In a big bowl, soften butter half within the microwave or in a medium-sized pot on the range, then stir till the butter finishes melting. (This retains the temperature down.) Add salt, brown sugar, and milk, whisking till clean. If it’s not cool but, let it cool a bit extra (you don’t want the egg to scramble or the chips to soften) earlier than including the egg and vanilla, whisking till mixed. Sprinkle batter with baking powder and blend very properly into the batter. Stir in flour and 1/2 cup (3 ounces or 85 grams) of the chocolate chips, stirring till flour disappears.
Pour half the batter into every pan and clean the highest flat. Sprinkle the tops of every spherical with 2 tablespoons of the chocolate chips.
Bake for about quarter-hour, till cookies are golden on the edges and set however mushy within the middle. Switch to a cooling rack for five minutes, then take away from the pans, peeling off the parchment beneath. I wish to then switch my cookies to the freezer for 10 minutes in order that they’re totally, totally chilly earlier than we start assembling the cake. In case your ice cream is rock-hard within the freezer, switch it to the fridge for these 10 minutes so will probably be simpler to scoop.
Assemble the cake: Line one of many 8-inch spherical cake pans with plastic wrap that extends up the perimeters of the pan in two instructions. This can make it simpler to take away the cake. [An 8-inch springform can work too but risks leaking before the ice cream is fully frozen again; I’d still use some plastic inside for security.]
Place first chocolate chip cookie spherical high facet down within the backside of the pan. Scoop vanilla ice cream throughout and use a spatula to unfold it evenly. Place second chocolate chip cookie high facet up on high and press it firmly in opposition to the ice cream. Use any plastic that has prolonged over the perimeters to cowl the cookie, nevertheless it’s okay if it’s not totally coated.
Chill the ice cream sandwich cake for 3 to six hours and ideally in a single day, till agency.
To complete and serve: Take away the cake from the freezer. Run a knife alongside the sides of the cake pan after which use the plastic wrap to assist elevate the cake out of the pan. Pat remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips onto the perimeters of the cake. Minimize the cake into 8 to 12 wedges and serve immediately.
Do forward: Ice cream cake retains within the freezer for weeks, not that I’ve ever had one final that lengthy.
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The (Abridged) Blondie Chipwich (particular person ice cream sandwiches) from Smitten Kitchen Keepers: To make these as particular person ice cream sandwiches: pour the batter right into a single 9×13-inch pan. As soon as baked, minimize the cookie in half, flip in order that the highest facet of every cookie faces the skin, and fill with the ice cream, utilizing the perimeters of the pan to assist it preserve its form. As soon as frozen strong once more, minimize into 12 small squares, and press reserved chocolate chips onto sides. For the total recipe, and 99 others that (I’m biased however) are too improbable to overlook, seize a duplicate of Smitten Kitchen Keepers wherever you want to purchase cookbooks.
