Hard to believe, but I’m flying to Colorado as I type and upload this post. Buying an American Airlines wi-fi pass for 5 dollars was an easy choice, especially when the weekend ahead will allow for very little time on my computer. We’re celebrating our dear friends’ wedding and I’m throwing my sister a baby shower. The birth of Susanne’s fourth child is a much-needed blessing after a long slew of hard news for my family. So this might be the only time for me to confirm cake orders, finish blog posts, and write a few emails to distant friends around the world. But as I’m typing away, checking emails, and updating my facebook account, Ryan is cross-stitching. With a jet engine to his left and a blogging wife to his right, Ryan is pulling hand-dyed thread through small patches of lambswool. Yes, there are many days when I’m thankful for how we balance each other, pull each other out of the virtual world and into tangible reality.
I find I’m happiest when I finish a cake. The planning, the dirty bowls, the sketches in my book, the frosting in my hair, and the heat of the oven finally mean something when I’m able to put that cake on its cake stand. It means even more when I’m able to give that cake to someone I love. Ryan celebrated his 28th birthday on Monday, and because he’s the sweetest man I’ll ever know, I made him his favorite–a chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream cake. Ryan is born in June, but I’m born in December, so an ice-cream cake was never on the top of my list of birthday treats. But for Ryan, an ice cream cake was the perfect way to celebrate his special day. Year after year, his family and I have ordered him one. Starting with this birthday, his 28th, I’ll now be making them.
Because making an ice-cream cake is easy. I promise. And so very easy to customize.
I am particular about my ice cream. I like to buy organic dairy products, which means I have to avoid the big-name brands. A quick trip to my neighborhood co-op provided me with plenty of options though, and I bought one pint of organic vanilla ice cream and then mixed in a few chunks of homemade cookie dough. The sprinkles were a last minute addition, and I’m glad I took the time to press them into the top layer of buttercream. The cake popped, and it tasted amazing too.
I can’t wait to see our friends and family in Colorado. No matter how far you travel or how deep you plant new roots, I don’t think you can ever shake away that feeling of home. My dad will be picking us up in just over an hour, and I can’t wait to hear him talk about his latest tennis match or the lilacs that are blooming in the backyard. And of course, seeing those mountains, the way the sun hits Pikes Peak in the early morning, and the coolness of June air simply can’t be beat. No matter how many breakfast tacos I eat or how long I sit in traffic to get to Whole Foods, Colorado will also be my heart’s truest home.
Ice Cream Cake
2 6-inch layers of cake, any flavor
1 pint organic ice-cream
1 batch buttercream
1. Two days before you plan on serving the ice cream cake, soften the pint of ice-cream until spreadable. Line a 6-inch cake pan with plastic wrap and spread ice cream into pan until smooth. Cover lightly with plastic wrap and place in freezer for at least 2-3 hours or until frozen solid.
2. One day before serving, arrange one layer of cake on cake board or serving dish. Unwrap the frozen ice-cream layer and place on top. Cover with the remaining cake layer. Quickly cover your cake with a coat of buttercream, not worrying about crumbs. Once you’ve applied one thin layer, return to freezer and allow to chill for 15-30 minutes. Remove and cover your cake with another layer of buttercream. You will now be able to cover the crumbs. Frost well, but remember your ice-cream is in danger of melting if it stays out too long. Once you’ve finished frosting the cake, return to freezer for 12-24 hours.
3. Before serving, remove cake and decorate with remaining frosting or sprinkles. Allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on how long the cake has been frozen. Cut with a warm knife (dip knife into a glass of hot water).
Beautiful post Monet, as usual! And, tell Ryan a belated Happy Birthday. Give my love to your family please. P.S. I remember my childhood in Atlanta during the summertime filled with ice cream cakes from my Mom. She would make her own strawberry or peach ice cream and homemade Angel Food Cake and then layer them and frost it with homemade whipped cream. Amazing!
Ooh, Monet! You’ve taken the intimidating out of ice cream cake! Yes, I was one of those who thought it a daunting experience.
I hope you and Ryan have an absolute ball in Colorado. I’ve still never been but would like to some day. Happy belated birthday, Ryan!
Monet, this has got to be one of the most beautiful cakes I’ve ever seen! And I’m absolutely sure that it went down a treat with your Ryan on the day. Wonderful recipe (and i too am very fussy about my ice cream), that I would love to try (as soon as I lose about 10 pounds that were put on over the Christmas holdiays and are still fighting with me and refusing to leave, lol).
Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for sharing this. Truly delicious, even just to look at the photos of it.
June at celticmooncraft.com
happy birthday Ryan…sounds like a full weekend of glorious celebration…wishing you much laughter and love with each occasion. the cake is just beautiful, as always. I love ice cream cake. you make it so tangible…
Ice cream cake is a tradition for almost every summer holiday or gathering in my family. We find an excuse for it in-between those times too. They have been purchased but I am tempted to try to make one. Yours is so cute and happy belated birthday to Ryan! Enjoy your time in Colorado!
Monet & Ryan
Belated Happy Birthday Ryan! Your birthday cake is amazing, and know I know how to make one. That could be dangerous:)
Have a wonderful time in Colorado with all of the family celebrations. I’m sure that your sisters shower will be very special to you. Enjoy!
Ice cream cake is my favorite. This sounds SO good!
Congratulations to your friends and your sister, and happy belated birthday to Ryan. I’m glad you’ve got so much to celebrate right now. It’s about time. 🙂
you genius! ive never thought of making my own ice cream cake before.
