Need a celebratory ice cream dessert? Obviously it’s easiest to just pick up a ready-made ice cream cake from the grocery store or ice cream shop, but if you’ve never made an ice cream cake before, I encourage you to try it at least once! One reader, Stacie, commented: “This was a big hit for my daughter’s birthday party! We’ll definitely be making it again. The fudge/Oreo later in the middle is everything! ★★★★★“ It requires a few back-and-forth trips between the freezer and counter, but other than that, it’s surprisingly easy—absolutely no baking and very few tools and ingredients needed. And just wait for the moment the jaws drop open when you tell your guests you made this yourself! (And they’ll pretty much remain open until their plates are licked clean. I know this from experience.)
This Homemade Ice Cream Cake Is:
A fun frozen dessert perfect for a summertime celebration 5 layers of cool, creamy decadence Easy to make, completely no-bake recipe Customizable with your favorite flavors of ice cream Ribboned with homemade hot fudge Topped with fluffy whipped cream and cheerful sprinkles As tempting as cookie ice cream sandwiches, but made in 1 pan to serve a group A great make-ahead option to add to your list of BBQ cookout desserts.
You can use any flavors of store-bought ice cream you want. Chocolate + strawberry is a favorite combination in my family, but you could also try: chocolate + peanut butter, chocolate + mint chip, cookies dough + chocolate, or coffee + cookies and cream. The combination is entirely up to you.
5 Layers to Love
I like to garnish it with sprinkles for a festive finish. Because of course I do!
Best Pan to Use:
You need a 9-inch or 10-inch springform pan that’s at least 3 inches high. If you don’t have a pan this size, you can turn this into a quarter sheet cake using a 9×13-inch pan, or halve the recipe for an 8×2-inch square pan. Whichever pan you use, line it with plastic wrap. Why? You will have a heck of a time slicing this frozen cake while it’s still inside the pan! You’ll want to completely remove the cake and place it on a frozen or cold cutting board or cake plate to slice. And, if using a springform pan like pictured, the plastic wrap prevents any melty ice cream leakage.
Ice Cream Cake Success Tips (Learned From Experience!)
I made a slew of ice cream cakes the past month, determining the most successful (and non-melty) way to frost and serve this chilly dessert. Take my advice: Here is the ice cream cake again with vanilla on the bottom layer. Have fun customizing your own ice cream cake using various flavors!
