Yesterday was my birthday. I’m 33 now.
I may be a full-fledged adult in her *gulp* mid-30s, but I will never, ever, EVER (!) be too old for ice cream cake. That’s impossible.
Ice cream cake is too delicious, especially this mint chocolate chip version.
It’s as simple as slicing a layer of chocolate cake in half, stuffing it will 1 1/2 quarts of mint chocolate chip ice cream, and topping it with whipped cream.
You could just spread it on, but it’s my birthday and I’ll pipe if I want to…
…even if I’m just going to cover it with mint baking chips, mini chocolate chips, chocolate sprinkles, and homemade chocolate shell.
Yes, homemade chocolate shell! It takes just two ingredients and about 45 seconds in the microwave to achieve a drizzlable, quick-hardening chocolate sauce without the price tag or the weird ingredients you’ll find in the store-bought stuff. Trust me—once you make this version, you’ll never buy the bottled stuff again.
One last thing before I get to the recipe: take this ice cream cake and make it your own! Switch up the ice cream flavors! Use a different flavor of cake! Jazz up the toppings!
Except the chocolate shell. Don’t skip that.

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cake
makes one 9-inch round cake

Cake:
3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
6 tablespoons natural unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup granulated sugar
6 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg, room temperature
1/2 cup buttermilk, room temperature
1/2 cup strong, hot coffee
1 1/2 quarts mint chocolate chip ice cream, slightly softened

Whipped Cream:
2 cups (1 pint) heavy cream
4 tablespoons confectioner’s sugar

Garnish (optional):
Homemade Chocolate Shell (recipe below)
green mint baking chips
mini chocolate chips
chocolate sprinkles

Make the cake. Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease the pan with oil. Line the pan with parchment and grease again. Set aside.

Make the cake batter. In a large mixing bowl to sift together flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, dark brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together oil and egg, followed by buttermilk and coffee. Whisk in dry ingredients in three installments, just until combined. Pour batter into the pan. Tap full pan on the counter five times to release any air bubbles. Bake 23-27 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Let cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before running a small, thin knife around the edges. Invert cake onto a cooling rack and allow to cool to room temperature.

Line a deep 9-inch round cake pan (I use a springform) with 2-3 large sheets of plastic wrap, leaving a foot of overhang on each end.

Use a serrated knife to cut cake in half equatorially so that you have 2 thin layers. Place one thin layer cut-side-up in the prepared pan. Top with scoops of softened mint chocolate chip ice cream and use an offset knife to smooth it into an even layer. Top with remaining thin layer, placing it cut-side-down. Wrap plastic wrap overhang over the top of the cake. Freeze 8 hours or overnight.

Remove cake from the freezer and lift/invert it out of the pan. Unwrap the cake and invert it onto a serving plate. Place back in the freezer while you make the whipped cream.

In a medium-large mixing bowl, combine heavy cream and confectioner’s sugar. Use an electric mixer to whip cream until stiff peaks form. Spread or pipe whipped cream on top of the cake. Freeze cake for at least an hour or overnight.

Remove cake from freezer. Drizzle homemade chocolate shell (as much or as little as you like) over cake and top with optional green mint baking chips, mini chocolate chips, and/or chocolate sprinkles. Freeze for 30 minutes.

To serve, let cake thaw for 15-20 minutes. Dip a large, sharp chef’s knife in warm water and wipe dry. Slice cake, wetting and wiping the knife again between cuts. If you have difficulty slicing through the chocolate shell, use a slight sawing motion.

Leftover ice cream cake will keep covered in the freezer.

Homemade Chocolate Shell
makes about 3/4 cup

4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 tablespoons coconut oil (preferably refined/high heat)

Combine chopped chocolate and coconut oil into a small bowl. Microwave in 15 second increments, stirring in between, until melted. Pour or drizzle over ice cream or ice cream cake, or use as a dip for other frozen treats.

Leftover chocolate shell will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a month. Reheat by microwaving in 15 second increments, stirring in between, until pourable.