banana pudding ice cream sandwich {recipe}

As the days of summer start to wind down, I thought it would be the perfect time to make one of my all-time favorite summer snacks.  Growing up I used to LOVE ice cream sandwiches and I thought what better way to cool off than with a variation on the American classic.  I decided to try something new by creating a banana pudding style ice cream sandwich.  With just a few easy steps and even fewer ingredients, you too can have this delicious summer treat!  I can’t wait to hear what you think!

needed: banana “ice cream” (recipe below), vanilla “wafers” (recipe below) cool whip (refrigerated so it has softened)

{banana “ice cream” recipe}  *For best results, make day before you plan on making your sandwiches* 

4 x ripe bananas

* peel bananas and slice into coin style pieces

* place all banana slices into a freezer safe bag or container and freeze for 4 to 24 hours

* pour frozen banana slices into blender or food processor and blend until creamy and smooth (you will see the banana go from chunky to mushy to creamy – make sure you wait until you have reached the creamy stage)

* pour banana “ice cream” back in your freezer safe container and freeze until solid

{vanilla wafer recipe}

1 box of vanilla cake mix (we used duncan hines french vanilla)

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 eggs

* preheat oven to 350 degrees

* beat cake mix, butter, vanilla and eggs with a mixer until combined – spoon 2 inch balls onto baking sheet lined with parchment paper

*bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes – do not over bake.  The cookies should still be soft.  Let cookies cool for 5 minutes on the cookie sheet and then move to wire cooling rack until completely cool

Once cookies have cooled, remove ice cream from freezer and let soften just a couple minutes.  Place all of the cookies bottom side up.  Spoon the ice cream on one cookie and then spoon the cool whip on another cookie.  Gently place the two cookies together and wrap in saran wrap.  Place back in freezer until frozen solid.  Enjoy!!