Some of you may know that the Fletchers have a mostly-gluten-free household. Two really have to eat that way or they feel lousy, so it's easiest to feed most of us that way, most of the time.

Just last night we had a birthday celebration for our newly minted 11-year-old, and despite not being gluten free, she wanted me to make an ice cream cake instead. "I don't like frosting", she declared. Still debating whether this is my daughter . . .

She loves having a birthday so close to Christmas. When I asked if she might like to have a cake with peppermint involved, she was delighted. But bear in mind that you can tweak this anyway you like.

Annesley's Peppermint Patty Birthday Cake

1 box gluten free peppermint sandwich cookies
1 quart good quality vanilla ice cream, softened
1 jar of good quality chocolate fudge
4 crushed up candy canes

Just crush up the entire box of cookies in a food processor. Get them nice and pulverized; I let the machine run for about 90 seconds. The filling smooshes the crumbs together so you don't need butter. Pour crumbs into a springform pan and press to the bottom and about an inch up the sides. They don't have to be perfect.

Scoop the ice cream over the crust and spread with an offset spatula or any flat utensil. The softer the ice cream is, the better.

Spread the hot fudge all over the ice cream layer, then sprinkle the crushed candy canes all over the top. Freeze for several hours, then undo the hinges on the springform and slice to serve.

That's it!

Think of the possibilities!

Crust options: Crushed Oreos, graham cracker crust, Rice Krispie Square crust (make them as usual - with marshmallows and butter - then press into the springform pan), Cocoa Krispies crust, crushed chocolate wafer cookies mixed with 2 Tablespoons butter.

We used Trader Joe's yummy peppermint Joe Joe's. — ***We used Trader Joe's yummy peppermint Joe Joe's.***

Filling options: Any ice cream you love, but be sure to get a really good quality ice cream. You can do a mud pie with Oreo crust, coffee ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream (the real stuff!), and toasted almonds.

***Spread that ice cream goodness all over!***

Or mint chip ice cream over a Cocoa Krispies crust with hot fudge sauce. Or a graham cracker crust, vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, and strawberries. Or a chocolate wafer crust, butter brickle ice cream, caramel sauce, whipped cream. See? Many possibilities!

Toppings options: Hot fudge, caramel sauce, marshmallow cream, whipped cream, chocolate jimmies, chocolate chips, crushed candy of any kind, Rice Krispies, chopped and toasted nuts, fruit. Buy high quality sauces and whip your own cream - you won't be sorry!