Name: Ice Cream Cake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 15 min
Yield: 16
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 9 regular sized ice cream sandwiches; 1.5 quart chocolate chip ice cream (or your favorite variety), softened; 1 jar (12 ounce) hot fudge sauce; 8 ounce Cool Whip, thawed

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Easy Ice Cream Cake recipe made by stacking ice cream sandwiches, chocolate chip ice cream, hot fudge, and cool whip! Perfect birthday or party treat!

Need more birthday cake ideas? Our yellow cake is a classic treat that’s loved by everyone. Top it with some homemade chocolate frosting the perfect cake combo!

Ice cream cake with layers showing and topped with lit candles.

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Why this Recipe Works

Everyone loves this easy recipe.

Easy prep
Can change up the flavors no problem
Festive
Make ahead of time!

Do you know what makes this easy Ice Cream Cake recipe? Ice Cream Sandwiches on top and bottom.

And the best part, you can also find various flavored ice cream sandwiches in most grocery stores too.

Ice cream cake topped with hot fudge and m&m candies.

How to Make an Ice Cream Cake

Step 1: In a bread loaf pan, line it with plastic wrap or lay parchment paper inside. Place about 4 of your ice cream sandwiches on the bottom of the loaf pan (cut to fit).

Step 2: Spread softened ice cream over sandwiches. I used an ice cream scoop to dollop onto the ice cream sandwiches, then spread with an offset spatula.

Step 3: Pour jar of hot fudge sauce over the ice cream, spreading evenly.

Step by step photos for assembling an ice cream cake

Step 4: Top with about 5 ice cream sandwiches, cut to fit. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 3 hours or overnight (or until ready to serve).

Step 5: When ready to serve, invert loaf pan onto a serving dish. Remove parchment paper or plastic wrap. Using a spatula, spread thawed Cool Whip (or homemade whipped cream) over the cake.

Step 6: Garnish with M&M’s, chocolate syrup, or anything else you desire (chocolate chips, caramel sauce, etc.). Slice and enjoy.

How to Store Ice Cream Cake

Keep your homemade ice cream cake frozen at all times.

Store leftover cake in freezer too, wrapped in plastic wrap.

Apply whipped cream or cool whip to out surface of ice cream cake

Tips and Tricks

Take your tub of ice cream out of the freezer as you get ready to assemble the cake. This gives it time to soften a bit. Use my creamy vanilla ice cream if you’d like!
Swap out your favorite flavor of ice cream depending on what you love. Strawberry, Mint Chocolate Chip, Cookies and Cream Ice Cream. It’s all delicious. Use our homemade chocolate ice cream next.
Love Dairy Queen’s Ice cream cakes? Add some “crunch” by crushing oreos and mixing with the hot fudge layer. This Oreo Ice cream cake is the perfect example.
Make a ice cream cake bar allowing guests to garnish their slice of cake with all their favorite toppins. Candies, chocolate chips, cherries, chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, etc.
Ice Cream cakes can be festive for holidays too. Use mint chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches and cherry ice cream filling for a festive Christmas treat.
Double the recipe and make in a large square or 13×9 baking dish. Top with Cool whip and freeze. No need to invert out of the dish, just slice and serve.

More Easy Dessert Recipes

Yield: 16 servings