Daddy's Ice Cream Cake

I tried to get a picture of JUST this ice cream cake - but nobody would let me.  

They were too busy eating it.

A long, long, long time ago, when I was spending a few weeks in the summertime with Nana, she made an ice cream cake.  I was amazed that you could make such a thing at home.  The only ones I'd ever seen were bought from Dairy Queen and served for super special occasions.  Nana shared her recipe, and I happily took it home. 

But when Mom and I tried to find the ingredients, it wasn't so easy. Zero bars aren't easy to find anymore - even then - and eventually we decided to use something else.

So Nana's recipe has morphed into this one.  I made this for my husband back when we were engaged, and then when the kids were small, I realized that they could help with most of the process to create this dish.

So now we make this every year for Father's Day.  This is one tasty tradition!

Ingredients:

• 1 carton vanilla ice cream
• 2 Snickers bars, frozen
• 3/4 package of Oreos, separated and icing removed
• 1 tub of whipped cream
• caramel and/or chocolate sauce for drizzling

To make your own ice cream cake:

1. Put the Oreos in a zipper-seal bag.  Use a rolling pin to crush.  
2. Press the Oreo crumbs into a pie plate or 8X8 baking dish.
3. Unwrap the Snickers bars and put them into a freezer zip-seal bag.  Crush them until you have crumb- to small-bite size pieces remaining.  For us, this means taking the bag of bars out to the concrete carport and letting the kids have at it with a hammer.  They love this!  FYI:  Watch for holes in the bag.  
4. Carefully open the ice cream carton by the ends.  Unfold it so that it's completely flat on the counter with the ice cream sitting on top in a block shape.
5. Slice the ice cream and arrange it on top of the Oreo crumbs.  This is easier if you're using a square pan!  Use half of the ice cream.  
6. Refold the carton and return to the freezer.
7. Top the ice cream layer with crushed candy bars and chocolate/caramel sauces.  If you have any extra cookie crumbs, this is a great time to use them, as well.
8. Unfold the ice cream carton and add another layer to your cake.  This will use the rest of the carton.
9. Add more chocolate and caramel sauces to the top of your cake.  
10. Cover with whipped cream.  Use your knife to create fun shapes in the top - it will freeze that way!
11. Cover the cake and put into the freezer until firm.  
12. Serve quickly - if your family is like mine, it won't last long!

What yummy dishes do you prepare for Father's Day?