Mint Chip Brownie Ice Cream Squares

Cathy made this fantastic dessert a couple months ago and I totally forgot to post it before now - going thru computer pictures as usual and I came across it...and it's WAY too good not to share! Perfect summer dessert - layers of brownie, mint ice cream, chocolate and whipped cream. I mean c'mon, sounds amazing right?!!

Ingredients:

• 18 oz. brownie box mix (the size that fits in a 9x9 pan)
• 1.5 quarts mint chocolate chip ice cream 
• 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips - or- 1 to 1 1/2 good quality hot fudge sauce
• 8 oz. tub of cool whip (or make your own whipped cream, see below for instructions), thawed
• chopped Andes Mints, chocolate chips, etc. to garnish

Directions:

Brownie Layer ~

1. Line a 9x13" baking pan with parchment paper. Note: you use a brownie mix meant for a 9x9 pan but prepare it in a 9x13 cake pan so the brownie layer is a thinner base. 
2. Prepare brownies according to package directions, spread in pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the center is set (a few crumbs cling to a toothpick when inserted in the center). Cool.

Ice cream layer ~

1. Let the carton of ice cream sit out at room temperature about 20 minutes until soft enough to spread over the cooled brownies. 
2. Place the entire pan back in the freezer until the ice cream re-freezes. 

Chocolate layer ~

1. Heat the cream in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until hot (watch that it doesn't boil). Add the chocolate chips and set aside undisturbed for 3 minutes or enough time for the chips to melt. After a few minutes stir to mix the cream and chocolate together. 
2. Let cool to room temperature, then pour over the ice cream layer and spread evenly. (Or heat the hot fudge sauce until just warm even to spread and pour over ice cream layer).

Whipped cream layer ~

1. Spread the thawed Cool Whip over the chocolate layer. Or make your own whipped cream by beating 1 cup heavy whipping cream, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, and 1 t. vanilla in a mixer until fluffy and spread over the chocolate layer. 

Garnish ~

1. Garnish the top of whipped cream layer with chopped andes mints (or whatever you like).

Return to the freezer for at least 3 hours before serving. 

original recipe found here

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