Wake the Lakes “Lifehack for the Week” 8-28-23

Build Your Next Ice Cream Sandwich on Saltines:

In the case of saltines, you also get a little salt, for a contrasting flavor. Similar to the biscuit in a strawberry shortcake, they don’t bring any sweetness of their own, only slightly savory toastiness.  Unlike ice cream sandwiches made with cookies or brownies or even Pop-Tarts, saltine ice cream sandwiches are smaller, delicate, three-bite affairs—a snack-sized dessert, instead of a commitment.

Unlike biscuits, or even cookies, their texture is virtually unaffected by the freezer. They stay beautifully crisp, meaning you can bite into them right away without straining your jaw. You can pair saltines with any ice cream flavor without conflict, clashing, or anything other than crispy support.  Start by grabbing a sheet pan and lining it with plastic wrap.  Let your ice cream of choice soften a bit, then place six scoops of ice cream in the pan. Space them out evenly, then cover with another sheet of plastic wrap and smoosh the ice cream into an even layer. Pop the pan in the freezer and let chill for two hours, or until the ice cream is completely solid.  Remove the pan from the freezer, lift the ice cream out of the pan and onto a cutting board with the bottom sheet of plastic wrap, then peel off the top sheet of plastic wrap. Using a saltine as a guide, cut the ice cream into saltine-sized squares and place the cutting board (with the ice cream on it) into the freezer for another half an hour.  Remove the cutting board from the freezer. Using a thin spatula or butter knife, lift the ice cream squares away from the bottom layer of plastic wrap and sandwich them between two crackers. If they don’t want to stick, just wait a minute or two, then gently press the crackers into the slightly softened ice cream. Place sandwiches in an airtight container, with wax or parchment paper between layers as needed, and store in the freezer. You may have to return the ice cream to the freezer halfway through making them, as it is prone to melting, but that’s alright. You’ll have a dozen ice cream sandwiches by then, which should be enough to get you started.