Easy Ice Cream Sandwich Cake
This incredibly simple ice cream sandwich cake with only six ingredients and 10 minutes of active prep time is a perfect no-bake summer dessert. Use store-bought or homemade ice cream sandwiches and layer them in a baking dish with caramel sauce, hot fudge, whipped topping, peanuts, and maraschino cherries for a totally refreshing ice cream sandwich cake on a hot day.
Old-fashioned ice cream sandwiches are one of my favorite throwback-to-childhood nostalgic treats. My grandma used to keep her freezer stocked full of ice cream sandwiches and Klondike bars; there was nothing better than devouring one of those soft chocolate rectangles stuffed with vanilla ice cream on a hot summer day.
Many years ago, my mom was at a picnic where an ice cream sandwich cake was served; she got the recipe and passed it along to me. I gave it a few tweaks to suit my tastes, and it became one of my favorite summertime treats to keep in the freezer. Ice cream sandwich nirvana, but even better!
You might be wondering, what in the world is an ice cream sandwich cake?!
Basically, icebox cake using ice cream sandwiches instead of graham crackers or cookies and layered with all sorts of delicious sauces and toppings, just like you’d build your perfect sundae.
How to make an ice cream sandwich cake
It only takes a few easy steps! Are you ready?
- Grab your favorite freezer-safe 9×13-inch baking dish and line the bottom with ice cream sandwiches (use store-bought or my recipe for homemade ice cream sandwiches).
- Drizzle caramel sauce over the ice cream sandwiches, then pop the dish in the freezer.
- Add another layer of ice cream sandwiches.
- Spread hot fudge over the second layer of ice cream sandwiches.
- Top with whipped topping or homemade whipped cream.
- Leave it in the freezer until you’re ready to serve then sprinkle with chopped peanuts and maraschino cherries.
FAQ & Recipe Tips:
- What kind of ice cream sandwiches should you use? Your favorite! Mine are the old-fashioned, rectangular ice cream sandwiches with the soft cakey chocolate outside. As long as two layers will fit in your pan, use whatever kind you’d like. You could even mix up the flavors of the ice cream if available! How fun would a Neapolitan spin be?!
- Can you change up the flavors? Yes, absolutely! As mentioned above, you could totally use different types of ice cream. You could also change up the sauces, too. Maybe you want to do butterscotch sauce, strawberry sauce, peanut butter sauce, or something else entirely! The beauty is all the different flavors and combinations you can use.
- Mix-in/topping ideas – We touched on changing up the ice cream flavors and sauces, but there are so many other options, as well! You can use another type of chopped nuts instead of peanuts and you can add them between layers, too. A few other ideas: crushed Oreos, favorite candies like Reese’s Pieces or M&Ms, sprinkles, chopped brownie bits, chopped peanut butter (or almond/cashew butter) cups, chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, graham cracker crumbs, chopped candy bars, and the list goes on and on!
- Can you substitute homemade whipped cream? Yes! My homemade whipped cream recipe is pretty stable due to the amount of sugar, so it is a good replacement option and will not break down and get watery in the freezer.
- Make-Ahead – Since this is a completely frozen dessert, it’s perfect for making ahead! It will be good in the freezer for up to 1 month but will taste the best if you serve initially within 1 to 2 days of two of making it.
- Tips for serving – Remove the ice cream cake from the freezer about 20 minutes before you plan to serve; it will make slicing and serving much easier. To make easy, clean slices, run a sharp knife under hot water, wipe clean, then slice and serve.
- Storage – This cake can be stored in the freezer, covered, for up to 1 month.
More Refreshing Frozen Desserts
- Pretzel Strawberry Ice Cream Pie
- Copycat Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake
- Frozen Brownie Sundae
- DIY: Homemade Klondike Bars
- Banana Split Ice Cream Cake
If you make this recipe and love it, I would so appreciate it if you would take a moment to leave a rating below. Thank you so much! ❤️️
Easy Ice Cream Sandwich Cake
Ingredients
Instructions
- Line the bottom of a 9x13-inch pan with half of the ice cream sandwiches, cutting them to fit as needed.
- Spread the jar of caramel topping over top of the ice cream sandwiches. Place in the freezer for 10 minutes.
- Arrange the remaining ice cream sandwiches on top of the caramel layer, again cutting as needed to fit the pan. Spread the hot fudge over the ice cream sandwiches. Spread the Cool Whip on top. Place in the freezer until ready to serve.
- Serve with chopped peanuts and maraschino cherries. The dessert can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month.
Notes
- What kind of ice cream sandwiches should you use? Your favorite! Mine are the old-fashioned, rectangular ice cream sandwiches with the soft cakey chocolate outside. As long as two layers will fit in your pan, use whatever kind you'd like. You could even mix up the flavors of the ice cream if available! How fun would a Neapolitan spin be?!
- Can you change up the flavors? Yes, absolutely! As mentioned above, you could totally use different types of ice cream. You could also change up the sauces, too. Maybe you want to do butterscotch sauce, strawberry sauce, peanut butter sauce, or something else entirely! The beauty is all the different flavors and combinations you can use.
- Mix-in/topping ideas - We touched on changing up the ice cream flavors and sauces, but there are so many other options, as well! You can use another type of chopped nuts instead of peanuts and you can add them between layers, too. A few other ideas: crushed Oreos, favorite candies like Reese's Pieces or M&Ms, sprinkles, chopped brownie bits, chopped peanut butter (or almond/cashew butter) cups, chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, graham cracker crumbs, chopped candy bars, and the list goes on and on!
