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Ice Cream Cake

Side view of crushed oreos on the whipping cream.

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Ice cream cake that is even better than the franchise makes! This ice cream cake recipe has a layer of homemade fudgy sauce and crushed oreo cookies, sandwiched between chocolate and vanilla ice cream and topped with homemade sweetened whipped cream!

Close up of ice cream cake on a white plate.

Birthdays

Around here, birthdays are very special occasions! For my children's birthdays, I always make whatever cake they request. So, for the past over 20 years, I have made A LOT of birthday cakes!! Whether it's a cake mix special shaped cake, apple pie, banana cake, root beer float cake, Blueberry Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust, Moist and Easy Carrot Cake, or ice cream cake, I love making up a special birthday cake for each one of my children.

Summer Favorite

Ice cream cake is a favorite birthday cake for a couple of my children. This ice cream cake recipe is super simple and tastes better than the famous, oft-requested Dairy Queen ice cream cake. In these pictures I made a double batch of this recipe and assembled in a deep roaster since I was preparing for a crowd. Normally I use a 10" deep round pan.

Half eaten ice cream cake.

The 3 Components of the Best Ice Cream Cake

Ice cream

-Use your favorite vanilla ice cream, we really love Costco's. Also choose a really yummy chocolate ice cream.

Fudge Layer

-This is made with homemade hot fudge sauce and crushed Oreos. So many people have told me that they love the Oreos in this layer! The secret to extra tasty, crunchy Oreos is baking the crushed Oreos with melted butter. And the fudge sauce tastes like fudge! Yes, it does, and can be eaten by the spoonful, it's that good!

Topping

-This is just homemade sweetened whipped cream with vanilla. It is used to make your cake look neater and adds a rich vanilla flavor.

Side view of the ice cream cake before it is totally done.

Why you will Love this Ice Cream Cake Recipe!

  • Easy recipe, it truly is, even though there's lots of instructions.
  • Fudge sauce that really tastes like fudge.
  • Oreos used, need I say more?
  • Make-ahead crowd pleasing dessert.
  • The crushed Oreos are baked with butter for extra crunch!
Crushed oreo cookies in a large bowl.

Build it Upside Down?!

When I build this ice cream cake, I actually build it upside down. So, since I want the vanilla layer to be on the top of the finalized cake, I start with that. Then, place the oreos and fudge sauce, then chocolate ice cream last. Once it has frozen solid, I flip it out onto a cookie sheet or plate:-)

Close up of the layers in the ice cream cake.

Ingredients for Ice Cream Cake

For the Cake

  • Chocolate ice cream, your favorite brand.
  • Hot fudge sauce, click for the recipe.
  • Oreo cookies
  • Butter
  • Vanilla ice cream, again, use your favorite brand.

Whipped Cream Topping

  • Heavy cream
  • Powdered sugar, will dissolve the best.
  • Vanilla extract, of course
Oreo cookies and crumbs with melted butter.
Thick and rich chocolate fudge sauce.
Sweetened whipped cream in a mixer bowl.
Tubs of vanilla and chocolate ice cream.

How to Make Ice Cream Cake

1.Crush the oreo cookies coarsely. In a medium sized bowl, mix the crushed oreos and the melted butter. Pour onto a parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Let them cool, then crumble and set aside. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the oreo crumbs in a small bowl to use for decorating later.

Oreo cookies and crumbs with melted butter.

2.Cover the pan that you will be using for the cake with plastic wrap or parchment paper. Use a deep 9 or 10 inch round or square pan.

Saran wrap on pan ready for the ice cream.

3.Let the vanilla ice cream sit out for around 20 minutes at room temperature. Then, spread it in the pan. Pop it in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.

Softened vanilla ice cream spread in large roaster.

4.Sprinkle the crushed Oreos over the vanilla ice cream layer.

Oreo cookie crumbs on top of vanilla ice cream.

5.Spread a good layer of hot fudge sauce, (which has been cooled down of course) over the Oreo crumbles. Return to the freezer for at least 30 minutes.

Hot fudge sauce put on top of crushed oreos.

6.Take the chocolate ice cream out of the freezer 20 minutes before you want to spread it. Spread the chocolate ice cream on top of the frozen fudge sauce layer. Place back in the freezer for at least 2 hours.

Chocolate ice cream put on top of the hot fudge sauce for ice cream cake.

7.While the cake is in the freezer, make the whipped cream. Combine the whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a medium sized bowl. Beat until the cream is firm.

Sweetened whipped cream in a mixer bowl.

8.To unmold the ice cream cake, place a cookie sheet or plate over the pan and invert it. The cake should easily come out. Carefully peel off the plastic wrap. Place back in the freezer until you are ready to ice it with the whipped cream.

Close up of the layers in the ice cream cake.

To Decorate

9.Once you're ready to spread the whipped cream, take the cake out of the freezer and using a spatula, spread the whipped cream over the cake. Use a damp paper towel to wipe up any melted chocolate ice cream around the edges. Then, sprinkle the reserved Oreo crumbles around the edges and on the sides.

Side view of crushed oreos on the whipping cream.

10.Place the finished ice cream cake in the freezer for 2 hours. Take the cake out once it has frozen solid and wrap with plastic wrap to freeze it longer.

Finished ice cream cake.

