Cake and Ice Cream: Finding the Perfect 80th Birthday Dessert

My grandma's 80th birthday is in the middle of August. My aunt and uncle from Calgary will be coming into town and my other uncle is going to host a BBQ for the celebration. I'm likely going to volunteer to cook a vegetarian dish for my aunt and uncle since they don't eat meat but it's really my grandma that I want to spoil. I mean, it's going to be her 80th Birthday! That's a big deal! I know that she just poo-poos it off, but I want it to be a really special night for her, surrounded by loving family, and spoiled with food that she loves. Food is an expression of love with my grandma.

My grandma is from Poland and cooks every day for herself and my grandpa. Ever day, she eats a bowl of ice cream. Did I also mention that she's not over-weight? The ice cream is her treat, and it's so great to watch her eat her bowl of ice cream because you can tell that she enjoys it, as she does with all sweets.

For her 80th birthday, I really want to make my grandma some homemade ice cream (especially since the ice cream maker has finally come out of its box) and cake or pie. The problem is, I don't know what her favorites are. I do know that she likes fruit tarts and cheesecakes. I remember being a kid and her always having those sponge cakes that you could fill with fresh berries and cream. I also know that she usually buys cherry ice cream, or butterscotch swirl, or something with chunks of chocolate in it. I am still working my sleuth skills to see if she has an absolute favorite, but for now, I need some ideas.

I have made oodles of cakes over the years...take a look at some of the photos from different friend and family member's birthdays.

Chai Spice Cake

The famous Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

Creamy Lime Cheesecake

But, everyone always has their favorite.

What is your favorite ice cream of all time? One that when you go to an ice cream parlour with 30 different flavours, that you are immediately drawn to.

What is your favorite cake or pie? The one that you want to taste on a special occasion, and that you would want to serve at the end of a perfect meal.

Now, combine the 2 favorites. What are they?

I've ordered 2 ice cream books off of Amazon.ca that I am hoping will inspire me.

1. The Perfect Scoop: Ice Creams, Sorbets, Granitas, And Sweet Accompaniments
2. Scoop: 125 Specialty Ice Creams from the Nation's Best Creameries

I have plenty of cake and baking cookbooks so it's time to flip through those and see what catches my attention that I think my grandma would love.
If anyone has ideas, I would love to hear them!