These Funfetti Birthday Cake Ice Cream Sandwiches are an ideal festive summer treat that feels indulgent but is secretly better-for-you. They’re gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free and grain-free, but you’d never know it from their next-level taste. A healthy, better-for-you dessert that’s perfect for summer gatherings or anytime you want a crowd-pleasing treat.

The soft-on-the-outside, crisp-on-the-edges cookie texture combined with creamy dairy-free vanilla ice cream gives total birthday cake vibes in every bite — a fun, kid-friendly option for any celebration. With an ingredient list that skips all the junk, this is a treat you can feel good about enjoying or serving at a backyard hangout, birthday party, or just a hot summer night.

Why You’ll Love These Healthier Ice Cream Sandwiches

If you grew up on Funfetti boxed cake, I guarantee you will love these healthier Funfetti Birthday Cake Ice Cream sandwiches. Instead of traditional refined sugar-packed cookies, this recipe is packed with nutrient-dense swaps that still deliver on flavor. It’s kind of mind-blowing how they manage to taste so good.

Made with wholesome ingredients like almond flour which adds healthy fats and protein, arrowroot starch to help keep the cookies soft and chewy, and ghee for a rich buttery taste without the dairy, they’re honestly unbelievable.

They’re also completely refined sugar-free, using a combo of pure maple syrup and coconut sugar to naturally sweeten the cookies without a blood sugar spike. And let’s not forget the natural sprinkles — because everything’s more fun with a little color.

Perfect for Summer, Birthdays, or Anytime You Want a Treat

These healthy Funfetti cookie ice cream sandwiches are perfect for summer BBQs, pool days, or any time you want an easy gluten-free dessert that feels nostalgic but doesn’t derail your goals. I’m obsessed!

They’re great on their own, but we love them sandwiched with dairy-free vanilla ice cream. I also like making them minis, but you can easily make full-sized cookies using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop instead of a 1-tablespoon scoop.

And if you’ve never tried making homemade ice cream sandwiches, don’t worry — they’re super simple to assemble and can be stored in the freezer for up to a week. Make them for a birthday party treat, a fun weekend dessert, or when the next celebratory craving hits. I mean, birthday cake ice cream sandwiches with a wholesome twist — does it get any better?!

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:

For the Cookies:

  • Almond flour
  • Arrowroot starch 
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Kosher salt 
  • Ghee (I like 4th & Heart)
  • Pure maple syrup 
  • Coconut sugar
  • Egg (1)
  • Pure vanilla extract 
  • Almond extract 
  • Natural sprinkles

To Assemble:

  • Dairy-free vanilla ice cream
  • Natural sprinkles

HOW TO MAKE FUNFETTI BIRTHDAY CAKE ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

For the Cookies:

In a medium bowl, add the almond flour, arrowroot starch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to combine. Set aside.

In a large bowl, add the melted ghee, maple syrup, coconut sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Whisk for 30 seconds until the mixture is smooth and totally combined. Allow to sit for a few minutes before whisking for an additional 30 seconds.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet. Using a wooden spoon, stir together until just combined. Add the sprinkles and stir to combine, ensuring the sprinkles are evenly distributed. 

Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Using a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion the dough into 38-40 balls, placing them on one of the prepared cookie sheets. Transfer to the freezer for 20 minutes to chill.

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Remove the cookie dough from the freezer and place 8-10 cookies onto the other prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between. Bake on the middle rack for 8 to 9 minutes. The cookies will be soft in the middle and crisp on the edges.

Allow the cookies to cool on the sheet before transferring to a cooling rack. Repeat until all the cookies are baked. Allow to fully cool before assembling.

To Assemble:

Pour the sprinkles onto a plate.

Spoon about 2 tablespoons of vanilla ice cream onto one of the cookies. Gently press the other cookie on top until the ice cream reaches the edges of the cookies.

If desired, roll the edges of the assembled cookie sandwiches in the sprinkles and immediately transfer to the freezer. Repeat to make the remaining sandwiches.

Chill for at least 1 hour before serving. Enjoy!

RECIPE SUBSTITUTIONS & QUESTIONS

If you need to customize this recipe, there are plenty of easy swaps. For a gluten version, use all-purpose flour instead of almond flour. Arrowroot starch can be swapped with tapioca or cornstarch, and ghee can be replaced with softened butter if you’re not dairy-free.

Maple syrup can be subbed with another liquid sweetener like honey or agave, while coconut sugar should be swapped with a dry sweetener like maple sugar, date sugar, or brown sugar.

For a vegan option, use a flax egg. And feel free to use any dairy or dairy-free vanilla ice cream—or banana “nice cream” for a lower-sugar twist.

