Mocha Chocolate Chip Icebox Cake

This easy “cake” is more mousse-meets-tiramisu. Layering thin chocolate-chip cookies with a whipped mixture of cream, mascarpone cheese, vanilla, coffee, cocoa and Kahlua – the result is a semi-solid silky pillow wrapped around homemade cookies. Soaked in the cream mixture, the cookies become more like cookie dough in texture – lovely.

For last year’s Oscars, I made this icebox cake – layers of chocolate thin crisps with cream and strawberries. This time, I went a different and more decadent route with an adapted Ina Garten recipe.

Mocha Chocolate Chip Icebox Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 batch Nestle Tollhouse chocolate-chip cookies (make day ahead)
• 2 c. cold heavy cream
• 12 oz. mascarpone cheese
• 1/2 c. sugar (I used a little less)
• 1/4 c. Kahlua
• 2 T unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp. instant coffee powder (I used Starbucks Via)
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• Shaved semisweet chocolate, for garnish

In electric mixer, whisk cream, mascarpone, sugar, coffee liqueur, cocoa powder, coffee powder and vanilla. Combine on low speed then increase to high, until it forms stiff peaks.

To assemble, line the bottom of your 9-inch springform cake pan with cookies, breaking some to fill the spaces. Spread with 1/5 of the mocha cream. Place another layer of cookies on top, followed by more cream. Continue layering until you end with a layer of cream. Smooth top, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

To serve, run a knife around the edge of the cake pan, then remove the sides. Sprinkle top with chocolate shavings and cut cake into wedges. Serve cold.

The cake is very rich, and deadly to those with a sweet tooth.

Hope everyone is enjoying a beautiful spring! xoxo

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Chocolate icebox cake with strawberries

What I know about making icebox cakes: layer crisp cookies with whipped cream, chill and you have a delicious, soft cake in a matter of hours. The cookies soak up the cream and become soft, cakelike and easy to cut into. I added strawberries because that’s how I originally saw this recipe made by my friend Colleen. It tastes just like cookies and cream…but better with your favorite berry!

Yummy, friends, and don’t be surprised if people ask to have a private moment with their piece. 😉

You can do this with prepared cookies, or you can be extra pretentious and make your own. Which is exactly what I did! This recipe is originally from Smitten Kitchen (love her).

Chocolate-Strawberry Icebox Cake

For the cookies:

• 1 1/2 c. flour
• 3/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 c. plus 2 T sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 14 T unsalted butter, chilled
• 3 T whole milk
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

In a food processor, combine flour, cocoa, sugar, salt and baking soda. Cube butter and add, pulsing several times. In a small cup, combine milk and vanilla, pouring into food processor while running. Process until mixture forms a ball. Transfer dough to a cutting board, knead to make sure it’s blended, then shape into a 14-inch log. Roll in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least one hour.

Preheat oven to 350. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut dough into 1/4-inch slices and place 1 inch apart on pan. I helped reform them into prettier circles at this point (they can be lopsided). Bake, rotating halfway through, 12-15 min., until cookies are dark brown. Cool on rack, repeat with remaining dough. The cookies should be nice and crisp!

When all the cookies are done, get started on the whipped cream and toppings!

• 1 box of strawberries, cleaned and sliced (the more, the better!)
• 3 c. heavy cream
• 3 T sugar
• 1 T vanilla extract

In a large, cold bowl, beat cream, sugar and vanilla on high, until soft peaks form. Done. Time to assemble!

On a flat serving dish, create a circle of 7 cookies with one in the center. Scoop out 1/2-1 c. whipped cream, smooshing all over. Be careful, the cookies can slide. Use a rubber spatula, pushing the cream from the center to the edges. You want to create a solid base, and for it to look nice. Scatter strawberries around the edge, then place more cookies on top. Repeat until you end with whipped cream and beautiful strawberries on top. You might not use all the whipping cream.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least eight hours, or overnight.

You will not believe how soft those cookies get, just wonderful and fresh tasting. Ain’t it pretty? And unlike many cakes, it only gets better the longer it sits in your fridge. Next time, I think I’ll try it with raspberries or blueberries or maybe even peaches!

Enjoy, friends! xoxo