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. 

January Kitchen Tools

It's the dead of winter and without fail, I find myself craving something warm and delicious for breakfast daily.  While oatmeal is always the healthy breakfast of choice, there are times (especially Saturday mornings) where I can't resist whipping up a batch of delicious homemade waffles to enjoy with my husband while watching TV in our pajamas.  So for today's post (and my list of this month's kitchen tools) I wanted to share my waffle making essentials with you all.  Whether you are making classic, belgian or even Funfetti (pictured above) these tools and tips will help you achieve waffle making perfection.

Waffle Iron

When it comes to selecting a waffle iron, here are a few things to consider: 

• Shape - Round, Square or Novelty Shaped
• Style - Belgian or Classic.  Each style of waffle requires a different recipe, and the size of the waffle iron will correlate to the style waffle.  Belgian waffles are thicker and fluffier, so the waffle iron will be larger and often is double the size of a standard iron.  A classic waffle, while still delicious is thinner both in size of the waffle and waffle iron.  
• Capacity - Waffle irons come in half and whole sizes, so it's important to determine if you are going to be using your waffle iron primarily for single serve use or to feed a family.   

I am all about a classic waffle, so I opted for the All-Clad Classic Round Waffle Maker.  It's user friendly, offers a variety of cooking settings and produces waffles with perfectly browned and crisp exteriors and fluffy soft interiors every time!  This waffle iron is also great for cooking up french toast (pictured above) in a snap with little to no mess!.  

Waffle Tongs

Waffle tongs are not something you typically think about when you're getting ready to make waffles, but you should.  Reason being, when it comes time to take the waffle off of the iron, people tend to resort to using forks or metal tongs which can and will scratch the nonstick surface of the waffle iron.  Scratches on nonstick metal surfaces will cause your food to stick and ultimately produce an imperfect/damaged product for every use.  These Williams-Sonoma Ultimate Waffle Tongs are great for removing waffles from a waffle iron, cooking paninis and even flipping bacon on a skillet!  Heat resistant, safe to use on most cookware and best of all, dishwasher safe!  In my opinion, every kitchen should be outfitted with a pair of waffle tongs.  

Cookie Scoop

When it comes to pouring the batter onto the waffle iron, I am all about using my cookie scoop.  Sure, there are plenty of batter dispensing devices on the market (like this one), but in my opinion, they take up a lot of storage space and at the end of the day, really only serves a single purpose.  Using a cookie scoop allows you to create waffles of various sizes and can also be used for pouring cupcake batter and of course the obvious…cookies!!!  The cookie scoop is a fabulous waffle making tool, affordable and of course, its also dishwasher safe!   

Waffle Book

I received the book, Waffles: Sweet & Savory Recipes for Every Meal by: Tara Duggan, as a gift for our wedding.  I didn't think much of it at first.  It was a nice book about waffles, but I mean how much could they really have to say about one food?  Of course, as soon as I opened the book I immediately ate my words!  This book not only has the most fabulously delicious waffle recipes, but it also teaches you how to go about making waffles from scratch (which has been life changing for me).  For those of you who have never experienced a waffle made from scratch, you are missing out!  They are packed with flavor, moist, fluffy and will put any box mix to shame.  If you have a chance to flip through this book, please do!  It has been a waffle making game changer for me and I think if you have the chance to read it, you will agree!

Birthday Breakfast in Bed

This Saturday I am turning 30.  While I am excited for the upcoming celebration because my husband and I are going to Napa with my sister and her husband, this birthday is certainly a milestone.  It has given me pause to reflect and made me a little nostalgic remembering prior birthdays.  Over the years I have had lots of great birthday party themes (ex. Alice in Wonderland, Western Themed Party and yes, even a Jazzersize Birthday).  So many great birthdays, fabulous party themes and one tradition that has remained to this day, breakfast in bed on your birthday! 

This is a tradition that my Mom started in our family when my siblings and I were little.  She would get up early, make the birthday girl or boy the breakfast of their choice and deliver it to them in bed on the family birthday breakfast in bed tray (*here are 2 breakfast in bed tray options- one classic and one modern).  My husband and I have continued this tradition with each other, even though he doesn't particularly enjoy eating in bed he is still a good sport about it.  With that being said, as a former college athlete, he has totally gotten into besting his previous year's delivery times for my breakfasts (love this man!).  

The Menu

• Homemade Waffles topped with Fresh Fruit- If you are looking for a great recipe book, I highly recommend checking out Waffles: Sweet and Savory Recipes for Every Meal.
• Fresh Mixed Berries garnished with a few sprigs of Mint- love fresh mixed berries during the spring and summer months.  
• Citrus-Infused Water- Served either hot or cold, this has been a favorite lately because of all of the digestion, skin and other health benefits. 
• Coffee- I love a strong brew in the morning and am a huge fan of the Nespresso System.  Why?  The coffee tastes delicious and it gives you the option to brew either coffee and espresso using the same type of coffee pods.  

Family Birthday Crown and Birthday Cards

In addition to the breakfast of your choice, the birthday tray is delivered with all of your birthday cards and/or gifts and the very "fancy" birthday crown.  Yep, there is a crown involved. To this day, whenever I am hosting a birthday or celebrating a birthday in my own family, I make sure to have the birthday crown present.  It's a fun accessory to  share and really makes the birthday boy/girl/man/woman feel special (and maybe a little silly).  

Birthday Horoscope

I would say that the birthday horoscope is probably the most important part of the birthday breakfast in bed tradition.  Your birthday horoscope is a special forecast for your year to come.  I strongly suggest that you get the horoscope from an actual newspaper as I have found this source to be the most accurate.  I am not a pack rat, but I do save my birthday horoscopes because it is fun to re-read them the following year and see if there was any truth to what was predicted (more often than not there is!).  

Even though Birthdays are a mark of maturing in age, they are still cause for celebration.  Breakfast in bed is a fun, personalized and inexpensive way to celebrate your loved one's special day.  I love this tradition and am so happy that I have been able to share it with my husband over the years and with you all today.  A few months ago, I discovered this travel birthday crown for my best friend's 30th Birthday in Arizona.  While I may be in San Francisco for my birthday this year, I know that a few of my favorite traditions will definitely be in tow.