Ice-Cream and Giggles

When my dear friend Angela told me there was Star Wars cookie cutters on eBay for a steal (like $2.50 for 4 cutters and free shipping!), I knew I had to buy them and make some vegan ice-cream sandwiches (I may or may not be going through an ice-cream sandwich phase). Considering it is Darth Vader, of course the cookies had to be dark (chocolate) and the ice-cream darker (well, chocolate anyway). You don't have to make Darth Vader ones, I am sure there is something you can find: Minnie Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, or even flower molds. Use your imagination!

Vegan Chocolate Shortbread cookies, recipe altered from Emily Levenson,

Makes around 24 cookies.

Approximately 40 minutes prep (10 minutes mixing, 30 minutes refrigeration) and 10-15 minutes baking.

You will need:

1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (do NOT use self-raising!)
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup softened vegan butter/margarine
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
optional: 1-2 tbsp water if mixture is too dry

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking powder.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream margarine and sugar, then add vanilla.
3. Add in flour mixture. Mix until combined. If is too dry (which really depends on the flour you used) add some water.
4. Form dough into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
5. Preheat oven to 350F/180 degrees Celsius.
6. Roll out dough between two pieces of wax or parchment paper. It helps to flour the wax paper before rolling out the dough. Dough should be 1/4-1/2 inch thick.
7. Cut cookies into desired shape and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. If the dough sticks to the cookie cutters, clean: removing any dough, then using some cooking oil spray into the cutter before cutting. This should minimize any sticking, and you will probably need to repeat each time you cut the cookie.
   
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes. 
9. Let cool on a rack for at least 20 minutes.

When ready to assemble ice-cream sandwiches:

Approx. 5 minutes preparation, + 20 minutes freezing time, makes 10 sandwiches

You will need:

20 cookies
2 frozen bananas
2 tbsp cocoa

1. Combine the bananas and cocoa in a food processor until combined. The mix should be thick enough to serve immediately.
2. Place one tablespoon of ice-cream between 2 cookies.
3. Once all have been assembled, place in freezer for at least 15-20 minutes (this makes sure the ice-cream doesn't slip out when you take a bite into it!). Serve!