Although the “frigid” Southern California winter season doesn’t leave much desire for anything beyond warm beverages and comfort food, I consider ice cream a foundation of edible comfort. Even better is ice cream framed between two cookies: the ice cream sandwich. I have recently noticed a new trend developing around the ice cream sandwich business, or ice cream places that specialize in the combination. Ice cream sandwiches have been a dessert staple for a while, and now they have become a food movement of the moment- just like the cupcake. Let’s look at three places that create these delicious sensations, a process which is a more difficult endeavor than you might think.

CoolHaus: As somewhat of a newcomer to the Los Angeles food scene, my idea of food trucks didn’t extend much beyond images of the silver taco trucks that are generally found around financial districts and construction sites. However, on visiting Venice for the first time I was amazed by its food truck population, especially on Abbot Kinney Blvd. on the first Friday night of the month. The most important truck, and the one most constantly swarming with people, is called “Coolhaus.” Two women who lost their jobs due to the recession developed the business. These new entrepreneurs sell ice cream sandwiches made of natural ingredients, with each creation named after famous architects as a nod to their former professions. On my first visit, I ordered an ice cream sandwich with two chocolate cookies and pumpkin ice cream. The consistency of the cookies was just solid enough to contain the melting ice cream-which was an almost architectural feat. The ice cream itself tasted like scrumptious pumpkin pie, and the serving was more than generous. Flavors are seasonal, and now include: earl grey, apple pie, chai, coffee toffee, and peanut butter, along with classic favorites. I highly recommend a visit to this little retro truck. The only problem is following it, which is made easier by Twitter or the truck’s blog, www.eatcoolhaus.com.

Diddy Riese: I have heard endless praise for Diddy Riese, the ice cream sandwich maker on the UCLA campus. The day I ended up testing it out happened to be during a game between USC and UCLA, so it was of course more than crowded. I waited in line for 30 minutes for this renowned treat. If that isn’t devotion, I don’t know what is. I ordered a chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich with mint chocolate chip ice cream. Their homemade cookies taste a bit like Mrs. Field’s, albeit minus the delightful warm characteristic, but with an additional and superfluous layer of sugar. The ice cream could not be properly contained within the crumbling sub-par cookies, and its quality was about or even below that of the dining-halls on campus. I would not recommend going back unless you’re at UCLA anyway, and have a late-night craving in which anything sweet will do. At $1.50, Diddy Riese is a bargain, but the dining hall is already paid for on meal plans, so you might as well just make your own for the same quality. (926 Broxton Avenue. Westwood, CA)

MILK: MILK’s ice cream sandwiches are by far a cut above the rest. The ice cream itself is made in-house and is exceptionally creamy without feeling too heavy. You have the option of picking a premade ice cream sandwich such as the Grasshopper, Blueberry Swirl, or Coffee Toffee. In these incarnations of the ice cream sandwich, the flavor (and color) of the ice cream matches that of the oversized macaroon-like cookie—lilac-colored ice cream that seems to perfectly meld into the similarly hued cookies is just one of the exciting options available at MILK. However, the pre-made versions are kept well chilled so give it a minute to warm up to a more enjoyable temperature before consumption. If you can’t quite find an ice cream sandwich that suits your fancy, make your own from the delectable variety of freshly-baked cookies: snickerdoodle, chocolate chip, peanut butter, and everything in between. To achieve a state of chocolate-induced bliss, try a scoop of chocolate ice cream nestled between two “ooey gooey chocolate chip cookies.” Each of these cookies is a warm, dense brick of chocolate cookie goodness without equal in all of West LA. But don’t go too late at night, when the cookies have already been left out for a few hours and lost the soft texture that gives them their name. As free entertainment, you can watch all of the hipsters and celebrities that make their way through this trendy little restaurant. $4.50 each. (7290 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA)

When you’re out searching for the dessert of the moment, remember that for an exceptional ice cream sandwich, you need:

Solid but flavorful cookies.

Soft but not-yet-melting ice cream.

To pick cookies that complement the ice cream flavor.

Or you could always hop to a corner store and purchase a trusty “It’s It”.