Variations to try

  • Change up the flavor of ice cream. Some suggestions are cookies and cream, cheesecake, strawberry, peanut butter, mint chip, or whatever flavor of ice cream you love!
  • Could use other types of cookies to make the crumbles, such as vanilla wafers, graham wafers, chocolate chip cookies, shortbread, gingersnaps...have fun with making up new combinations!

Make this Ice Cream Cake Recipe to celebrate National Ice Cream Cake Day on June 27th!!

Other Cool Recipes to try...

Frozen Drumstick Dessert on a white plate with a chocolate drizzle.

Frozen Drumstick Dessert

Pistachio pudding dessert on a wooden cutting board with pistachios.

Pistachio Pudding Dessert

Cooking Method
Cuisine
Courses
DifficultyIntermediate
Time
Prep Time: 1 hrCook Time: 10 minsRest Time: 6 hrsTotal Time: 7 hrs 10 mins
Servings12
Calories739
Best SeasonSummer
Description

Great for birthday parties, or any other occasion, Ice cream cake is a winner every time! This ice cream cake recipe is made with a thick, rich and chocolatey homemade fudge sauce. With Oreos, and homemade sweetened vanilla whipped cream, this is one delicious cake.

Ingredients
  • 2 qt chocolate ice cream (or 2 liters)
  • 2 qt vanilla ice cream (or 2 liters)
  • 2 cup hot fudge sauce (https://testedtriedandtasty.com/recipe/hot-fudge-sauce/)
  • 24 oreo cookies (coarsely crushed)
  • 1/4 cup butter (melted)
    • For the Whipped Cream Topping
  • 2 cup whipping cream
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
    How to Make Ice Cream Cake
  1. Crushed oreo cookies in a large bowl.

    Crush the oreo cookies coarsely. In a medium sized bowl, mix the crushed oreos and the melted butter. Pour onto a parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Let them cool, then crumble and set aside. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the oreo crumbs in a small bowl to use for decorating later.

  2. Saran wrap on pan ready for the ice cream.

    Cover the pan that you will be using for the cake with plastic wrap or parchment paper. Use a deep 9 or 10 inch round or square pan.

  3. Vanilla ice cream smoothed out in a large pan.

    Let the vanilla ice cream sit out for around 20 minutes at room temperature. Then, spread it in the pan. Pop it in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.

  4. Oreo cookie crumbs on top of vanilla ice cream.

    Sprinkle the crushed Oreos over the vanilla ice cream layer.

  5. Hot fudge sauce put on top of crushed oreos.

    Spread a good layer of hot fudge sauce, (which has been cooled down of course) over the Oreo crumbles. Return to the freezer for at least 30 minutes.

  6. Chocolate ice cream put on top of the hot fudge sauce for ice cream cake.

    Take the chocolate ice cream out of the freezer 20 minutes before you want to spread it. Spread the chocolate ice cream on top of the frozen fudge sauce layer. Place back in the freezer for at least 2 hours.

  7. Sweetened whipped cream in a mixer bowl.

    While the cake is in the freezer, make the whipped cream. Combine the whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a medium sized bowl. Beat until the cream is firm.

  8. Close up of the layers in the ice cream cake.

    To unmold the ice cream cake, place a cookie sheet or plate over the pan and invert it. The cake should easily come out. Carefully peel off the plastic wrap. Place back in the freezer until you are ready to ice it with the whipped cream.

  9. Side view of crushed oreos on the whipping cream.

    Once you're ready to spread the whipped cream, take the cake out of the freezer and using a spatula, spread the whipped cream over the cake. Use a damp paper towel to wipe up any melted chocolate ice cream around the edges. Then, sprinkle the reserved Oreo crumbles around the edges and on the sides.

  10. Close up of ice cream cake on a white plate.

    Place the finished ice cream cake in the freezer for 2 hours. Take the cake out once it has frozen solid and wrap with plastic wrap to freeze it longer.

    To serve, remove from the freezer 15 minutes prior to cutting. Use a knife dipped in hot water for the easiest cutting.

    Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Servings 12

Amount Per Serving
Calories 739kcal
Calories from Fat 325kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 36.7g57%
Sodium 349mg15%
Potassium 488mg14%
Total Carbohydrate 98g33%
Dietary Fiber 2.8g12%
Sugars 80.8g
Protein 8.8g18%
Vitamin A 49 IU
Calcium 23 mg
Iron 12 mg
Vitamin E 10 IU
Thiamin 16 mg
Riboflavin 45 mg
Folate 14 mcg
Vitamin B12 27 mcg
Pantothenic Acid 23 mg
Phosphorus 34 mg
Magnesium 17 mmol
Zinc 18 mcg
Selenium 17 mg
Copper 27 mg
Manganese 13 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Slightly soften the ice cream for about 20 minutes before spreading in the pan.

Run your knife under hot water to make cutting the cake easier.

Freeze the ice cream cake for at least 30 minutes after each layer.

Line the pan with parchment paper or plastic wrap.

To crush Oreos, use a food processor or place them in a sealed plastic bag and use a rolling pin.

Freeze the decorated cake for a couple of hours before wrapping securely with plastic wrap.

Did you make this recipe?
Read it online:https://testedtriedandtasty.com/recipe/ice-cream-cake/
SA PROFILE CACHE
Rebekah Callahan

Thanks for trying out this recipe!