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Home » Recipes

Easy Ice Cream Cake Recipe | Just 5 Ingredients!

Published: Aug 28, 2018 · Modified: Sep 7, 2021 by Angela Allison · This post may contain affiliate links.

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Easy Ice Cream Cake is so delicious and simple, it’s guaranteed to be your new favorite birthday cake. Made with ice cream, fudge, Oreos, whipped cream, and sugar, don’t miss this easy ice cream cake recipe that guests will love!

Ice Cream Cake with sprinkles on top sitting on a pastel pink pedestal.

You’ll never believe how easy it is to make a totally delicious ice cream cake. Save money and make this cake at home using the ice-cream flavors you want.

This cake does need to be made in advance and takes time to freeze between layers, so be sure to plan accordingly. Making it is simple, just let the freezer do most of the work.

slice of ice cream cake on a white plate.

This cake is totally customizable. Feel free to use the ice cream, cookies, and sauces you want (would be great with caramel or butterscotch!) So easy to do, give it a try today!

Easy Ice Cream Cake Recipe

The cake is make in a leakproof springform pan. To gain height on the pan, spray it with cooking spray then line the inside with parchment paper so it sticks out 2-3 inches above the top of the springform.

greased springform pan with parchment lining the sides

Next, add the softened chocolate ice cream (or whatever flavor you want) and freeze for 10 minutes.

parchment lining the springform pan

Remove the lids from the fudge and microwave until the sauce is pourable. Layer on one fudge sauce, then crushed Oreos, then the other fudge sauce.

fudge layer for easy ice cream cake recipe
oreo layer.
fudge Oreo layer.

Freeze for 30 minutes until hardened. Add on the softened vanilla ice cream and return to freezer.

vanilla layer for easy ice cream cake recipe

Freeze for at least 2 hours. Remove from freezer and let sit for 5 minutes then remove the springform and parchment. Return to freezer while you make the whipped cream.

Easy Ice Cream Cake without frosting showing chocolate, fudge, oreos, and vanilla layers

Easy Whipped Cream for Ice Cream Cake

This is a super simple whipped cream recipe consisting of only whipped cream and sugar. Just whip using a handheld mixer and your done. It makes the perfect frosting for your ice cream cake too!

Spread a thin layer of whipped cream on cake and return to freezer to firm up. This is the “crumb coat” and will make the final frosting layer adhere better and have a more uniform appearance.

Easy Ice Cream Cake with a thin layer of whipped cream frosting

Freeze for 10 minutes and add on second top layer of whipped cream frosting.

Easy Ice Cream Cake Recipe

If adding sprinkles or decorations, put them on now so they have a chance to “stick” to the frosting.

top sprinkles view of the easy ice cream cake

Return to freezer to firm up completely. Can be made up to 2 days in advance. Let sit at room temperature 10 minutes prior to serving. Enjoy!

slice of ice cream cake.

More delicious cake recipes

Nothing is more special than making someone a birthday cake from scratch. Moreover, all of my cake recipes are easy to make and include make-ahead instructions. Check out some of my favorites:

  • Peppa Pig Birthday Cake is make using Kit Kat bars and is perfect for your Peppa Pig loving kids!
  • Limoncello Ricotta Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is another fan favorite cake that’s full of flavor.
  • Giant Cupcake Cake is perfect for kids and adults alike! Don’t miss sprinkle surprise in the middle.
  • Chocolate Toffee Caramel Cake is utter perfection and will satisfy every chocolate or toffee craving you have.
  • Hatchimals Cake is a fun cake for your Hatchimals-obsessed kids! Includes step-by-step instructions for making this life like cake.
  • No-Bake Cannoli Cheesecake is a delicious Italian cheesecake that tastes just like cannoli.
  • Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cake is made with ricotta cheese and mini chocolate chips.

Hope you enjoy this recipe for easy ice cream cake. Substitute whatever flavor of ice cream you like and you may never buy a store-bought cake again!

Close up of the side of the easy ice cream cake recipe.

