Brownie Ice Cream Layer Cake — Styling My Everyday

Lots of summer birthdays lately and of course I always volunteer to make the birthday cake! My best friend Elizabeth's 30th is tomorrow but we celebrated with a surprise party over the weekend. Her favorite dessert is brownies and ice cream so I decided to make her fav into the shape of a birthday cake—a brownie and ice cream layer cake.

Brownies layered with vanilla ice cream topped with chocolate, whipped cream and chocolate chips—birthday cake or Heaven? Maybe one of the easiest cakes I've every made but everyone went wild for it. Sometimes simple is best.

Brownie Ice Cream Cake1 boxbrownie mix, plus required ingredients 1 pint good vanilla ice cream 1/4 cup chocolate sauce1/2 cup heavy cream 1/4 cup confectioners sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla mini chocolate chips

Heat oven according to brownie mix package directions. Lightly coat three 9-inch by 3-inch-deep round cake pans with cooking spray. Line the pans with parchment paper; spray the parchment.

Prepare the brownie batter according to package directions. Divide the mixture among the prepared pans and bake until a wooden pick inserted in the middle comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool completely in the pans, then transfer to a work surface. Clean one of the pans.

Line the clean cake pan with plastic wrap so that it hangs at least 3 inches over all the sides. Transfer the ice cream to a large bowl and mash until slightly soft and spreadable.

Place one brownie layer into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread half the ice cream on top. Top with another brownie layer, then the remaining ice cream. Top with the remaining layer of brownie. Freeze until set, at least 2 hours.

Remove the cake from the pan, peel away the plastic wrap and transfer to a serving plate. Drizzle with the chocolate sauce and return to freezer.

When ready to serve, using an electric mixer, beat the cream, confectioner's sugar and vanilla in a large bowl until medium-stiff peaks form. Spoon the cream on top of the cake and sprinkle with mini chocolate chips.