
Hi there! Welcome back everyone. I hope you're having a good week.
I'm sickened by the devastation in Joplin, Missouri. I don't know if you all have been watching the news, but it's just awful. My heart goes out to all of the people in Joplin.
Let's see, the winner of the Saucy Mama giveaway is...

Shannon9585! Congrats, Shannon! Could you email me you shipping address and I'll send it over to the Saucy Mama people?

Guess what time it is? It's time for Q&A Part 2!
What's your favorite lemon cake/cupcake recipe?
I don't have a lot of lemon cake recipes on my blog. I did like this lemon glazed yogurt cake I made, though.
How did you get started entering recipe contests?
I think I got interested when I started watching all of the cook-offs/competitions on Food Network, especially the Pillsbury Bake-Off.
Who inspired you to bake?
I guess my mom, because she likes baking and has a ton of cookbooks. She has an old collection of Southern Living cookbooks that I used to read like novels.
What's your favorite dessert to make?
There's always something so satisfying about baking pie. I love making the dough, and the filling and baking it.
What was the first meal you ever cooked for Eric? And the first meal he ever cooked for you?
I think it might have been a gourmet turkey panini and tomato soup. He still talks about that meal and how good it was. I feel badly. I should make it again for him. Eric's first meal he made me was chocolate chip pancakes. They were really good. That was the last meal Eric made me.
What's the (only) one food you would eat for the rest of your life?
Hmmm. That's a tough one. I can't say ice cream or fried okra because I'm sure I would get sick of that. I could probably eat really good bread for the rest of my life. With salted butter and maybe some brie.
Favorite ice cream flavor?
Easy. Chocolate chip cookie dough. Runner up: mint chocolate chip.
What is your favorite candy bar?
Easy. Twix. Runner up: Mounds.
What's your favorite TV show?
I love a lot of TV shows, but if we're talking about ones that are still on the air, I would have to say Mad Men and Breaking Bad. I used to love Top Chef, but it's getting old now.
What was the very first contest you entered and what made you decide to enter?
I think I was around fifteen, and it was a Mission tortilla recipe contest. I'm not sure what the prize was... maybe a trip? I wasn't old enough to enter it, so I used my mom's name. I created a pumpkin cheesecake with a tortilla crust, and ended up being a semi-finalist! I mean, my mom was a semi-finalist.
How do you stay so thin with all those yummy treats around?
I love the person who asked this. You deserve cookies.
I don't know about thinnn... How about medium sized? I work out a lot. Usually about 5-6 times a week, for at least an hour. I'm very dedicated. You can ask Eric and my family.
How do you decide what recipes you're going to post?
I usually just pick things by what I'm craving, what's in season, or whatever ingredients I have on hand.
What would your final meal be?
Fried chicken and baked mac & cheese. Mmm.
If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?
Italy! I want to go so badly. I will go someday. I must! I need to have some authentic Italian gelato.
How and when did you start baking?
When my mom would bake I'd always help her out when I was younger. I didn't start baking and making desserts until I was in high school.
Who are your favorite and least favorite TV chefs?
Well, I've already mentioned my favorite chefs... although I also like Paula Deen and Nigella Lawson. I have a lot more of my LEAST favorite chefs.
-Robert Irvine. He annoys me sooo much.
-The Neelys. Ditto.
-I used to like Alton Brown. Then something happened and I don't like or watch him anymore.
-There's another chef whose name I won't mention. Let's say he drives around in a hot rod and wears bowling shirts.
If you were to bring a dessert to a work picnic (for a dessert competition) what would you bring?
Answer: Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream Cake.

This dessert most definitely would win! I don't know how anyone couldn't love this ice cream cake.
I created a slightly salty peanut butter cookie dough and pressed it into the bottom of a springform pan. After baking and cooling the cookie later, I topped it with chocolate frozen custard, melted milk chocolate, and chopped up peanut butter cups.

The cookie layer is slightly cakey, so you're able to cut the ice cream cake easily. I used Andy's frozen custard, which is amazing. I have an obsession with Andy's frozen custard. SO good! This is the perfect dessert for upcoming summer events.


