Gingersnap Lemon Ice Cream Sandwiches

Combine the milk, cream, lemon zest and 1/2 cup of the sugar in aheavy saucepan. Cook, stirring frequently, over medium heat until almost simmering. In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, the remaining 1/2 cup sugar, and the salt in a bowl. Slowly pour the hot liquid into the egg mixture, whisking as you pour. Return the mixtureto the saucepan. Cook, over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a heat-resistant plastic or a wooden spatula, until the custard reaches 175°F and lightly coats the spatula.

Strain the custard into a clean bowl and cool over an ice bath until room temperature. Stir in the lemon juice. Refrigerate the custard for at least 4 hours or up to overnight. Churn in an ice cream machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Freeze until scoopable,about 4 hours, depending on your freezer.

Sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, white pepper, and allspice. Stir in the salt.

Beat the butter, 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar, and the brown sugar together until smooth. Stir in the egg.

Mix in the molasses. Stir in the dry ingredients in 2 additions. Refrigerate the dough until very firm, at least 3 hours.

Divide the dough in half, wrap each half in plastic wrap, and refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours or up to 4 days. When firm, roll the dough on a lightly sugared work surface into two 9-inch-long logs.

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 3 baking pans with parchment paper.

Cut the dough into 1/2-inch-thick slices. There should be at least 24 cookies.

Put the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar in a bowl. Coat the cookies with the sugar.

Place the cookies 2 1/2 inchesapart on the prepared pans.

Bake the cookies until set and no longer wet looking, 10 to 12 minutes. They will be puffy when you take them out of the oven and will sink as they cool.

Place 12 of the cookies, bottom side up, on the work surface.

Place a large scoop of ice cream on each. Top with a second cookie, bottom side against the ice cream, and gently press to adhere the sandwiches together.

Serve immediately, or freeze until ready to serve. Once frozen, wrap well in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container.

Reprinted with permission from A Passion for Ice Cream by Emily Luchetti, (C) 2006, Chronicle Books