happy birthday brenda!

my friend brenda celebrates an important birthday today and over the last few weeks, i've been thinking of what kind of cake to make her. i finally settled on a mocha ice cream cake.

it was an eclectic list of possible cakes which included a chocolate fudge cake, a coconut cake, even a cake with raspberries, so why an ice cream cake? maybe it was all these childhood memories of having ice cream cake at my birthday celebrations -or- that ice cream cakes always makes me feel like a kid -or- that ice cream cake is great at any age (even the big 3-0!) -or- maybe its just the simple fact that ice cream cake is delicious!

i mean its cake & ice cream!

you cant go wrong with that!

(and yes, i said the word cake a total of 12 times in that little bit of text)

happy birthday brenda! wishing you nothing but the best on this day! and tomorrow... we shall eat cake! xoxo

mocha ice cream cake

ingredients

cake:

• 1 pack chocolate wafer cookies
• 5 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1.5 quarts coffee ice cream, softened
• 1 cup mini chocolate chip morsels

chocolate whipped topping:

• 2 1/4 cups chilled whipping cream
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

topping:

• mini chocolate chips or chocolate shavings

directions

1. in a food processor, mix chocolate wafers until finely ground. add melted butter & process until crumbs are moistened.
2. press crumb mixture onto bottom of 11 inch spring-form pan.
3. freeze until firm, about 10 minutes.
4. place ice cream in a large bowl. add mini chocolate chips & stir until well blended.
5. transfer ice cream mixture to crust-lined pan.
6. smooth top & cover with plastic wrap. freeze overnight
7. combine whipping cream & vanilla in another large bowl. add powdered sugar & cocoa.
8. using electric mixer, beat until soft peaks form.
9. spread mixture over top of cake.
10. freeze until cream is set, at least one hour.
11. sprinkle mini chocolate chips or chocolate ribbon.
12. run knife through pan sides to loosen the cake. remove pan sides.
13. using small metal spatula or knife, smooth cake sides.
14. cut cake, serve & enjoy!