bonnie's chocolate cherry ice cream cake

How To Make bonnie's chocolate cherry ice cream cake

• Step 1
  A few suggestions about making this cake. This is a no-bake cake! If you prep ahead before assembling, things will go much faster. The key is to be ready to put it together as fast as you can to keep it from melting. You will need a Pyrex or glass baking dish to make this cake. I used a deep Pyrex dish, but the first time I made it, I used my Bennigton baking dish, which was excellent because it doesn't have sloped sides like the Pyrex glass dish, and it holds 12 ice cream sandwiches. I only had to make one small cut in a sandwich. So, try to pick a dish that has straight sides to avoid having to trim the ice cream sandwiches. I wanted to make a smaller cake for just the two of us. So this time, for this cake, I picked an 8-inch Pyrex dish. The top of the cake is wider than the bottom, so it needed more trimming.
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  Step 2
  You will need 12 ice cream sandwiches for two layers, depending on the size of the glass dish you use -- I bought the Great Value brand. Buy extra if your dish is larger. They are perfect for this recipe. Also, unless you tell, no one will even know the cake base is ice cream sandwiches!
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  Step 3
  Smuckers Cherry Preserves, 18-ounce jar. Smuckers is perfect for this recipe, and the cherries are whole. I used about 3/4 of the jar in this cake. That is about an inch-thick layer. I only used one layer. For extra richness, you could use two layers.
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  Step 4
  I used Great Value Vanilla Bean Ice Cream in this recipe. Use any brand you wish. Make sure it is soft and spreadable, but not runny. Because if you let it get runny, when it freezes, it becomes really hard. I used half of the container.
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  Step 5
  After you put the second, top layer of ice cream on the cake, sprinkle it with Great Value Chocolate Sprinkles. It is the perfect choice over candy sprinkles, which we think adds a grittiness to the cake. The chocolate sprinkles stay soft and don't alter the texture. For a little pop, I added mint leaves and maraschino cherries to the top of the cake.
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  Step 6
  This is what I mean about trimming the sandwiches to fit the dish. Use a sharp knife. I used a Ginsu steak knife.
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  Step 7
  *********** Okay, so now that you have the suggestions and tips out of the way, let's make this cake! Let's start with the first layer of the cake, which is frozen ice cream sandwiches. Lay your frozen sandwiches with the wrapper on until you decide how many you need and if you need to trim them to fit your dish. Only then remove the wrappers when you are ready to start layering. Lay them flat in the dish in one layer. I used 5 and part of a 6th ice cream sandwich. As I said, it depends on the size dish you choose as to how many sandwiches you use.
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  Step 8
  Next, add a layer of Smuckers Cherry Preserves over the sandwiches. About an inch, or 3/4 of the jar, for an 8-inch dish. Add it with a spoon and smooth it over the sandwiches with the back of a spoon. (You may put this in the freezer if you have to wait for the ice cream to soften. If not, continue layering.)
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  Step 9
  Add the first layer of ice cream. Spread with the back of a spoon, just like frosting a cake. Spread the ice cream to fit in any "holes or cracks."
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  Step 10
  Add the second layer of sandwiches, cutting to fit the dish if necessary.
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  Step 11
  Add the last layer of ice cream, sealing the edges between the cake and the glass dish, as you spread with the back of the spoon.
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  Step 12
  Now, the final touch, add the chocolate sprinkles. Add the maraschino cherries and mint leaves to the top. (I blot those with a paper towel so they don't stain the cake.)
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  Step 13
  Freeze the cake uncovered. After a couple of hours, wrap the cake in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for at least 6 or 7 hours to become firm and blend the flavors before cutting with a sharp knife. I like to cut the cake lengthwise, then cut into two-inch slices. Enjoy!
• Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!