Ice Cream Birthday Cake

Today is my oldest son's 2nd birthday!  I can't believe how quickly the last 2 years have gone.  I am also just amazed at what he has learned to do and say!  My perception gets a little skewed working with the population of students I see throughout the school year, but I swear we have a genious on our hands!!!  OK, so probably not a genious, but he really is a smart kid! 

Those who have read previous entries know that we attempt to eat healthy, despite our busy lives.  So I have to admit, we have been slacking quite a bit lately!  It's either take the time to cook, or take the time to play with the boys.  We usually take the time to play with the boys, although many times they don't give us much choice!!  Over the summer I discovered some yummy non-dairy ice cream options in the store!  Well, now Cael is hooked on ice cream.  He pretty much wakes up asking for it, and literally goes to bed asking for it!  We usually have ice cream once a day!  So, we figured for his birthday, since he isn't too keen on cake, we would have an ice cream cake.  We discussed buying one from DQ or Baskin Robbins. Cael has had a sensitivity to dairy.  During the summer I have experimented giving him small amounts of cheese and regular ice cream.  He doesn't seem to have too many issues.  However, the other night in an attempt to reward him for being so good, we went to get ice cream from a local burger  place.  He devoured it- I mean slurped his cup until every last drop was gone!  Do you think he liked it?? I'd say; however his little belly did not.  I was up and down with him all night. 

So, because I figured it will be his birthday, he will probably "need" a little extra ice cream.  I decided to throw together my own ice cream cake! I would have loved to actually make my own ice cream, but I have no time to experiment with that.  So I bought 2 flavors of non-dairy ice cream- vanilla and peanut butter/chocolate!  I opted to use the same monkey cake pan I used for his first birthday.  Here is my quick preparation of a non-dairy ice cream cake:

Supplies:
3 pints non-dairy ice cream (any preferred flavors)
1 cake pan
wax paper

To make

Step 1: Choose your first/top layer of ice cream.  Set it out to thaw for at least 30 minutes.

Step 2: Line the cake pan with wax paper.  When the ice cream has thawed, spread evenly into the bottom of the pan.  Place in the feezer for 1 hour to let it set.

Step 3: Repeat the previous steps until all 3 pints of ice cream have been set.

Step 4: After all three layers of ice cream have set, turn it upright on a platter.  Place in freezer with wax paper in place until ready to decorate!

Step 5: Decorate as desired.  I will be decorating mine in the morning.  I prepared a gel icing to use with the following recipe:
      Ingredients:        
          1 envelope unflavored gelatin
          1 tablespoon cold water
          1 cup light corn syrup
          Food coloring

      Directions:
          In saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over cold water and let sit for about 5 minutes. Stirring, heat mixture over low heat until clear and dissolved- do not boil.  Add corn syrup and heat without boiling. The mixture with become a thick water consistency.  Remove from heat, separate into small containers to prepare for multiple colors, and refrigerate. Add food coloring and put gel into icing bag and apply to cake.

Serve and ENJOY!!

 We will not be completing this until tomorrow for Cael's birthday party!  I will post pictures of the completed cake after I finish decorating it!  Can't wait to dig in!