I’ve never had a Christmas without this dessert. If you’ve been around the cafe for a while, you can figure out that this will by my 41st Christmas. That’s a lot of Oreo Peppermint Ice Cream Cakes. Who knows how long my grandmother (Popa’s mother) made this treat before I joined the scene?!? All I know is it wouldn’t be Christmas without this sweet tradition.
Mia took over the honor of making the cake when Grandma was no longer able. And we are all grateful she’s kept the tradition alive, especially Popa and my brother. This year, I’m stealing the duty from Mia. Mostly, so I can share the love of our family’s Christmas cake with you.
Merry Christmas!
Grandma’s Peppermint Ice Cream & Oreo Cake
1 lg. pkg. of Oreo Cookies (hint: buy two packages!)
1/2 gal. (2 qt) Peppermint Ice Cream
1 stick of butter, melted
Pulse cookies in a food processor until coarsely crumbled. Melt butter and add to cookies. Pulse until combined.
Add 1/3 of cookie mixture to form crust in bottom of 9 x 13 pyrex dish. Place crumb filled dish in freezer to set, 15 – 20 minutes. Freezing crumbs makes it much easier to spread the ice cream!
Place ice cream in a large mixing bowl and allow to thaw slightly. You should be able to stir the ice cream, but it will still be near frozen.
Layer 1/2 of the ice cream on top of frozen crumb crust. Layer 1/3 more of the cookies on top of the ice cream layer. Place dish back into freezer to set, about 15 – 20 minutes. I put the remaining ice cream in the fridge while the cake sets in the freezer. You don’t want it to melt.
When cake is firm to the touch, remove from freezer and repeat layering remaining ice cream and ending with cookies.
Depending on how many cookies were eaten when you started this recipe, you may or may not have enough cookie mixture to completely cover the cake. If it looks slim, you can either add more cookies to the original mixture and pulse to combine or hand crumble a few and sprinkle on top!
We were short about seven or eight cookies this year….I’ll let you decide where they went??!!! I had to dip into the extra package of Oreos to get enough cookies to cover our cake. I think Grandma would have approved. 😉
The cake should be made at least 24 hours before serving. Store in freezer and remove about 20 minutes before serving to make it easier to cut and serve.
ooooh those faces! too cute:)
YUM.
I love Peppermint Ice cream! Made into a pie is even better. Your ‘littles’ are adorable!
Made it last night…can’t wait to taste it!!
K2…I hope the rest of the world loves this as much as I do. Your grandmother would be proud of you and your blog. She died in 2002 not even knowing what a blog was. You are like her in so many ways. Love the new updated website. dad/popa
I don’t know if I should admit this but… I’m not really a desert eater – don’t care for even the best of them. But this was the most delightful Christmas treat I have had in years. I will definitely make it next year. But now I have to go run for 3 hours because I believe I had a tad more than was intended.
This is my husband’s favorite kind of dessert — Mint plus ice cream plus cookies. I’m going to have to try this one soon.
Wow! I’m soooo going to try this!!! Thanks for sharing! My Mom always makes a delicious homemade apple pie – with a homemade crust – to die for!!!
I’ve had more than 41 Christmases, but zero Oreo Peppermint Ice Cream Cakes. I think we’ll start a new tradition around our house this year!
YUM!! Will be making this for Christmas too – thanks for sharing the precious recipe!
I can’t wait to try it!
Im headed to the store….now I know what the girls and I are doing on Sunday! Looks delicious! The little pictures are too cute!
ooooh! look at my babies!!! <3 this cake!
This has been a tradition in my family for a little longer than 41 years… but I won’t say how many! Back in the day when Peppermint ice cream wasn’t readily available my mom would use vanilla and crush candy canes really fine to put in it. Aaahhh the time and effort that went into this deliciousness.