Printable Recipe
Cookie bottom
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 quart chocolate frozen custard, softened
4 ounces milk or dark chocolate, melted
3/4 cup coarsely chopped peanut butter cups
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat insides of a 9 or 10-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large mixing bowl, using a mixer on medium speed, beat butter, peanut butter and brown sugar until creamy - about 1 minute. Beat in eggs, milk, vanilla, baking soda and salt until well combined - about 1 minute. Reduce mixer speed to low and beat in flour until just combined. Spread peanut butter batter into prepared pan. Bake 25 minutes or until golden brown around edges. Cool completely. (Speed this process up by freezing the pan.)
Spread chocolate custard over the top of peanut butter cookie. Freeze for 15 minutes.
Spread melted chocolate over the top of custard; sprinkle with peanut butter cups. Freeze until ready to serve.
Makes 8 servings

It IS so terrible what has happened in Joplin. Those poor people. And the weather isn't cooperating. AWFUL!
ReplyDeleteThe world needs your PB Cup Ice Cream Cake. It looks amazing. And what a trooper you are for answering all those questions. I wish I had asked you something really good, like what's the most Oreo's you've ever eaten at one sitting.
PS Can you add this ice cream cake to my prize? Please!
Oh boy, this looks incredible! Yum yum yum, your photos are definitely making me hungry! :)
ReplyDeleteUm, wow, that looks amazing. I think I'd be happy with just the crust :) But the chocolate frozen custard must take it to a whole new level. I've been meaning to try making an ice cream cake...as soon as I can clear out some room in my freezer, I'll make this one for sure!
ReplyDeleteYuuuuuum! That looks (and sounds) so delicious! And I remember way back in the day when you posted your Breaking Bad Banana Bars (or whatever they were called) and I made and loved them (I should really make them again, it's been awhile) but had never heard of Breaking Bad. Well, we got a new Fox channel over here and we've been watching Breaking Bad for a few months. We're in the second season and we really love it. Thanks for the recommend! :)
ReplyDeleteThis looks lovely! You can never go wrong with chocolate and peanut butter. Custard is definitely the new black. :)
ReplyDeleteJoplin must be fairly close to you, no? Such a tragedy...
ReplyDeleteBake-workout-aholics unite! :)
that should be freakin illegal! omg it looks DIVINE!!
ReplyDeletei answered the question of desserts/moderation/how can one eat them in my post yesterday...and i find that i dont need an entire ice cream cake (altho it sounds fun to try..haha!) but a piece is not going to matter in the great scheme of life.
love the questions. and the recipe!!
seriously amazing. i want to eat my screen. and there's someone i think that's more annoying than those that you mentioned... and she might be semi-homemade.
ReplyDeleteOh. My. Goodness. This looks fantastic. I'm going to make it. And then eat it all. :)
ReplyDeleteThis pb ice cream cake looks phenomenal! I am with you on the Top Chef, thing. I still mostly like the original, but the Top Chef Masters and Top Chef Just Desserts has gotten painful to watch. I love when the peanut butter is just a tad salty, and the chocolate is dark - that would be amazing. I would love to get a slice of this!
ReplyDeleteIce cream cake is my all-time favorite. But I have never had Peanut butter ice cream cake! I need this like, right now.
ReplyDeleteI am sooooo going to make this! I love it when recipes are simple and they turn out to be delicious. Thanks Emily!
ReplyDeleteOh. My. Goodness. I really wish I could grab this out of the screen.
ReplyDeleteDe-lurking reader and new blogger here! :)
ReplyDeleteI could probably eat this ice cream cake all day erryday; pb + chocolate + ice cream are my kryptonites.
This post was fun! I'm a sucker for the Q&A format.
Oh, and I totally support the love for Mad Men.
Oh my gosh, Emily, this looks so good! I love a cookie crust--I was going to do something along those lines with my chocolate chip cookie dough that I just made.
ReplyDeletegood for you working out like that = guilt free eating which is always awesome. Love the layers here.
