Weekend Recipe: S'mores Ice Cream Cake

Sunday marks the June solstice, and I have summer on the mind: enjoying late evenings outdoors, and eating ice cream at any opportunity. This whimsical cake from Cook's Country is kind of perfect: an ice cream cake that evokes sitting by a campfire (without the gooey mess). Happy summer!

S'mores Ice Cream Cake
Makes one cake

4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped fine
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup light corn syrup
8 whole graham crackers, crushed into crumbs (1 cup), plus 8 quartered along dotted seams
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon sugar
1 cup marshmallow crème
1 1/2 quarts chocolate ice cream, softened
22-26 large marshmallows, halved crosswise

For the fudge layer: Combine chocolate, cream, and corn syrup in medium bowl and microwave until melted and smooth, about 1 minute, stirring halfway through. Cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.

For the crust: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Spray 9-inch springform pan with vegetable oil spray and line sides with 2½-inch-wide strip of parchment paper. Combine graham cracker crumbs, butter, and sugar in bowl until mixture resembles wet sand. Using bottom of measuring cup, press crumbs into even layer on prepared pan bottom. Bake until fragrant and beginning to brown, about 12 minutes. Cool completely.

To assemble: Pour cooled chocolate mixture over crust and smooth into even layer; freeze until firm, about 30 minutes. Spread marshmallow crème over fudge in even layer; freeze until firm, about 15 minutes. Spread ice cream evenly over marshmallow layer. Cover with plastic wrap; freeze until very firm, at least 4 hours. Adjust oven rack 6 inches from broiler element and heat broiler. Place cake on baking sheet; discard plastic; and arrange marshmallow halves, cut side down, in snug layer over top. Broil until marshmallows are lightly browned, 30 to 60 seconds, rotating cake halfway through. (Refreeze cake if necessary.) Working quickly, remove pan ring and parchment and place graham cracker quarters vertically along sides of cake. Serve.