Oh Mama! Brown Butter Blondie Ice Cream Sandwiches

My Mom really loves ice cream.  Growing up there was always a tub in the freezer, usually vanilla, but once in awhile there was chocolate or that funky Neapolitan which always caused me some confusion, because I hated the strawberry and just wanted the chocolate but in the end I'd just mix it up into a pile of goop anyway.  Today is Mother's Day and I whipped these lovely treats up this morning and after I'm done writing this post I'm going to surprise my Mom with a package of ice cream sandwiches.  I mean, it's the least I can do after 39 years of all that she's done for me and my siblings.

I've been craving these brown butter blondies forever.  Made a batch last night and while they are perfectly awesome, I wanted to turn them into something a bit more chi chi for Mama's Day.  At first I was like, I'll just put some ice cream and salted caramel on top, and done!  But further brain waves indicated I wanted the ice cream inside the blondies, hence the birth of the ice cream sandwich.

The blondies are really easy to throw together.  You don't even need a fancy mixer.  Just a bowl and a spoon and a little wrist action.  Just like how our grandmothers made food before KitchenAid was invented.  Brown butter is quite miraculous stuff.  Simply melt 1/2 cup of butter over low heat, and watch it turn foamy, then a nutty brown colour.  Don't burn it, cuz that taste like garbage.  Just brown it.  A most heavenly smell will be wafting out of your kitchen and everyone will come running to see what the heck you are doing!  Once the blondies are baked, if you have the willpower, let them cool completely before removing from pan.  If you line your pan with tin foil, they should pop out like no body's business.  What I did was cut the blondies in half.  Trim the edges if you like and feed these to your kids.  Flip over and spread softened vanilla ice cream on one side.  I used half a tub of Haagen Dazs Vanilla Bean.  Place the other half of blondies on top and wrap in plastic wrap quite tightly.  Don't fret if some of the ice cream has spilled out of the edges.  It's cool.  Just throw back in the freezer and let it completely freeze.  Patience people!

Remove from freezer and begin cutting into squares.  Make them however big you like.  Eat immediately! Because you know, ice cream melts.  Can't wait to see the look on my Mom's face when she bites into one.  Happy Mama's Day!

Brown Butter Blondie Ice Cream Sandwiches

1/2 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp coarse salt
1 cup chocolate chunks or nuts

vanilla ice cream

Line a 8x8 inch square pan with foil and lightly grease it.  Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.  Watch it get foamy and turn golden, swirling the pan occasionally.  The nutty aroma will tell you it's done.
In a large bowl, beat together the brown butter and brown sugar.  Stir in the egg and the vanilla.  Beat in the flour, baking soda and salt.  When it is almost combined, stir in the chocolate or nuts.  Spread into a foil lined 8x8 inch square pan.  Bake at 350*F for about 15-20 minutes.  You still want some chewiness in the middle.  Let cool completely, then remove from pan.  Trim the edges, and cut the blondies in half.  Flip each side over and spread one side with vanilla ice cream.  Spread as much as you like!  Top with the other half of the blondies and wrap tightly in plastic wrap.  Freeze until firm.  Remove from freezer and slice into squares. Blondie recipe from Julie Van Rosendaal. 

Yesterday my Mom and I took a little road trip to some great vintage stores just a little ways outside of the city.  I scored these lovely plates and platter for a crazy $2!  Deal of the day, right?  Love the cracks and imperfections.  Someone loved these plates a long time ago and I wonder about all of the good food that was once served on them.  Do you do that too?  Think about the history of pieces you pick up at antique stores or garage sales?

And this ring was just 50 cents!  I wonder who wore it and what stories it could tell.