Hadley's birthday

To Hadley's future wife: I know his favorite cake is subject to change but for the last few years this has been his favorite. I like it layered and then top it off with some ganache.

He really likes it that way to.

Cookies and Ice Cream Squares

3 cups cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookie crumbs (about 40 cookies)
2/3 cup butter or margarine melted
½ gallon cookies and cream ice cream, slightly softened
½ cup whipping cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 (1-ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, melted
½ cup butter or margarine, melted
2 ½ cups sifted powdered sugar
1 cup whipping cream

Combine cookie crumbs and 2/3 cup melted butter, stirring well. Press crumb mixture into a lightly greased 9x13 pan. Cover and freeze 30 minutes. Spread slightly softened ice cream evenly over crust. Cover and freeze until ice cream is firm.

Combine ½ cup whipping cream and vanilla in small bowl, stirring well. Combine melted chocolate and ½ cup melted butter in large bowl; gradually add powdered sugar alternately with whipping cream mixture, beating at low speed of an electric mixer until smooth.

Beat 1 cup whipping cream at high speed until soft peaks form. Gently fold whipped cream into chocolate mixture. Spread chocolate mixture evenly over ice cream. Cover and freeze at least 4 hours or until firm.

Pretty? Not so much. Tasty? Delicious.