EXPERIENCE

The coolest ice cream sandwiches across the country

Devorah Lev-Tov
Special for USA TODAY
A solar-powered food truck roaming around Asheville, N.C., Sunshine Sammies serves combinations like lemon and cardamom ice cream on matcha cookies, peach and black tea jam swirl ice cream on cornmeal cookies, and vanilla bean and salty fudge swirl ice cream on buckwheat cocoa nib cookies (pictured). Expect an ice cream sandwich cafe soon.

Cold, creamy ice cream sandwiched between two cookies (or doughnuts, bread, macarons, waffles… you name it, it can be done) is quite possibly one of the greatest summer refreshments. With limitless flavor combinations, the possibilities are endless and ice cream makers, pastry chefs and cooks across the country are using their creative chops to come up with innovative, fun and above all tasty concoctions.

“I think what makes for a good ice cream sandwich is the mix of textures and it’s fun because you know it will get a little messy,” says Sam Mason of OddFellows Ice Cream Co. in New York City.

From classic vanilla ice cream amid chocolate chip cookies to warm brioche bread encasing cornbread ice cream and blueberry compote, there’s an ice cream sandwich to please everyone. And it’s an ideal summer treat.

“Ice cream sandwiches are the perfect blend of ice cream and pastry," says Ken El, co-owner of New York City ice cream shop Ice & Vice. "You can use cookies, cakes, anything you want really, and load it up with toppings, while being perfectly on the go. It’s whimsical and really brings you back to your childhood.”

Ice cream sandwiches also present the perfect opportunity for collaboration, with many shops getting various parts of their sandwiches from neighboring businesses. For example, Ice & Vice often collaborates with Underwest Donuts, Daly Pie and Abigail’s Bakeshop on quirky creations, like the Let’s Pie Ball, made with Daly Pie’s pie crust, filled with cardamom apple pie swirl ice cream and rolled in boozy candied pecan.

“We’re always working toward finding the perfect combination of flavors, texture and overall fun, where people can satisfy their dessert cravings and having a good time while doing it,” says El.

Browse the photos above for standout ice cream sandwiches across the country — try not to drool too much.