Super Duper Birthday Ice Cream Cake

A couple years back, my dad asked for an ice cream cake for his birthday.  The cake we had was so amazing that everyone in my family started requesting an ice cream cake for their birthdays.  Now it's become kind of a tradition.  If it's your birthday (Father's and Mother's Day have now also been incorporated) you get to choose what kind of ice cream is in the cake.  This cake is easy to put together and can go with any ice cream you choose.  This particular one was made with banana split ice cream but we've also had it with strawberry, neapolitan, cookies n cream, mint chocolate chip, tin roof sundae... you really can't go wrong.

Super Duper Birthday Ice Cream Cake
Start to finish: a few hours
Makes 8-10 servings

1/2 a standard carton of your favorite ice cream
1 bottle of hot fudge topping
1 box Jiffy white or yellow cake mix, prepared as directed (makes one layer)
1 container whipped cream
Pretty toppings (will vary based on ice cream, in this case I used bananas and vanilla wafers)

First, mix the cake mix per the directions.

Pour it into a non-stick spring form pan.  It's important you use a spring form pan so that you can easily release the cake later.

 Bake it as directed.  Let it cool.  Release the spring form sides to reveal the cake.  You will see it is domed.  We're going to shave this off so the cake is level.

Put the sides back onto the pan.  Make sure they are clasped around the base.  Pour the bottle of hot fudge into the middle of the cake and spread it evenly with an offset spatula.   You may need to microwave the jar for 30 seconds to 1 minute so that it pours out easily.

Stick this in the freezer until the hot fudge has firmed up.  I say give it an hour.  If you have a deep freeze that's even better.  It freezes better.

About 10 minutes before you are ready to take the cake out of the freezer, set out your ice cream to soften.  When it is very soft and moldable, go ahead and place half a carton of it onto your cake.

Again, use your offset spatula to spread it evenly.

Put this back into the freezer until it is rock hard (probably another hour).  When it's properly frozen, spread an entire carton of whipped topping over the top.

Are you drooling yet?

Sprinkle the cake with the toppings of your choosing.  Crumbled cookies always make a delicious topper, but depending on the ice cream, you may want to use fresh fruit, or if you're feeling festive, colored sugar and/or sprinkles.

Put the cake in the freezer until you are ready to eat it.  Set the cake out for 10 minutes before removing the spring form edges.

Even though you will be tempted to dig in right away, don't forget that technically the birthday boy/girl should get the first slice ;-)