"The Stuff That Dreams are Made Of" Ice Cream Cupcake Recipe

Wow.  This post might boast the longest title of any so far!  And why a recipe?  Well, here's the scoop:  a blog that I read is holding a recipe contest (yipee!) for ice cream cupcakes (yes, Handsome was very happy about this) and I decided to enter.  Handsome thought I should name them "The Stuff Your Husband's Dreams are Made Of", but he decided that I am more dreamy than these cupcakes.  He's so sweet.

If you want to enter the contest, too, here are the links to the details\:
Cupcake Project
Scoopalicious

This recipe is probably the easiest and most delicious dessert I have ever made.  Seriously.  I'll prove it.  Ready, Go!

"The Stuff That Dreams are Made Of" Ice Cream Cupcakes

adapted from a recipe by Joy the Baker

• Brownie Batter (I used a box)
• 1/2 c. Chocolate Chips
• Caramel Praline Ice Cream (I used Kroger Brand)
• 1 c. Sweetened Flake Coconut
• Chocolate Sauce (I used Hershey's)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line two 12-cupcake pans with foil liners (important).  Scoop 1 heaping tablespoon of batter into each liner. Sprinkle a few chocolate chips onto each cupcake.  Bake 8-10 minutes, until set.  Cool to room temperature.

Meanwhile, turn oven up to 400 degrees.  Scatter coconut on a rimmed baking sheet and toast until golden (~5 minutes), checking often and shaking pan so it toasts evenly.  Cool on cookie sheet and then store in an airtight container.

Once brownies are cool, place in the freezer for 30 minutes. Also place ice cream into your refrigerator to soften.

Next, scoop small balls of ice cream onto each cupcake (I used my cookie scoop).  Flatten with the back of a spoon to fill in all spaces and add more ice cream to fill the liners to the top.  Then put the cupcakes back into the freezer.

To serve:  Unwrap cupcake, drizzle with chocolate syrup and sprinkle with toasted coconut.  (Try no to drool on your plate, especially if you have guests.)

So, there it is, folks.  My new favorite dessert.  In fact, I polished off the last ice cream cupcake while writing this post.  Dreams don't last forever, ya know.