To prepare the brownies:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees (300 for dark nonstick pans) and spray your light pan with baking spray. This cake can be prepared in an 9” springform pan, or, to prepare a loaf-shaped ice cream cake as I did in my photos, bake the brownie batter in two 9×5″ bread loaf pans. You’ll only use one pan worth of brownies if you opt for the loaf cake, so you can save the rest for later. 🙂
2.   In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the eggs until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add sugar and brown sugar and beat to combine. Add the remaining ingredients and stir on low just until combined.
3. Pour the batter into the prepared pan(s) and bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Bake time is about 45 minutes but will differ depending on the size of pan. Once a toothpick comes out clean, you’re done! Allow the brownies to cool completely before assembling the cake. You can speed up this process by cooling them in the fridge, or by preparing the day before.

To prepare the chocolate ice cream:

1. Pour half (7 ounces) of the sweetened condensed milk to a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the cocoa powder and vanilla and beat until well combined and no lumps remain. Add one cup of the heavy whipping cream and beat the mixture until stiff peaks form. Set aside in the fridge while you prepare the remaining elements.

To prepare the mint chocolate chip ice cream:

1. Combine the remaining cup of heavy whipping cream, the remaining sweetened condensed milk, and the peppermint extract, and whip until stiff peaks form. Add two drops (more, if needed) of green food coloring towards the end of the whipping process, if desired. Fold in the chocolate or chocolate chips and set aside until ready to assemble the cake.

To prepare the cake topping:

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large mixing bowl, whip the cream on low speed until it is frothy. Increase speed to high, beating until soft peaks form. Add the sugar and the extract and beat until stiff peaks form. Set aside until ready to assemble cake.

To prepare the chocolate ganache:

1. Place the chocolate in a heat proof bowl. Heat the cream in the microwave or on the stovetop until almost bubbling and steaming. Pour directly on top of the chocolate and cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Allow to sit for about five minutes. Stir with a whisk or rubber spatula until the chocolate comes together and is a smooth ganache. You can heat briefly in the microwave in 5 second increments if it remains a bit lumpy. If the ganache sets out too long, it will thicken back up, so just reheat in 10-15 second increments as needed.

To assemble the cake:

1. Line a loaf pan or an 8” springform pan with plastic wrap, leaving several inches worth of wrap extending over the sides. This will make the removal process easier.
2. If preparing in a loaf pan, spread the mint ice cream evenly over the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle chocolate cookie crumbles over top and drizzle in some ganache or fudge sauce. Top with a layer of brownie (see notes). Spread the chocolate ice cream over top and smooth out. Cover with a layer of plastic wrap and freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight, if possible.
3. When ready to frost, remove the cake from the pan to a serving dish. Peel off all of the plastic wrap and cover with whipped cream or topping. Drizzle the ganache over top and allow to freeze for 2-4 hours or until frozen solid, if desired. Alternatively, you can serve immediately, but keep in mind the hot ganache may melt the cake some. Serve frozen and keep covered with plastic wrap and foil to maintain freshness for up to a week.
4. If you want to prepare the cake in a round springform pan, I recommend layering as follows: brownies, mint ice cream, chocolate cookie crumbles, ganache, chocolate ice cream. Then freeze your cake and frost with whipped cream as desired. Really you can assemble the cake in any manner you like, but the cake is easiest to cut when the brownies are toward the bottom.