Ice cream sandwich
Whole food · Dairy and Egg Products
Photo: Wikipedia
An ice cream sandwich is a classic frozen dessert consisting of a layer of ice cream pressed between two cookies, wafers, or brownies. It delivers a delightful contrast of textures: the soft, chewy, or crisp exterior yielding to the cold, creamy, and smooth interior. While indulgent, a 100g serving provides about 237 kcal, primarily from carbohydrates and sugar, with a modest amount of protein and fat.
Calorie split: 7% protein · 61% carbs · 32% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love ice cream sandwiches for their perfect balance of sweet, creamy, and chewy textures, often evoking nostalgic summer memories. Their handheld format makes them a fun, shareable, and universally appealing dessert for all ages.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar content (18.57g per 100g) can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes, making it a concern for individuals managing diabetes or insulin sensitivity. To counteract this, pair it with a source of protein or healthy fat (like a handful of nuts) to slow sugar absorption, and practice portion control by enjoying a smaller serving or sharing. Additionally, those with dairy or gluten allergies should check labels carefully.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates and sugars.
- Offers a small amount of protein (4.29g per 100g) from the dairy and cookie components.
- Can be a satisfying treat that supports mental well-being and enjoyment.
- Portable and convenient for a quick, cold snack.
- Versatile base for various flavor combinations (e.g., mint chocolate chip, vanilla with chocolate wafers).
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The modern ice cream sandwich as we know it—a scoop of ice cream between two cookies—was popularized in New York City in the early 1900s, often sold by street vendors for just a penny.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 48.9 g |
| Energy | 237 kcal |
| Energy | 990 kj |
| Protein | 4.3 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 8.6 g |
| Ash | 1.1 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 37.1 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 18.6 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 86.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.26 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 29.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 72.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 115 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 129 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.60 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.25 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.38 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 3.1 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.11 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.15 mg |
| Niacin | 1.6 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.21 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.03 mg |
| Folate, total | 34.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 27.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 6.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 53.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 8.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.05 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 86.0 ug |
| Retinol | 86.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 286 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 6.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.40 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 1.3 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 4.0 mg |
| Theobromine | 122 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.3 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.07 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.42 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.17 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.98 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.62 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 2.7 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 2.6 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 2.3 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.1 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.15 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 21.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Ice cream sundae cone — USDA does not publish this profile for Ice cream sandwich.
| Tryptophan | 0.01 g |
| Threonine | 0.02 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.03 g |
| Leucine | 0.06 g |
| Lysine | 0.02 g |
| Methionine | 0.01 g |
| Cystine | 0.02 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.04 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.02 g |
| Valine | 0.04 g |
| Arginine | 0.03 g |
| Histidine | 0.02 g |
| Alanine | 0.03 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.03 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.29 g |
| Glycine | 0.03 g |
| Proline | 0.10 g |
| Serine | 0.04 g |
FAQ
What is the typical calorie count for an ice cream sandwich?
A standard ice cream sandwich (about 118g) contains approximately 280 calories, based on the provided nutritional data of 237 kcal per 100g.
Are ice cream sandwiches a good source of protein?
They provide a modest amount of protein (about 5g per serving), primarily from the dairy in the ice cream and the flour in the cookies, but they are not considered a significant protein source.
Can I make a healthier version at home?
Yes, you can use lower-sugar ice cream, whole-grain or protein-based cookies, and add fruit for fiber to reduce the glycemic impact and increase nutritional value.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.37 kcal/g · 7% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 18.6 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 1.12 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.