ReplyDeleteso glad to hear you are ok after the tornadoes. i heard some of the debris went as far as springfield.
ReplyDeleteand mmmmmmmmmmm on that ice cream cake. my daughter's birthday is in june and i always try to get her to choose ice cream cake for the day but she never has. this might change her mind!
Thanks everyone!
ReplyDeleteSue, I know... I believe they got some storms tonight. Eric says tomorrow is going to be bad, too.
Hmm maybe 6? I have no idea! Sure!
Lisa, you're welcome! I'm so glad you like it too. The first and second seasons were the best. The show is getting a little crazy now. I still like it, though.
Liz, yes, it's an hour away.
Shannon, haha good one.
Caroline, I still watch Top Chef, but a lot of times I'm only half watching. It's kind of a waste of time, I feel.
Evan, welcome! Thanks for reading! When is Mad Men coming back on? I miss it.
I'm praying for everyone in Joplin.
ReplyDeleteGreat Q&A's.
AMAZING cake! Just found my birthday cake for next year ;)
I couldn't beleive it when I saw the news this AM and saw the entire city leveled. I feel quite blessed and lucky to live where I live. So we don't have the greatest weather in NY. Really that's not the worst thing that could happen. It's a reminder to everyone how quickly our lives can change and how easy it is to lose everything.
ReplyDeleteWhile I don't think that cake could cheer up the folks in Joplin, it can definitely lift the rest of our spirits. I'd give this first place for sure!
I soured on Alton Brown myself. It was a combination of finding his recipes don't work and the fact that he seems like a jerk IRL.
I love that you used your mom's name to enter a cooking contest. Most kids were stealing IDs to go drinking...and you were baking cheesecake. LOVE. IT.
ReplyDeleteAnd love this cake. It's basically...everything I ever want in life.
Oh gosh. That looks like one insane cake...That I would eat in one sitting and then feel sick. But I want it now!
ReplyDeleteOH MY GOSHH....this looks amazing emily!!! :) i'm dying for a piece of this right now...that was a bit dramatic. but it looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteThis looks SO good, but I don't know what "chocolate frozen custard" is!! Help!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for answering my question!
ReplyDeleteYour posts are my most favorite to read.
xo
http://allykayler.blogspot.com/2011/05/20.html
The cake looks awesome. I love peanut butter.
ReplyDeleteYou need to go to Italy it's beautiful and gelato is awesome. I lived in Europe for a few years and Italy is worth the trip.
The Neely's make my mom crazy to, she says they are to lovey lovey and it's looks fake. LOL!
A concentration of yummy things so mouthwatering!
ReplyDeletei adore you.
ReplyDeletelike mozart with music,
you are a baker with SUPER GOOD FOOD.
ps, nice try little lady... you are not medium. i'm onto you.
but i love you anyway.
This looks utterly delicious.
ReplyDeleteI totally did the Southern Living cookbook thing too! Still do, in fact. I was looking at some from the late 80's just the other day!
ReplyDeletemmm peanut butter cups and in ICE CREAM TOO!
ReplyDeletehigh five bout the twix! i could eat that all day
I want. The cookie layer sets this cake apart from other ice cream cakes. I love all your cookie recipes!
ReplyDeleteoh my goodness. are you kidding? i want you to come over and make this for my birthday. that looks amazing. I honestly am SO excited about this recipe that I can hardly type!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHoly Cow--I think you've outdone yourself--how yummy! Peanut butter anything is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteThe bowling shirt guy? Really? I'd love to hear that story...:)
This looks yummy. It's been so warm outside that an ice cream cake sounds like the way to go :)
ReplyDeletelayer upon layer of tasty food products. this is perfect for a memorial day feast!
ReplyDeleteThat crust looks awesome! Delicious recipe!
ReplyDeleteThis ice cream cake looks amazing! I swear you are trying to kill me with this deliciousness :) Again I love the Q and A.
ReplyDeleteYou're pretty close to Joplin, aren't you? :( Horrible stuff.
ReplyDeleteThe ice cream cake looks divine.