I’ve only made this recipe as-is so far, so let me know if you try any of these swaps and how they turn out! And for all my go-to kitchen and cooking essentials (& more!), shop my Amazon Storefront.

How do you store homemade ice cream sandwiches, and can you make them ahead of time?

Yes! You can bake the cookies in advance and store them at room temperature for up to 2 days, or freeze them for longer. When ready, assemble with dairy-free vanilla ice cream and freeze the sandwiches in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Let them sit at room temp for 5–10 minutes before serving to soften slightly. Perfect for prepping ahead for birthdays, BBQs, or summer treats!

Can I make these ice cream sandwiches full-sized instead of mini?

Yes! While this recipe makes mini ice cream sandwiches using a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop, you can make regular-sized ones by simply using a 2-tablespoon scoop. They’ll be slightly thicker and larger — great for a more classic-style sandwich or serving a crowd.

More Healthy Summer Desserts to Try Next:

Peppermint Patties    

Viral Strawberry Bark

5 Refreshing Summer Smoothies

One-Ingredient Blood Orange Sorbet

High-Protein Froyo With A Chocolate Shell Topping

Funfetti Birthday Cake Ice Cream Sandwiches

By Rachael DeVaux
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes
Total: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 18 – 20 mini ice cream sandwiches
*Cook Time is 8 minutes per batch. Total Time includes 1 hour cooling time.
*The Notes section below includes Recipe Substitutions, Make Ahead & Storage tips.
If you grew up on Funfetti boxed cake, you’ll love these Funfetti Birthday Cake Ice Cream Sandwiches. They're gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free and grain-free – but you'd never know it. Hope you love 'em!

Equipment

  • medium + large mixing bowls
  • 1-tablespoon cookie scoop

Ingredients 

For the Cookies:

  • 2 ¼ cups almond flour
  • ½ cup arrowroot starch
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ cup ghee, melted and cooled to room temperature (I like 4th & Heart)
  • ¼ cup pure maple syrup
  • ½ cup coconut sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • ½ cup natural sprinkles

To Assemble:

  • 2 pints dairy-free vanilla ice cream
  • ½ cup natural sprinkles

Instructions 

For the Cookies:

  • In a medium bowl, add the almond flour, arrowroot starch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to combine. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, add the melted ghee, maple syrup, coconut sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Whisk for 30 seconds until the mixture is smooth and totally combined. Allow to sit for a few minutes before whisking for an additional 30 seconds.
  • Add the dry ingredients to the wet. Using a wooden spoon, stir together until just combined. Add the sprinkles and stir to combine, ensuring the sprinkles are evenly distributed.
  • Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Using a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion the dough into 38-40 balls, placing them on one of the prepared cookie sheets. Transfer to the freezer for 20 minutes to chill.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Remove the cookie dough from the freezer and place 8-10 cookies onto the other prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between. Bake on the middle rack for 8 to 9 minutes. The cookies will be soft in the middle and crisp on the edges.
  • Allow the cookies to cool on the sheet before transferring to a cooling rack. Repeat until all the cookies are baked. Allow to fully cool before assembling.

To Assemble:

  • Pour the sprinkles onto a plate.
  • Spoon about 2 tablespoons of vanilla ice cream onto one of the cookies. Gently press the other cookie on top until the ice cream reaches the edges of the cookies.
  • If desired, roll the edges of the assembled cookie sandwiches in the sprinkles and immediately transfer to the freezer. Repeat to make the remaining sandwiches.
  • Chill for at least 1 hour before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

Option to make regular-sized ones by simply using a 2-tablespoon scoop.
Recipe Substitutions:
  • Swap almond flour for all-purpose flour for a traditional gluten version.
  • Replace arrowroot starch with tapioca starch or cornstarch if needed.
  • Use softened butter instead of ghee if not dairy-free.
  • Substitute maple syrup with another liquid sweetener like honey or agave syrup.
  • Substitute coconut sugar with a dry sweetener like maple sugar, date sugar, or brown sugar (if not refined sugar-free).
  • For egg-free or vegan, use a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water).
  • Use any dairy or dairy-free vanilla ice cream, or try frozen banana “nice cream” for a lower-sugar option.
Make Ahead & Storage:
Bake cookies up to 2 days in advance (store at room temp or freeze). Once assembled, freeze sandwiches in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Let sit at room temp 5–10 minutes before serving.

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Welcome! I’m Rachael.

I enjoy sharing my love for food and fitness. I'm a registered dietitian, certified personal trainer, and a New York Times Bestselling author. Here you'll find all kinds of recipes and kitchen hacks, as well as workouts and fitness motivation. Enjoy! — xx Rachael

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