Red Velvet Oreo Coffee Ice Cream Sandwiches

1. In a 4-quart saucepan, combine milk, cream, and half of sugar. Set over high heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a boil, about 5 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk yolks and remaining sugar until smooth, heavy, and pale yellow, about 30 seconds.

3. When cream mixture just comes to a boil, whisk, remove from heat, and, in a slow stream, pour half of cream mixture over yolk sugar mixture, whisking constantly until blended.

4. Return pan to stovetop over low heat. Whisking constantly, stream yolk-cream mixture back into pan.

5. With a wooden spoon, continue stirring until mixture registers 165°F to 180°F on an instant-read thermometer, about 2 minutes. Do not heat above 180°F, or eggs in base will scramble. Mixture should be slightly thickened and coat back of spoon, with steam rising, but not boiling. (If you blow on the back of the spoon and the mixture ripples, you've got the right consistency.)

6. Pour base into a clean, airtight container and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours before using.

7. Use base within 3 to 5 days.

Coffee & Oreos Ice Cream Mix-Ins

2 tablespoons instant coffee powder

6 to 8 Oreo sandwich cookies, chopped or smashed with a rolling pin

1. Before refrigerating base, stir coffee powder into base to dissolve. Refrigerate base as directed.

2. Process in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions.

3. Transfer to a bowl and fold in cookie pieces.

4. Scrape into an airtight storage container. Freeze for a minimum of 2 hours before serving.

Sandwich between freshly baked, cooled Red Velvet Cookies.