Easy Ice Cream Cake Recipe

Just 5 ingredients will give you a delicious and easy birthday cake that tastes even better than the Dairy Queen version! 
5 from 13 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Freezer Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 55 minutes
Servings: 16 people
Calories: 498kcal
Author: Angela Allison
Cost: 12-14

Ingredients

  • 1 1.5 quart chocolate ice cream, softened
  • 2 15 ounce jars fudge sauce
  • 1 14.3 ounce pack Oreos, crushed slightly
  • 1 1.5 quart vanilla ice cream, softened
  • 2 cups whipping cream, cold
  • 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • spinkles for decorating (optional)

Instructions

  • Grease a 9 inch springform pan with cooking spray. Line the inside of the springform with parchment paper so that it extends 2-3 inches above the hight of the pan. Spread the softened chocolate ice cream on the bottom of the pan and freeze for at least 10 minutes. 
    Easy Ice Cream Cake with parchment lining the springform pan
  • Remove lid from the fudge sauce and microwave until it is pourable. Pour one jar of fudge sauce over the chocolate ice cream. Sprinkle on the Oreos and then pour the other jar of fudge sauce over the Oreos. Freeze for at least 30 minutes.
    Easy Ice Cream Cake Recipe with fudge Oreo Layer
  • Spread the vanilla ice cream over the fudge layer and freeze for at least 2 hours. Remove from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before removing the springform. Put back in freezer. 
    Easy Ice Cream Cake Recipe
  • Prepare the whipped cream: beat the whipped cream and sugar in a chilled bowl until stiff peaks form. Spread a thin layer on the cake and refreeze for 15 minutes. Apply a second thicker layer over the cake. If decorating, apply the sprinkles and other decorations now and freeze to harden. 
    Easy Ice Cream Cake Recipe
  • Remove from freezer about 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

Make-Ahead Tip: You can make this entire cake up to 2 days in advance. 

Nutrition

Calories: 498kcal
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @thisdelicioushouse or tag #ThisDeliciousHouse!

Check out my other delicious ice cream dessert like Banoffee Butter Pecan Ice Cream Cake!

Easy Ice Cream Cake Pinterest Pin.
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Comments

  1. Elaine O.

    March 06, 2023 at 6:23 pm

    I made this cake for my grandaughter’s birthday. It was quite a hit!!!
    Thank you

    Reply
    • Angela Allison

      March 08, 2023 at 6:41 pm

      yay! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  2. Corrin

    November 02, 2022 at 4:21 pm

    5 stars
    I will be making this cake for the 4th year in a row tomorrow! Always a great hit! Easy recipe that everyone loves!

    Reply
    • Angela Allison

      November 03, 2022 at 6:25 am

      I’m so happy to hear that! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Anna Ogletree

    September 07, 2022 at 5:39 am

    5 stars
    I’ve made this recipe for several birthday cakes, as requested after the 1st time I made it for my son’s birthday! It’s been a hit every time! I’ve followed it down to the exact recipe, and it never fails to be a crowd-pleaser. It’s super easy and delicious! Thanks so much for sharing it:)

    Reply
    • Angela Allison

      September 08, 2022 at 12:43 pm

      I’m so happy you love this recipe! Thanks for the comment 🙂

      Reply
  4. Courtney

    May 25, 2022 at 6:25 am

    Have you tried this in a 9×13 cake pan instead? I’m curious if it would be thick enough.

    Reply
    • Angela Allison

      May 25, 2022 at 11:59 am

      Yes, it would be thick enough. The only issue would be that you’d only be able to frost the top of the cake. But it works otherwise!

      Reply
  5. Desiree

    May 24, 2022 at 3:22 pm

    I’m such a visual person, thank you for the pictures! Turned out great, my son and family loved it! I plan to make it again for his birthday, but found our parchment paper was hard to stick around the pan. Maybe it was our brand. Did you cut the parchment paper to shape (circle) on the bottom pan too?

    Reply
    • Angela Allison

      May 25, 2022 at 12:00 pm

      Hi! I actually spray the sides of the pan with nonstick spray before adding the parchment. This helps the parchment to “stick” to the sides. I never do a parchment round at the bottom of the pan.

      Reply
  6. AMY

    September 25, 2021 at 1:55 pm

    I am going to make this cake tomorrow. I have one question. Do you take the parchment paper off the bottom of the cake also?

    Reply
    • angelakallison

      September 26, 2021 at 7:46 am

      I usually just leave it on otherwise you risk ruining the cake. I hope you love it!

      Reply
  7. Katie

    February 02, 2021 at 3:09 pm

    Do you recommend a certain type of fudge?

    Reply
    • angelakallison

      February 05, 2021 at 4:46 pm

      I usually use the Smuckers or Mrs Richardsons’s fudge you find in the ice cream section of the grocery store.

      Reply
      • Courtney

        May 07, 2021 at 1:34 pm

        In the process now…for the whipped cream can it be cool whip Whipped topping or should it be whipping cream from a carton?

