Italian Ice Cream Cake Recipes

ITALIAN RAINBOW COOKIE ICE CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Cut the cookies to form 1-by-1-by-1/2-inch squares. Line a 9-inch springform pan with plastic wrap. Arrange the cookie squares all the way around the sides of the pan with the color lines running perpendicular to the bottom of the pan. Repeat with an additional ring of cookies above the first ring, lining up the colors as much as possible, so the cookies come 2 inches up the sides of the pan and almost completely cover them.
• Lay one cookie square in the middle of the bottom of the pan. Arrange a second cookie square next to it, with the color lines perpendicular to the color lines in the first cookie. Continue arranging cookie squares to create a parquet floor pattern. Fill the bottom of the pan with cookies, cutting some to fill in any odd-shaped areas. Chill until cold, about 30 minutes.
• Combine the chocolate and oil in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until melted, about 2 minutes. Using a pastry brush, coat the cookies on the bottom and sides with a thin layer of chocolate. Chill until set, about 5 minutes.
• Spread one of the pints of vanilla ice cream in an even layer over the chocolate-coated bottom cookies. Freeze until hard, about 1 hour. Spread the chocolate ice cream in an even layer over the vanilla. Freeze until hard, about 1 hour. Spread the remaining pint of vanilla ice cream in an even layer over the chocolate ice cream. Cover with the remaining cookie pieces. Freeze until solid, 6 hours to overnight.
• When ready to serve, invert the cake onto a plate so the bottom layer of cookies is on the top. Remove the pan and peel off the plastic wrap. Cut with a hot dry knife.

ITALIAN ICE CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Sift together the flour and baking powder in a bowl.
• Whisk the eggs in a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment on high speed until very light and fluffy, about 5 to 6 minutes. With the mixer on medium, slowly pour in the sugar, and mix until thick and glossy, about 1 to 2 minutes, then stir in the orange zest. Fold in the sifted flour with a spatula just until incorporated-don't overmix. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and bake until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Let the cake cool on a wire rack, then run a knife around the sides of the pan to loosen and unmold.
• For the filling: Dissolve the gelatin in 2 tablespoons hot water in a small bowl. Beat the ricotta and confectioners' sugar in a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Scrape in the dissolved gelatin and mix to distribute. Stir in the chocolate and lemon peel with a spatula.
• For the syrup: Bring the sugar to a boil with 1 cup water in a small pot. Boil until reduced by about a quarter, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in the Grand Marnier. Let cool slightly.
• To assemble: Line the inside of a 9-inch-diameter bowl with plastic wrap, letting several inches of excess wrap drape down the outside.
• Cut the cake into three circular layers of equal thickness, using a serrated knife. Line the bottom of bowl with one cake slice, pressing to fit, and brush with some of the syrup to soak it evenly. Fill half of the cavity of the bowl lined with the cake with some of the filling. Fit another cake layer on top of the filling, pressing to fit snugly to the sides of the bowl, then brush with more syrup. Continue to fill the cavity with the remaining filling, and fit the final layer flat on top. Soak the last layer with the remaining syrup. Fold the excess plastic wrap over the top, and weight top with a heavy plate. Chill overnight, or until the filling is set; if filled with ice cream, set in the freezer.
• For the glaze: Sift the confectioners' sugar into a large bowl, and whisk in the lemon juice to make a smooth, spreadable glaze. If necessary, add a little more confectioners' sugar or some water to get the correct consistency.
• Remove the cake from the bowl and unwrap. Invert with dome up on a cake plate or stand. Spread the glaze over the top of cake, and let it slide down the sides, guiding it with a spatula to cover the cake completely. Let the glaze set at room temperature before serving.

SPUMONI ICE CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Remove the lid from the cherry ice cream and let sit at room temperature until the ice cream softens to the consistency of thick cake batter, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove the lids from the pistachio and chocolate ice creams and let soften in the refrigerator until the ice creams are softened to the consistency of thick cake batter, 20 to 30 minutes.
• While the ice creams soften, cover the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with one layer of whole amaretti cookies, flat sides down. Put the remaining amaretti in a resealable plastic bag and crush with a heavy pan. Line another 9-inch round cake pan with plastic wrap, leaving a few inches of overhang. Add the crushed cookies and set aside until Step 4.
• On top of the whole cookies in the springform pan, spread the softened cherry ice cream in an even layer. Tap the pan gently on the counter to remove air pockets. Distribute the maraschino cherries over the cherry ice cream, saving a handful for the top of the cake. Spread the softened pistachio ice cream in an even layer on top of the cherries. Tap the pan gently on the counter to remove air pockets. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and freeze until firm, about 2 hours or up to 1 week. (If at any point the ice cream is melting to liquid, pop the cake and ice creams in the freezer to firm to a spoonable consistency.)
• Immediately after placing the cherry and pistachio layers in the freezer, prepare the chocolate layer: Shake to distribute the cookie crumbs evenly in the cake pan. Spread the softened chocolate ice cream in an even layer over the cookies. Press down as you go to adhere the ice cream to the cookies, then tap the pan on the counter to remove air pockets. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and freeze until firm, about 2 hours or up to 1 week.
• Run a knife around the cake in the springform pan, then unmold the springform and transfer the cake to a serving plate. Use the plastic wrap overhang to remove the chocolate ice cream out of the cake pan. Invert the layer onto the pistachio ice cream so the crushed cookies are on top (do not remove the plastic wrap). Freeze until set, about 4 hours or overnight.
• When you're ready to serve, whip the cream with the sugar and salt until stiff peaks form. Remove the cake from the freezer and remove the plastic wrap from the cake. Working quickly, with a spoon or offset spatula, frost the sides and top of the cake with the whipped cream, then decorate with sprinkles and the reserved maraschino cherries. Serve right away. (If you find the cake too solid to cut, run your knife under hot water before slicing and wipe it dry between cuts. Also remember that the first piece is always the trickiest to get out.)

SPUMONI (ITALIAN ICE CREAM LIKE DESSERT)

Steps:

• Chill a 1 quart spumoni mold well.
• If you don't have a spumoni mold, a 1 quart gelatin mold will work very well.
• First Mixture: Combine milk, sugar, egg yolks and vanilla in a sauce pan.
• Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until thickend (like a pudding).
• Cool mixture.
• Place cooled mixture in a freezer tray and freeze until medium hard (about 2 hours).
• It should be soft enough to spoon out easily, but hard enough to hold its shape.
• Second Mixture: In Bowl, beat heavy cream and sugar together until stiff.
• Gently mix in the cherries, orange peel and almonds.
• Chill the second mixture thoroughly in the refrigerator.
• Filling Mold: When first mixture is ready (semi-frozen), remove from freezer tray and line the inside of the chilled mold with it.
• With the back of a spoon, shape a hollow in the middle of the first mixture.
• Fill the hollow with the second mixture.
• Cover the top of the mold with plastic wrap or waxed paper, and freeze for about 2 hours (until very firm).
• To serve, dip mold briefly in warm water and unmold onto a serving plate.
• Cut spumoni into 6-8 portions.

ITALIAN CREAM CAKE I

Steps:

• Cream together 1 cup butter or margarine, egg yolks, and 2 cups white sugar. Alternately mix in flour and buttermilk. Add baking soda. Mix in 1 cup walnuts and coconut.
• Beat egg whites, and fold into batter. Pour batter into three greased and floured 9 inch round cake pans.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven.
• Combine cream cheese, 1/2 cup butter or margarine, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla extract. Spread onto cooled cake. Top iced cake with chopped walnuts.