Brownie Ice Cream Cake - with Peanut Butter

Because peanut butter ice cream brownie for breakfast would be just a little too perfect, I came up with the next best thing. Brownie ice cream cake with Peanut Butter. Every mouth-watering feature of a peanut butter lover's epicurean fantasy or bucket list dessert kind of recipe.

Yes, that meltiness on top? That's caramel. We did it right. This messy frozen dessert bar is so full of all the best stuff for your dessert enjoyment that it won't all fit inside. Forget about rocky road, this is an off-road adventure through Candyland!

By now you've seen the pictures. You know what you're in for and I'm sure you just want to know how to make it. Well, come back from the kitchen.

Put down the baking dish, there are a few things you should know before you make this one-of-a-kind peanut butter ice cream treat. Read on to find out all the tips and tricks to baking this delicious peanut butter brownie ice cream cake or dessert. 

A Different Kind of Ice Cream Bar

Ice cream bars are awesome, but what if instead of a stick holding your ice cream, you had a brownie. This treat takes dessert to a whole new level because it mixes the two best kinds of dessert bars to make a crazy combination you wouldn't believe.

This is my friends husbands favorite birthday cake. He still requests this easy creation every year.

The success of this peanut butter brownie ice cream cake recipe hinges on spreadable ice cream. So, it's best if you have a soft-serve drawer in your freezer. However, this is not a complete necessity.

You just need to set your ice cream out to thaw until it is soft enough to spread over the surface of the brownie. What you will end up with is a nice thick cake of ice cream on a chocolatey pillow of peanut-filled brownie.

That alone may be enough for some people, but not me. This brownie/ice cream hybrid is merely a blank canvas for poured-on fudge caramel drizzle and whatever else your sweet tooth desires.

By the time you are done with this delightful frozen dessert, it will be the perfect end to every summer night and the go-to treat on each sunny afternoon after the gardening is done, or whatever else you do outside all day when you should be eating ice cream.

A word of caution: This is not a dessert bar you eat with your hands. Eat this peanut butter brownie ice cream cake with a fork or a spoon.

Freeze it Carefully

This brownie ice cream cake recipe requires repeated use of the freezer to get the dessert just right. First, you need to make sure your ice cream is soft enough to spread.

This can be tricky since you don't want the ice cream to melt, just thaw out a bit. After the brownie has cooled and you are able to spread the ice cream over the top of the whole brownie layer, put it all in the freezer for at least eight hours.

When you freeze it, cover it completely so that no air can get in. It's also a good idea to make sure there is plenty of room in the freezer. If you pack it in too tightly, then the tray won't get any air circulating around it.

This peanut butter brownie ice cream cake needs that consistent texture all throughout the tray. The proper amount of clearance for most freezers is 4 inches along the top and back.

If you have a chest-style freezer you only need three inches of clearance. I know nobody has this level of clearance in their freezer to promote circulation, but try to move things around the best you can.

How to Modify Your Peanut Butter Brownie Ice Cream Cake

As I implied earlier, this peanut butter brownie ice cream cake is perfect. However, peanut butter isn't for everybody and I don't like to leave anybody out.

The real beauty of this dessert is the ice cream brownie combination and those two things can be very customizable. You can also customize the toppings.

If you want to modify the brownie part of the recipe, there are two ways you can go. You can either make your own brownie recipe, or purchase a different box of mix.

There are all kinds of different brownie mixes with all kinds of chocolate to choose from.

Even more customizable than the brownies is the ice cream. You can make your own ice cream too, if you want this whole dessert to be from scratch.

If you decide on a different flavor of ice cream at the store, let me recommend that you pick a flavor that will spread on smoothly. Some bits of things like cashews or cookie crumbles are okay.

You can turn the same brownie ice cream cake into any flavor you want.

For most flavors you will still be able to use the same fudge and caramel instructions, but you may choose to top your peanut butter brownie ice cream cake differently too.

Modify this part with anything you like from the candy or cookie aisle at the store.

When to Make Brownie Ice Cream Cake

Due to the frozen nature of this dessert, it is a perfect summer treat. It's so good you will be able to eat the whole thing on your own, but I don't recommend doing that. Make this for a summer barbecue or any gathering on a hot day.

You can also enjoy it anytime you would typically enjoy ice cream. Serve it after dinner for dessert, or offer it as a special treat. These make good celebrations and rewards for a job well done.

If you have more than you need, that's always a good thing. Just wrap it back up carefully and store it in the freezer until it is time to indulge once more.

Although, this brownie ice cream cake will last for quite a while if stored properly, I wouldn't blame you for trying to cycle it out as fast as you can so that you can keep the proper clearance in your freezer.

At least, it's a good excuse to go back for seconds. If taking these to a picnic, be sure to bring an ice chest that is large enough and line the bottom completely with flat ice packs.

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Brownie Ice Cream Cake

• 18.3 oz pkg chewy fudge brownie mix, batter prepared
• 1 cup roasted peanuts divided 
• 48 oz  peanut butter ice cream, softened 
• 11.75 oz  hot fudge topping
• 1 ½ cups thawed frozen whipped topping
• 24 mini peanut butter cups
• ¼ cup caramel topping

Directions for Brownie Ice Cream Cake

Step 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2. Prepare a 13x9 inch cake pan with foil. Coat with cooking spray.

Step 3. Stir ¾ cup peanuts into brownie mix and batter.

Step 4. Transfer to pan. Bake the brownie until toothpick inserted comes out clean. 30 minutes, maybe 35 minutes.

Step 5. Let brownie layer cool completely.

Step 6. Spread ice cream layer over top. Cover and freeze at least 8 hours.

Step 7. Mix fudge and ¼ cup water. Spread over ice cream.

Step 8. Freeze until set. Garnish with peanuts and last 3 ingredients. Offer whipped cream, hot fudge sauce, vanilla ice cream topping, whipped topping, chocolate chips and so much more.

What kind of pan do I need to make this Peanut Butter dessert 

For these delicious peanut butter dessert, I suggest using a 9x13 baking pan similar to this one.  I don't recommend using a 9x13 glass baking pan.

A glass baking pan will not hold up well with going back and forth in the freezer.  A metal baking pan will work best for making this peanut butter dessert recipe. 

Now that you know how to make this yummy peanut butter brownie ice cream cake, its time to get to making it. This cake needs to be stored in the freezer if you do not eat it all right away. 

They will melt quickly so I recommend only pulling them out of the freezer when you are ready to serve your peanut butter dessert. You can store this peanut butter brownie ice cream cake in the freezer for up to three months. 

Other Delicious Dessert Recipes

• How to Make Ice Cream Cake
• Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich
• Easy No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
• Easy Sugar Cookie Bars
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle