Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Pie

Here`s is the finale to Cookies and Cream week! I`m ending it with Cookies and Cream ice cream pie!

Yep, it tastes as scrumptious as it sounds, people. ;)

This was my first time making an ice cream pie, but once I saw a Snickers ice cream pie recipe in one of the Cook Illustrated magazines, I started dreaming up of this pie. It never occurred to me to make a pie with ICE CREAM. My favorite food, ever! I about died.

Hence, this creation was born. Oreo cookie crust, with a thin chocolate layer, cookies and cream ice cream, topped with chocolate fudge and whipped cream. With the optional chopped Oreo cookies sprinkled over the whipped cream, which I chose to do.

Delectable?

Why, yes. Yes, completely.

How many adjectives do you know to describe a good dessert recipe? You may apply them all here.

Unless it`s moist and fluffy. That does not belong here. That belongs with cake and bread...

Okay, I`m done raving about this.

I would just like to add that all who have tasted this awesome of a pie raved about it too. They wanted more and more. Sadly, there is only 1 pie. Fortunately, for their pants.

The fudge in the pic is speckled because I wrapped the top of the pie with saran wrap...and it touched the fudge. No worries, just add more fudge to cover it! :D

The only downside? This pie of awesomeness takes a lot of planning ahead and time. Mainly freezer time. But, it`s all worth it, I promise! I took 3 DAYS to make this.

Day 1: Made the ice cream and fudge.
Day 2: Made the pie crust and assembled the pie, with the exception of the whipped cream.
Day 3: Made the whipped cream and piped it onto the pie.

However, you a can make this in 2 days. Even 1 day if you decide to buy pre-made crust and ice cream. Heck, you can buy all of these ingredients and put them together early in the day and it will be ready to eat by dinner!

But, where`s the fun in thattt? Just buy an ice cream pie.

Also, you can totally prepare this ahead of time for a party or something!

The crust will be a little tough to slice through because of the hardened chocolate. But, totally do-able with a good knife.

Look at these pictures to help you understand how to make the chocolate layer, if it`s confusing from reading the recipe. :)

Sorry for such a long recipe, but each step is simple. Plus, it`s so good, you won`t even think you about all the steps!

Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Pie

Adapted from America's Test Kitchen: Best Summer Desserts

Yields: 8 servings (1- 9 inch pie)

Level: Easy-Medium (lots of steps)

Total Time: Dependable, let`s just say, you need to plan ahead.

(Print Recipe)

Materials Needed:

-          9 inch pie pan

-          parchment paper

-          ice cream maker (if you are doing homemade)

-          1 ice cream scoop

-          food processor (or anything that will crush the Oreo cookies)

-          1 cooling rack

-          2 small-medium off-set spatula

-          1 wooden spoon

-          1 small saucepan

-          1 bowl with mixer attachment

-          freezer

-          1 pastry bag/sandwich bag

-          1 desired star tip

-          1 tall cup

Ingredients:

For Oreo crust:

§  20 oreo cookies

§  3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

§  3 tablespoon semi-sweet chocolate chips

For filling:

§  pre-made cookiesand cream ice cream or you can use store bought (about 1 quart) 

For the fudge: (from Confections of a Foodie Bride)

§  1/2 cup granulated sugar

§  1/3 cup light corn syrup

§  1/2 cup water

§  6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

§  1/2 teaspoon vanilla

For the whipped cream:

§  1 cup heavy cream

§  1 tablespoon granulated sugar

§  1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

For the ice cream:

1.      Make your cookies and cream ice cream, preferably this one: http://heartsinmyoven.blogspot.com/2012/08/cookies-and-cream-ice-cream-2.html or you can use store bought ice cream. Freeze your ice cream until it is ready if you are making it homemade.

For the Fudge:

2.      Over medium heat, in a small saucepan, combine water, sugar, corn syrup, and cocoa powder. Boil for 1 minute, constantly stirring with a wooden spoon.

3.      Remove pan from heat and add the vanilla.

4.      Allow to completely cool before use. (Store in a small jar and keep extras for topping ice cream!)

For the Oreo crust:

Preheat your oven 350°F.

5.      Line your pie pan with parchment paper. You don`t need to cover the sides, but make sure to cover the bottom of the pan with the parchment paper.

6.      In your food processor, crush the Oreo cookies. Then add the melted butter and combine together until crumbs are finely crushed.

7.       Transfer into pie pan and press the crumbs into the bottom and sides of the pan evenly.

8.      Bake in oven for 10 minutes.

9.      Transfer pan onto cooling rack and let it cool slightly for about 5 minutes.

10.  Then, add the chocolate chips on top of the crust.

11.  Once the chocolate has soften (very glossy-looking), using an offset spatula, spread the melted chocolate chips on top.

12.  Allow for chocolate to harden in the freezer for about 10 minutes. At this time, if your ice cream is frozen rock solid, allow for it to soften.

Assembly:

Once your ice cream is softened, your fudge cooled and your chocolate layer hardened...you can begin the assembly. :)

13.  Using an ice cream scoop, scoop the ice cream into the pan and even out the top.

14.  Freeze until ice cream is firm.

15.  Once the ice cream is firm, pour chocolate fudge over the top of the ice cream. Spread evenly with offset spatula. (*Note: you will have a lot of fudge leftover, store extra for later use)

16.  Freeze pie to firm up.

While your ice cream pie is in the freezer, make the whipped cream.

For the whipped cream:

17.  In the bowl of your stand mixer/electric mixer, whip the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.

18.  Place pastry bag (with tip) into the tall cup with edges folded over the cup.

19.  Transfer whipped cream into pastry bag.

20.  Pipe edges of the pie with whipped cream.

21.  Freeze once again until whipped cream has hardened.