Pool Party Cake

She designed this cake for the occasion. It's modeled after the aboveground pool in their New Hampshire backyard.

Ingredients

1/2 gallon quality ice cream (any flavor)
1 1/3 8.5-oz. pkgs. fudge sticks (chocolate or peanut butter)
2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
Blue food coloring
Gummy rings
Gobstoppers
Paper umbrellas
Plastic figures
Licorice
Decorators' frosting

Directions

Begin by making the ice-cream base of the pool cake. Let the ice cream soften at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes, then ask your kids to help you spoon it into an 8-inch round springform pan, soufflé dish or plastic container.

Pack the ice cream into the mold and smooth out the top. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight.

TIP: To add variety, you can layer different flavors of ice cream or mix in candies (chocolate fish, anyone?).

After the ice cream has frozen solid, unmold it by dipping the container quickly into a pan of hot water; if necessary, you can also loosen the edges of the ice cream with a knife. Invert the mold onto a large plate and carefully lift off the pan to reveal the ice-cream cake.

TIP: The trick is to loosen the ice cream without melting it, so don't hold the mold in the hot water for more than a few seconds.

Your kids can then carefully place the fudge sticks (we alternated plain and chocolate-peanut butter) along the sides of the ice-cream pool cake--the cookies will resemble the panels of an aboveground pool. Return the cake to the freezer while you prepare the whipped cream.

TIP: Ask your children to work quickly while they place the chocolate cookies around the outside; otherwise, they'll have a melted "pool" of ice cream.

To make the blue whipped cream waves, pour the cold heavy cream into a bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until the cream begins to thicken and soft peaks form.

Add the sugar and vanilla extract and beat until stiff. Mix in several drops of blue food coloring. Frost the top of the frozen cake with the blue whipped cream. Immediately return it to the freezer for 15 to 30 minutes or until set.

TIP: For foolproof whipped cream, chill the bowl and beaters in advance.

Next, let your kids turn the cake into a bustling pool with gummy ring inner tubes, Gobstopper beach balls, paper umbrellas, and plastic swimmers. Add a licorice ladder with licorice rungs (use decorators' frosting to glue it together).

TIP: Take the kids with you to buy pool accessories at a party supply store, suggests Gail. "They have a better concept than we do about what makes good pool toys." If you can't find plastic swimmers, call Sugarcraft at 513-896-7089 or go to www.sugarcraft.com to place an order.

Now it's time to take the plunge into the pool cake. For best results, serve it immediately and do not let it stand at room temperature for long. Store leftovers in the freezer. Feeds 10 to 12 hungry swimmers.



Emily B. Todd is a frequent contributor to FAMILYFUN.