Get ready to fall head over heels for Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches: the ultimate mashup of crispy, golden churros and cool, creamy ice cream. This irresistible treat combines all the warmth and nostalgia of freshly fried churros with a rich, dreamy pistachio ice cream, making it a dessert experience worth savoring. Whether you’re whipping these up for a weekend indulgence or a show-stopping party dessert, Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches have a way of turning even an ordinary day into something unforgettable.

Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches shine because of their simple, quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role—think buttery dough for that signature crispiness, smooth pistachio spread for an unexpected twist, and double cream for luscious, velvety ice cream. Here’s what you’ll want to gather:

Double cream (240 ml): This is what gives your homemade ice cream its decadent, ultra-creamy texture.
Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Just a little bit brings warmth and rounds out the sweetness.
Condensed milk (200 g): Essential for the ice cream’s smoothness and adds sweetness that balances the churros.
Pistachio spread (200 g, optional): Adds a beautiful nutty flavor; feel free to leave it out if you prefer classic vanilla ice cream.
Chopped pistachios (optional): For extra crunch and a pop of color, sprinkle these in or on top.
Water (480 ml): The base of your churro dough, ensuring the right consistency.
Unsalted butter (120 g): Brings richness and helps create that signature soft-yet-crispy churro bite.
Granulated sugar (60 g): Adds sweetness right into the dough and helps it brown as you fry.
Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Just enough to enhance all the other flavors.
Plain flour (280 g): Forms the structure of that iconic churro texture.
Eggs (2): These bind the dough and create lightness when fried.
Vegetable oil (for frying): A neutral oil is key for getting that perfect crunch without overwhelming flavor.
Cinnamon sugar (to coat): The classic churro finish—sweet, spiced, and oh-so-irresistible.

How to Make Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches

Step 1: Whip Up Your Ice Cream Base

Start with the ice cream, since it needs plenty of freezer time. In a big mixing bowl, whip together the double cream and vanilla extract until you see soft peaks forming. This means the cream holds its shape but is still silky—think cloud-like. Adding air right now guarantees your ice cream will have that rich, scoopable softness.

Step 2: Fold in the Flavors

Next, carefully fold in the condensed milk and pistachio spread (if using). This is where your ice cream gets its sweetness and distinctive nutty flavor. Add the chopped pistachios for even more texture and eye-catching green flecks. Be gentle—stirring too aggressively will knock out all that precious air you whipped in.

Step 3: Shape and Freeze the Ice Cream

Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container and let it do its thing overnight. If you want picture-perfect circular ice cream centers, pipe the mixture into lined tart rings, freeze, and then pop them out when you’re ready. Either way, patience here pays off with creamy, scoopable perfection.

Step 4: Prepare the Churro Dough

Now for the churros! In a pot, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring it just to a boil over medium heat—this melds all the flavors and melts the butter. As soon as it simmers, remove from the heat and dump in the flour all at once. Stir like your life depends on it until a dough forms.

Step 5: Cook and Cool the Dough

Return the pot to medium heat, stirring the dough constantly for three minutes. This step helps dry out the dough just a bit, which creates that signature chewy-crisp churro exterior. Pop the dough in a mixing bowl and let it cool for ten minutes; adding the eggs too soon can cook them, and nobody wants scrambled egg churros!

Step 6: Incorporate the Eggs

Once it’s cooled, beat in the eggs one at a time. It might look slippery or split at first, but keep mixing and soon you’ll have a glossy, pipeable dough. The eggs are crucial—they lighten the churro, making it puff and crisp in the hot oil.

Step 7: Pipe and Shape the Churros

Transfer your dough into a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe out rounds onto individual squares of baking paper (this makes transferring them to the fryer super easy). Make them as big or small as you’d like, but remember—these are the “buns” of your Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches, so donut-sized rounds work best.

Step 8: Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat your oil to about 160°C (320°F). Working in batches, gently lower each churro (still on its baking paper) into the oil. The paper will peel away after a few seconds—grab it with tongs and let your churro fry until it’s deep golden brown on both sides. Transfer to a wire rack to let any excess oil drip off.

Step 9: Roll in Cinnamon Sugar

While still warm, roll each churro round in cinnamon sugar for that classic churro sparkle and spice. Don’t skip this: it’s what makes the whole dessert dance on your tongue!

Step 10: Assemble Your Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches

It’s showtime! Grab a churro round, pile a scoop (or unmold a perfect disk) of your homemade ice cream onto it, then crown it with another churro round. Press gently, just enough to hold everything in place. Dive in and enjoy your masterpiece before the ice cream melts—it’s the best part!

How to Serve Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches

Garnishes

A sprinkle of extra chopped pistachios on top adds crunch, color, and a gourmet twist. A little drizzle of chocolate or a dusting of extra cinnamon sugar also works wonders, offering a beautiful finish and a burst of extra flavor.

Side Dishes

Serve alongside fresh berries for a bright, tangy complement, or offer tiny cups of rich hot chocolate for dipping. The contrast between cold, creamy ice cream and warm sipping chocolate is pure bliss!

Creative Ways to Present

Try skewering mini Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches onto sticks for party-friendly handheld treats, or build a “dessert board” with colorful toppings and sauces for everyone to mix and match. Individual plates with edible gold leaf or flower petals can really turn up the wow factor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’ve pre-assembled sandwiches left (rare, but it happens), wrap them individually in parchment paper and store them in an airtight container in the freezer. They’ll keep their texture and flavor for about a week, so dessert is always within reach.

Freezing

Both the churro rounds and the ice cream can be frozen separately in advance. Let the churros cool completely before freezing in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag. The homemade ice cream keeps beautifully covered in the freezer for up to two weeks.

Reheating

To refresh your churro rounds, place them on a baking sheet in a preheated 180°C (350°F) oven for about 5 minutes—just until they’re crisp and warmed through. Avoid microwaving, which can make them soggy.

FAQs

Can I make Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches without pistachio spread?

Absolutely! The ice cream base is deliciously creamy on its own with just vanilla and condensed milk. If you prefer, you can also swap in another nut butter or leave it out entirely for a more classic vanilla flavor.

What kind of oil is best for frying the churros?

Go with a neutral oil like vegetable, canola, or sunflower; they have high smoke points and won’t overpower your churros’ flavor. Make sure the oil is hot enough for frying, but not so hot it burns—160°C is just right.

How do I get perfectly shaped churro rounds?

Using a piping bag with a star tip and piping dough onto squares of baking paper really helps! The baking paper lets you handle and transfer the rounds safely without losing those beautiful ridges.

Can I use store-bought ice cream for Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches?

You sure can! If you’re short on time, just pick your favorite store-bought flavor and scoop it right between fresh churro rounds. The homemade ice cream is a special touch, but the sandwich is still a knockout with any creamy ice cream.

Do Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches have to be eaten right away?

Like most treats, they’re at their very best freshly assembled—the churro stays crisp and the ice cream is perfectly creamy. But if you need to prep ahead, just store assembled sandwiches in the freezer and let them sit out for a few minutes before eating.

Final Thoughts

There’s a certain magic to homemade Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches: the crispy warmth of the churro, the cool creaminess of the ice cream, and a burst of flavor in every bite. If you’re looking for a dessert that brings smiles, fun, and a sprinkle of delicious nostalgia, give this recipe a try. Share it with friends, family, or keep a secret stash just for yourself—you deserve it!