Dairy-Free Ice Cream Sandwiches – Cool, Creamy & Completely Inclusive

Discover how to make the best dairy-free ice cream sandwiches at home — vegan, gluten-free, and 100% delicious. Easy recipes, expert tips, and flavour pairings everyone can enjoy.

A Classic Treat, Remade for Everyone

There’s something nostalgic about an ice cream sandwich. Two soft, chewy cookies hugging a slab of ice cream — eaten too fast on a hot day while trying to keep it from melting down your wrist. ☀️🍪🍦

But for many of us, that classic combo hasn’t always been inclusive. Whether you’re dairy-free, vegan, or gluten-sensitive, store-bought versions rarely tick all the boxes.

We’ve developed a fully flexible, ridiculously delicious set of ideas for building your own dairy-free ice cream sandwiches at home — plus a bonus biscuit recipe that’s naturally dairy-free and easily adapted for both vegan and gluten-free needs.

Whether you’re looking for a fun summer baking project, something indulgent, yet inclusive, or just a reason to finally use those silicone moulds — let’s build the ultimate plant-based frozen treat.

Remembering the first time I bit into a dairy-free ice cream sandwich that actually felt like a real ice cream sandwich — soft cookie, creamy centre, cold enough to make you pause mid-bite. I had to double-check the label. Could something this indulgent really be vegan?

Since then, I’ve been on a mission to create inclusive ice cream sandwiches that everyone can enjoy — no matter your dietary needs or preferences.

We’re talking chewy cookies (that don’t go rock hard in the freezer), creamy dairy-free ice cream (no icy cardboard here), and flavour combos that make you double-take it’s dairy-free!

When done right, plant-based ice cream sandwiches are every bit as nostalgic, satisfying, and drool-worthy as the original. Actually… they might be better.

✅ In This Article, You’ll Discover:

• How to make your own dairy-free ice cream sandwiches (no fancy tools needed)
• A soft, chewy cookie recipe that’s dairy-free with vegan & gluten-free options
• 3 flavour pairing ideas using our favourite dairy-free ice cream recipes
• Storage & assembly tips for that perfect sandwich texture
• How to customise for fully plant-based and gluten-free needs

🍃 Inclusive Scoops for All

Gone are the days when dietary needs meant going without. Whether you’re dairy-free, gluten-sensitive, vegan, or simply more mindful about what goes into your body, the food scene has evolved — and so has dessert.

Today, flavour and flexibility go hand in hand. Thanks to clever swaps and better ingredients, everyone can indulge in a soft, creamy, cookie-sandwiched treat without compromise. Inclusivity never tasted so good.

Below you’ll find our foolproof formula for homemade dairy-free ice cream sandwiches — starting with a soft, chewy cookie base, then paired with one of our scoop-worthy favourites from the recipe archive.

Mix, match, and get creative — the possibilities are as endless as your appetite.

🍪 Homemade Dairy-Free “Sandwich” Cookies

Perfectly soft, slightly chewy, and freezer-friendly. These cookies are designed to stay tender after freezing — no tooth-breaking biscuits here!

(Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 10–12 mins | Yields: 10–12 cookies (5–6 sandwiches)

Ingredients:

• 120g dairy-free butter (Flora Plant or Naturli work well)
• 100g light brown sugar
• 50g caster sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp plant milk (oat or almond work best)
• 150g plain flour (sub GF blend if needed)
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• Optional: 100g dairy-free choc chips or chopped nuts/dried fruit

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan) / 350°F.
2. Cream the butter with both sugars until light and fluffy.
3. Stir in the vanilla and plant milk.
4. Fold in flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
5. Gently mix until you have a soft dough. Add choc chips or extras if using.
6. Scoop onto a lined tray (tablespoon-sized balls), then slightly flatten.
7. Bake for 10–12 mins until golden at edges — centres should stay soft.
8. Cool completely before assembling your sandwiches.

💡 Make-Ahead Tip: These freeze beautifully — store baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 month.

🍨 The Ice Cream Fillings – 3 Dreamy Pairings

Pair your cookies with one of these easy dairy-free favourites from our recipe archive — no-churn, creamy, and scoop-ready.

1️⃣ Classic Vanilla Bean + Chocolate Chip Cookie

→ from our Vanilla Almond Ice Cream recipe
Old-school combo, plant-based upgrade. Soft cookies + creamy vanilla? Always a win.

2️⃣ Chocolate and Coconut Ice Cream + Peanut Butter Cookie

→ from our Rich Chocolate and Coconut Ice Cream recipe
Rich, dreamy, and full of salty-sweet magic. Add crushed peanuts into your cookie dough for extra crunch and contrast.

3️⃣ Mango Sorbet + Coconut Macaroon Cookie

→ from our Mango Passionfruit Sorbet
Tropical and refreshing — perfect for summer days. Try our coconut macaroon cookie variation (coming soon!) for the ultimate tropical pairing.

