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    Home » Recipes » Best Dessert Recipes

    Ice Cream Cake

    Published: May 13, 2023 | Last Updated: April 29, 2024 | Lisa 12 Comments
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    A round ice cream cake with frosting and patriotic sprinkles on a table with red white and blue star decorations.

    Last Updated April 29th, 2024 at 07:42 pm by Lisa

    Ice Cream Cakes are sooooo good on hot summer days. They are wonderful for birthdays, special occasions, a cool dessert on July 4th, or for a pool party. This dreamy frozen dessert has an incredible red velvet Oreo cookie crust, layers of ice cream, pound cake, caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, cool whip topping, and colorful fun sprinkles.

    Assemble this easy Oreo cake recipe in a standard 9 x 11 glass dish or in a springform pan for the classic round shape.

    Everyone loves this scrumptious dessert any time of year, it makes the party one to remember...

    Pin

    Many people believe that cold ice cream cakes have a long culinary history dating back to the 14th century. I have made this frozen Oreo cake dessert for decades, and it truly is a family favorite. Sometimes I make two for big parties!

    This dessert was my favorite birthday cake as a kid, from the first time I tasted one. Maybe you had a homemade one too or tried one like the Blizzard Dairy Queen ice cream cakes that are so famous.

    Pin

    Easy Ice Cream Cake Recipe

    For all you Oreo lovers, try some different cookie flavors. Most any sandwich cookie will work, and the best part is next time the weather is hot you won't have to bake dessert and heat up the kitchen. You will want to plan ahead and let this freeze overnight for the best ice cream cake.

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    No Bake Red Velvet Oreo Crust

    • 1 package of red velvet Oreos, crushed or regular ones
    • ½ cup salted butter (1 stick melted butter)

    Homemade Ice Cream Cake Layers

    • 12 oz container of real vanilla bean ice cream
    • 12 oz pound cake
    • 12 oz hot fudge sauce or chocolate sauce (Hershey's)
    • 15 oz caramel sauce

    Cool Whip Cake Frosting

    For the best frosting, use a frozen cool whip topping. It works great and holds up better than heavy cream or whipping cream.

    • 24 oz Cool Whip two 12 oz containers
    • 1 jar of colorful sprinkles
    1. Make room in the freezer for your round springform cake pan or a 9 x 13 glass dish. Put your dish or pan in the freezer to chill, it helps the layers set up faster!
    2. Meanwhile, take the vanilla ice cream out of the freezer to soften for 1 hour at room temperature on the counter. This makes it the right consistency for pouring even layers. NOTE: larger deep dish glass dishes might need up to 2 quarts vanilla ice cream.
    A white round ice cream cake with red white and blue sprinkles and pinwheels.Pin

    First, Make The Easy No-Bake Oreo Crust

    1. Melt a stick of butter in the microwave in a small bowl.
    2. Crush the Oreo cookies in a sealed gallon size freezer bag, and roll the large chunks with a rolling pin into fine crumbs. You can also make crushed Oreos in a food processor. Pour the melted butter into the plastic bag with the fine Oreo cookie crumbs, seal, and mix well.
    3. Pour the crushed Oreo crumbs with the melted butter into the bottom of the springform pan in an even thick layer. Use the bottom and side of a standard measuring cup to press the crust into the bottom of the pan. Be sure to press evenly all over the inside of the cake pan or dish. Chill the dish in the freezer for 30 minutes to set the buttery Oreo crust.
    Pin

    Next, Assemble The Cake Layers

    Next, slice the pound cake into small ½-1” small pieces. This is optional, but such a fun addition and so good! You can use any cake flavor you like.

    Take the pan out of the freezer, and place cut pound cake pieces in the bottom, spread evenly on the Oreo cookie crust.

    Making an ice cream cake with a velvet oreo cookie crust in a springform pan with some cake pieces on top.Pin

    For the next ice cream layer, pour ½ container of softened vanilla all over the cookie crust and poundcake pieces and smooth with a small rubber spatula.

    Reserve ½ of the container for the next layer. Softened chocolate ice cream, strawberry, birthday cake, or cookies and cream are also great choices.

    Pin

    For best results, whisk fudge with a spoon after heating a bit in the microwave so it pours easily. Chocolate sauce is good to go out of the bottle. Drizzle about ½ of each container in layers of chocolate fudge sauce and then caramel sauce all over.

