Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Day 1: Make the Ice Cream Base
- In a medium saucepan, combine the 480 g (2 cups) whole milk, 360 g (1½ cups) heavy cream, 140 g (⅔ cup) granulated sugar, 30 g (⅓ cup) nonfat dry milk powder, 15 g (1 tablespoon) light corn syrup, and ⅜ teaspoon fine salt.
- Heat over medium heat until steaming but not boiling.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the 4 egg yolks.
- Slowly pour the hot milk mixture into the yolks while whisking constantly.
- Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until it reaches 170–175°F (77–79°C).
- Remove from the heat and stir in the 1½ teaspoons vanilla bean paste, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon almond extract, and optional 1–2 drops butter extract.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Day 1: Make the Frosting Mousse
- In a medium bowl, beat together the 60 g (¼ cup) cream cheese, 90 g (⅓ cup) marshmallow fluff, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, tiny drop almond extract, and pinch of salt until smooth.
- Mix in the 85 g (3 oz) melted white chocolate until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whip the 180 g (¾ cup) heavy cream to medium peaks.
- Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until no streaks remain.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Day 2: Prepare the Pan
- Place a 6-inch cake ring or springform pan on a parchment-lined cake board or sheet pan.
- Line the inside of the pan with acetate and tape the seam together.
- Because this cake is tall, stack a second strip of acetate above the first and tape it securely in place to create taller sides.
Day 2: Churn the Ice Cream
- Churn the chilled ice cream base according to your ice cream maker's instructions until thick and soft-serve-like, about 25 minutes.
- Fold in the 4–6 chopped frosted sugar cookies.
Assemble the Cake
Layer 1: Cookie Layer
- Arrange about 5–6 frosted sugar cookies across the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Fit the cookies together like a puzzle or mosaic, breaking pieces as needed to fill gaps and create an even layer.
- Freeze for 5–10 minutes.
Layer 2: Ice Cream
- Spread about one-third of the ice cream evenly over the cookie layer.
- Freeze for 20 minutes.
Layer 3: Cookie Layer
- Arrange another layer of about 5–6 frosted sugar cookies over the ice cream, fitting them together like a mosaic and filling any gaps with broken pieces.
- Freeze for 5–10 minutes.
Layer 4: Frosting Mousse
- Spread the frosting mousse evenly over the cookie layer.
- Freeze for 20 minutes.
Layer 5: Ice Cream
- Spread another one-third of the ice cream over the mousse layer.
- Freeze for 20 minutes.
Layer 6: Cookie Layer
- Arrange a third cookie layer using about 5–6 frosted sugar cookies, again fitting the cookies together like a puzzle and filling gaps with smaller pieces.
- Freeze for 5–10 minutes.
Layer 7: Ice Cream
- Spread the remaining ice cream evenly over the cookie layer.
- Freeze for 20 minutes.
Layer 8: Top Cookie Layer
- Arrange the remaining frosted sugar cookies over the top of the cake in a decorative mosaic pattern.
- Freeze overnight or until completely firm.
To Serve
- Remove the cake from the freezer and let sit at room temperature for 8–12 minutes.
- Remove the cake ring and carefully peel away the acetate.
- Heat a large chef's knife in hot water, wipe completely dry, and slice. Wipe and reheat the knife between cuts for the cleanest slices.
Notes
- The butter extract is optional but helps create a stronger grocery-store birthday cake flavor.
- Use whole cookies where possible and fill gaps with broken pieces for the prettiest layers.
- Store tightly covered in the freezer for up to 1 week.
