Ridiculous Brownie Oreo Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

The other day I wanted to eat something ridiculous. I was feeling a little restless about life, and even more than a bit reckless. So I dropped everything, loaded the kids into the car, despite the fact that my Guy had put his pants on inside out and backwards, and spent about $20 on sugar. Oreos. Mini chocolate chips. Whipped cream in a can. Ghirardelli brownie mix, because I only wanted the best. Vanilla ice cream. And then! I saw that the store had 1 pound blocks of dark, milk, and white chocolate for only a buck! So obviously, I had to buy, like, 10. Ridiculous.

Even more ridiculous was my desire to make this insane treat before it got too dark! Silly blogging habit, but I knew that if I made this wonder of a dessert and it got dark, I couldn't take pictures of it to share with you, and I knew, I felt deep down in my bones, that this was going to be a keeper!

Painfully slowly I wait in line to check-out at the grocery store. Turns out the guy in front of me didn't realize the larger pack of toilet paper was on sale and it makes no sense to pay more for less, so the helpful checker sent the guy back to get the cheaper TP. You don't mind, right miss?  Oh, man. It was 2:40 pm and I was on a deadline! I have until 4:00. Then, it is all over. This mantra kept running through my mind as the checker, (who really was a friendly guy), slowly scanned all the empty calories in my shopping cart, and slowly rang everything up. I zipped home, as fast as a mom-on-a-mission can while obeying traffic laws.

I have until 4:00. Then, it is all over. 

 My Jeep Commander bounces into the driveway with abandon. My Guy is still climbing out of the backseat when I preheat the oven. With a growing sense of panic, I stir the brownie mix together, pour it into the 9x9 metal pan, (because it will cook faster), and then I have a moment of sugar zen as I place 12 Oreos on top of the brownie batter. Perfect calm permeates as I lovingly place the pan into the oven.

I have until 4:00. Then, it is all over.

Okay, I need 2 layers of vanilla ice cream, so I line the lid for my 9x9 pan with parchment paper and spread half of the softened ice cream into it. Once done, I set the ice cream-filled paper in the freezer and realize I need a layer of cookie dough. Deftly, I pull out softened butter, sugars, and vanilla, swapping the egg for some milk to keep the dough moist. I even still put in the baking soda even though I know I don't need it, because I think it'll make it taste more like real cookie dough. Then, I grab another piece of parchment paper and press it into the lid of my 9x9 pan, creating the perfect cookie dough layer for my ridiculous idea.

Glancing at the clock, I realize I'm just passing the 3:30 mark, and the brownies are done. Placing them outside to cool, I remember I wanted 2 ice cream layers, but because I have until 4:00 and then it is all over, I decide I'll just smush it into shape and cover the top with whipped cream and sprinkles. Oh man. I've got to make it!

Finally, I decide this brownie is not cooling all the way, so we are inducing this baby! I bring in the pan, place the ice cream layer on top, and carefully, but quickly, pull away the parchment paper. I have to be quick, because the ice cream starts melting the minute it touches that brownie-Oreo goodness. Then, the cookie dough, which goes on like a dream. Crap! The extra ice cream! Smush it on, Little Red Hen! Ok, grab the camera, plates, sprinkles, and whipped cream. Go! Go! Go!

Cut a piece of this ice cream heaven and put it on a plate. Fake a photo shoot on the porch, (what do my neighbors think as I squat in front of my porch chairs, in my socks, without a coat, with my camera, and this sweet mess?), and voila! I DID IT!

A little frantically, still on a high, I give piece of my creation to my kids. I am super-cool mom! Dessert at 4:00, before dinner? A few excited bites and then, "Mom, I don't like brownies. They're too chocolatey for me." Followed by, "Mom, I don't want this. Can I have a smoothie?"

----insert cricket noise----

What kind of kids are these? I give you 100% sugar and you tell me it is too sweet?! Well, fine. That's cool. More for me and the husband to eat. My funny kids. If I really want to treat them, they ask for smoothies or berries with whipped cream. -sigh-

Anyways, because I was rushing, the first ice cream layer melted into the brownies, making the leftovers delicious! You know when the brownie gets a little squishy when you top it with ice cream? Well, it stayed like that when I put everything back in the freezer. So, that first layer of ice cream disappeared, but its goodness lingers on. I am sure if you are more patient than I am and make sure the brownies cool before layering them ice cream, you won't have this problem and you'll still have 2 layers of ice cream. (Or is it a problem?)

This would be best for a special birthday, or whenever you happen to feel restless and reckless. Or a really bad day at work! You can think about how great it is going to be when you get home and turn on a movie, how that brownie smell is going to come swimming out of your oven, how cozy your favorite socks are, how you won't even feel guilty about eating all that cookie dough and this mantra will come floating to you:

I only have until 4:00. Then, it is all over.

Ridiculous Brownie Oreo Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate Brownie Mix
• 1.75 quarts vanilla ice cream
• 12 Oreos, plus more for topping
• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3 tbs milk
• 2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
• Whipped cream
• Sprinkles

Directions:

1. Preheat oven and prepare a 9x9 pan with parchment paper. Mix Ghirardelli brownie mix according to package instructions. Pour batter into pan. Top with 12 Oreos, 3 rows of 4 Oreos. Bake and cool.
2. Cut 3 9x9 pieces of parchment paper. Take 1/2 of the softened ice cream and spread onto 1 piece of parchment paper. Repeat with second parchment paper. Place sheets of ice cream in freezer to set.
3. Make cookie dough: In medium sized bowl, cream butter, sugars, and vanilla. Add flour, soda, salt, and milk. Dough may be stiff, so use your hands if you need to! Stir in chocolate chips. 
4. Take third piece of parchment paper and spread cookie dough onto paper. Place in fridge to set.
5. Once brownies are cool, take ice cream sheets from freezer. Place one sheet of ice cream onto brownies. Next, layer with cookie dough sheet. Finally, place last sheet of ice cream. Make sure you take off the parchment paper!
6. Serve with whipped cream, extra Oreos, and sprinkles.

Bake the bread. Share the slices.