sweetener, vanilla and stevia.
- Add cream and beat until smooth.
- To assemble, take one peanut butter cookie and spread the bottom with about 2 & 1/2 tablespoons of peanut butter filling. Top with another cookie, bottom-side in.
- Repeat with remaining cookies and filling. Freeze cookies 2 hours before serving. If frozen longer, allow to soften at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.
Serves 15. Eacy serving has 9.77 g of carbs and 3.42 g of fiber. Total NET CARBS = 6.35 g.
Food energy: 369kcal
Saturated fatty acids: 14.77g
Total fat: 32.87g
Calories from fat: 295
Cholesterol: 36mg
Carbohydrate: 9.77g
Total dietary fiber: 3.42g
Protein: 10.78g
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream
Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Popsicles
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
Summer definitely requires ice cream, regardless of when it starts. These look amazing! I’ve been loving the no-churn recipes this summer so I’ll have to give yours a try:-) Especially since they are peanut butter!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
I am dead. These babies totally kill me, in the best possible way.
I almost wrote popsicle way, because my brain wants to go check out the recipe as well.
These are amazing. You rock. I <3 you. Pinned!
Carla says
OH MY CHILD WOULD LOSE HER MIND!!!!
Carolyn says
Well, let’s do it then and see what happens!
Judith says
Carolyn, you are in my favorites and I check in daily….BUT this morning I saw these in Yahoo news!!
I love that LC recipes are showing up in the news and what could be better than recipes?
Carolyn says
What? Really???
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
Gosh these look incredible!!! I bet the flavor is unbelievable!
Michelle says
*faints*
I have to make these!
Cookin Canuck says
My kids got out of school a couple of weeks ago, so we are well into the swing of summer. I must admit that I am loving the lazy mornings.
You have once again proven that you are the queen of low-carb. These are brilliant, Carolyn!
Tammy says
Do these fit in the THM plan and if so are they an S or E? Thanks.
Carolyn says
Definitely an S and I believe everything is THM approved.
Eva@Whole Food Mom on a Budget says
Everything is THM approved. 🙂 I’ve yet to see a recipe from Carolyn that is not on plan. I can’t wait to try these!
Philis says
I wish I could eat as much neat snacks as you without gaining weight. Maybe if I was as active as you I could. Love the LOOKS of all the things you offer and make some once in a blue moon. Whenever that is.
Jessica says
Hey! These look amazing! I have a ton of peanut flour could I substitute that for the peanut butter and almond flour? I’m trying to figure out measurements 🙂
Carolyn says
You can sub it for the almond flour, not so sure about the PB because you really need the moisture content. For the almond flour, you want less peanut flour because it’s much denser. Maybe 1 cup?
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
Although I do have an ice cream maker, it’s nice to make ice cream without it sometimes. Especially if it means the sooner I get to eat it!
Sue says
I will give these a try since I just bought a 4 lb bag of coconut flour at Costco. Is the peanut butter natural or regular? I don’t bake low-carb exclusively so when I see “creamy peanut butter” I’m thinking it’s regular.
Carolyn says
Either will work, as some natural peanut butters are really creamy now.
Sue says
I made the cookies last night using natural peanut butter and they came out great. But now I’m out of peanut butter so it’s off to the Job Lot so I can make the filling. (Keeping my fingers crossed that they have my favorite, Brad’s Organic.)
Emily @ Life on Food says
I totally want to try this no churn trick for ice cream cookie sandwiches. No drip but soft. Sounds like a very good thing.
Charity says
Can you sub THM sweet blend for the Swerve? If so, how much? TIA!!
Carolyn says
I am sure you could. I think it would sub cup for cup – is the THM brand meant to measure like sugar?
Gabrielle says
No, it is 1 cup of sugar to 1/3 cup of THM sweet blend. Can’t wait to try these!
Carolyn says
Ah, thanks!
Mercedes says
I can’t believe <10g carbs for this decadent-looking treat! You are amazing!
unterderlaterne says
No one from all the LC bloggers have impressed me as much as you ! I wish I had the time to try all your recipes! I am working on it ! Truly amazing food! Thank you Carolyn
Carolyn says
Thank you!
linda says
Hi Carolyn,
I noticed the Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter popsicles call for 1 cup of peanut butter, but you’ve only listed 3/4 cup in these sandwiches.
Does it matter?
Love your ideas!
Carolyn says
No, it doesn’t matter. I am always playing around with my recipes and I was trying to get the filling for the sandwiches a little less thick, and more ice cream-like.