    Pin

    Don't add too much chocolate sauce (fudge layer) or it is TOO sweet! Pour the other ½ of melted vanilla on top and smooth evenly and refreeze overnight.

    PRO TIP: Keep placing the pan back in the freezer as you work through the layers. This helps freeze the cake faster as the pan is quite cold.

    Unlock the clamp of the springform pan if using one, and remove the ring. It should pop off easily if the cake is frozen solid. Leave the cake on the springform pan plate. Or leave it in the glass 9 x 13 dish to decorate.

    Pin
    Pin

    Finally, Decorate The Cake

    1. Unlock the clamp of the springform pan, and remove the ring. It should pop off easily if the cake is frozen solid. Leave the cake on the springform mold pan plate. Spread the Cool Whip mixture using a small rubber spatula all over evenly. Decorate with sprinkles on the sides and top of the cake mixture layers.
    2. Refreeze the cake for an hour or so, then carefully cover it with clear plastic wrap until ready to eat.
    3. Dip a sharp knife or cake server in hot water to cut the cake easily. Keep the cake wrapped well and frozen, eat within a week. An airtight container helps prevent ice crystals and keeps leftovers fresh.
    Pin

    Best Ice Cream Cake Tips

    Grab a few simple ingredients from the store, and make this no-bake freezer dessert just the way your family wants it flavored.

    PRO TIP: Be sure to pull the cartons of ice cream out of the freezer so they pour and spread easily into the pan!

    Try Different Flavor Combinations: Buy your personal favorite ice cream flavors and sandwich cookies to create your very own original cake flavors.

    • chocolate + peanut butter cookie crust
    • peanut butter + chocolate cake + peanut butter cookie crust
    • mint chocolate chip + Oreo cookie crust
    • chocolate fudge flavor + graham cracker crust
    • strawberry shortcake + vanilla cookie crust
    Pin

    Oreo fans: There are SO many flavors to choose from these days! I was so excited to try the Red Velvet Oreos, that crust is awesome. You can pick your favorite sandwich cookies, and heck they even have gluten-free Oreos now.

    Cake Flavors: Cake is totally optional, but makes it well, a cake! You can bake and make a chocolate ice cream cake or any flavor you love. It is so easy to pickup a pound cake from the freezer section at the store, try it!

    Chocolate Fudge: You can use a hot fudge sauce, just heat and be sure to whisk the fudge sauce well so it drizzles. I use Hershey's chocolate sauce, it works great right out of the bottle. Just don't use too much (which is tempting) as it makes the cake way too sweet! Also, chocolate ganache would be amazing.

    A white ice cream cake in a cake shape with red white and blue sprinkles.Pin

    Caramel Sauce: Buy a good one, the better the ingredients the better the results. Drizzle but don't overdo it.

    Whipped Topping: Cool whip works really well, and it is stable and it sets up in the freezer. Whipped cream is tempting to use, but it is messier and melts fast in the heat, and won't ever firm up.

    Sprinkles: I just love all the patriotic sprinkles. You can buy or mix some you have at home.

    Decorated ice cream cake with sprinkles and pinwheels.Pin

    Cake Shapes & Pan Choices: For years I made this dessert in a 9 x 11 glass casserole dish. Then I thought, why not make it in a Large Springform Pan shaped like a traditional baked cake form? And it works perfectly!

    The one I bought, has a very sturdy base and is only a tiny bit dripped out. You can easily wipe off any excess drips with a damp paper towel.

    A springform pan works for cheesecakes, and are round cake pans with a bottom that pops out, held by a locking collar forming the sides and keeping liquid from dripping out. You will want to freeze the cake overnight, and it will pop right out of the ring easily once rock solid.

    Pin

    Ice Cream Cake FAQ

    How do you store ice cream cake?


    Keep in the freezer. If you buy one, keep it in the box. Homemade recipes can be kept in the dish or pan you make them in, and wrapped tightly with plastic wrap and or foil.

    It will keep well up to 2 weeks in the freezer. Be sure to wrap it well with plastic wrap and or a long 24-inch-long piece of foil, or place it in an airtight container in the freezer.

    What is the best ice cream cake frosting?


    One of the best easy "frostings" is a whip topping product. It spreads so well and holds sprinkles and other decorations. It will firm up in the freezer somewhat which makes it easier to cover and keep frozen.

