Winter Treats #8: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

So... this cake. It's a little bit sinful.

Like a lot bit sinful.

Let me tell you about my obsession with cookie dough.

As a child, I never really paid much attention to cookie dough ice cream. Because of course, there was always some peanut butter chocolately combo I could pick from instead. So I did.

But now, as an adult, that cookie dough craze has surfaced itself, and I could eat cookie dough for every meal.

Bring on the salmonella.

For months I've been wanting to make a cookie dough cake. 

Then when it finally came down to it, my friends helped me decide to make a cookie dough ice cream cake.

BEST DECISION EVER.

I made a two layer vanilla cake (which was a great great recipe. hold tight), put a nice big layer of chocolate chip cookie dough icecream in the middle of the layers. I froze the cake. Made some cookies and frosting. Frosted the outside of the cake, slammed some cookies on it, and sprinkled mini chocolate chips.

Overall, not too bad of a process. I wish I had cut the two layers in half so that is made 4 very thin layers. That would have allowed for more icecream in the cake. SO if you do decide to make the cake, that's my suggestion. Make 4 small layers instead of 2 big ones.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

You will need:

1 two-layer (or 4 small layer) cake. I used THIS recipe and it was perfect. 

1 carton (half gallon) of your favorite chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream

1 1/2 - 2 dozen cookies (I half my no fail chocolate chip cookie recipe)

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting (recipe below)

and mini chocolate chips for decorating 

 

 For the frosting:

2 sticks butter, room temp.

4-5 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1-2 tbsp. milk

In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with your hand mixer, beat the butter until light and fluffy. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the powdered sugar and beat to combine. Add the milk and vanilla and whip until it is a frosting consistency. 

For the assembly of the cake:

Bake your cake and let the layers cool completely. Cut the tops off to make them flat layers. Take your ice cream out of the freezer and let it soften. Lay one layer of your cake onto a platter or cake plate and spread as much icecream over the top of it to create the ice cream layer. Place the other layer on top (if you're using four small layers, just repeat this step two more times). Let freeze for 2-3 hours at least, or overnight. 

While the cake is freezing or once you are ready to decorate it, make your cookies and let them cool. While they're cooling make your frosting. Frost your cake as desired, then place the cookies around the side, pressing them into the frosting.

Sprinkle with mini chips and then let freeze for about 30 minutes more.

Serve and enjoy!