Start by gathering all your ingredients together. You want everything within reach because baking should be a fun and smooth process. In a small bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix them well and set aside. This will ensure that your dry ingredients are evenly distributed in your cookie dough.
Next, in a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract together until creamy and light in color, which should take about three to five minutes. You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer for this. The right texture will feel fluffy and smooth, creating a wonderful base for your cookies.
Now it’s time to add the egg and egg yolk. Mix them in thoroughly until well blended. This will help to bind your cookie dough together, giving it structure.
Gradually beat in your flour mixture and the two teaspoons of water. This helps to create a smooth dough. You should see the mixture start to come together into a cohesive form. Stir in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, folding gently until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Cover the dough with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Let it chill for about 15 minutes. This helps to develop the flavors and gives you a better texture when baked.
While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. These will prevent the cookies from sticking and allow for easy removal.
Once the oven is preheated and the dough has chilled, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about two inches apart. This ensures that they have enough room to spread while baking.
Bake the cookies for 9 to 11 minutes until they are golden brown around the edges but slightly soft in the center. Be cautious not to overbake them; you want them chewy!
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheets. This is crucial if you want to stuff them with ice cream later, as warm cookies can create a melty mess.
While the cookies cool, take your ice cream out of the freezer and let it sit on the counter to soften slightly. This will make it easier to scoop and spread.
Once your cookies are cool, it’s time to assemble! Take one cookie and flip it over. Place one or two scoops of the softened chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream on the bottom. If you want a thicker layer, go for the two scoops!
Top the ice cream with another cookie, gently pressing down to help everything stick together. Place the assembled sandwiches on a baking sheet and transfer them to the freezer. This will help them hold their shape while you prepare the hot fudge sauce.
To make the hot fudge sauce, in a small saucepan, stir together the cocoa powder, brown sugar, corn syrup, heavy cream, and salt, along with half of the chopped milk chocolate. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.
Let the sauce come to a low boil, stirring occasionally for about five minutes. You want it to thicken slightly. Remove from heat and add the remaining chopped chocolate, butter, and another splash of vanilla extract. Stir until smooth and glossy.
Now, take your cookie sandwiches out of the freezer. Drizzle the warm hot fudge sauce over the top of each sandwich. You want it to be warm, as cold fudge might not adhere as nicely.
Serve immediately and enjoy the deliciousness of your Hot Fudge Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Sandwich! Dig in while the fudge is warm for the ultimate experience!
