A Cake Without Cake

The red mermaid has never been a fan of cake, so last year we discovered an easy way to make a birthday cake without it.

We got this recipe from a friend of mine who dubbed it Redneck Ice Cream Sandwich Torte. Pretty fancy, eh?

First you mix up the icing. The mermaids call this the "glue."

Then you lay ice cream bars on a pan/platter/cake stand. Or if you really want to be redneck, on some cardboard covered with tin foil.

Ah...sorry about the sideways photo. Put the "glue" on the first layer of ice cream bars. Then add more bars. You have to work fast! Mmmmm...

Cover the entire cake with cool whip and put it in the freezer until it is time to decorate for the party. This was such a big hit last year that the blue mermaid decided she wanted one this year, too. So we made two.

Here is the official recipe:

REDNECK ICE CREAM SANDWICH TORTE
from Metta Prieto
1 c. coarsely chopped creme-filled chocolate sandwich cookies (i.e. Oreos, about 10)
1/2 c. milk

1 pkg. (3.9 oz.) chocolate instant pudding

1 container (12 oz.) frozen whipped topping (i.e. cool whip), thawed

12 frozen rectangle ice cream sandwiches, unwrapped

2 T. semi-sweet chocolate morsels, grated or multi-colored sprinkles

Instructions 1. Coarsely chop cookies. Combine milk and pudding mix; whisk until mixture is smooth and begins to thicken. Immediately fold in half of the whipped topping and cookies; set filling aside.2. Working quickly, arrange six of the ice cream sandwiches side by side on a Large Platter. Spread filling evenly over sandwiches. Top with remaining ice cream sandwiches, forming a rectangle-shaped torte; smooth sides. Spread remaining whipped topping over top and sides of torte. Grate chocolate over torte or use sprinkles. Freeze at least 30 minutes, or until ready to serve.Yield: 16 servings