Nancy's Famous Ice Cream Cake

I know it's after the holidays and everyone is probably on a diet right now, but isn't it alright to have a little indulgence now and then? Enter Nancy's recipe for ice cream cake. Her "famous" ice cream cake, to be exact. "I don't cook with recipes," Nancy says. "I like to make it up as I go along!" And somehow she made up a delicious dessert that's also very easy to put together. "It'll make you weak in the knees!" Nancy says. "My family is always asking for it."

I added butterscotch pieces on top.

Ingredients:
2 packages from a 16-oz butter cracker box, crushed
1 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream, softened
1/2 cup milk
two 3.4-ounce packages instant vanilla pudding mix
one 12-ounce container frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions to Make Crust:
Combine crackers, butter and sugar in a 9x13-inch baking dish and press mixture into sides and bottom of dish. (As you can see in the picture, I used a traditional 9-inch pie pan.)

Directions to Make Filling:
In a large bowl, combine ice cream and milk with electric mixer. Blend in pudding mix, then pour mixture into prepared crust. Top with whipped topping and refrigerate for two hours before serving. (I made mine the night before and put it in the freezer. Then before we were ready to eat, I placed it in the fridge to let it thaw a bit and make cutting easier.)

I made this for a little family dinner party we hosted last month and everyone really enjoyed it! The butter cracker crust is really good and it was so easy to make. When I told everyone I had made the crust myself, they were surprised that I went to that much trouble, but it was really no trouble at all. Just three ingredients, mix them together, and you have a crust! (Note: I did not make this gluten-free. It is possible to make it gluten-free by buying gluten-free crackers. However, I could not find gluten-free butter crackers, so I'm not sure if the taste will be different should you use the gluten-free crackers.) 

Once again I'd like to thank Nancy for joining us on Cook Scrap Craft this week. I hope you enjoyed reading about Nancy and seeing her work. Don't forget to show us how Nancy inspired you, whether it be in the scrap room or in the kitchen. Tell me about it in the comments below!