Ice Cream Parfait with Cherry Compote & Oatmeal Crumble

I love layered desserts. There is something great about sinking your teeth into a new layer with each bite.  I had been wanting to incorporate cherries into a dessert all summer, so I decided to make cherry compote, layer it between vanilla ice cream and top it off with oatmeal crumble.  This tasted like a cherry pie, but without the crust, it was delicious.  

A Few Things: The cherry compote also pairs perfectly with Greek yogurt.  Another idea is to top the yogurt with some granola for a healthy breakfast.  

*All photographs by Alison

Chocolate Chip Cookie Icecream Sandwiches

I have a huge weakness for chocolate chip cookies, as I mentioned here.  When you pair an incredibly chewy and rich cookie with a scoop of vanilla bean icecream, it might just be heaven.  I am always looking for the next best chocolate chip cookie recipe, so this time I made the famed chocolatier Jacques Torres's recipe.  The results were dangerously delicious - why do I say dangerous, because I can tell you it is nearly impossible to eat just one! These proved to be very refreshing treat on a hot summer day.  

A Few Things: Once the cookies had completely cooled, I added one scoop of best quality vanilla bean ice cream. I then rolled the sides of the sandwiches in chopped peanuts and sliced almonds, then let them set in the freezer for an hour. 

*All photographs by Alison