By Kent “The Deck Chef” Whitaker – Cookbook author and culinary writer

Ice Cream Sandwich Pie anyone?

By golly, sometimes you just need some ice cream. And sometimes you need a slice of pie. And sometimes all you have is a box of Ice cream

sandwiches and some extra items in the pantry. Don’t worry, here is an easy kid friendly recipe that is perfect for combining kid time with kitchen time with little or no fuss.

Granted, this is not brain surgery. And it may, or may not be, a recipe that your kids will include in their own recipe box to share with their children. But it is easy, and it’s fun, and you do get to spend some time in the kitchen with your little ones with out the fear of sharp knives and hot ovens.

The worst thing that could happen is the possibility of easting too many chocolate chips or too much whipped cream. Thankfully, I have never reached the maximum limit of  chocolate chips or whipped cream.

Now that I’m thinking this over… this may actually be a GREAT recipe to pass down from generation to generation. Or at least from summer to summer. Regardless, I hope you enjoy this frozen treat and the memories you will have after a fun time with your kids in the kitchen.

Ice Cream Sandwich

Prep time: 15 min Cook time: 30 min to set in fridge or freezer.

Serves: 1-12 (Depends on the size of the slices)

Ingredients

6 – 8 ice cream sandwiches

1 graham cracker or cookie pie shell

Chocolate / Carmel chips

Crushed nuts if no allergies

Whipped cream

Magic hard shell chocolate coating

Instructions

Let the ice cream sandwiches, unwrapped,  warm for a minute or two in a large bowl. Then let the kids break them into small pieces… after they wash their hands of course. Next, let them stir in Chocolate or Carmel chips. Add in some chopped nuts and whatever your ice cream desire is. Spoon the mix into a pie shell pressing to firm, but not hard enough to break the pie shell. Drizzle with hard shell chocolate coating and chill to firm in the fridge or freezer. Serve cold with whipped cream and more chocolate and toppings as desired.

Kent Whitaker is a culinary writer, cookbook and kids book author. His cookbooks focus on down home cooking, family meals, barbecue and culinary history. His books include Smoke in the Mountains – the Art of Appalachian Barbecue, Checkered Flag Cooking, the Hometown Cookbook Series, Big Mo’s Tennis Ball Hunt and The Meals of War – Feeding the Greats to the Grunts in World War Two. Known as the Deck Chef, Kent is the winner of the Food Network – Emeril Live BBQ contest. Kent hosts a short format radio cooking show heard on affiliates across the country. He lives in Chattanooga, TN with his wife Ally, son Macee (Macy) and two dogs named Big Mo and Lucy… fur.

Photo: United States Dept. of Health & Human Services

Tags: children, chocolate, dining, easy recipes, ice cream, pie, recipe