Oh Happy Day

Whew! D had a birthday today. If you are a faithful reader, you may be thinking, "Didn't she just post about a birthday?!" Why yes, yes I did . . . because I have a child and a husband with birthdays one week apart. Not well-planned, I will add as a sidenote, though I know many people have it much, much worse. So enough complaining.

D is finally the same age as me. We do this little dance every year where, for three interminable months, I am his elder and I get to hear the same old jokes, over and over ad nauseum. Finally that will abate and I can have 9 months of same-aged peace. Ah---

One last piece of valuable information from the birthday festivities: I was sick of cakes and wanted to do something easy (but of course, still nice) for D's big 3-1. His dad reminisced about a "cake" he'd had 14 years ago that was essentially Cool-Whip and ice cream sandwiches layered. Since D is a big fan of the ice cream sandwich, I decided to give it a shot. It was a roaring success. My brother-in-law, after a five minute conversation about me making it said, "Did you seriously make this?" That's how good it was. :)

The recipe, with my tweaking, is this:
1 1/2 smaller sized containers of Cool-Whip (or one larger one), 2 candy bars (3 Musketeers), hot fudge, 24 ice cream sandwiches (not Fat Boy).

In a 9x13 pan, spread Cool-Whip until it covers the bottom. Tightly fit ice cream sandwiches to form a layer. Spread another round of Cool-Whip, drizzle hot fudge, sprinkle 3 Musketeers. Fit another ice cream sandwich layer. Keep this in the freezer. Just before serving, add another round of Cool-Whip, fudge, and candy.

Some variations I'd like to try: crushed mint grasshopper cookies instead of candy bar with peppermint candy crushed and sprinkled on top for Christmas; caramel ice cream topping instead of candy bar. You could get very creative and if you do, please let me know. It's only fair.