Rich, fudgy brownies filled with homemade ice cream (or use store bough and keep it simple!) and topped with chocolate ganache, whipped cream, chocolate sauce and sprinkles — the perfect cake for a birthday or celebration! Change up the ice cream flavors to suit your tastes!
Yes, I need two titles.
Because I think not everybody knows what to expect when they hear the words “Brownie Mountain”. And because this is really just the most fun you’ve ever had making an ice cream cake, even if it looks like your young child put it together.
I was tempted to name this “Hot Mess Cake”, but I decided that ugly food needs to be loved to. And sprinkles can make almost any cake feel good about itself, am I right? The extra two layer of chocolate on top of the brownie don’t hurt either.
As I was photographing this cake all I could hear in my head was the song “Unpretty” by TLC — tell me you know that song and I’m not that old. But it’s really what’s on the inside that counts, right? And on the inside is no-churn vanilla ice cream. And it’s easy.
I got stole the idea for this cake from the Taste of Home Celebrations cookbook. I didn’t use any of the recipe, as I had my own brownie and ice cream recipes that I like. But I saw it and I knew I had to make it, even though the world is now onto Back To School themed everything and what you really want are granola bars and cookies.
But don’t you think the kiddos deserve a treat for making it through that first week? As a teacher, I’m pretty sure I do most years (though this year I’m going to be at home with my babes as the rest of my colleagues make their way back)!
Optional shortcuts:
If you’re looking to save time, you can always use a boxed brownie mix or store bought ice cream — mix it up by adding any flavors you like!
Ice Cream Brownie Mountain (Brownie Mountain Ice Cream Cake!)
Ingredients
For the brownies:
- 1 cup butter melted
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
For the ice cream:
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream 35%
- 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
- sprinkles optional
For the brownie mountain:
- 100 g milk chocolate bar
- 1/4 cup whipping cream
- 2 cups whipped topping or whipped cream
- chocolate sauce, sprinkles, and cherries for garnish as desired
Instructions
- Make the brownies:Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a 9×13″ with tin foil and spray with non-stick spray.
- In a large mixing bowl combine butter and sugar and whisk until combined. Whisk in eggs, one at a time. Stir in vanilla.
- Add the cocoa, flour, salt and baking powder and whisk just until combined.
- Spread into prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean or with moist crumbs. Cool completely.
- Make the brownie mountain:Line a 2.5 quart bowl with plastic wrap, letting some hang over the sides. Cut brownies into pieces and press brownies into the bowl, cutting and squishing to fit (see photo below).
- For the ice cream: Whip 1½ cups cream until stiff peaks form and fold in sweetened condensed milk and sprinkles if desired. Pour into your brownie-coated bowl until the ice cream mixture almost reaches the rim of the brownies (see photo below). Freeze solid.
- Place remaining brownies on the top of your bowl (which will end up being the bottom of your mountain). Freeze until firm.
- Make your ganache: in a small pot melt together chocolate bar and ¼ cup whipping cream over low heat until smooth. Set aside.
- Unmold your brownie mountain onto a plate. Pour ganache over mountain. Set in the freezer for 15-30 minutes until firm. Cover with whipped topping, chocolate sauce, sprinkles and cherries as desired. Serve frozen and freeze leftovers.
Nutrition Information
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Laura @ laura's Culinary Adventures says
Whoa! I don’t hear the words brownie mountain enough in my life!
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, we definitely need to change that!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
This is the ice cream cake of my dreams! Haha totally not ugly or unpretty – I think it’s gorgeous! Love it!
Zainab says
No idea where u get ugly from man. This cake is just WOW!! I’m not going back to school but I think I deserve a slice of this amazing mess
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, I kept adding stuff on top trying to make it less ugly — maybe I succeeded a little bit!
Katalina @ Peas and Peonies says
Please, please, PLESE ship this to me now, right this moment, OMG I am losing over it, as a brownie and ice cream addict, seeing this too combined so perfectly together, I am crying tears of happiness, joy and actually disbelief that I can’t taste it from my computer screen.
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, I’m not sure it would survive transportation very well! I’ll have to invite you for the taste test next time 🙂
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Ashley, this is nothing short of amazing!!!!! and this is not ugly at all! what are you talking about?! brilliant . . and were your kids waiting with baited breath to dive into this thing?! LOVE!
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, thanks Alice! I tried reeeeeally hard to make it pretty! 🙂
Ana | Espresso My Kitchen says
This is such an amazing masterpiece Ashley! Yummy!!!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Ana!
June @ How to Philosophize with Cake says
Wow what an incredible ice cream cake! The dome idea is brilliant, I may have to try that with an ice cream cake sometime… 🙂
Stacey @ Bake Eat Repeat says
What a fun dessert! I love this, it’s such a different dessert, and would be so fun to make with the kids! I’m not into back to school mode yet either, I am still firmly in vacation mode and intend to stay there for as long as possible! 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
I like the way you think! Lol. How long do you think we can stay in vacation mode before anyone misses us? 😉
Michelle { A Latte Food } says
Oh my gosh, I have got to make this, like, right now! Brownies and ice cream might be all time favorite comfort food dessert–and when the dessert is labeled “mountain,” I’m totally in. Love!
Beth @ bethcakes says
Omg, I am so in love with this thing. Also I really like the name Hot Mess Cake, haha. I MUST make this. Too cool! 🙂
Sam @ SugarSpunRun says
Oh my gosh… this is INCREDIBLE! Seriously in love… Pinning!
Jessica @ Sweetest Menu says
I am in LOVE! This is amazing Ashley! I make a similar ice cream ‘bombe’ as we call it at Christmas using panettonne bread but I just love this brownie version – its sheer brilliance!!!
Ashley Fehr says
Your version sounds so good! I’ll have to try some other variations!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
WOW! All I can say- the inside show is AWESOME!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
I LOVE this!!! So cool. I totally have to try making an ice cream cake like this. Pinned!
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Ashley! As I mentioned to you in another post, I just made brownies and I have a pint of really good strawberry ice cream in the freezer! Since some of the brownies are gone 🙂 I’ll just make a smaller version! Which is probably a good idea considering I’d probably eat the entire mountain myself!
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, smaller portions are necessary sometimes!
Izzy says
Haha, this is awesome! I’ve never heard of a brownie mountain before, but I think it just might be my favorite mo untain ever! Forget the granola bars, kids totally need this cake in celebration of being back in school for a week 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, absolutely! I know I would 🙂
Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron says
This is seriously UNREAL!!! Best ice cream dessert idea EVER!! Love this mountain ice cream cake!
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, thanks Chelsea! Totally stolen! 😉
Marsha @ Marsha's Baking Addiction says
Wow, this looks insanely delicious!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Marsha!
Johlene@FlavoursandFrosting says
Ashley this brownie ice c ream cake looks delish!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Wow does this look amazing, Ashley! I am totally craving this brownie mountain for breakfast! Love the gorgeous layers! And your pictures are just perfect!
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, I think it’s a perfectly acceptable breakfast! Thanks Gayle!