Sunday, August 10, 2008

Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Cake

I am a huge fan of homemade baked goods, and I try to stay away from packaged foods with artificial ingredients.  But there is just something about Oreos I can't say no to.   Ever since I was young and my sister and I used to peel them apart and lick the filling (then be sorely disappointed by the dry cookie that remained), I've had a soft spot in my heart for these cookies.
They are the inspiration for this cake: Two layers of chocolate cake with a layer of cookies and cream ice cream sandwiched in between, covered with vanilla buttercream.

Begin by making the cookies and cream ice cream:
2 cups heavy cream
2 cups whole milk
1 vanilla bean
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 tbsp flour
pinch salt
10 Oreo cookies, finely crushed

Put the milk and cream in a large saucepan.
Cut open a vanilla bean and scrape the seeds into the milk, then drop the pod in to maximize the flavor.
Bring just to a simmer.

Whisk together the eggs, sugar, salt, and flour in a medium bowl.


Whisk about half of the simmering milk-cream mixture into the eggs.  Mix well, then pour back into the saucepan with the remaining milk.
 
Cook over medium for several minutes, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens. 
Pour through a strainer into a large bowl, and set in an ice bath to cool, stirring occasionally.
Line a 9" cake pan with plastic wrap.

While the ice cream mixture cools in the ice bath, bake your favorite chocolate cake (I used Dorie Greenspan's Devils Food recipe but you can use whatever you like best) in two 9" pans.
Cool the layers on a wire rack.

Pour the cooled ice cream mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturers instructions.  
Just before removing the ice cream from the ice cream maker, stir in the crushed Oreos until they are evenly distributed.
Pour into the plastic wrap-lined pan and put in the freezer until firm (an hour or two).
Once the ice cream layer is firm, place one cake layer on a plate, and invert the pan with the ice cream over it.
Peel off the plastic wrap and place the other cake layer on top.
Return the cake-ice cream sandwich to the freezer for about 15 minutes.
Make some frosting:

1 cup butter, softened
2 tbsp shortening
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp meringue powder
2 tsp water

Beat the butter and shortening in a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment.
Beat in the vanilla.
Sift together the powdered sugar and meringue powder and add gradually to the butter.
Mix on medium speed while you add the water, 1/2 tsp at a time, until you have the desired consistency.

Crush about 15 Oreos. (I put them in a large Ziploc bag and pound it with my fists - great stress relief!)
Remove the cake from the freezer and frost, working quickly.


Press the Oreo crumbs onto the sides of the cake, then return it to the freezer for about 15 minutes.
Get the cake out once more, and decorate as desired, then return it to the freezer until ready to serve.

9 comments:

What's Cookin Chicago said...

Whoa. That looks awesome! I've never tackled an ice cream cake but I think I just might before the summer ends!

That Girl said...

The only time we ever had oreos in the house growing up is when my mom made ice cream cake!

Anonymous said...

I know my little son would be so happy to try this cake. The children have some very special relationship with oreos.

Anonymous said...

That looks so good! My husband loves ice cream cake and cookies and cream is his favorite flavor. I'm going to make this for his birthday!

Kelly said...

Oh my gosh, this cake looks awesome. I'm racking my brain to come up with the perfect reason to make it soon.

Alicia said...

I have always wanted to make an ice cream cake... and now I have a great recipe from you! Thanks!

Linds said...

YUMMY! Your cake looks awesome. I made an oreo/cookie cake for my husband's bday a month ago but had issues with the ice cream running over the edge. I think I will try your recipe and method next time around. Great job! :)

Apples and Butter said...

That looks great and you make it look so easy!

Anonymous said...

Well you would have had me at "Oreo Cake" but "Cookies and Cream ICE CREAM Cake???" *swoon*