Today Is National Ice Cream Sandwich Day!

Not only is this my most favorite day of the year, but it just got even better.

NPR recently discovered the most ingenious way to celebrate National Ice Cream Sandwich Day during a trip to Lincoln Park's Dirty Betty's. They made them with house-made doughnuts!

While it might not be the most practical way to eat the traditional treat, it's definitely an alternative to the usual. And speaking of which, we found some other spots around town serving up their own twists to the classic summer frozen sweet:

Black Dog Gelato: For $3.75, the Ukrainian Village shop will scoop any flavor between their soft, homemade chocolate chip or oatmeal-raisin cookies. Our favorites: Mexican hot chocolate, cocoa nib with toasted pecans, goat cheese cashew caramel or pistachio.

Hot Chocolate: Owner Mindy Segal got engaged last spring and dedicated half her dessert menu to the happy occasion. My Honey Pie is warm and luscious with honey-roasted peanuts, honey caramel, berry-rosé syrup, graham cracker and a PB&J ice cream sandwich.

one sixtyblue: We recommend stopping by the lounge and ordering this gourmet ice cream sandwich of chocolate chip cookie and mint chocolate chip ice cream. Everything's housemade, of course.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop: And when it comes to cheap and easy, Potbelly gets a Gold Star. Their signature ice cream sandwich keeps a low profile, but you should certainly seek it out on this decadent day. You can get a heaping of vanilla ice cream between two homemade brownies, oatmeal raisin or chocolate chip cookies. Available at all stores.