Oreo Ice Cream Cake

As much as I like to bake, I really hate doing it in the summer. So this is my way of having my cake without baking it, and, of course, eating it too! You can always buy an ice cream cake, but its so easy to make your own and so much cheaper. Plus, you get the added thrill of trying to assemble everything before the ice cream melts. It’s a race against time!

Oreo Ice Cream Cake

Ingredients:
30 Oreos (1 package)
2 Tbsp butter, melted
½ Quart of chocolate ice cream
½ Quart of oreo ice cream
Jar of hot fudge
Extra large tub of Cool Whip, thawed

Equipment:
Springform pan
Offset spatula (the back of a spoon works too, but not quite as well)

Directions:
Crush 16 cookies in a food processor. Add melted butter and pulse until you have fine crumbs. Using the bottom of a glass, press cookie crumbs into an even layer in the pan.

Chill the pan in the refrigerator for 25-30 minutes. Remove your ice cream from the freezer and allow it to soften for 15-20 minutes, depending on hardness.

Place seven Oreos in a gallon plastic bag, and break into large chunks using a mallet or a rolling pin. Remove the chilled crust from the fridge and spread the chocolate ice cream over the cookie base using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. Sprinkle the Oreo pieces over the top.

Warm the fudge in the microwave until it softens enough that you can easily drop dollops of it on the cake (roughly 45 seconds). Spread the fudge over the cookie pieces as evenly as you can.

Spread the Oreo ice cream over the fudge, almost to the top of the pan, then top with a layer Cool Whip. Place in the freezer for at least 3 hours, or overnight.

When ready to serve, unclasp the ring to remove it from the cake. Top with remaining Oreos. Cut the cake and serve immediately. If you have trouble cutting through the cake, try running your knife under hot water and wiping it dry before each cut.

You can use whatever combination of Oreo and ice cream flavors you prefer. I had to keep it classic because my husband is an Oreo purist, but this would be really amazing with the new Reese’s Oreos. Not to say the classic version wasn't great; several people who tried it told me it was better than a Dairy Queen ice cream cake, which is high praise, indeed.