Black Forest Ice Cream Cake

Whoever came up with the combination of cherries and chocolate hit a home run!

That combo is especially delicious in a black forest cake with layers of cherry filling, chocolate cake and whipped cream. Have you ever thought about a frozen version of this favorite dessert? It’s delicious.

This cake starts with a thin layer of chocolate cake or brownies on the bottom, then layers of cherry ice cream, ice cream sandwiches and whipped topping make this recipe a frozen dream. It all gets topped with fresh berries, cherry pie filling and maraschino cherries for color. I screamed, and you’ll scream for this refreshing gourmet ice cream cake!

Black Forest Ice Cream Cake

Ingredients

- 1 box chocolate cake mix or fudge brownie mix (or store-bought cake or brownies) - 1 quart cherry or cherry chocolate ice cream, thawed - 1 package (12) ice cream sandwiches - 1 tub, Cool Whip, thawed in the refrigerator - 1 package Oreo cookies, thin or regular - 1 small jar maraschino cherries - 1 can cherry pie filling - Fresh berries like blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, optional - Chocolate coating, optional

Directions

Line an 8-by-8-inch square cake pan with foil, extending enough foil on both ends to be able to lift the cake out when frozen. Bake the chocolate cake or fudge brownies according to package instructions in a shallow baking sheet pan so the cake is only about 1 inch high. When done, cut the cake or brownies to fit the 8-inch cake pan. (You can also use a store-bought frozen chocolate cake or store-bought brownies.)

Thaw the cherry ice cream in a container enough so it can be spreadable. Spread about 1/2 to 3/4 inch of the melted ice cream over the cake bottom. Place the ice cream sandwich bars over the ice cream so that they all fit snuggly together. Press down on the ice cream sandwiches so they press into the ice cream. Top the ice cream sandwiches with the remainder of the melted ice cream. Cover and freeze overnight.

When cake has hardened, spread Cool Whip over the top and sides of the cake. If desired, put some Cool Whip in a piping bag to decorate the top. Combine about 1/2 cup of the cherry pie filling with several fresh berries, mixing gently to combine. Spoon the berry mixture in the center of the cake. Press Oreo cookies around the top of the cake so that they are standing up. Rinse maraschino cherries and place a few around the top of the cake.

(Optional: In addition to the bright red cherries, you can also dip cherries in chocolate coating. Let harden, and place around the cake.)

Return to freezer for several hours. When ready to serve, cut cake immediately and serve while cake is still frozen.