Make it Yourself: How to Make Ice Cream Cake!

I've always viewed ice cream cake as quite a treat but the cost has always made me hesitate from purchasing it.  And then sometimes I get to partake in the ice cream cake, and discover it doesn't actually have any cake in it: just ice cream and cookie crumbs.

For my husband's recent birthday, I decided to make him an ice cream cake!  Here is what I did:

Step 1:  Bake a cake.  Hubby isn't a big chocolate person, so I chose a butter cake recipe.

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup milk

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a springform pan.
2. Sift together the flour, salt, and baking powder.
3. Cream the butter and blend in the white sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the creamed mixture alternately with the milk. Stir until just blended. Pour batter into prepared pan.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 50 to 55 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Remove from pan and allow it to cool.

 Meanwhile, allow about half a carton of ice cream to soften.  When the cake is cool enough, cut it in half so you have two thin circles.  Place one back in the springform pan, then spread the ice cream on top of it, and put the 2nd layer cake on top like a sandwich.  Place in freezer at least one hour.  Remove from freezer and frost.  I chose this delicious cream cheese frosting recipe.

Ingredients

• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter until creamy. Mix in the vanilla, then gradually stir in the confectioners' sugar.

So you take out your frozen cake, and spread your delicious frosting on it.  Normally I like to decorate a little more elaborately than the picture shown, but there were party guests coming in 20 minutes and I had to make due. Remember, you'll need to put your creation back into the freezer until closer to party time.  Be sure to remove it about 20 minutes before eating so its softened.  Enjoy!