The Painted Apron

Today is Darling Daughter’s Birthday! Happy Birthday DD! She is famous for drawing her birthday out for the entire month of October, but we all got lucky this year, family and friends celebrated with her over the weekend so it’s up to her hubbie NG to keep her happy today!  In her honor I wanted to share these Ice Cream Party Bites that she and I created for a recent party.  The guests raved, and yep, they are EASY PEASY.  And then stay tuned for a little bonus at the end, BIRTHDAY CAKE SHOTS!

As you can see, there’s not going to be much cooking here!  This is an IDEA not a recipe, and once you get started you will think of endless possibilities!  This IDEA is awesome, it has the 3 qualities of an outstanding recipe: EASY, DO AHEAD, CROWD PLEASER.

We chose 4 different types of ice cream [vanilla, not pictured here], 5 different garnishes, and 3 types of dough.  This mini cookie dough was the perfect size for the small sandwiches.

I couldn’t find this Ultimate Turtle Cookie Dough in mini but I couldn’t resist it.  I just cut the dough pieces in 1/4 to make minis.  I used a roll of sugar cookie dough for the third cookie and cut it into 1 inch slices and then cut the slices into 1/4s.

Bake the cookies according to package directions, adjusting baking time for the smaller cookies, and set aside to cool.

I bet your sweet tooth is FREAKING OUT right now!  Try NOT to eat the cookies.

Set up an assembly line with cookies, ice cream and sprinkles or garnishes.

Start with any combo you like, this is chocolate chip cookies with chocolate mint chip ice cream

You will have to work quickly, making 4-6 at a time, then putting them in the freezer before starting another batch.

I inserted some lollipop sticks into the middle of the finished sandwiches, thinking this would be a super brilliant idea, but it’s NOT! The sandwiches are too heavy and the ice cream melts too quickly and your guest is likely to drop a gloppy mess on their shirt front or worse, your rug.

Here’s a chocolate chip cookie sandwich with Creme Brulee Ice Cream

and rolled in sprinkles…

So Birthday Party CUTE!

These are sugar cookies with It’s My Birthday Cake Ice Cream

And here are some turtle cookies with Vanilla Ice Cream and chopped walnuts.  SERIOUSLY to die for.

Wrap the finished cookies well to prevent freezer crystals forming on the ice cream, and keep frozen until right before serving at your event.  They melt quickly so pass them on trays so your guests can eat them right away!

Ok, now for the BIRTHDAY CAKE SHOTS

Put some of that Vanilla or Creme Brulee Ice Cream you had for the sandwiches in a measuring cup in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving these.  You want the ice cream to melt enough to pour but still be cold and thick like a milk shake.

So here’s the secret ingredient, CAKE VODKA! Yep, vodka now comes in a ridiculous assortment of flavors, bubble gum, marshmallow, coffee, sweet tea, citrus, pepper…you name it, you can probably find it!  ANYWAY, this Cake Vodka by Three Olives is amazing! It smells just like wedding cake.

Prepare shot glasses [ I got these at Bed Bath and Beyond, 6 for $10] by dipping the rims in egg white or sugar water and then into a saucer full of multicolored non pareils.  Next add a measure of Vodka and fill with the melted ice cream.  Make a toast and serve immediately!

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