Homemade Ice Cream Cake

Learn how to make homemade ice cream cake using simple ingredients, layered ice cream, cake pans, cookies, whipped topping, and fun frozen dessert ideas kids can help create. These ice cream cakes work well for birthdays, summer parties, holidays, and family dessert nights.

From easy layered freezer cakes to dome-shaped ice cream cakes, these recipes and tutorials show several fun ways to make homemade ice cream cakes without needing a bakery.

ice cream cake steps and prep

Start Here: Best Homemade Ice Cream Cake Ideas

Beginner frozen desserts - Start with the layered ice cream cake using a springform pan.
Birthday party desserts - Decorate with candies, cookies, sprinkles, and whipped topping.
Creative shaped cakes - Use the bake-and-fill pan or ball pan tutorial.
Summer desserts - Try mint chocolate, cookie crunch, or peanut butter ice cream layers.
Kids cooking activities - Let kids layer ice cream, crush cookies, spread toppings, and decorate cakes.
Frozen dessert ideas - Pair this page with ice cream pies, sundaes, milkshakes, and homemade ice cream recipes.

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Making Homemade Ice Cream Cakes

This homemade ice cream cake tutorial uses the Betty Crocker Bake and Fill pan set, but you can also use a ball cake pan or regular cake pans for similar frozen dessert cakes.

Kids can help bake the cake layers, soften and spread ice cream, crush cookies, decorate the outside, and add toppings.

Bake and Fill Cake Pan Set

Create dome cakes, filled cakes, and homemade ice cream cakes using this fun specialty cake pan.

Step 1: Bake the Cake Layers

Fill the ball pan to the fill line and bake the round cake layer according to package or recipe directions. Allow cakes to cool completely before filling.

Step 2: Fill with Ice Cream

Allow ice cream to soften slightly. Spoon softened ice cream into the center cavity of the cake.

Helpful Tip: Work quickly when decorating homemade ice cream cakes and return cakes to the freezer if they begin softening too much.

Step 3: Assemble and Decorate

Top the filled cake with the round cake layer. Flip onto a serving platter, frost with whipped topping or frosting, and decorate with candies, cookies, chocolate drizzle, or sprinkles.

ice cream cake steps and prep

Don't Have a Bake and Fill Pan?

You can still make a homemade ice cream cake using regular cake pans and a ball cake pan.

Bake one 9-inch round cake layer and one ball-shaped cake.
Allow cakes to cool completely.
Carefully carve a hole into the bottom of the ball cake, leaving several inches around the sides and top for stability.
Fill the center with softened ice cream.
Top with the 9-inch cake layer.
Flip onto a serving platter and decorate.

This method creates a fun dome-shaped frozen dessert without needing a specialty bake-and-fill set.

Layered Homemade Ice Cream Cake

This layered homemade ice cream cake is one of our favorite frozen desserts for birthdays, summer parties, and special celebrations. Chocolate cookies, creamy ice cream layers, whipped topping, and crunchy fillings create a bakery-style ice cream cake kids can help assemble.

Ingredients

2 quarts vanilla ice cream
1 quart chocolate ice cream
Chocolate cookies or chocolate candies, crushed
12 tablespoons chocolate syrup or chocolate shell topping
Whipped topping or whipped cream
1 springform pan

Directions

Freeze a 9-inch springform pan. Allow vanilla ice cream to soften slightly. Spread vanilla ice cream across the bottom and slightly up the sides of the pan. Freeze until firm.
Allow chocolate ice cream to soften slightly and spread over the vanilla layer. Freeze again.
Crush chocolate cookies or candies and stir with chocolate syrup. Sprinkle over chocolate ice cream layer.
Spread another layer of softened vanilla ice cream over the cookie layer and smooth to the edges. Freeze until firm.
Run a knife around the outside edge to loosen the cake. Carefully open the springform pan.
Spread whipped topping over the top and sides of the cake. Freeze until ready to serve.

Flavor Variations

Mint Chocolate: Use mint chocolate chip ice cream and crushed chocolate sandwich cookies.
Peanut Butter Cup: Add peanut butter sauce and chopped peanut butter cups between layers.
Cookie Crunch: Use chocolate sandwich cookies, cookie dough pieces, or crushed candy bars.
Birthday Cake: Add colorful sprinkles and cake batter ice cream.
Strawberry Chocolate: Layer strawberry and chocolate ice cream together with chocolate drizzle.

More Ice Cream Cake & Frozen Dessert Ideas

Try different ice cream flavors, toppings, and frozen desserts to create unique cakes and party treats throughout the year.

Ice Cream Pie Recipes

Make layered frozen pies using cookie crusts, ice cream, whipped topping, and fun dessert fillings.

Homemade Ice Cream Recipes

Learn how to make vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, peppermint, and baggie ice cream recipes kids can help prepare.

Easy Milkshakes

Blend homemade milkshakes with ice cream, fruit, cookies, chocolate syrup, and whipped topping.

Chocolate Toffee Ice Cream

Try a rich chocolate toffee ice cream recipe for another homemade frozen dessert.

Healthy Frozen Desserts

Try frozen yogurt, banana ice cream, smoothie bowls, and healthier summer dessert ideas.

Birthday Cake Decorating Ideas

Decorate homemade birthday cakes with candies, cookies, sprinkles, whipped topping, chocolate drizzle, and fun party themes kids can help create.

Ice Cream Cakes for Parties & Summer Fun

Homemade ice cream cakes work well for birthdays, summer celebrations, family dessert nights, homeschool cooking activities, scouts, and kids cooking parties. Children can personalize cakes using different flavors, candies, cookie crumbles, toppings, and decorations.

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