This post was sponsored by Honey Bunches of Oats Chocolate as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review. I liked them so much I ate them and had to buy more to get photos! All opinions are my own. 

I’m always looking for new gluten free options. I was thrilled when I learned Honey Bunches of Oats, one of my favorite cereals, was coming out with a gluten-free version (please see disclosure at the end of this post)! I can enjoy it for breakfast again! And even more than that, this gluten free cereal that just came out is Honey Bunches of Oats Chocolate! So, not only can my family and I enjoy a delicious breakfast, we can have a chocolate snack any time and satisfy that chocolate craving that inevitably hits at some point every single day (or is that just me?). Honey Bunches of Oats Chocolate is made using real cocoa. It’s full of healthy vitamins and minerals and is made without high fructose corn syrup, which is something I always look for in a cereal.

Simple gourmet dessert using…cereal?

When kids think dessert, they imagine a 5 layer cake or giant triple scoop bowl of ice cream dripping in hot fudge and piled high in toppings. I like to have dessert often, but don’t want to gorge on too much sugar every evening. One small scoop of ice cream may be special to a toddler, but my elementary aged kids are looking for a little more wow factor. Of course, if they ever complained over getting one scoop, they wouldn’t get any, but I can make a smaller, healthier portion look, feel, and taste like a gourmet treat without too much fuss. So, why not enjoy dessert together a little bit more.

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How to make a small dessert, an extra special treat

When I received Honey Bunches of Oats Chocolate and was able to try it for myself, I realized it could be a dessert all on it’s own. My family agrees that it’s good any time of the day! It’s sweet, crunchy and chocolaty. I admit I snuck downstairs and indulged in a bowl of cereal for a midnight snack more than once. I meant what I said in the top disclosure about eating all the cereal that was sent to me. I had to go buy more boxes before I had a chance to take photos! It definitely satisfies my sweet tooth, but without being overly sweet.

This DIY ice cream sandwich recipe has a sweet chocolate crunch that is irresistible! And it only has two ingredients! My whole family enjoyed this ice cream treat and just loved the idea that you can make your own ice cream sandwich at home. They are inspired to create their own recipes the next time we make them and I love getting my kids involved in the kitchen, so we’ll be doing that soon. This would also make a fun substitute for a birthday party cake or fun holiday treat to impress your guests. And it’s so quick and easy to make!

It tastes all the better if you place it on a pretty tea saucer or other fancy plate. You could even drizzle a small amount of chocolate sauce over it to make it really fancy. I find the fancier I make dessert look, the more excited everyone is to eat it, and the more we all enjoy our dessert. It really can be as easy as serving on a pretty plate.

Homemade Ice Cream Sandwich Recipe with Gluten Free Crust

Ingredients

• Honey Bunches of Oats Chocolate
• Vanilla ice cream

Directions

• Crush 1 cup of gluten free Honey Bunches of Oats Chocolate in a plastic bag.
• Line an 8×8 dish with foil
• Cover the bottom with a layer of half of the crushed cereal

• Scrape, don’t scoop, thin layers of ice cream over the top of the cereal to fill the pan

• Press down with a spatula or cover with foil and gently press down, you’ll need to gently peel back the foil while scraping the ice cream off the foil back into the pan. (Some recipes say to spray the foil with oil, but I found that leaves an unwanted taste).
• Cover well with remaining crushed cereal, crush more cereal if needed to completely cover ice cream.

• Cover with a layer of foil and gently press flat
• Freeze for 30 minutes.
• Remove top layer of foil
• Gently flip pan over onto a cutting board
• Pull off the remaining foil

• Cut with a knife into squares or rectangles.

• Enjoy!

• To save for later, quickly wrap each sandwich individually in foil and store in a freezer.

Have you made a gluten free ice cream sandwich before? Have you ever used cereal in a dessert recipe? Please share your favorites with me in the comments!

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Disclaimer: While Honey Bunches of Oats Chocolate complies with FDA Gluten Free labeling requirements, it is not manufactured in a dedicated facility. All ingredients, ingredient suppliers and production lines are thoroughly tested at multiple levels of production and evaluated to assure there is no risk of cross-contact contamination. As gluten intolerances and sensitivities vary from person to person, we encourage you to use your best discretion when choosing foods safe for you. Honey Bunches of Oats Chocolate aims to provide a delicious cereal for all members of the family to enjoy, including those with gluten sensitivities or allergies. Enjoy!