5 Star Mocha Cream Icebox Cake

This cake is just divine and would be perfect for a party dessert.  Amazing flavor and requires no baking - if you're anywhere near Texas, you air conditioner will thank you.

Out of 93 reviews on Food Network's website, this cake rated 5 stars.  

You know it's awesome!

Recipe below...

Here's an up close of the cookie dough I made for this cake.  The recipe calls for a thin chocolate chip cookie.  But, I went for an all-chocolate thin cookie.  Think oreo.  See the next picture - you'll see how dark they are after they're baked.

I could just mix all of these in a bowl and call it a day!  

Whipped to form firm peaks.

Line the bottom of a springform pan, breaking cookies as needed to cover the bottom.

Cover with mocha cream mixture.

Cover with more cookies.

Finish with cream on top.  Cover and let chill for at least 8 hours.  The cookies will absorb the moisture from the cream and become cake-like, creating some structure.

Loosen from pan with a sharp knife.

Garnish with chocolate. mmm!

Here's my version of Ina Garten's 

Mocha Ice Box Cake:

Ingredients

2 cups cold heavy cream

8 oz mascarpone cheese

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup coffee liqueur (I used Kahlua)

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

1 teaspoon espresso powder (I ground regular coffee beans to be extra fine)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

24 oz thin chocolate cookies (I made my own.  Ina Garten recommends Tate's Bake Shop)

Shaved semisweet chocolate, for garnish

Directions

Combine heavy cream, mascarpone, sugar, Kahlua, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and vanilla in bowl of electric mixer fitted with whisk attachment.  Mix on low speed to combine and then raise the speed until firm peaks are formed.

Arrange cookies on bottom of an 8" springform pan to cover the bottom.  Spread a third of the mocha cream evenly over the cookies.  Layer more cookies on top, followed by another third of the cream.  Continue once more, ending with the cream.  Smooth the top, cover with plastic, and refrigerate for 8 hours.  

Run a small knife around the outside of the cake and remove the sides of the pan.  Sprinkle the top with the chocolate, cut in wedges, and serve cold.