Ice Cream Cake

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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!

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.

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.

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!

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:-)

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Pistachio Pudding Dessert