Chocolate Coconut Waffled Ice Cream Sandwiches

I have been itching to test out an unusual idea that came to me a while back and this past Sunday (thanks to National Chocolate Chip Day) I finally had my golden opportunity.  Everyone talks about all of the crazy things you can cook in a waffle iron (ex. cinnamon rolls, french toast, grilled cheese, etc...) so my thought was, why not cookie dough?!  It seemed like a concept that would definitely work, and who doesn't love a crispy chocolate chip cookie every once in a while?

After a few rounds of trial and error, I finally figured out how to successfully waffle chocolate chip cookie dough (which of course had me jumping for joy!).  To take these delicious cookies to the next level, I decided to sandwich them with a scoop of my new favorite coconut sorbet and then finish them with a little toasted coconut.   The result?  A dangerously delicious and highly addictive dessert that I can't seem to get enough of!  These ice cream sandwiches are not only great to make for an impromptu single serving sweet treat, they also make for a fabulous summer party dessert idea.  You can customize the flavor pairings to fit your palette and who doesn't love a cool treat on a hot summer day? 

Below are the details for making these most delicious ice cream sandwiches. 

Ingredients

• 1 Bag Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
• Recipe for Nestle Toll House Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Coconut Gelato or Sorbet (*I recommend Sharon's Coconut Sorbet)
• Unsweetened Large Flaked Coconut (Toasted)
• Pam Non-Stick Cooking Spray (or similar)

Instructions

1. Make cookie dough according to the Nestle Toll House recipe
2. Heat Waffle Iron (*note- if you have temperature settings on your waffle iron, set it to Medium-Low)
3. When the waffle iron is ready, give each quadrant a quick mist of non-stick cooking spray on both the top and bottom plates
4. Apply a small scoop of cookie dough to each quadrant (I like to use this cookie scoop) and then close the iron so that the cookies can bake.
5. When the cookies are done, carefully remove each cookie from the waffle iron (*I use a small fork, but am extra careful to not scratch the waffle iron surface) and transfer to a cooling rack
6. Once cookies are cooled completely, add a scoop of coconut sorbet or gelato and sandwich between a second waffled cookie.
7. Press the toasted coconut flakes into the exposed sorbet/gelato and then return sandwich to the freezer until you are ready to serve them. 

Host a Healthy Breakfast: Greek Yogurt Parfait Bar

As you all know (see here), my mom came to visit this past weekend for her special Mother's Day gift.  She arrived Thursday night and was welcomed with an intimate dinner party.  Friday morning we got up and went to Marjorie Merriweather Post's Hillwood Estate.  We toured the grounds, had lunch at the cafe, then went to visit Arlington National Cemetery (my great grandparents are buried there) and finally, ended the day with a cocktail party at home.  Saturday morning I signed us up for a Pure Barre class.  It was a fabulous workout, but HOLY MOLY!  I didn't know much about Pure Barre prior to the class and had just assumed that the class would consist of a few aerobic ballet moves and maybe some stretching.  Boy was I wrong!  I kid you not, 5 minutes into the class my mom and I were both "puddles" (of sweat!).  It was an excellent 55 minute workout and I am now totally hooked on Pure Barre.  

After the Pure Barre class, my mom and I went back to my house for breakfast.  On the menu- Almond Milk Lattes using my Nespresso and Aeroccino Milk Frother,  Morning Crunch Muffins and a DIY Greek Yogurt Parfait Bar.  The menu was delicious, healthy and the perfect way to refuel post Pure Barre.  Below is a list of what I used to create this delicious spread:

Ingredients

• Fage Greek Yogurt 0%
• Light Agave Nectar
• Organic Honey
• Roasted Flax Seeds
• Toasted Unsweetened Coconut Flakes
• Fresh Blueberries
• Fresh Raspberries
• Fresh Pomegranate Seeds
• Organic Wheat Germ
• Granola
• Ground Cinnamon

Serving Pieces

• Williams Sonoma Open Kitchen White Snack Bowls
• Crate and Barrel Lulie Stemless Martini Glasses
• Crate and Barrel Shell Sugar Tongs
• World Market Bamboo Cocktail Spoons
• Pillivuyt Basketweave Salad Plates
• Linen Cocktail Napkins

This past Saturday morning was the perfect way to start my day.  I felt healthy and invigorated thanks to the Pure Barre Class and delicious DIY Greek Yogurt Parfait breakfast.  I am currently loving this pairing so much that I have invited different groups of friends over the next couple of Saturday mornings to join me for a Pure Barre Class and then head on over to my house for a healthy post-workout breakfast.  This is a great way to entertain because it not only shakes up the standard entertaining routine of either hosting a cocktail or dinner party, but it also includes a fun (and heart healthy!) activity.  Suffice it to say, my friends and I are certainly looking forward to the next couple of Saturday mornings!