      • angelakallison

        May 07, 2021 at 3:16 pm

        I usually just make my own whipped cream from the carton. However, cool whip could work too! Let me know how it goes?

  8. Barb

    January 30, 2021 at 10:10 am

    5 stars
    This was wonderful!!!! Our family truly enjoyed it and our guests thought we bought it at the store. 🙂
    Do you have any suggestions on how to easily remove it from the base of the springform pan? We took spatula, slid it underneath the bottom layer, then moved it around to gradually loosen it from the base. Eventually we were able to lift it off. It took a bit of effort, but it worked. Thank you for the great recipe!

    Reply
  9. Kristi

    January 01, 2021 at 9:48 am

    Help! I tried to make this cake and my hot fudge layer never set 🙁 I bought two jars of Hershey’s hot fudge and only warmed them up enough to pour them onto the cake, what did I do wrong? The cake wasn’t pretty but it tasted very good 😁

    Reply
    • angelakallison

      January 02, 2021 at 7:58 am

      Did you freeze the cake after pouring on the fudge? It should have set up then. Sorry it didn’t work out for you, but happy to hear it still tasted good!

      Reply
    • Carissa

      July 11, 2022 at 12:13 pm

      I’m not sure what I did wrong either. I froze after fudge but it wouldn’t set…

      Reply
      • Angela Allison

        July 11, 2022 at 5:28 pm

        I’ve heard that certain brands of fudge don’t freeze as well as others. Definitely don’t do Hershey’s syrup, as I’ve been told that doesn’t freeze at all.

  10. Beth

    August 14, 2020 at 11:06 am

    Hi there. Wondering if you have to put your cake in a cake carrying container in the freezer or if it’s okay to just sit uncovered on a tray in freezer? Also wondering how long the cakes last?

    Reply
    • angelakallison

      August 14, 2020 at 11:31 am

      If you’re using a springform pan, it’s good to wrap the outside base in foil and place on a pan in case there are any leaks. Once frozen solid, you can loosely cover it with cling wrap or store in an airtight container for up to two weeks. Enjoy!

      Reply
  11. Nicole

    April 29, 2020 at 3:18 am

    5 stars
    This turned out absolutely amazing. Thank you so much for this awesome easy recipe that my family truly enjoyed.

    Reply
    • angelakallison

      April 29, 2020 at 6:07 am

      Thanks for the comment. So happy you loved it!

      Reply
      • Virginia Roney

        July 11, 2022 at 3:10 pm

        Looks delicious and easy. Would I use parchment paper for a 9 by 13 glass dish ? If I decide to do the springform pan would I take parchment paper off sides for decorations and leave the bottom parchment paper on ? Thank you

      • Angela Allison

        July 11, 2022 at 5:27 pm

        You wouldn’t need to use parchment for a glass baking dish unless the dish was very shallow and need the extra height from the parchment. If you do springform, I just leave the bottom parchment on. Enjoy!

  12. Sapana

    September 24, 2019 at 7:24 am

    5 stars
    I had no idea that ice cream cake could be so easy to make!! And so delicious – thank you for the step-by-step photos, they were so helpful.

    Reply
    • angelakallison

      September 24, 2019 at 10:21 am

      You’re very welcome! So happy you enjoyed it 🙂

      Reply
      • Laura

        October 15, 2022 at 8:45 am

        Silly question, but how do I soften the ice cream. Getting ready to make this for my daughter’s 12th birthday this week. She wants cookies and cream ice cream. I just want to make sure I soften the ice cream correctly!

      • Angela Allison

        October 15, 2022 at 10:05 am

        Hi! Soften ice cream by leaving it out for about 10-15 minutes. Pour it into a large bowl and stir so that the texture is all the same. Hope she loves it!

  13. Emese

    September 24, 2019 at 6:43 am

    5 stars
    Oh, my! This looks like my ideal birthday cake! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  14. Stephanie

    September 24, 2019 at 6:41 am

    5 stars
    Wow. I can’t believe how easy it is to make an ice cream cake. Can’t wait to make this for next birthday celebration.

    Reply
  15. Julia

    September 24, 2019 at 6:35 am

    5 stars
    What a delicious cake, perfect for summer!

    Reply
  16. Jessica Formicola

    September 24, 2019 at 6:14 am

    5 stars
    This ice cream cake is perfection! I can’t wait to try it out this weekend!

    Reply

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Angela Allison from This Delicious House.

Hi there, I'm Angela!

I’m a wife, mother of three, and lover of simple and delicious make-ahead food!

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