This decadent dessert is easy to make, yet is suprisingly elegant when cut and served. Sophisticated enough for a dinner party, yet kid friendly, this dessert makes plenty of extras for those who may want more than one serving.

Ingredients

2 pints - chocolate ice cream, softened
1 teaspoon - almond extract
1/4 cup - chopped almonds
36 - chocolate sandwich cookies, coarsely crushed
6 ounces - maraschino cherries (undrained)
2 pints - vanilla ice cream, softened

Instructions

Lightly grease a metal tube pan with non-stick spray. In a large bowl beat the softened chocolate ice cream with the almond extract. Fold in the almonds. Spread half of the mixture along the bottom of the tube pan. Smooth with a spatula. Sprinkle a third of the chocolate cookie crumbs over the the chocolate almond layer. Place the tube pan in the freezer while you prepare the vanilla ice cream. Drain the maraschino cherries and place the juice in a large bowl. Add the vanilla ice cream and beat until smooth and uniformly colored. Fold in the cherries. Remove the tube pan from the freezer and spread the cherry layer over the cookie crumbs. Smooth with a spatula. Sprinkle with another third of the cookie crumbs. Spread the remaining chocolate almond mixture over the cookie crumbs. Smooth with a spatula. Sprinkle with the remaining cookie crumbs and press them firmly into the ice cream. Cover and freeze for at least 8 hours. When you are ready to serve, quickly dip the tube pan in hot water, making sure to not get any water inside the pan. Unmold the ice cream ring and cut it so that the layers show. Serve immediately.
Low Fat Variation : Low fat ice cream or frozen yogurt may be used along with low fat sandwich cookies.

Preparation Time

Preparation Time : 20 minutes
Cooking Time : None
Chilling Time : 8 hours
Total Time : 8 hours, 20 minutes

Number of Servings

Serves 12

Tips

The ice cream ring can be made up 2 days ahead of time and kept frozen.
Quick : Use your favorite ice cream flavors and don't add the almonds or cherries for a faster dessert.