Chocolate Chip Cookie "Volcano" Cake

 Yes, what you are seeing is real. It's not a figment of your imagination, or mine...anymore. I "borrowed" this idea from Perry's Plate, who "borrowed" it from Martha. And believe me, my life...and all the other lives in the Black family who tried this last night were changed. For the better! 

From a Martha standpoint, it's referred to as the Chocolate Chip Cookie Icebox Cake, but we made ours a little different. Instead of stacking straight on top of each other to make a perfectly round cake, we went up and got thinner, tier by tier. So it's become the Chocolate Chip Cookie "Volcano" Cake to us!

We served this for the celebration of Tina's (my sis-in-law) birthday. She really wanted to try it out and said that this could be the trial run for my birthday, as I have been drooling dreaming about this ever since I saw it on Perry's Plate.

 As you can see, letting the cake rest in the fridge overnight, allows everything to stick together. The first piece even stuck to the knife! We really like the fact that the cream mixture in between the cookie layers is slightly sweetened. It's kind of like the perfect combo of milk and cookies. Except this whipped cream has cream cheese, a little sugar, and some almond extract mixed in. Amazing!

Here are the basics.

Chocolate Chip Cookie "Volcano" Cake

(adapted from Martha Stewart)

Ingredients:

about 6-7 dozen chocolate chip cookies

4 cups whipping cream

8 oz. cream cheese

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp. almond extract

Directions:

1. In a standing mixer, whip cream cheese and powdered sugar until lumps are gone. Add whipping cream and almond extract and whip until thick and stiff peaks form. 
2. Layer cookies and whipped cream in a circle on a baking sheet or cake plate. Repeat application of cookies, then whipped cream, layer after layer, until cake is as large as you prefer.
3. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator overnight.
4. When ready to serve, remove plastic wrap and top with a little extra whipped cream and chocolate shavings, extra chocolate chips, etc. Cut into slices and enjoy!

Makes about 10-12 servings

And here's Leland, with our niece S. She's sure enjoying that ice cream cone! Cute. :)