Jen M. says
Made these the day I saw the recipe – they did not disappoint! I had some fun pressing out the cookies (read: they gave me trouble), but they were just delicious! I can’t wait to make another batch!
Ann says
Wonderful recipe!!! I used all almond flour and natural pb. I got 28 cookies, but mine were a little thicker than the pictures. If I thin them out next time I can get a couple more. I think this one is going to beat out the gingerbread cake as my all time favorite!
Laureen says
These look so delicious. , I will have to try this recipe soon!
Amy says
Can I use something other than coconut flour for this recipe, like use almond or peanut flour instead?
Carolyn says
I haven’t tested it with almond flour or peanut flour. Peanut should work but I think more almond flour would make the cookies too crumbly.
dina says
i love that these are made with healthy flours. yum!
rmjw3 says
Okay, huge fan of this recipe! Any more no-churn ice cream-type of recipes? Also, Carolyn do you have any simple meals that use heavy cream? Plz point me in the right direction — AND THANK YOU!!
Carolyn says
You are looking for main dishes that take heavy cream? Here are a few: https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/2014/05/low-carb-easy-taco-pie.html
https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/2013/01/roasted-garlic-chicken-soup-low-carb-and-gluten-free.html
https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/2012/12/brown-butter-mushroom-soup.html
rmjw3 says
Thank you, Carolyn! Yes, I love heavy cream! If there are more no-churn ice cream-ANYTHING you have, please advise.
kjustinn says
I made this delicious recipe. they taste just like nutter butter cookies. the only mistake I made is making them too big. next time I will make them small, will be easier to handle when assembling. and a lighter snack, as they taste very rich. love them! a keeper.
Brandy says
For some reason my cookies were crumbly. I used the exact ingredients listed. Would you know what I may have done incorrectly? Thanks!
Taste wonderful though 😉
Carolyn says
Without being there, I cannot say for sure. Did you use almond meal instead of almond flour? Did they bake too long?
Amber says
Just curious what your batter looks like before baked? Mine is very crumbly wondering if I packed my almond flour too tightly or something but not sure what the batter should look like.This is the second time trying almond flour cookies that the batter was super crumbly.
Carolyn says
I don’t pack my almond flour at all. Unless instructions say to do so, I wouldn’t. Also, are you using really finely ground almond flour like Honeyville? That would make a difference.
James says
I was wondering about changing the sweetener for Splenda. Would the measurements be the same and how would the filling work? My wife has Gestational Diabetes and is about 7 months pregnant and Splenda is the approved sweetener for her. I would love to make these for her so any help would be appreciated.
Carolyn says
You can certainly try although I am not sure it will give the cookies the right consistency. I suspect they will be hard and crumbly. Swerve measure like sugar so you will need to figure out how much your Splenda measures in comparison to sugar.
James says
Thank you. If I decide to try it I will keep everyone updated.
Swati says
Hi could I use almond butter instead of peanut butter? Sorry but my husband just can’t have peanuts and would love to try this for him. Many thanks
Carolyn says
Sure!
Rose says
Yum! I’ll have to make some of the filling! I make low carb pb cookies using peanut flour. They’re like a peanut butter shortbread. I think putting some of the filling in would definitely kick them up a notch. 😀 (came by way of Facebook)
Cindy says
Can I substitute butter for the coconut oil?
Kimberly says
Hi, thanks for this wonderful recipe! The only issue I ran into is that my cookies turned out really crumbly and would fall apart upon picking them up. There was a small batch that seemed a bit more in tack and not as dark when I pulled them out however, they baked in the oven at the same time as the crumbly ones. Could I have overvalued the batch? I baked them for only 13 minutes. Just not sure if I did something wrong. Otherwise, they taste incredible!
Brad says
I made these (the cookie part) yesterday and followed the recipe, exactly, sort of (I used almond butter, instead). The ‘dough’ turned into little chick pea sized balls and was crumbly. After mashing little balls together, I gently smooshed each little 1″ size ball onto the parchment paper and baked away. **FYI- YOU MUST LET THEM COOL DOWN BEFORE HANDLING!** or else they will literally fall apart.
One they cooled, I ate a few and they were delicious. I’m still trying to get used to the coconut oil texture while eating them (BTW- I used ‘LouAna’ unscented/unflavored coconut oil, because sometimes its just too much flavor and overpowers the other flavors you want).
Anyway, I’m a little confused about carb/fat/caloric breakdown just per 1 cookie. Is there anyway you can provide that info. I just want to to make sure that eating more than 3 or 4 won’t be too regrettable.
Thanks!
Brad in Las Vegas, NV