Apple Pie à la Mode Ice Cream Sandwiches

Ingredients

COOKIES

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (about 6 3/8 ounces)
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• Pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup vegetable shortening
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

· FILLING

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and finely chopped (about 2 1/2 cups)
• 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Pinch of ground cloves
• Pinch of salt
• 4 cups vanilla ice cream, softened

How to Make It

Step 1 Make the cookies

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line 4 large baking sheets. Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cream of tartar, and salt in a bowl. Combine shortening, butter, and 1 cup sugar in bowl. Beat on high speed until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low; beat in egg, egg yolk, and vanilla bean paste until incorporated. Gradually add flour mixture, beating just until dough comes together.

Step 2

Whisk together cinnamon and remaining 2 tablespoons granulated sugar in a bowl. Shape dough into 42 (1-inch) balls. Dredge balls in cinnamon mixture, and arrange 3 inches apart on baking sheets. Bake cookies in preheated until light golden around edges, 7 to 9 minutes. Transfer cookies on baking sheets to wire racks to cool completely, about 15 minutes.

Step 3 Make the filling

Melt butter with olive oil. Add bay leaf, and cook 15 seconds. Stir in apples, brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until apples are very soft and begin to caramelize, Scrape apples onto a baking sheet or large plate to cool completely; discard bay leaf.

Step 4

Fold cooled apple mixture into softened ice cream in a large bowl. For each ice cream sandwich, scoop about 11/2 tablespoons ice cream mixture onto flat side of half of cookies; cover with remaining cookies. Wrap in plastic wrap, and freeze until ice cream mixture is just firm. Serve immediately