    A round ice cream cake made at home with patriotic sprinkles and a slice removed. Pin
    Pin

    More Frozen Desserts

    These cold desserts will make your summer party fantastic and cool down your guests. Fruit Popsicles are a simple recipe made with coconut water, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are refreshing low-sugar treats for hot summer days.

    Frozen Bananas are a healthy treat for chocolate lovers. Freeze bananas, dip them in dark chocolate, and roll in nuts and dried fruit. A healthy vegetarian and vegan treat for hot summer days! You can go crazy adding any toppings you love.

    5 ingredient Cherry Pie Ice Cream Sandwiches are an easy summer treat to cool you down on hot days.

    Raspberry Lemon Sorbet is a real fruit frozen dessert, that is dairy-free, vegan, and has no refined sugar. A clean refreshing great recipe treat!

    • A single coconut water popsicle with strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.
      Homemade Fruit Popsicles
    • A small aluminum sheet pan with brown paper and 5 frozen bananas chocolate dipped and coated in nuts and dried fruit.
      Frozen Chocolate Covered Bananas
    • A white platter with cherry pie ice cream sandwiches.
      Cherry Pie Ice Cream Sandwiches
    • Bright yellow lemons carved out and filled with raspberry strawberry lemon sorbet as a summer dessert.
      Raspberry Lemon Sorbet

    CRAVING MORE?

    Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

    An ice cream cake with a slice removed and covered in colorful sprinkles.Pin
    Print Pin Recipe

    Ice Cream Cake Recipe

    Ice Cream Cakes are sooooo good on hot summer days, for birthdays, as a cool dessert on July 4th, or for a pool party. This dreamy frozen dessert has an incredible red velvet Oreo cookie crust, layers of ice cream, pound cake, caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, cool whip topping, and colorful fun sprinkles. Assemble this easy Oreo cake recipe in a standard 9 x 11 glass dish or in a springform pan for the classic round shape. Everyone loves this scrumptious dessert any time of year, it makes the party one to remember.
    Prep Time 30 minutes minutes
    Freezer Time 8 hours hours
    Total Time 30 minutes minutes
    Servings 12
    Calories 207kcal
    Author Lisa Hatfield

    Equipment

    Pro Springform Pan
    Patriotic Sprinkles
    White Candy Pearls
    Small Spatula

    Ingredients

    red velvet oreo crust

    • 1 package red velvet Oreos, crushed or regular ones
    • ½ cup salted butter (1 stick melted butter)

    cake layers

    • 12 oz container real vanilla bean ice cream
    • 12 oz pound cake
    • 12 oz hot fudge sauce or chocolate sauce (Hershey's)
    • 15 oz caramel sauce

    "frosting"

    • 24 oz Cool Whip two 12 oz containers
    • 1 jar colorful sprinkles
    Get Recipe Ingredients
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Make room in the freezer for your round springform pan or 9 x 13 glass dish. Put your dish in the freezer to chill, it helps your layers faster.
    • Meanwhile, take the vanilla ice cream out of the freezer to soften for 1-2 hours at room temperature. This makes it easier to get even layers. NOTE: larger deep dish glass dishes might need up to 2 quarts vanilla ice cream.

    Make The Oreo Crust

    • Melt a stick of butter in the microwave in a small bowl.
    • Crush the Oreo cookies in a sealed gallon size freezer bag, and roll the large chunks with a rolling pin into fine crumbs. You can also make crushed Oreos in a food processor. Pour the melted butter into the plastic bag with the fine Oreo cookie crumbs, seal, and mix well.
    • Pour the crushed Oreo crumbs with the melted butter into the bottom of the springform pan in an even thick layer. Use the bottom and side of a standard measuring cup to press the crust into the bottom of the pan. Be sure to press evenly all over the inside of the cake pan or dish. Chill the dish in the freezer for 30 minutes to set the buttery Oreo crust.

