I never thought I'd say this, but it's coming out: SCREW YOU, WAFFLE CONES! You've leaked my ice cream and gotten soggy one too many times.
Usually, I can deal with your shortcomings, because you also have so much to offer: your delectable scent, your unique flavor contrast, nice and vanilla-y and toasty.
But now that I've found another, I'm ready to bid you adieu. From now on, I'm enjoying my ice cream in waffle-wich form.
Now, let me address the comments from the naysayers right away.
You say: but this is just as messy as a waffle cone!
I respond:
If you do it wrong, sure. But really, the solid base of two waffle units sandwiching the ice cream acts as a secure hand-held device. As long as you don't overstuff with ice cream, it actually ends up being far cleaner than the typical waffle cone, and if it starts to drip, you can always transfer your waffle-wich to a bowl and eat it with a spoon. Ever tried putting a waffle cone in a bowl? It's awkward to say the least.
You say: but it's so huge!
I respond:
This really shouldn't be a problem. But if it is, use waffle halves to make a smaller sandwich, or enjoy an open-faced waffle sandwich. Or, split the sandwich with a friend. I'm not usually a big fan of sharing desserts, but I will allow it in this case.
You say: But my waffle will get soggy!
I respond:
No it won't. Toast the waffle before you put the ice cream on, to form a kind of "seal". It will remain crisp for as long as it needs to, and it won't be until you're almost done that the ice cream is beginning to soak into the waffle. It makes for a great flavor when it does, kind of like when milk begins to absorb the flavor of cereal. It's a pleasurable process, observing the change in texture as you eat your ice cream waffle.
I think I've addressed some of the issues here, so let me briefly continue my sales pitch for this method of eating ice cream before offering a recipe.
Just a few of the many benefits of eating ice cream between waffles
1. They are adorable.
Look at it! Look at how cute it looks, especially with sprinkles! You can't look at an ice cream wafflewich and not coo a little bit, even if it is internal.
2. They offer a symphony of textures and flavors.
Crisp waffle, creamy ice cream! Toasty, carb-y, vanilla-scented waffle flavor next to dreamy, thick, coat-your-tongue-with-creamy-deliciousness ice cream. I haven't found an ice cream flavor that hasn't worked with waffles. Maybe sorbet wouldn't work, but that's not ice cream, is it?
3. They are easy to make at home.
Try making waffle cones at home, and unless you're a fancy food blogger or Martha Stewart, they're going to come out looking like something only a mother could love, and they are guaranteed to drip. Waffles, on the other hand, can be purchased (I use plain ol' eggo waffles!) or made, with or without an iron. It makes waffle ice cream sandwiches accessible and easy to make at home.
4. It is very fun to say "wafflewich".
Try it out. Offer someone an ice cream wafflewich (make sure you have the supplies on hand, because they'll get angry if you offer then can't deliver) and see what their reaction is. If it's not joy, they are probably a robot or some non-human life form. Everyone I know would react with joy. They might respond with an annoying "I can't eat it because of my dietary restriction" but we can work with that, right? That's why they make gluten-free waffles and dairy-free ice cream, which also work.
How to make ice cream waffle sandwiches
you need:
- 2 waffles
- a big scoop of ice cream
- sprinkles
Note: Make sure the waffles are either just-toasted or just-made; toasty waffles work best.
Place a scoop of ice cream on top of one waffle. Apply sprinkles to the sides of the ice cream. Sandwich the second waffle on top.
Enjoy.