Apple Pie Sandwich Cookies a La Mode

Ingredients:

• 2 Golden Delicious, Gala or Fuji apples (about 0.5 kg), peeled, cored and cut into 0.5 cm cubes.
• 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice (from half a lemon)
• 0.5 tsp apple pie spice
• 1 cup of sugar
• 200 g of butter at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 and 3/4 cups premium flour
• 0.5 tsp baking powder
• 0.5 tsp fine salt
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp. vanilla ice cream, slightly softened

Preparation:

1. In a medium bowl, combine lemon juice, apple pie spice, apples, and 1/3 cup sugar.
2. In a medium skillet, melt 2 tablespoons (30 grams) butter over high heat. Add the apple mixture and stir to coat completely. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the apples are soft and translucent, about 20 minutes. If the mixture becomes too dry and begins to brown prematurely, add 1/4 cup water and continue simmering.
3. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch with 1 teaspoon of water and pour into the apple mixture. Bring the mixture to a boil to activate the cornstarch and cook until thickened and simmering, about 1 minute more. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
4. Position oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350°F (175°C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
5. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, beat the remaining 12 tablespoons (170 g) butter and 2/3 cup sugar with a hand mixer until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in the egg, then the vanilla. Slowly fold in the dry ingredients in 2 additions.
6. Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough at a time and roll into balls. Place on prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart, and press into flat disks about 1/4 inch thick. Bake until set on top but still pale, about 15 minutes. Cool on the baking sheets.
7. Once the cookies have cooled, flip them over. Spoon 1 teaspoon of apple filling onto half of the cookies. Spoon 1 tablespoon of vanilla ice cream onto the remaining half of the cookies. Take the apple-filled cookies and press them onto the ice cream-covered cookies, then serve immediately. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Before serving, remove the cookies from the freezer for 5 minutes to allow the ice cream to soften..