Easy Ice Cream Kit Kat Cake

I know, some of you are thinking ice cream?! As cold as it is? Is she nuts?! Well, uh..probably, but that's not the point. The point is...my middle child had a birthday in January (she's twelve!) and this is the cake she wanted.

She is also the reason behind the now infamous (at my house anyway) Kit Kat Candy Cake and last year's Reese's Peanut Butter Better Than $#% Cake (so.good.) This year, she wanted an ice cream cake - but not a traditional one with layers of cake and ice cream...she doesn't allow her ice cream and cake to touch. *insert eye roll* Nope, this 'cake' is made entirely of ice cream. And candy of course. With some Oreos thrown in for good measure.

I have to admit, it was very good. It has also given me some great ideas for future ice cream cakes. It was also much easier than I thought it was going to be, which is always a plus. My only complaint is she didn't want chocolate ice cream. Are we related? I'm not so sure. (I'm kidding daughter of mine. KissKiss LoveYouMeanIt). 

Don't let the long list of "instructions" fool ya, it's not difficult, I just added a lot of commentary in there. "Tips" if you will. You're welcome or I'm sorry. Whichever fits.

Ice Cream Candy Cake 

2 quarts of your ice cream of choice (We used mint chocolate chip and vanilla)

1 package Oreo cookies

1/4 c. milk
Kit Kat candy bars (I used about 10 Kit Kat bars...which is 40 'sticks')

toppings of choice (we used leftover Kit Kat bars, mini M's, chocolate chips)

(optional) 1 tub Cool Whip, thawed enough to spread, for 'frosting'

*You will also need a 9 inch springform pan*

• Remove ice cream from freezer and let soften so that it is soft enough to remove from carton, but not completely melted (The more melted it is, the more the ice cream will ooze through the Kit Kat bars surrounding the cake. This isn't a big deal, but just something I learned in the process. It can always be cleaned up afterwards, if you want it really "pretty" on the outside.)
• While ice cream is softening, combine 24 Oreo cookies and the milk in a food processor (a blender would probably work for this as well). Set aside. This will form the bottom layer or "crust" for the ice cream cake.
• Spray the springform pan with non-stick spray. Cut a piece of parchment or wax paper into the same size circle as the bottom of the pan. Line the pan with the paper, then line the Kit Kat bars (standing upright) around the inside of the pan. I find that working with the bars in pairs of two works best. Place bars as close as possible to each other, all facing out the same way. You may find that you need a single bar to close a gap. (Another tip I've learned along the way...if you are making Kit Kat cakes in the hot summer time, refrigerate the candy bars and remove from the fridge a few at a time. It makes handling them a little less messy.) 
• Once Kit Kats are in place, press the Oreo crumb mixture evenly on the bottom of the pan.
• Place in the freezer for 10 minutes.
• Remove pan from freezer and spread one quart of ice cream evenly over the Oreo crust. I added some chopped Oreos over this bottom layer to kind of break it up. You could layer anything you wanted, or nothing at all...your choice! Place pan back in the freezer for 10 more minutes.
• Remove from freezer again, and spread the second quart of ice cream over the first, and freeze again for 10 minutes.
• At this point you can either leave cake in the freezer for 8-10 hours to firmly set or you can add the thawed Cool Whip topping as a 'frosting', then freeze for 8-10 hours. Since we used vanilla ice cream on top, I didn't add the Cool Whip.
• Remove from freezer 10 minutes prior to serving. Add your toppings of choice, and remove the springform outer ring of pan. Slice and serve! 

*Tip - buy an extra Kit Kat bar or two in case you have a few broken sticks in your packs. Perk: you get to eat all the broken ones.

Source: Food, Fam, Crafts, Fun

I may be linking up at any of the following - (Monday) The Tumbleweed Contessa, The Dedicated House, Skip to my Lou, I Should Be Mopping the Floor, Huckleberry Love (Tuesday) Mandy's Recipe Box, Sowdering About in Seattle, Naptime Creations, Memories By the Mile, VMG206, Anyonita Nibbles (Wednesday) The Newlyweds Pilgrimage, Fluster Buster, Ginger Snap Crafts, Naptime is My Time, Tessa the Domestic Diva (Thursday) Joyful Homemaking, Miz Helen's Country Cottage, Lamberts Lately (Friday) Project Inspire, Just Us Four, Diana Rambles, The Better Baker,Close to Home, Walking on Sunshine, Vintage Chic, Daily Dish