Get ready to transform your dessert game with the most irresistible Mexican-inspired treat that combines the sweet nostalgia of conchas with the bright, refreshing flavors of strawberry and lime! These ice cream sandwiches are not just a dessert; they're a culinary adventure that will transport your taste buds to a vibrant street market in Mexico, all from the comfort of your own kitchen. Prepare to impress your friends and family with this show-stopping, Instagram-worthy dessert that's surprisingly easy to make.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, chopped
- 1 lime, zested and juiced
- 1 pint vanilla ice cream
- 4 conchas, split
Instructions
- Remove the vanilla ice cream from the freezer and let it soften slightly at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
- Wash and hull the fresh strawberries, then chop them into small, uniform pieces. Place the chopped strawberries in a medium mixing bowl.
- Zest the entire lime using a microplane or fine grater, collecting the green zest in the bowl with the strawberries.
- Cut the lime in half and squeeze the fresh juice over the strawberries, mixing gently to combine the zest and juice. Let the strawberries macerate for 10 minutes to develop flavor.
- Carefully split the conchas horizontally using a sharp knife, creating a top and bottom half for each sandwich.
- Fold the macerated strawberries gently into the softened vanilla ice cream, creating a swirled strawberry-lime ice cream.
- Spoon the strawberry-lime ice cream onto the bottom halves of the conchas, spreading evenly and creating a thick layer.
- Place the top halves of the conchas back on the ice cream, pressing gently to create a sandwich.
- For best results, wrap each sandwich in plastic wrap and freeze for 15 minutes to firm up before serving.
- Serve immediately, garnishing with additional lime zest or fresh strawberry slices if desired.
Tips
- Use room temperature ice cream for easier mixing and spreading
- Let strawberries macerate to intensify their natural sweetness
- Zest the lime before juicing for maximum flavor extraction
- Use a sharp knife when splitting conchas to keep them intact
- Freeze the sandwiches briefly to help them hold their shape
- Choose ripe, fresh strawberries for the best flavor
- For a gourmet touch, use high-quality vanilla ice cream
- Experiment with different concha flavors for variety
- Wrap sandwiches individually in plastic wrap for easy storage
- Serve immediately after freezing for the perfect texture
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 40mg
