This weekend on the blog we are celebrating my husband’s birthday with his favorite recipes. He is deployed right now so we didn’t get to have a blowout bash like last year’s It’s A Bomb.com Party. So I wanted to share the cake I made for him last year that was such a hit! I found the recipe here and I thought making a Ice Cream Sandwich Cake was a fun and unique idea. Also since it was mostly 20 something guys at the party I figured it would be a crowd pleaser! I was right and Ashton especially enjoyed it because it was layered with his favorite: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups!

Check out the easy recipe below and then read about the gifts I found for Ashton this year. Everyone who knows me knows I love finding unique, one of a kind gifts, usually handmade or from a small business. This year I found quite a few fun presents for my sweet hubby and I am sure he will love them. I wrapped up pictures of each item and mailed it to him in a birthday themed care package so he could still be surprised but all items were safe at home until he gets back!

Print Recipe

Peanut Butter and Caramel Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

Ingredients

24 ice cream sandwiches
16 ounce container of Cool Whip
1 jar caramel sundae topping
1 large bag of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups coarsely chopped

Instructions

Lay half of the ice cream sandwiches (whole) in the bottom of a 9 x13-inch pan, trimming the last couple to get complete coverage.
Top with half of the cool whip, half of the caramel sundae topping and half of the candy.
Lay down another layer of ice cream sandwiches.
Top with remaining cool whip and spread out evenly with a knife, making a lip around the edge so the sundae topping won't run out and over the edges.
Top with remaining candy, cover and freeze for several hours (or overnight) before serving.

Notes

Optional: let thaw for 10-15 min for easier slicing.
Recipe from: Thy Hand Hath Provided

Be sure to prepare this in advance and freeze overnight.

You can also prepare the cake on top of a sheet of aluminum foil for easy lifting out

of the baking dish or cookie sheet.

View the original party post : here

I found the letters and candles at Wal-Mart. The You’re the Bomb Printables were here

Ashton’s Birthday/St Patty’s Care Package

I took pictures of each gift, printed them out, wrote a description on each, then wrapped in birthday wrapping paper. This way he can still “open his presents” but they are safe back at home.

Gift #1 :

Ancestry.com DNA kit.

I saw a commercial for this and knew right away it would be perfect for Ashton.

He has a lot of questions about his heritage and not much family around to ask, so this kit was perfect for him. You just send in a saliva sample and they send you back a detailed report on “Your Story”, any distant relatives you may have on the site, and you also get a one year membership to ancestry.com!

Gift #2:

Handcrafted Leather EOD Wallet

Ashton has been using the same raggedy Velcro wallet since we dated so he is overdue for a replacement. This wallet, from J 10 Customs, is hand tooled, hand stitched, and hand-some! Haha! Really this wallet was worth the money. Absolutely beautiful and great craftsmanship and quality! I chose to have the EOD Basic Badge on the front and Ashton wanted our last name and his EOD graduation date inside.

Gift #3:

Bomb Etched Glass Set

I have done giveaway with Sharon from UnCorkdArt before and I love her etched glass items on Etsy. This EOD pint and shot glass set was perfect for Ashton, who not only loves beer but collects unique bottles and beer glasses!

Gift #4:

Motivational Hoodie

I swear this man can never have too many hoodies!

He probably has more than he has shirts! He found this hoodie online at Teespring.

Gift #5

Cake in a Jar

I always send a baked treat for Ashton. His favorites are Red Velvet Cake and Fruitcake.

Watch my Cake in a Jar tutorial here.

Bonus Gift for St Patty’s Day!

A Personalized Beer Stein

from our favorite restaurant back home, McGuire’s Irish Pub

One of our many visit to McGuire’s. We always “kiss the moose!”

Going Away Gift:

Picture Dog Tags.

We ordered ours from Studio 121, where we had our pictures taken. But I have seen these available at Wal-Mart Photo too!

Welcome Home Presents:

Military Family Decal

The online store: Her Hero has fantastic military themed clothes and gifts.

I bought this EOD Family Car Decal for My car and one for Ashton’s car.

Jack Daniels Gift Set

(Tip: purchase gift sets like these after Christmas for major discounts! This was less than $15 at Wal-Mart!)

Gift for child:

Daddy Dolls!

Add his picture and a phrase to a Daddy Doll. You can even add a recorded voice! Ava loves hers 🙂

Happy Birthday Handsome! Come home soon!

Peanut Butter and Caramel Ice Cream Sandwich Cake and Military Gift Ideas