Birthday Cake Ice Cream Cake

We're car shopping.  We had it in our head that we wanted a GMC Terrain.  However, I have it in my head that I need 4-wheel drive.  Or all-wheel-drive.  Or something because the idea of not being prepared for winter slightly terrifies me.

Let's be honest: what I really want are studded tires.  I'm pretty sure they're a little bit illegal in the lower 48.  I'm having trouble adjusting to the idea that I won't have them this year.  My car + studded tires = unbeatable winter driving combination.

We are adamant on not spending more than we spent on our truck.  So AWD Terrains are out.  Since we do like my Hyundai (the brand is doing well, according to Scott-the-mechanic, but my car is losing steam fast), but the Hyundai Santa Fe that we want is crazy expensive.

We think we've settled on the idea of a Toyota Rav 4 with AWD.  He tried to talk me into a Subaru.  I vetoed that one pretty quickly.  Buying new cars gives me a horribly sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.  Truth be told, I'm probably putting it off because I'm not ready to part with my "Alaska" car.  Like my phone, that car and I have been through a lot together.  We'll see how this plays out…

Anyway, I very well could end up putting this off until January, and Scott could call it a birthday present (though it is a necessary purchase…my car has an awful lot of miles on it and it was our primary vehicle for the last 4 years).

I also have plans for an ice cream cake for my birthday.  This is the one I made for Scott's birthday last week.

I had a grand plan to make a vanilla ice cream cake with Golden Oreos.  I also thought of doing a peppermint one.  I asked Scott what he would prefer for his birthday.  He said "vanilla" without even hesitating.  When I brought up the idea of Golden Oreos, he said they were gross. Now, I wouldn't call them gross…I mean, I'd choose another flavor over them but, still, not gross.  He wanted regular Oreos.  (Actually, he wanted PB ones, but that wasn't going to work with the theme…).  I settled on Birthday Cake Oreos.

Birthday Cake Ice Cream Cake

makes  a 9x13 pan

1/2 gallon (1.5 quarts) vanilla ice cream, softened

1 container of Cool Whip, softened

Approximately 6 frosted vanilla cupcakes, frozen and diced (I used this recipe for cake and store-bought frosting)

1 package of Birthday Cake Oreos, crushed

2 T. melted butter

Sprinkles

Crush the Oreos using a Ziploc bag and a heavy pot or rolling pin.  Mix them with the melted butter and press into the bottom of an 13x9 pan.  Freeze for 20 minutes.

In a mixing bowl, stir together the softened ice cream and cupcake chunks.

Pour the softened ice cream mixture into the pan.  Freeze for another 20-30 minutes.

Spread the softened Cool Whip over the ice cream and top it off with sprinkles.  Freeze until ready to eat.  Take it out of the freezer about 15 minutes before serving so it will be easy to cut.