💡 Assembly Tip: Let your ice cream soften slightly before scooping — then freeze the assembled sandwiches for 30–60 minutes to firm up without going rock hard.

🌱 How to Make It Fully Vegan

These recipes are already mostly there — just a few switches:

• ✅ Use certified vegan butter (Flora Plant, Naturli, Miyoko’s)
• ✅ Skip honey if using and swap for maple syrup or agave
• ✅ Use vegan choc chips (like NOMO or Moo-Free)
• ✅ Double-check that your milk & sweeteners are fully plant-based

🌾 Gluten-Free Adaptation

Need it GF? Easy!

• Swap flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend
• Add ½ tsp xanthan gum if your flour doesn’t contain it
• Check your baking powder is gluten-free (some aren’t!)

The result will still be soft, chewy, and totally sandwich-worthy cookies, ready to sandwich your deliciously creamy ice cream.

🍫 Topping Ideas to Take It Up a Notch

Want to give your dairy-free ice cream sandwiches a glow-up? Roll them in something crunchy, drizzle with something gooey, or stack with your favourite extras.

Whether you’re going classic or creative, here are a selection of topping ideas that are all plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free friendly.

🌰 Crunchy Coats – Roll the Sides In:

• Crushed roasted almonds or peanuts
• Chopped pistachios (adds colour and saltiness)
• Desiccated coconut or toasted coconut flakes
• Freeze-dried raspberry or strawberry crumbs
• Crushed gluten-free cookies (Oreos are accidentally vegan!)
• Gluten-free granola or nut clusters
• Cacao nibs for a dark chocolatey crunch

🍯 Saucy Drizzles – Over the Top:

• Melted dairy-free dark chocolate
• Vegan chocolate sauce (or make your own with cocoa + maple syrup + coconut oil)
• Salted date caramel (blended dates, salt, and a splash of almond milk)
• Fruit compote or warmed-up jam (like raspberry or mango swirl)
• Tahini or almond butter drizzle (surprisingly lush!)
• Vegan white chocolate drizzle for contrast

🍓 Fun & Festive Finishes:

• Rainbow sprinkles (check labels for vegan/gluten-free status)
• Crushed candy canes (for peppermint vibes)
• Citrus zest (lemon or orange adds brightness)
• Mini dairy-free marshmallows
• Edible dried rose petals or lavender (for floral flair)

💡 Tip: Slightly soften your sandwiches before rolling in toppings — it helps everything stick better!

❄️ Storing & Serving Tips

• Freeze sandwiches individually on a tray first, then wrap in parchment and pop them into a container.
• Serve straight from the freezer, or let sit for 3–5 mins for the perfect bite.
• Store for up to 1 month — but let’s be honest, they won’t last that long…

📎 Related Reads You Might Like:

🍦 The Best Dairy-Free Ice Cream Recipes For Hot Summer Days
No-churn, naturally creamy favourites for your freezer stash.

🍨 Get the Scoop on NEED Ice Cream – Vegan Ice Cream You NEED To Try
Meet the South London legends making game-changing vegan sandwiches.

🥣 How to Make Ice Cream Without an Ice Cream Maker
Churn-free tips for dreamy scoops.

💡 How to Store Homemade Ice Cream for the Best Texture & Flavour
Keep your creations scoopable, smooth, and freezer-burn free.

The Final Scoop

Dairy-free ice cream sandwiches are no longer second-best — they’re first in flavour, totally customisable, and wonderfully inclusive.

Whether you’re going full vegan, gluten-free, or just want a cool treat that doesn’t compromise, these recipes give you the freedom to get creative with your cookies and your scoops.

So go ahead:
🍪 Stack ‘em tall
🌰 Roll the edges in crushed nuts or sprinkles
🌞 Freeze a batch for sunny afternoon cravings

Now that’s what we call a cool sandwich.

💡 Did You Know?
Most shop-bought cookies contain hidden dairy or eggs. Making your own means total control — and much better flavour.

👉🏽 Hungry for more? Explore our full alternative recipe archive for dairy-free and vegan inspiration.

We hope that you’ve enjoyed our article – The Best Dairy-Free Ice Cream Sandwiches – Cool, Creamy & Completely Inclusive – and that it’s inspired you to get a little creative in the kitchen.

Whether you’re going full vegan, exploring dairy-free options, or simply craving something a bit nostalgic (without the lactose), these homemade sandwiches are a fun, flavour-packed treat that everyone can enjoy.

If you have any questions, tips to share, or want to show off your latest creation, drop us a comment below — we love hearing from fellow scoop enthusiasts.

Stay connected for more homemade ice cream inspiration! Share your frozen masterpieces with us on social media, and join our community of cookie-stacking, sandwich-scooping, flavour-chasing dessert lovers.

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