Ingredients

Chocolate Chip Cookie Layer
• 2 cups flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups chocolate chips
Chocolate Cake Layer
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 sticks butter
• 4 heaping tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 cup water
Chocolate Ganache
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 2 cups chocolate chips
Cookie Dough Balls
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk {or make your own}
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips {mini work best}
Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake
• 1 pint vanilla ice cream, slightly softened
• One 9" round chocolate chip cookies
• One 9" round chocolate cake
• Chocolate ganache
• Cookie dough balls
• Chopped walnuts or your favorit nut, optional

Instructions

Chocolate Chip Cookie Layer
1. Preheat the oven to 375º. Spray two 9" round pans with non-stick spray.
2. In a medium bowl cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Slowly add in flour, baking soda and salt. Stir in chocolate chips.
3. Divide the cookie dough evenly between the two prepared pans and smooth out. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the center is set. Allow to cool in the pan on a wire rack. Turn pan over on the wire rack and gently tap the bottom of the pan until the cookie releases.
Chocolate Cake
4. Preheat the oven to 350º.
5. In a large bowl stir together the flour, sugar and salt. Set aside.
6. In a small bowl mix together the buttermilk, eggs, vanilla and baking soda. Set aside.
7. In a small pan boil 2 cups of water.
8. In a medium saucepan, over medium-low heat, melt the butter and add the cocoa powder. Whisk together to combine.
9. When the butter is melted pour 1 cup boiling water into the pan. Allow to bubble, then turn off the heat.
10. Pour the chocolate mixture into the flour mixture. Stir together to cool the chocolate, then add the egg mixture. Letting the chocolate mixture cools insures that you won't scramble the eggs. Stir together until smooth.
11. Pour into 2 ungreased 9" round pans. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the center is set. Allow to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn upside down on a wire rack to remove.
Chocolate Ganache
12. In a microwave safe bowl, heat the cream for 2-3 minutes, until just about to boil. Add chocolate chips and let sit for 2 minutes. Stir until completely smooth. Chill in the fridge until thickened slightly. Or store in the freezer and allow to thaw at room temperature for a couple of hours before using.
Cookie Dough Balls
13. With an electric mixer, in a large bowl cream together the butter and brown sugar on medium speed, until creamy. Add in the vanilla extract then slowly beat in the flour and sweetened condensed milk. Stir in the chocolate chips.
14. Form dough into 1-inch balls. Place on waxed paper and freeze for 2 hours.
Assemble the Cake
15. On a large plate place one 9" round chocolate chip cookies. Cover with 1/2 of the vanilla ice cream. Place the chocolate cake layer on top, then cover with the remaining 1/2 vanilla ice cream. Place the cake in the freezer for 2 hours to harden.
16. Pour the prepared chocolate ganache over the cake, allowing it to run down the sides. Do this slowly so it has time to harden. Cover with as much or as little of the chocolate ganache as you like. Any leftovers can be stored in the freezer and eaten with a spoon at a later date. Or so I've heard.
17. Place a ring of cookie dough balls on top of the cake, around the edge. Pour more chocolate ganache on top, then sprinkle with the chopped walnuts {optional}. Place back in the freezer for at least 2 hours, to set.
18. Before serving let the cake site on the counter for 10-20 minutes. Run the biggest knife you have under hot water, and cut into the cake. This baby is thick, it takes a lot of man power just to cut through it.

Notes