Looks beautiful, Monet! Enjoy your time with your family and congrats on your sister’s new addition!
Enjoy the beautiful mountain air for me!
Happy belated birthday, Ryan! I hope that you have a lovely time in Colorado, filled with family and friends. This cake looks like the ultimate birthday cake. Ice cream cakes are my favorite, too!
Awww what a beautiful cake, Monet!! I love the new look of the site! Mmmm….I could surely go for a slice…how sweet and refreshing! Yum!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend with your loved ones!
xoxo,
Tammy
So much to celebrate! Enjoy your weekend!!! I so wish that my flight from Israel to NY had a wifi pass to buy that would for sure make the 12 hour flight much much better.
This cake is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!! I always request an ice cream cake on my birthday.
I have nominated you for an award. You can check it out on my blog here: http://bethmichelle.com/spelt-pancakes-with-caramelized-peaches/
What a beautifully amazing cake! And how lucky the 2 of you are to have found each other. 😀 Theresa
This cake is beautiful, and I bet delicious too. Thank you for sharing the steps for this, I have been staying clear of ice cream cakes but you make it seem so easy to make, that I may just give it a try this summer.
Congrats to your sister on the new addition! And this cake is gorgeous! You have such a talent with cakes 🙂 I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!
OMG – the pic of your husband and the cake made my day. That one definitely belongs in a frame. The cake is so pretty with those sprinkles. And welcome home to the big CO. Hopefully the smoke from the fire up north steers clear for your friend’s wedding festivities.
What a lovely birthday cake! I would definitely enjoy a ice cream cake, but like yourself I am not a summer baby. I was born in January, so like you, the ice cream cake was never on the top of my list. This looks so great though!
Happy and safe travels!
Your cake looks beautiful. Ice cream cakes are always a special treat. And the wi-fi passes are a must. I used to always debate whether it was worth the cost but then I realized that it brought so much happiness to my flying time it was well worth it.
Belated Happy Birthday! This birthday cake has it all – style, flavour, presentatrion and ice cream 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Your cake is gorgeous sitting there on that lovely stand! My birthday is in July so my parents always bought me an ice cream cake from Carvel to celebrate. I rarely have it anymore but ironically, Brian and I were out celebrating our anniversary on Saturday and the restaurant’s dessert special was milk chocolate and peanut brittle ice cream cake with salted caramel. Of course we ordered it! 🙂
You are one busy lady, and you handle it all with such grace! Happy Birthday to Ryan! I’m crazy about ice cream cake, but to have a homemade one…Ryan’s one lucky guy (for more than one reason!)
Best wishes to your friends, and almost congratulations to your sister and your family…I know you’re excited to become an aunt again!
I forgot to say on your last blog that I wish you and Ryan all the best in your family planning!
What a beautiful cake for your husband Ryan! I saw this on Facebook and was wowed then and now I am wowed again looking at the photos :)! An ice cream cake is something I have yet to make, but I need to some day! Love the sprinkles on this. Hope you are having a wonderful week Monet :)!
Love the post, love the cake, love the new look! Have a wonderful time in Colorado.
I love the sprinkles!
what a stinkin’ sweet-as-sugar post, monet–you’re a doll! this idea for a birthday cake is so versatile, but any combination chosen would probably be delicious. nice! 🙂
Awesome post and Happy Birthday to Ryan! Enjoy your trip!!
oh wow, this looks just amazing – so gorgeous! i love ice cream cake but have never thought about making it myself at home. what a clever idea. hope your husband had a wonderful birthday!
Beautiful cake Monet! I’m just catching up on everything. So glad to hear you made a trip to Colorado for such happy events!
Pingback: My Homepage
I’m impressed, I have to admit. Genuinely rarely
should i encounter a weblog that’s both educative and entertaining, and
without a doubt, you have hit the nail to the head.
Your notion is outstanding; the query is an element that not enough everyone is speaking intelligently about.
We’re happy that I stumbled across this inside my try to look for some thing
relating to this.
Would lοve to аlways ԁisсover updated
outѕtanding blog ! .
I actually don’t accept this particular
article. Nonetheless, I had searched with Google and I’ve found out that you’re right and I
had been thinking in that the improper approach. Keep on creating top quality material similar
to this.
I went over this web site and I believe you have quite a large amount of wonderful information,
– Gulvafslibning Kurt Gulvmand bookmarked (:.
I dіscоvеred your blog site іntеrnеt ѕite on line and apρеаrance some of your early posts.
Continue to keep in that the great οperate.
ӏ just now additionаl incгeasе your
Rss to my ΜSN News Reader. Loоking toward reading fаr mогe out
оf уou dіscovеring at а later ԁate!
…
Hello just wanteԁ to give you a briеf heads up аnd
let you know a feω оf the іmages aгen’t loading properly. I’m not suгe why but
I thinκ іts a linκing issue.
I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers and both show the same results.
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read anything similar to
this previous to. So nice to lookup for somebody with
some original thoughts on this subject. realy appreciation for beginning this up.
this web site is one area which is needed on line, somebody if we do originality.
beneficial job for bringing new stuff for that the web!
Have a picnic. (This is the power of anger. The different types of cookware include stainless steel, enameled
cast iron, enameled over steel, clad aluminum or copper and non-stick
which are quite popular in homes.
Pingback: fsgb80v7cbwe
Pingback: Rifftype
Pingback: Howdy
Pingback: URL