This easy little dessert is the kind of clever kitchen shortcut that feels right at home in a busy family household, especially when you want something sweet without a lot of fuss. Baking with ice cream has been around in one form or another for years, and here that solid block of mint chocolate chip turns into a rich, soft-centered treat with hardly any measuring at all. It has that old-fashioned dump-and-bake simplicity Midwestern cooks have always appreciated, with a fun National Ice Cream Day twist that makes it feel a little celebratory.
Serve this warm with a spoon while the center is still soft and creamy, and if you like, add a dollop of whipped topping or a few extra chocolate chips over the top. Fresh strawberries or raspberries make a nice contrast to the minty richness, and a cup of hot coffee or a cold glass of milk rounds it out beautifully for a simple family dessert.
4-Ingredient Oven Baked Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Dessert
Servings: 8
Ingredients
1 solid unthawed block mint chocolate chip ice cream, about 1.5 quarts
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly butter or spray a 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. Place the solid unthawed block of mint chocolate chip ice cream right into the prepared baking dish.
3. Sprinkle the dry chocolate cake mix evenly all over and around the ice cream block, then drizzle the melted butter over the top as evenly as you can. Finish by scattering the mini chocolate chips across the surface.
4. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until the top looks set and slightly crisp at the edges while the inside stays soft and pudding-like.
5. Let the dessert rest for 10 minutes before scooping and serving warm.
Variations & Tips
Cookie Crumble Topping: For a little extra crunch, scatter a handful of crushed chocolate sandwich cookies over the top before baking. That gives the dessert a nice cookies-and-cream sort of finish that children especially enjoy.
Pan Size Tip: A 9x13-inch dish gives you a thinner, more scoopable dessert, while a slightly smaller dish makes it deeper and softer in the middle. Just keep an eye on the baking time if you change the pan.
Chocolate Lovers' Version: Use dark chocolate chips instead of mini semisweet chips for a deeper flavor, or stir a spoonful of chocolate syrup over each serving at the table. Mint and chocolate have always been good company together.
Make It Neat: Since this is a soft spoon dessert, let it stand a few minutes before serving so it settles slightly. You want it warm and luscious, not runny, and that short resting time makes all the difference.