    Assemble The Layers

    • Next, slice the pound cake into small ½-1” small pieces. This is optional, but such a fun addition and so good!
    • Take the pan out of the freezer, and place cut pound cake pieces in the bottom, spread evenly on the Oreo cookie crust.
    • For the next layer, pour ½ container of softened vanilla all over the cookie crust and pound cake pieces and smooth with a small rubber spatula. Reserve ½ of the container for the next layer. Chocolate, strawberry, birthday cake, or cookies and cream are also great flavor choices.
    • For best results, whisk fudge after heating a bit in the microwave so it pours. Chocolate sauce is good to go out of the bottle. Drizzle about ½ of each container of chocolate sauce and caramel sauce all over. Don't add too much chocolate sauce or it is TOO sweet! Pour the other ½ of melted vanilla on top and smooth evenly and refreeze overnight.

    Decorate

    • Unlock the clamp of the springform pan if using one, and remove the ring. It should pop off easily if the cake is frozen solid. Leave the frozen cake on the springform pan plate. Or leave in the glass 9 x 13 dish to decorate.
    • Using a small rubber spatula, decorate with Cool Whip all over, and spread the Cool Whip mixture. Then add colorful sprinkles on the sides and top of the cake mixture layers.
    • Refreeze the cake for an hour or so, then carefully cover with clear plastic wrap until ready to eat.
    • Dip a sharp knife in warm water to cut the cake easily. Keep the cake wrapped well and frozen, eat within a week or two.

    Notes

    glass 9 x 11 pan

    For years, I made ice cream cakes in glass 9 x 11 dishes, but using a springform pan really works and it looks just like a classic round cake shape!

    springform pan

    • You don't have to line the springform pan. The one I bought, has a very sturdy base, and just a tiny bit dripped out. You can easily wipe off any excess drips with a damp paper towel.
    • It should pop right out of the ring easily once frozen overnight. 

    sprinkles

    Fancy Sprinkles has the most amazing sprinkles for cake decorating...I am loving this company. (I was not sponsored by them, I just love their products).
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 207kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 31mg | Potassium: 99mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 130IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 0.5mg
    Tried this recipe?Let's see it on Instagram! Follow us @Delicious.Table and tag us on your recipe photo with #delicioustable
    Need ingredients or equipment to make this recipe? Shop Now Every cooking product recommended I own, use, and love how they perform in my kitchen. Happy Cooking! Lisa
    Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Delicious Table earns advertising fees from qualified purchases linking to Amazon.com

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rehoboth says

      June 21, 2025 at 2:43 am

      Wonderful Post
      Thanks

      Reply
    2. Rehoboth says

      January 28, 2023 at 6:30 am

      5 stars
      Excellent recipe
      Thanks

      Reply
    3. ronak mehta says

      July 17, 2020 at 1:03 am

      Thanks for sharing awesome recipe, your instructions are going to be very helpful for me to make this ice cream cake. Thank you so much.

      Reply
    4. Fitoru fitness says

      December 08, 2019 at 10:45 pm

      I love ice cream. That is why my mouth is watering right now. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    5. David Mullane says

      July 04, 2019 at 3:18 am

      5 stars
      Hi ! Happy 4th July to You. It is great to see this superb patriotic cake. I hope it will taste as good as it looks. I will definitely try this one. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    6. Sara says

      July 03, 2019 at 9:30 am

      I have a question, albeit a dumb one perhaps. I have never heard of a "cube" of butter before. I've heard of sticks of butter, though. What is a cube? Really want to make this, looks and sounds delicious!

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        July 03, 2019 at 9:36 am

        Good Morning Sara! You are correct, it is a stick of butter...I will update the recipe so it's clear. So glad you are making the ice cream cake, it is a family favorite! Curious, are you making it in a large say 9x13 dish, or the springform pan? It works either way, enjoy it...our family eats it very fast!

        Reply
        • Sara Fredette says

          July 03, 2019 at 9:53 am

          Springform I'm thinking 😊 thank you!!

          Reply
          • Lisa says

            July 04, 2019 at 10:38 am

            Sara, that is great! I am sure your party will be a blast, enjoy, and Happy 4th!

    7. Paige says

      June 25, 2019 at 11:24 am

      5 stars
      Looks so pretty and I bet it really wows the holiday crowd!

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        June 25, 2019 at 8:41 pm

        Thank you so much Paige, I love the sprinkles, fun right? Happy July 4th to you!! XO

        Reply
    8. Jessica Robinson says

      July 23, 2018 at 2:09 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness, this ice cream cake sounds divine!! So many wonderful flavors combined into one delicious cake that is super easy to make! Loving the colorful sprinkles!

      Reply

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