Cookie Dough Ice Cream Bars

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Food-safe cookie dough is topped with cookie dough ice cream and whipped cream. These Cookie Dough Ice Cream Bars are garnished with cookie crumbs for the ultimate cookie dough lover’s dessert.

Cookie dough ice cream bar on a plate ready for a sweet treat.

Cookie Dough Ice Cream Bars

My family totally loves Edible Cookie Dough; so much so, in fact, that I’ve also shared recipes for an edible Peanut Butter Cookie Dough, Brownie Batter Dough, and Cake Batter Cookie Dough. This is the first time, though, that I’ve used edible cookie dough as the base for an ice cream dessert concoction. With cookie dough ice cream of course. 

These bars are sweet, thick, and the ultimate treat for the cookie dough (and cookie) obsessed.

These bars start with an edible (food- safe) cookie dough crust that comes together quickly and easily after heat-treating the flour (more on this below). Top the edible cookie dough crust with cookie dough ice cream and finish with whipped topping. (You can make your own with my recipe that only needs three ingredients or use store-bought whipped topping.) Last but not least, garnish the cookie dough ice cream bars with crushed cookies and these bars are ready to serve!

Preparation of frozen dessert with base being pressed, ice cream layered on top, and whipped cream to finish before freezing.

Cookie dough in the ice cream bars

Regular (raw) cookie dough isn’t considered safe to eat because of health concerns revolving around both the flour and uncooked eggs.

But not to worry, I’ve made the cookie dough base on these ice cream bars, specially formulated to be safe; there are no eggs and the flour is heat-treated to ensure everything is safe to eat!

Heat-treating the flour

A lot of people don’t realize that flour is a culprit for sickness in unbaked cookie dough. Flour doesn’t look raw, but it actually is. This means it hasn’t been treated to kill germs (like E. coli) which can cause food poisoning (source). So, when making edible cookie dough for the base of these ice cream bars, we need to first cook the flour (or heat treat it) to ensure we kill any potential bacteria. There are three options for heat treating your flour:

  • Purchase flour that has already been heat treated. It will be noted on the package.
  • Heat treat it in the microwave: Add the flour to a microwave-safe bowl. I recommend heat treating more than the recipe calls for (1/2 to 1 cup extra) just to ensure you have enough. Microwave on high, in bursts of 30 seconds, stirring in between each burst. Take time to stir well to make sure none of the flour burns. Use a thermometer to test the flour in a few places to make sure it has reached 165 degrees F throughout all the flour. (If you get less than 165 degrees, return the flour for one more burst of 30 seconds.) 
  • Heat treat it in the oven: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line a large sheet pan (with sides) with a nonstick liner or parchment paper. Spread the flour on the pan (treat more than you’ll use; 1/2 to 1 cup extra). Bake the flour, removing and stirring it, every 1 and 1/2 minutes. Every time you remove the flour to stir, test it with the thermometer. As soon as it reaches 165 degrees F, it’s safe.

Tips for heat treating flour

Ultimately, the heat-treated flour should look and taste just like regular flour;  if it doesn’t, the cookie dough won’t taste right.

  • Let flour cool completely before using. If you use hot flour, this cookie dough won’t turn out right. Let the flour cool completely at room temperature or speed up the process by placing the tray in the fridge or freezer.
  • If baking or microwaving left your flour with any clumps, break up those clumps with your fingers. Discard any clumps that won’t break up easily. If any flour sticks to the sides or bottom of the pan, don’t scrape it up for the dough.
  • If there are discolored sections (brown or light brown flour), discard that flour. It will make the dough taste like burnt popcorn (This is why we heat treat a bit more flour than we’ll need)! You want the heat-treated flour to look just like regular flour (light, fluffy, and white); discard parts that don’t look like this before using in Cookie Dough Ice Cream Bars.

Bitten cookie dough ice cream bar with chocolate and whipped cream swirls visible, tempting and indulgent.

Cookie Dough Ice Cream Bar Garnishes

Cookie Crumbs

We use store-bought cookies, smashed into crumbs, but if you have some chewy chocolate chip cookies lying around, use those to crumble on top. While you don’t have to top these ice cream bars with cookie crumbs, it adds a delicious flavor and makes for a fun garnish.

