Ice Cream Cake

The sweetest way to celebrate any occasion? This homemade ice cream cake recipe! It’s shockingly easy to make with just five ingredients. 

An ice cream cake is a nostalgic treat for many. All of us have enjoyed one at a birthday party somewhere. It is the perfect combination of texture: rich, dense cake with cold, sweet ice cream. The dessert is almost irresistible.

How to Make An Ice Cream Cake

While the thought of making an ice cream cake may seem a little daunting, the process is actually quite simple. You’ll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe below, but let’s go over the basics:

Ice Cream Cake Ingredients

You’ll need just five ingredients to make this homemade ice cream cake recipe: 

• Cake mix: Start with a store-bought chocolate cake mix. 
• Water: Add a cup of water to the cake mix. 
• Eggs: Three eggs add richness and help bind the batter together. 
• Oil: A neutral oil, such as vegetable oil, lends moisture without adding flavor. 
• Ice cream: Store-bought chocolate ice cream makes this cake recipe super convenient.

Ice Cream Cake Variations

This decadent dessert features a chocolate base and chocolate ice cream topping. But this recipe is easy to customize, so it can be great for any occasion. Try one or more of these fun flavor combinations: 

• Chocolate cake and caramel ice cream
• Funfetti cake and vanilla ice cream
• Chocolate cake and mint chocolate chip ice cream
• Yellow cake and vanilla ice cream
• Strawberry cake and strawberry ice cream
• Chocolate cake and cookies ‘n’ cream ice cream

Ice Cream Cake

Ice Cream Cake is the perfect make-ahead treat for birthdays, summer gatherings, or anytime you want to wow a crowd without turning on the oven. Typically made with layers of softened ice cream, crushed cookies or cake, and sometimes fudge or whipped cream, it’s a delicious mash-up of textures and flavors. The beauty lies in its versatility; customize it with any flavor combo you love, then freeze until solid and slice to serve. It’s cool, creamy, and always a hit!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 28 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 18

Course: cake, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 250

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• 1 15.25 ounce package chocolate cake mix
• 1 cup water
• 3 large eggs
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• ½ gallon chocolate ice cream

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Spatula
• Cooling rack
• 2 (8-inch or 9-inch) round cake pans
• Whisk or electric mixer
• Box grater (for carrots)

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Combine chocolate cake mix, water, eggs, and oil in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Pour batter into the prepared baking dish.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 26 to 30 minutes. Allow to cool completely on a wired rack.
4. Meanwhile, remove the carton paper from ice cream. Set ice cream block on its long side. Use a piece of string or dental floss to cut ice cream in half lengthwise, then place the 2 pieces side-by-side on a sheet of waxed paper.
5. Remove cooled cake from the baking dish and place over the ice cream slabs. Trim cake and ice cream, so the edges are flush.
6. Place a board or serving platter over cake. Holding onto the waxed paper and board, flip ice cream cake over. Remove the waxed paper and smooth the seam between the ice cream slabs.
7. Cover top with waxed paper and freeze until very firm. Decorate as desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 4gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 282mgPotassium: 241mgFiber: 1gSugar: 26gCalcium: 107mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Moist, spiced, and topped with tangy cream cheese frosting, this classic carrot cake is a forever favorite.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!