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Imagine biting into a creamy, dreamy square of ice cream that tastes like your favorite childhood treat. Oatmeal Cream Pie Ice Cream Bars are a blast from the past!
Ice cream bars are one of those things that I could eat ever day and never get sick of.
These bars are about the fun of an ice cream sandwich and the comforting taste of a classic snack cookie.
They bring together the flavors of creamy vanilla ice cream, the sweet chewiness of oatmeal cream pies, and just the right amount of chill.
I seriously feel like a kid again when I eat these, haha! And no high fructose corn syrup! Great, right?
This recipe is so easy that you’ll be surprised at how quickly it comes together. There’s no need for fancy machines or weird ingredients—just a few simple steps and a bit of patience while they freeze.
You can enjoy these bars on a hot summer day, or serve them at a party. They’re like a serving of food from heaven!
Plus, since you made them yourself, you know exactly what’s inside—no guessing about natural flavors, soy lecithin, or guar gum from store-bought items. You’re gonna love these ice cream bars.
Some of our other favorite ICE CREAM RECIPES we have on our site include: No Churn Caramel Ice Cream, Homemade Red Velvet Ice Cream Recipe, and No Churn Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe.
Jump to:
- WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- HOW TO MAKE ICE CREAM BARS:
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
- CAN I USE A DIFFERENT COOKIE?
- CAN THIS BE MADE AHEAD?
- ANY ADDITIONS?
- ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
- HOW TO STORE:
- DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Oatmeal Cream Pie Ice Cream Bars
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Simple Ingredients: Using just a handful of simple ingredients—heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, and oatmeal cream pies.
- No Ice Cream Machine Needed: You don’t need an ice cream machine or special gadgets.
- Flavor and Texture: The fluffy, creamy ice cream pairs perfectly with the chewy oatmeal cookies.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Heavy cream
- Vanilla extract
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Oatmeal cream pies
HOW TO MAKE ICE CREAM BARS:
- Line a 9×9 square pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Add 6 oatmeal cream pies to the bottom of the pan and smush them together to form an even crust.
- In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, whip the heavy cream and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Add the sweetened condensed milk to the whipped cream until combined.
- Add half the ice cream mixture to the pan and spread out evenly.
- Add another 6 oatmeal pies on top of the ice cream.
- Add the rest of the ice cream mixture and top with the remaining oatmeal cream pies.
- Freeze for 8 hours or overnight.
- Remove from the pan, slice and serve!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
CAN I USE A DIFFERENT COOKIE?
Yes! If you’ve already met your daily value of oatmeal cream pies, feel free to use other soft cookies in these bars.
Try chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, or even a milk chocolate cookie for a richer flavor.
Just make sure the cookies are chewy and not too hard, so they’re easy to bite through when frozen.
CAN THIS BE MADE AHEAD?
Absolutely. In fact, these bars are best when made ahead because they need time to freeze—at least 8 hours or overnight.
Making them a day ahead is a great way to ensure they’re perfectly set and ready to serve when you want them.
Store them in an airtight container in your freezer, and they’ll keep for about a week or two.
ANY ADDITIONS?
This is a recipe web site. Of course there are additions!
- Drizzle of caramel sauce: Add a thin drizzle of caramel before freezing for extra sweetness.
- Crushed nuts: Sprinkle chopped peanuts or almonds between layers for a satisfying crunch.
- Mini chocolate chips: Scatter a handful of these for chocolate bursts.
- A pinch of sea salt: A tiny sprinkle of salt can bring out the flavors, balancing sweet and salty.
- Peanut butter swirl: A spoonful of warmed peanut butter swirled into the ice cream layer.
- Strawberry jam: Dollop a little fruity jam for a fun fruity surprise.
- Cocoa powder dust: Lightly dust the top with cocoa powder for a richer chocolate taste.
- Chocolate shavings: Fancy your ice cream bars up with curls of chocolate on top.
- Crushed pretzels: A salty pretzel layer can add crunch and contrast.
- Whipped cream: Top with a dab of whipped cream right before serving.
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
For the best experience, make it all your own!
- Coconut milk instead of heavy cream for a dairy-free option.
- Maple syrup or honey instead of sweetened condensed milk if you prefer a different kind of sweetness (though the texture may change slightly).
- Gluten-free oatmeal cookies to cater to certain dietary needs.
- Almond extract instead of vanilla extract if you like a nutty twist.
- Skim milk mixed with a little melted coconut oil if you’re watching your fat intake (though it may not be as creamy).
- Low-fat cream cheese folded into the ice cream base for a tangy note instead of pure cream.
HOW TO STORE:
Refrigerator: Don’t store them in the fridge for long, as they’ll just melt. If you need to soften them a bit before serving, a few minutes in the fridge can help, but not much longer.
Freezer: Keep these bars in the freezer, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container to lock out moisture.
They should last about 1-2 weeks before the texture and flavor start to fade.
If you find ice crystals forming on top, just scrape them off and enjoy what’s underneath.
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This helps them combine more easily, giving you a smoother mixture.
- Chill Your Bowl: A cold bowl and cold cream whip up faster and fluffier.
- Don’t Overmix: Once the cream forms stiff peaks, fold in the sweetened condensed milk gently to avoid knocking out all the air.
- Layer Evenly: Press down the oatmeal cream pies firmly to create an even base. This makes slicing easier later.
- Freeze Overnight: For best results, let it freeze overnight. This ensures that every layer is firm and easy to cut.
- Add Natural Flavors: If you want more depth, add a tiny drop of almond or peppermint extract. Just a drop, though, so it doesn’t overpower the vanilla.
Ice Cream Bars are a simple, fun dessert that feels like a little bit of childhood magic in each bite.
They’re easy to make, no fancy tools required, and bring together the best parts of cookies and ice cream into one delicious package. Enjoy!
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
Oatmeal Cream Pie Ice Cream Bars
Ingredients
- 18 oatmeal cream pies
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Line a 9×9 square pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Add 6 oatmeal cream pies to the bottom of the pan and smush them together to form an even crust.18 oatmeal cream pies
- In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, whip the heavy cream and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.2 cups heavy whipping cream, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Add the sweetened condensed milk to the whipped cream until combined.1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
- Add half the ice cream mixture to the pan and spread out evenly.
- Add another 6 oatmeal pies on top of the ice cream.
- Add the rest of the ice cream mixture and top with the remaining oatmeal cream pies.
- Freeze for 8 hours or overnight.
- Remove from the pan, slice and serve!
Notes
- A cold bowl and cold cream whip up faster and fluffier. Chill your bowl for a few minutes before using.
- Once the cream forms stiff peaks, fold in the sweetened condensed milk gently to avoid knocking out all the air.
- Press down the oatmeal cream pies firmly to create an even base. This makes slicing easier later.
- For best results, let it freeze overnight. This ensures that every layer is firm and easy to cut.
- If you want more depth, add a tiny drop of almond or peppermint extract. Just a drop, though, so it doesn’t overpower the vanilla.
Nutrition
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