QUICK TIP

If using store-bought cookie crumbs, I recommend using crisp cookies like Chips Ahoy® or Famous Amos® Chocolate Chip Cookies. You can either coarsely chop the cookies or give them a quick pulse in a food processor or blender. Or, just crumble them with your hands.

Chocolate sauce and mini chocolate chips

We usually like these ice cream bars with just cookie crumbs, but if you’re looking for something a little extra or especially love chocolate, they’re also good with a handful of miniature chocolate chips and a drizzle of hot fudge or chocolate sauce.

More ice cream treats

FOLLOW ALONG! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates, recipes and content.

Cookie Dough Ice Cream Bars

5 from 4 votes
Food-safe cookie dough is topped with cookie dough ice cream and whipped cream. These Cookie Dough Ice Cream Bars are garnished with cookie crumbs for the ultimate cookie dough lover's dessert.
Cookie dough ice cream bar on a plate ready for a sweet treat.
Print Recipe

Cookie Dough Ice Cream Bars

Cookie dough ice cream bar on a plate ready for a sweet treat.
5 from 4 votes
Food-safe cookie dough is topped with cookie dough ice cream and whipped cream. These Cookie Dough Ice Cream Bars are garnished with cookie crumbs for the ultimate cookie dough lover's dessert.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword Cookie Dough Ice Cream Bars
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Freezing Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 25 minutes
Servings 1 9x9 inch pan of bars (12 bars)
Chelsea Lords
Calories 565kcal
Cost $4.97

Ingredients

Cookie Dough "Crust"

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick; 8 tablespoons; 113g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup (115g) packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated white sugar
  • 2 tablespoons whole milk (1% or 2% will work)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 and 1/4 cup (150g) all-purpose white flour (See Note 1)
  • 3/4 cup (125g) mini chocolate chips

Ice Cream & Whipped Cream & Garnishes

  • 1 container (48 ounces; 1.4L) cookie dough ice cream
  • 1 cup heavy cream (See Note 2) (OR 1 container (8 ounces; 226g) completely thawed Cool Whip)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Optional: 3-4 chocolate chip cookies to crumble on top; hot fudge topping or chocolate sauce, mini chocolate chips

Instructions

  • HEAT TREAT FLOUR: (See note 1); You can heat treat flour in the microwave or in the oven. Test the flour to ensure it's reached a safe temperature of 165 degrees F. Let flour cool completely to room temperature before using. Don't use any burnt or clumpy flour (if it's off color or smells burnt, it is burnt). The flour should be light, white, and fluffy. Use a spoon to measure the cooled flour into a measuring cup and level the top of the cup with the back of a table knife.
  • PREP: Line a 9x9-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang of paper so you can easily remove the bars to cut and serve.
  • COOKIE DOUGH: Place the 8 tablespoons melted butter in a large bowl and let it cool to room temperature. If you use hot melted butter, it will melt the sugars and cause the dough to be greasy. Once cooled, add in the 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup white sugar. Stir to combine. Add in the 2 tablespoons milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1 and 1/4 cup heat-treated flour. Stir with a wooden spoon until the dough is smooth. Stir in the 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips until combined (you may need to knead the chocolate chips in by hand). If the dough is too dry, add in a bit more heavy cream; if it is at all wet, add in a tablespoon or two more of the heat-treated flour.
  • BARS: Press the prepared cookie dough evenly along the bottom of the pan. Use the bottom of a 1-cup measuring cup to press the dough in firmly into one even layer. Scoop the cookie dough ice cream over the cookie dough layer. Use a strong spatula to smooth the ice cream as much as possible into an even, flat layer. Cover and freeze bar for 2 hours up to overnight.
  • WHIPPED TOPPING: In a mixing bowl attached to a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, add in the 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat to combine and then increase the speed. Whip until firm peaks form, about 2-4 minutes. With a spatula, spread the whipped cream over the ice cream until smooth. Alternatively, spread 1 container fully thawed whipped topping on top of the bars. Freeze bars to harden, about 30 minutes to an hour.
  • SERVING: To serve, remove from the pan using the parchment paper overhang, and cut into bars. If desired, top each bar you are serving with a handful of crumbled cookies. You can also add hot fudge topping and/or mini chocolate chips if desired. (We usually just serve with cookie crumbs).
  • STORAGE: Return any leftovers promptly to the freezer. Whipped topping doesn't thaw and re-freeze very well (it becomes icy) so try to finish the bars a few days after making.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Heat treating flour:
  1. Heat treat it in the microwave: Add the flour to a microwave-safe bowl. I recommend heat treating more than the recipe calls for (1/2 to 1 cup extra) just to ensure you have enough. Microwave on high in bursts of 30 seconds, stirring in between each burst. Stir well to make sure none of the flour burns or clumps. Use a thermometer to test the flour in a few places to make sure it has reached 165 degrees F throughout all the flour. (If you get less than 165 degrees, return the flour for one more burst of 30 seconds). 
  2. Heat treat it in the oven: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line a large sheet pan (with sides) with a nonstick liner or parchment paper. Spread the flour on the pan (treat more than you'll use; 1/2 to 1 cup extra). Bake the flour, removing and stirring it every 1 and 1/2 minutes. Each time you remove the flour to stir, test it with the thermometer. As soon as it reaches 165 degrees F, it's safe. (This takes about 3-6 minutes in my oven)
Note 2: Either use 1 (8-ounce) container of whipped topping (completely thawed) like Cool Whip® or make your own whipped topping with the 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. We prefer homemade, but either works great!

