Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

OK, I made two of these cakes for my grandson's graduation party last week, and EVERYONE loved them, even my picky daughter and sister, who are very hard to please : )  The cakes were very easy to make (even kids could do it) and economical compared to buying an ice cream cake already made.

You can mix it up using flavors you like, everyone at the party was talking about how they would make theirs, caramel topping was a popular choice.  I used Neapolitan and vanilla ice cream sandwiches and alternated them so everyone would get a mix of flavors, Nesquik chocolate syrup, sprinkled with maraschino cherries, and drizzled with more Nesquik chocolate syrup, all flavors requested by my almost 14 year old Bubba, aka Jonathan, who couldn't stop thanking me  : )

For one 13" x 9" cake you'll need:

INGREDIENTS:
~ 20 regular sized ice cream sandwiches, any flavor (I used two 12-count packages)
~ 12 oz ice cream topping ~ hot fudge, butterscotch, marshmallow, whatever flavor you like
~ 8 oz Cool Whip type whipped topping
~ crumbled or chopped candy, nuts or cookies, sprinkles or maraschino cherries for sprinkling on top
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DIRECTIONS:
~ Layer ice cream sandwiches across short end of bottom of 13" x 9" pan (I'm using disposable aluminum pans) cutting some in half to fit. *As the store only had 2 packs of Neapolitan sandwiches and I had to also use vanilla I alternated the two types in the pans so everyone would get some of all flavors.
~ Spread half the ice cream topping on top of this layer.
~ Spread half the whipped topping on top of ice cream topping, it doesn't matter if the topping and whipped topping get mixed a bit in this layer as it won't show.
~ Repeat with ice cream sandwiches, ice cream topping and whipped topping.
~ Sprinkle candy, cookies, nuts, sprinkles or cherries of your choice on top.
~ Freeze for 2 hours uncovered.
~ Remove from freezer and cover with aluminum foil, return to freezer for at least one hour.
~ Serve and enjoy!

*We served the first cake out of the pan since it was a pool party and casual, but you can layer the pan with foil first if you want to lift this out after freezing to place on a platter for presentation, or prepare in a clear Pyrex dish so it will show the layers on the sides.

*I say "we served the first cake" as the second one was put back in the freezer, the first one served about 20 people with some cake left over, even though some guests had seconds!  Some of the kids were still playing in the pool and were spending the night so they enjoyed cake all night  : )   It's a rich cake, and with the cake and ice cream all in one it goes a long way to satisfying guests...I made the two just to make sure we had enough  ; )

*Store brand ingredients work just as well as brand names, I used Stater Bros brand (here in CA and NV) sandwiches, two 12-count boxes were $5.00, and whipped topping @ $1.69 for 8 oz.  The cherries were $3.49, one jar was enough for both cakes.  The Nesquik was $1.99 for each 22 oz bottle (the cakes were slathered in syrup and some guests were actually scooping the extra on the sides of the pan onto their cake) at our local Grocery Outlet (discounted store I just love!), and the pans were $.99 each there as well.

So, the cost of each cake came to under $13, and remember, this served 20 people with leftovers!  I am definitely making more of these this summer, as a matter of fact, I'm making one for the 4th   : )