- Can you substitute homemade whipped cream? Yes! My homemade whipped cream recipe is pretty stable due to the amount of sugar, so it is a good replacement option and will not break down and get watery in the freezer.
- Make-Ahead - Since this is a completely frozen dessert, it's perfect for making ahead! It will be good in the freezer for up to 1 month but will taste the best if you serve initially within 1 to 2 days of two of making it.
- Tips for serving - Remove the ice cream cake from the freezer about 20 minutes before you plan to serve; it will make slicing and serving much easier. To make easy, clean slices, run a sharp knife under hot water, wipe clean, then slice and serve.
- Storage - This cake can be stored in the freezer, covered, for up to 1 month.
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
[Photography by Dee of One Sarcastic Baker]
This is going to be a recipe I make for my husband and I and for my adult kids and Grandkids. I am going to try using Pumpkin Spice Sauce and I will see if I put a can of apple pie filling in the blender, I will have a Fall /Holiday dessert. ** Your recipe has some additional ingredients that will make a good recipe even better. Thanks for sharing. **
Made this for my daughter’s 42nd Birthday! It was a hit! We all agreed the Caramel Sauce made the recipe! I didn’t put the nuts or cherries on it…we just put Party Sprinkles on it. Made it very colorful and festive!
all time favorite recipe for the summer treat
Love the versatility, how quickly it goes together & who doesn’t like ice cream sandwiches!?!
Do you think softened (warmed slightly) Nutella spread between the two layers, instead of caramel topping, would work?
This is one of our favorites for summer! One change is I add a layer of whipped cream over the 1st layer of sandwiches and then drizzle with both caramel and chocolate sauce and then do the same on the top! So so good and easy!
I brushed the ice cream sandwiches with Kaluha and topped with butterfinger morsels and skor bits along with adding a bit of the kaluha to the whip topping
Thank you Michelle for addressing the racial situation going on in your country and what has been directed @ you & your family. You said it right, wonderful job.
I follow US news closely. From a fan in Canada.
Oh yum. You had me at “ice cream sandwich.”
What beans are those square ice cream sandwiches pictured?
I am so glad you re-posted this recipe…I had forgotten all about it!!!! So yummy and so easy!
Thank you for being yourself and not what other people want you to be. I enjoy your family, dialogue and your recipes.
Ok rhubarb pie I’ve never tasted. I don’t think I want to make it but today’s recipe is something I really like so I’m adding the ingredients to my list.
Have made this for years! I’ve added mini chocolate chip. White chocolate chips and regular size chocolate chips on top for extra crunch and decorations!! My family loves it!!
Can this be served right from freezer or should I let it sit out for awhile?
You can serve it straight from the freezer. Enjoy!
6 ice cream sandwiches for ea layer was all that would fit in my 9’x13′ pan. Maybe I purchase monsters? They looked normal to me! ha ha If I wanted to spend more, Klondike Bars (16) would have worked also. This was decadent!
Have made this several times, love that you can make it as big or small as you need it to be, a family favorite Thanks!!
I’m making this for Easter. Thanks so much
I made this to take to a 4th of July BBQ. It was a hit.
I made this today for the fourth. It was a big hit! Super easy too.
Thank you Michelle for inspiring me with this outstanding dessert! My family went bonkers over it!
how inventive – these are on my list of things to try out this month!
I don’t know if I could make this without eating while I was making it. I would hate for that ice cream to melt while I was opening the jars of caramel! This sounds awesome! Who wouldn’t love it?
Wishes for tasty dishes,
Linda
I’m curious if you’re eating desserts again or sticking to the Whole 30?
Hi Sarah, I’m eating desserts on Sundays!
That’s a good plan! Just curious how you work it with the blog – do you taste what you’re making, and not really it, or make 5 desserts on Sundays? Thanks :)
Haha I don’t make everything all at once, but yes, sometimes there are multiple desserts on Sundays if I’ve made a few things on Friday & Saturday! I don’t post 5 desserts each week, so things are a little more spread out.
When I first glanced at the pic of you pouring the caramel sauce, I thought it was peanut butter and knowing your love of all things chocolate and peanut butter, I thought that would be a good variation. Instead of the caramel sauce add peanut butter instead. Or you could go really hog wild and use both!
I’ve made something like this and it is delicious! I love m&ms so I usually dip all the sides of the ice cream sandwiches in m&ms then stack them in the tray.
I made a similar recipe last month for ladies night and used kahlua and layered this with chocolate sauce, and a good pint of vanilla ice cream instead of the caramel. I also layered with toasted almonds. It was a huge hit, and the kahlua got nice and icy. Great recipe that can be made ahead and stored in the freezer.
Love this idea and recipe, especially the convenience and ease of preparation! Is there any way to use actual whipped cream, or another more natural product than Cool Whip?
Hi Jeri, Absolutely. You could do regular whipped cream.
No beach vacation in Florida, but our parents have a cottage on Lake Ontario that we love to visit. This is ideal! My kiddos love I.C. sandwiches, they are the best and so easy to prepare because who wants to spend too much vacation time cooking? We love Publix too, have a Wegmans near us and we do think they are the best ever, but I love all the floaties and sunscreen options Publix has!
Summer perfection!