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12bars | Calories: 565kcal | Carbohydrates: 60.8g | Protein: 6.5g | Fat: 33.8g | Cholesterol: 136mg | Sodium: 76.9mg | Fiber: 1.3g | Sugar: 49.9g

We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed.

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

I love hearing from you when you've made one of my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @ChelseasMessyApron or leave me a comment below.

 

More Recipes You'll Love

Gelato

7 hrs

Gelato

Click the Bookmark Icon to Add to Your Favories

Grasshopper Pie

50 mins

Grasshopper Pie

Click the Bookmark Icon to Add to Your Favories

Dole Whip

1 hrs 15 mins

Dole Whip

Click the Bookmark Icon to Add to Your Favories

Edible Cookie Dough Recipe

15 mins

Edible Cookie Dough Recipe

Click the Bookmark Icon to Add to Your Favories

FREE BONUS

FREE BONUS

EASY MEAL SECRETS:
How to Make Mealtime Hassle Free!

5 secrets to easy, fast and delicious dinners.

[gravityform id="2" title="false" description="false"]

Leave a Comment:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




40 Comments

  1. I totally agree with you Chelsea. Some days I ask myself: “Ok. Did you make this dough to bake cookies or eat dough? Usually it’s to eat the dough. 🙂 I’m pathetic. 🙂
    These look awesome! Pinning.
    Have a great weekend.

  2. Chelsea, you are a genius. I cannot get over all the cookie dough goodness in these bars! I ESPECIALLY cannot get over the cookie crisp on the top! Such a fabulous idea. And they’re so tiny! I love it. Pinning! Hope you have a great weekend! 🙂

  3. These look AMAZING!!! I showed Tyler and he says this looks like the best recipe on your blog, so I guess I’ll have to make it “for the husband.”

    1. Haha!!! Definitely “for the husband” 😉 Thanks Chrissy! Hope you are all doing well and you are feeling well!

  4. My life is all about cookie dough. I make cookies just so I can eat the dough! I cannot wait to make these. Thanks!!

  5. Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor. Ah, I am such a cookie dough lover! And summer practically requires ice cream. These bars are beautiful and your photos do them justice (which is hard … especially with ice cream) Love these Chelsea!

  6. 5 stars
    Unfortunately people will know if I “bought things for the husband” and am lying because if I made these they would know they were for me (if I bought it for Michael it would be something strawberry or raspberry or cheesecake-y)

    ah well. suppose I’ll just have to own up to my love for rich, decadent, desserts! ESP. if they involve cookie dough!

  7. Oh my goodness, these bars look aaaamazing girl! It doesn’t get better than cookie dough and ice cream and the cookie crisp topping is such a great idea! Pinning – cookies for breakfast would make me one happy camper too!

  8. Finally made it over to get this recipe after seeing it on Twitter – OMG I have no words!! I can’t even say how much I love cookie dough and adding in cookie crisp cereal (my favourite even if I’m not a kid!!) and ice cream is just amazing, definitely going to be making these!

  9. Shouldn’t you be using heat-treated flour? I understand that if it’s not heat-treated, it carries a potential for harmful bacteria.

Never Miss a Recipe

[gravityform id="3" title="false" description="false"]