When I received my review copy of Jamielyn Nye’s new book, The I Heart Naptime Cookbook: More Than 100 Easy & Delicious Recipes to Make in Less Than One Hour, I did my usual flip through with Post-it notes, marking all the recipes that I think my family (read: my kids) will eat. By the time I got to the main courses, I realized that I had marked every single page up to that point. So I abandoned the Post-its and started my grocery list instead.
This week we’ve had stuffed peppers, burrito bowls, and homemade pizzas, every single one of which has been delicious. And we can’t wait to try more. Especially the Peanut Butter Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches that Jamielyn shared with us here. Yum.
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Related: Make It Easy: A new cookbook perfect for busy families.
Of course, Jamielyn’s blog, I Heart Naptime, has been a favorite of ours for years because of how well she understands what busy parents needs: quick recipes that are full of healthy ingredients that — and here’s the kicker — our kids will actually want to eat. All of the recipes are ready in less than an hour, except the slow cooker ones that you’ll need to prep earlier in the day. And there are so many that we can’t wait to try: Sweet and Sour Meatballs, Chicken Hot Pie (because her daughter says that makes more sense than Chicken Pot Pie), Garlic Parmesan Breadsticks, and of course, S’mores Bars.
This cookbook also includes some simple crafts (like spice jar labels and the pretty painted napkins pictured) and helpful tips (like her 10 favorite kitchen tools). And because she’s awesome, Jamielyn even includes templates in the back of the cookbook that are a big help to the craft-challenged like myself. A life saver of a cookbook if there ever was one.
Related: Simply Scratch: A cookbook of scratch recipes so easy you’ll actually want to make them.
Trust me that you should get to know this cookbook on your own, but to whet your appetite, I’m excited to share one of the recipes that my kids are most excited about: Peanut Butter Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches. Holy, yum. Thanks, Jamielyn!
Peanut Butter Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches
From The I Heart Naptime Cookbook
Ingredients
1 (about 18-ounce) box brownie mix
2 large eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1/2 pint vanilla ice cream, slightly softened
For the chocolate shell (optional)
8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
2 teaspoons vegetable oil or coconut oil
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, beat together the brownie mix, eggs, and vegetable oil for 2 minutes, or until smooth. Stir in the chocolate chips (if using).
Using a medium cookie scoop (about 2 to 3 tablespoons), scoop the cookie dough portion onto the prepared baking sheet, at least 1 inch apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. They should still be soft and a little doughy in the middle. Let cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack.
Once completely cool, spread 1 tablespoon of the peanut butter onto the flat side of half of the cookies. Then, using an ice cream scoop, add one scoop of ice cream. Top with a second cookie and press down slightly. Place the sandwiches on a baking sheet and freeze for 20 minutes, or until set.
Make the chocolate shell (optional): In a small, microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate and oil. Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes at 50% power. Stir and microwave for 1 minute more, or until melted.
Dip one side of each chilled ice cream sandwich into the chocoate shell and return to the freezer for 5 minutes, or until set.
Wrap the ice cream sandwiches individually in parchment paper or aluminum foil and store in the freezer for up to 1 month.
Note: Once frozen, you may cut these in half with a sharp knife for smaller portions, then wrap them.
Variation: Try using mint or white chocolate chips. You may also omit the peanut butter and try different fillings such as Dream Caramel Sauce (also in The I Heart Naptime Cookbook).
For more delicious recipes your kids will love, buy your own copy of The I Heart Naptime Cookbook by Jamielyn Nye at your local bookstore or our affiliate Amazon today.
