Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cake

An easy summer dessert with few ingredients, Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cake is a sweet make ahead recipe to make all year long. The layer of a super easy creamy ganache and cookie crust take this frozen treat to the next level.

So you wanna know how to make an ice cream cake? It truly is one of the easiest desserts with the ability to instantly transport the lucky recipient back to childhood. Come on...who doesn't love ice cream and cake? And when they're together? In the form of Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cake?

Cue the singing angels.

Ice cream cake options

If you're new here, welcome! You'll come to learn that I love sharing options on how to make a recipe. We all don't have the same kitchen setups but that doesn't mean we all don't want to eat great food. Flexibility is a necessity whether you're cooking, baking or in this case: freezing.

{Insert dismount from soapbox here]

So—this particular ice cream cake recipe can be made one of two ways:

• As written using my homemade chocolate ganache recipe
• Or substituting the "make ganache step" by using a store-bought hot fudge.

Either way, your guests will swoon over this homemade ice cream cake. 

What size pan?

This recipe calls for a 9x13 but you can use any shape you have from a rectangular (loaf or 9/13) to a square (8x8 or 9x9 brownie pan) to a round (springform or pie plate). Just know you might have more leftover ingredients. This recipe makes enough for two smaller round pies or one large 9x13 cake.

How to make mint chip ice cream cake:

Oh—did I forget to mention there were Oreos in this frozen slab of lusciousness?

Layer 1: one great oreo crust

Sure, everyone loves the layers of mint chocolate ice cream and that fudgy ganache but the unsung hero of this ice cream cake recipe is hands down the Oreo crust. Why?

Because you're going to smash up those Oreos with a little butter and then bake it for just ten minutes. This extra step adds such a great texture to the cake. And then when you add that thick, irresistible layer of chocolate fudge and get that crunch from the crust? 

HEAVEN!

Layer 2: easy chocolate ganache recipe

Making homemade chocolate ganache sounds super fancy and hard but is sooooo simple. You only need TWO ingredients:

• a dark or semi-sweet chocolate
• heavy cream
• Optional add-ins: 
• vanilla, orange water, coffee (the last two depending on what you're making)

And the ratio(s):

• 2:1 - two parts chocolate to 1 part cream - for a thick, fudge-like filling
• 1:1 - equal parts chocolate and cream for a thinner glaze that runs down the sides of cakes

No matter which way you go, the ganache will harden as it sets.

For this Oreo ice cream cake recipe, we are going with the 2:1 ganache ratio. And you're going to pour that goodness allllll over the crumbs.

Layer 3: mint chip ice cream

The secret to the ice cream layer? 

A rectangular container of mint chocolate ice cream. 

Use the old school rectangular blocks instead of the round containers. And use the best mint chocolate chip ice cream in the block you can find. My Amaretti Cookie Butter Ice Cream Cake has all the tips and tricks for cutting the ice cream to fit in the pan.

• Cut the block of ice cream into approximately 1 ½ slices. 
• Fit the layers into your 9x13 pan like a puzzle filling in the whole pan until all the ice cream is used.
• Use a knife or flat spatula to evenly spread the ice cream.

Layer 4: the whipped topping

Again with the choices…

• Homemade whipped cream - add a whole container of whipping cream to a bowl (preferably chilled but not required). Sprinkle in a tablespoon or two of confectioners sugar and whip on high using a hand or stand mixer until soft peaks form. Spread evenly over the ice cream layer.
• Store bought non-dairy topping

It’s your choice! Now let's serve this pan of yum!

Storing and cutting ice cream cake

• Storing: Freeze for a minimum of 4 hours. Leftovers can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. If you like a softer cake you can put it in the fridge for an hour or so before serving.
• Cutting: Before serving, take the Oreo mint cake out of the freezer and let it sit for 10-15 minutes so it’s easier to cut. Otherwise, fill a glass with warm water and dip your knife into the water between slices.

Different flavor combinations

Now that you know the technique, the ice cream cake flavor combos are endless! Just a few to try this summer (or any season!)

• All-vanilla Ice Cream Cake: butter cookie crust, white chocolate ganache or caramel ice cream topping, vanilla bean ice cream, whipped topping.
• S’More Ice Cream Cake: Graham cracker crust, chocolate ganache, rocky road ice cream, and Fluff or large marshmallows on top quickly broiled or torched.
• PB and Jelly Ice Cream Cake: graham cracker crust, peanut butter sauce ice cream topping, strawberry ice cream, whipped topping.

Your summer is made, my friend!

Tips

For many: Make at least one pan which serves 16 if you cut larger squares. You also could use mini muffin tins and use a melon baller for the ice cream scoop following the layering instructions. Spray the tins before layering.

For a few: Use a brownie size pan (either 8x8 or 9x9).

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