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Strawberry Pop-Tart Ice Cream Sandwiches. Layered with creamy swirled strawberry and vanilla ice cream, sweet strawberry jam, and soft flaky strawberry-filled Pop-Tarts that taste even better frozen. Keep a batch stored in the freezer for those warm nights when all you want is a really good ice cream sandwich.

I love when our Fridays come complete with the yummiest desserts—especially summery ones like this! By now, it’s pretty obvious I’ve fully switched from spring to summer mode. Being in Miami, and even this week in Texas, summer is already here. The sun is hot, the days feel longer and happier, and all I want to make right now are fresh salads, lots of tacos, and ice cream!

I dreamed these up a few weeks ago, soon after arriving in Miami. The heat and sunshine instantly put me into full-on summer mode. Suddenly, I was making batch after batch of ice cream and plotting out so many new recipes.
For these sandwiches, I wanted to use my strawberry Pop-Tart recipe for the “cookie,” then layer in vanilla ice cream, strawberry ice cream, and a little strawberry jam.
If you want to make the Pop-Tarts from scratch, amazing. But I completely understand the ease of using store-bought too! Like I always say—do what works best for you and your family.

These are the details
Ingredients
- vanilla ice cream
- strawberry ice cream
- strawberry jam
- strawberry Pop-Tarts – I like to use my homemade recipe, but store-bought unfrosted Pop-Tarts are great too!
- powdered sugar
- vanilla extract
- hot milk
- fun sprinkles
Tools

The Steps
Step 1: Prep the Pan
Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides so you can easily lift everything out later. This makes slicing so much easier once the sandwiches are frozen.

Step 2: Build the Base
Arrange half of the Pop-Tarts in an even layer on the bottom of the pan. If using store-bought, try to find Unfrosted Pop-Tarts.
The Pop-Tarts really make these sandwiches. They stay soft and chewy straight from the freezer and taste so good with the creamy ice cream. Plus, they’re just fun!
Step 3: Swirl the Ice Cream
Gently swirl together the vanilla ice cream, strawberry ice cream, and jam. You can do this directly over the Pop-Tarts or in a bowl. Don’t overmix—you want those thick strawberry ribbons throughout.
If the ice cream is too firm, let it sit out for a few minutes first. Softer ice cream spreads much more easily and keeps the layers nice and even.

Step 4: Assemble the Sandwich
Spread the swirled ice cream over the Pop-Tarts in an even layer, then top with the remaining Pop-Tarts to create one large ice cream sandwich.
It can get a little messy here, but that’s part of the fun. Embrace the imperfect, semi-homemade vibe—and don’t forget to sneak a few spoonfuls of the ice cream along the way!
Step 5: Freeze Until Firm
Cover and freeze until completely firm, at least 4 hours, but overnight is even better if you can wait. The firmer they are, the easier they’ll slice.
These are perfect to make ahead for summer weekends so everyone can grab one straight from the freezer.
Step 6: Make the Frosting
Whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla, and hot milk until smooth and spreadable. Start with less milk, then slowly add more until the frosting is thick but easy to spread.
This is what gives them that classic homemade Pop-Tart feel—sweet, simple, and so good with the cold ice cream.

Step 7: Frost and Decorate
Spread the frosting over the frozen sandwiches, then immediately top with sprinkles before it sets.
The sprinkles make these extra fun and instantly bring you back to childhood. The more colorful, the better!
Step 8: Freeze Again
Return the pan to the freezer for another 1–2 hours, just until the frosting is set and the sandwiches are easy to slice cleanly.
Step 9: Slice and Serve
Lift the slab out of the pan and cut into rectangles or squares. Store in the freezer so they’re ready anytime.

Looking for other frozen recipes? Here are a few of my go-tos.
5 ingredient Raspberry Peach Sherbet
Salty Pretzel Banana Pudding Ice Cream Cake
Strawberry Pretzel Ice Cream Cake
No Churn Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream
Homemade Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars
Blackberry Lavender Ice Cream Sandwiches
No Churn Minted White Chocolate Swirled Ice Cream
6 Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Cake
Lastly, if you make these Strawberry Pop-Tart Ice Cream Sandwiches, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Strawberry Pop-Tart Ice Cream Sandwiches
Servings: 12 sandwiches
Calories Per Serving: 357 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 9-12 strawberry pop tarts *link below for homemade
- 2 pints vanilla ice cream
- 1 pint strawberry ice cream
- 1 jar strawberry jam
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3-6 tablespoons hot milk
- fun sprinkles
Instructions
- 1. Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper.2. Arrange half of the Pop-Tarts along the bottom of the baking dish.3. Over the Pop-Tarts, layer and swirl the vanilla ice cream, strawberry ice cream, and jam until lightly swirled. Don’t overmix — you want ribbons of jam and color throughout. Spread the ice cream mixture evenly, then arrange the remaining Pop-Tarts on top.4. Freeze until firm, at least 4 hours or overnight.Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons of hot milk, adding more milk as needed to thin the frosting to your desired consistency. 5. Spread the frosting over the frozen Pop-Tart sandwiches. Let the frosting set for a few minutes, then decorate with sprinkles. Return to the freezer and freeze 1–2 more hours, or overnight, until the frosting is firm.6. Cut into 9–12 rectangles. Serve immediately or keep frozen until ready to eat.
Notes
Ready to go all the way with these? Here's the link to my Homemade Giant Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tarts
This post was originally published on May 15, 2026
















How to proceed with step 2 if using the 9 poptarts instead of 12? Did you cut them in half?
Hey Elle,
Yes, you can cut in half if needed, however they best fit in your baking dish is great! I hope you love this recipe!
This recipe did not turn out for me at all. It felt like a complicated way of doing things in the overall result was very messy and lackluster. I’m sorry, but I cannot recommend this to others in good conscience.
Very sorry to hear this, Carole. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
We are going to give them a try. I’ll let you know if we have better results.
This just wasn’t a well thought out recipe. The only way to swirl the ice creams and the jam together was to let the ice cream melt quite a bit, which ruined the texture of it after I refroze it. The pop tarts crumbled a lot when I tried to cut them and the whole thing was just very messy. Honestly, it would have been a million times easier just to put a scoop of strawberry ice cream between two pop tarts and eat it immediately.
Hi Helena,
Thanks for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, very sorry to hear it was not enjoyed!
Is the calorie amount based on the store bought pop tarts or your homemade ones?
Hi Kelly,
It’s based on my homemade recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
How much is “one jar” of jam, as jam comes in different sizes? 🙂
Hi Kelly,
I used a 12oz jar of jam for this recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions!