There is nothing quite like a slice of ice cream cake on a warm day. It’s the ultimate crossover between a classic birthday cake and your favorite frozen treat. But you don’t need to buy them from the store! Making a homemade ice cream cake is surprisingly easy, requires no actual baking (for the most part), and allows you to customize every single layer.
Whether you are craving a rich chocolate fudge dessert, a fruity summer treat, or a keto-friendly low-carb option, we’ve got you covered. Here are 25 incredible ice cream cake recipes, complete with step-by-step instructions!
💡 Pro-Tips Before You Start:
- Soften the Ice Cream: Always let your ice cream sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes until it’s spreadable but not melted.
- Use a Springform Pan: A 9-inch springform pan is your best friend. Line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Freeze Between Layers: If you are doing multiple ice cream layers, freeze each layer for 30 minutes before adding the next to prevent colors/flavors from bleeding.
🍫 The Chocolate & Cookie Lovers
1. Easy No-Bake Oreo Ice Cream Cake
Steps:
- Crush 30 Oreo cookies and mix with ¼ cup melted butter. Press firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
- Let 1.5 quarts of vanilla ice cream soften, then spread evenly over the crust.
- Top with a generous layer of crushed Oreos. Freeze for at least 6 hours.
2. Homemade Chocolate Fudge Brownie Ice Cream Cake
Steps:
- Bake (or buy) a batch of fudge brownies and let them cool completely. Cut one layer to fit your pan.
- Soften chocolate ice cream and mix in ½ cup of hot fudge sauce.
- Layer the brownie, the fudge ice cream, and another thin layer of brownie on top. Freeze overnight. Drizzle with extra hot fudge before serving.
3. No-Bake Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream Cake
Steps:
- Crush 2 cups of peanut butter cups. Mix half with melted butter for the crust and press into the pan.
- Soften chocolate ice cream and fold in ½ cup of creamy peanut butter. Spread over the crust.
- Top with the remaining crushed peanut butter cups. Freeze for 6 hours.
4. Cookie Dough Chunk Ice Cream Cake
Steps:
- Make a chocolate cookie crust (crushed chocolate wafers + butter).
- Soften vanilla ice cream and gently fold in 1 cup of edible cookie dough chunks.
- Spread over the crust and freeze. Top with chocolate drizzle and extra cookie dough bites before serving.
5. Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cake with Fudge
Steps:
- Create a dark chocolate cookie crust.
- Soften mint chocolate chip ice cream and spread it evenly over the crust.
- Freeze until solid (about 4 hours). Top with a thick layer of warm hot fudge and mini chocolate chips.
6. S’mores Campfire Ice Cream Cake
Steps:
- Make a graham cracker crust.
- Layer softened chocolate ice cream, then freeze for 30 minutes. Add a layer of softened vanilla ice cream.
- Freeze until hard. Top the entire cake with marshmallow fluff and use a kitchen torch to toast the marshmallows right before serving.
🍓 Fruity & Refreshing Summer Treats
7. Easy Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Cake
Steps:
- Cube a store-bought shortcake or angel food cake and press half of it into the bottom of your pan.
- Soften vanilla ice cream and fold in 1 cup of diced fresh strawberries. Spread over the cake layer.
- Top with the remaining cake cubes. Freeze for 6 hours. Serve with fresh whipped cream.
8. Graham Cracker Crust Caramel Apple Ice Cream Cake
Steps:
- Make a graham cracker crust.
- Soften vanilla ice cream and fold in 1 cup of diced caramel apples (tossed in cinnamon).
- Spread over the crust and freeze. Drizzle heavily with caramel sauce and top with sea salt before serving.
9. Ice Cream Cake Roll with Raspberry Swirl
Steps:
- Bake a thin, flexible vanilla sponge cake and let it cool.
- Spread softened vanilla ice cream evenly over the cake, leaving a small border. Dollop raspberry jam on top.
- Using parchment paper, tightly roll the cake into a log. Wrap in plastic and freeze for 4 hours. Slice into rounds to serve.
10. Whipped Cream Frosted Strawberry Ice Cream Cake
Steps:
- Make a vanilla wafer crust. Add a layer of softened strawberry ice cream and freeze until solid.
- Once the ice cream is rock hard, frost the entire outside of the cake with stabilized whipped cream (whipped cream mixed with a little powdered sugar and pudding mix).
- Freeze for another 2 hours. Decorate with fresh strawberry slices.
11. Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Cake
Steps:
- Make a Biscoff cookie crust.
- Soften vanilla ice cream and fold in 1 cup of cheesecake bites and ½ cup of fresh blueberries.
- Spread into the pan and freeze. Before serving, drizzle with bright lemon curd.
12. Rainbow Sherbet Fruit Ice Cream Cake
Steps:
- Make a vanilla wafer crust.
- Layer softened rainbow sherbet, pressing it down firmly.
- Top with a layer of mini marshmallows and candied fruit. Freeze until solid. Slice and serve for a retro summer vibe.
🎂 Classic Bakery Duplicates & Fun Flavors
13. Baskin Robbins 31 Flavors Ice Cream Cake Dupe
Steps:
- Make a chocolate cookie crust.
- Spread a layer of softened vanilla ice cream, freeze for 20 mins. Add a layer of softened chocolate ice cream, freeze for 20 mins.
- Add a final layer of vanilla. Freeze overnight. Serve with chocolate sprinkles on the sides.
14. Birthday Funfetti Sprinkle Ice Cream Cake
Steps:
- Make a vanilla wafer crust.
- Soften vanilla or funfetti ice cream and fold in ½ cup of rainbow sprinkles.
- Spread over the crust and freeze. Frost the outside with whipped topping and cover in more sprinkles.
15. Ice Cream Cake Sandwich with Chocolate Wafers
Steps:
- Lay a piece of parchment paper in a loaf pan.
- Place a single layer of chocolate wafer cookies. Spread softened vanilla ice cream over them. Add another layer of wafers, then more ice cream. Repeat 3 times.
- Press down firmly, wrap in plastic, and freeze. Slice into giant, individual ice cream sandwiches.
16. Red Velvet Cream Cheese Ice Cream Cake
Steps:
- Crumble red velvet cake into the pan to form the crust.
- Soften vanilla ice cream and mix in ½ cup of softened cream cheese. Spread over the crust.
- Freeze until solid. Top with cream cheese frosting and red velvet cake crumbs.
17. Banana Pudding Ice Cream Cake with Nilla Wafers
Steps:
- Crush Nilla Wafers with butter for the crust.
- Soften vanilla ice cream and fold in 1 box of instant banana pudding mix (dry) and sliced bananas.
- Layer the ice cream mixture with extra whole Nilla Wafers. Freeze. Top with whipped cream.
🌱 Dietary-Friendly (Keto, Vegan, Gluten-Free)
18. Gluten-Free Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Cake
Steps:
- Make a crust using gluten-free graham crackers and butter.
- Soften high-quality vanilla bean ice cream (check labels to ensure it’s GF). Spread over the crust.
- Freeze. Top with gluten-free whipped cream and a scraping of fresh vanilla bean.
19. Keto Low-Carb Chocolate Ice Cream Cake
Steps:
- Make a crust with almond flour, cocoa powder, melted butter, and a keto sweetener.
- Blend heavy cream, cocoa powder, vanilla, and powdered erythritol. Pour over the crust.
- Freeze until solid. Top with sugar-free chocolate shavings.
20. Vegan Coconut Mango Ice Cream Cake
Steps:
- Make a crust using vegan graham crackers and coconut oil.
- Use a dairy-free mango sorbet or coconut-based vegan vanilla ice cream. Soften and spread over the crust.
- Freeze. Top with fresh diced mango and toasted coconut flakes.
✨ Unique, Mini & Creative Hacks
21. Mini Individual Ice Cream Cake Bites
Steps:
- Line a mini muffin tin with paper liners.
- Press a small amount of cookie crust into the bottom of each.
- Fill with softened ice cream, top with more crust, and freeze. Pop them out and dip the tops in melted chocolate.
22. Ice Cream Cake for Two (Small Batch Recipe)
Steps:
- Use a small 4-inch ramekin or mini loaf pan.
- Make a small batch of Oreo crust (just 10 cookies).
- Use exactly one pint of your favorite ice cream. Layer, freeze, and enjoy a perfectly portioned dessert without leftovers.
23. Coffee Espresso Tiramisu Ice Cream Cake
Steps:
- Line the bottom of the pan with ladyfinger cookies briefly dipped in strong espresso.
- Soften vanilla ice cream and mix in 2 tablespoons of instant espresso powder. Spread over the ladyfingers.
- Freeze until hard. Dust the top heavily with unsweetened cocoa powder before serving.
24. Ice Cream Cake with Hot Caramel and Sea Salt
Steps:
- Make a pecan shortbread crust.
- Add a thick layer of softened vanilla bean ice cream and freeze until solid.
- Right before serving, pour warm, hot caramel sauce over the top and finish with a generous pinch of flaky sea salt.
25. Ice Cream Cake Truffles (Leftover Hack)
Steps:
- Take any leftover scraps of ice cream cake from the recipes above.
- Roll the scraps into tight, 1-inch balls. Place on a baking sheet and freeze until rock hard (about 2 hours).
- Dip the frozen balls into melted chocolate, top with sprinkles, and return to the freezer until the chocolate sets.
Final Thoughts
Making an ice cream cake at home is the ultimate dessert hack. It looks incredibly impressive, tastes like a premium bakery treat, and requires minimal effort.
Which of these 25 ice cream cake recipes are you trying first? Let us know in the comments below, and don’t forget to pin your favorites to your Summer Desserts board on Pinterest!
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