Easy Ice Cream Sandwich Cake
This simple ice cream sandwich cake with only FOUR ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time is a perfect no-bake summer dessert that both adults and kids will love.
Use store-bought or homemade ice cream sandwiches and layer them in a baking dish with caramel sauce, hot fudge, whipped topping, and the toppings of your choice for a totally refreshing, EASY dessert on a hot summer day.
Old-fashioned ice cream sandwiches are one of my favorite nostalgic treats. My grandma kept her freezer full of ice cream sandwiches and Klondike bars; nothing was better 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; it quickly became one of my favorite summertime treats to keep in the freezer.
You might wonder, what in the world is an ice cream sandwich cake?!
Basically, this is an icebox cake using ice cream sandwiches instead of graham crackers or cookies and layered with delicious sauces and toppings, just like you’d build your perfect sundae.
Only Four Ingredients!
This simple ice cream dessert uses only FOUR base ingredients (whatever toppings you’d like to add are extra!):
- Ice Cream Sandwiches – Regular, old-fashioned ice cream sandwiches are perfect for this! The easiest route is to use store-bought, but you can absolutely use homemade ice cream sandwiches, too!
- Caramel Sauce: Go ahead and grab a jar at the store, or you can use the same amount of homemade caramel sauce if you’d like.
- Hot Fudge: Same! Either use jarred fudge topping, or you can use homemade hot fudge sauce.
- Whipped Topping: Cool Whip is a wonderful option for this cake, just be sure to thaw it in the refrigerator before using it. If you want fresh whipped cream, my recipe is stable enough for this cake.
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 (a deeper one like the one linked or a lasagna-style pan are perfect, but a regular one works too, the layers will extend above the top a bit) and line the bottom with vanilla 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 the topping of your choice (pictured are chopped peanuts and maraschino cherries to emulate an ice cream sundae – you can add a drizzle of chocolate syrup or magic shell topping, too!).
Storage
Cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap to keep it as fresh as possible, then store it in the freezer for up to 1 week.
Variations for Different Types of Ice Cream Sandwich Cakes
By switching up the sauces and/or toppings, there are many different possibilities in terms of the types of cakes you can create! Here are some ideas:
- Ice Box Style: Instead of saving all of the Cool Whip for the top of the cake, you can divide it in half, add a layer on top of the first layer of ice cream sandwiches, then spread the caramel sauce and any other desired toppings.
- Turtle Ice Cream Sandwich Cake: Make it a turtle-style ice cream sandwich cake by swapping out the peanuts and maraschino cherries for chopped pecans and more fudge or chocolate sauce on the top.
- Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Sandwich Cake: You can use cookies and cream ice cream sandwiches (multiple brands sell them!) instead of vanilla ice cream sandwiches. You can also omit the caramel sauce, go all-in on chocolate and add chopped or crushed Oreo cookies between layers and/or on top.
- Birthday Cake (Funfetti) Ice Cream Sandwich Cake: Some brands sell birthday cake or birthday party-style ice cream sandwiches with sprinkles. Use these and add colorful rainbow sprinkles to your topping!
- More Toppings: The options are endless, but the following are some ideas… M&Ms (regular size or mini M&M candies), different chopped nuts, Reese’s Pieces, chopped peanut butter cups, chopped brownie bits, chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, crushed graham crackers, or chopped candy bars.
More Recipe Tips:
- What kind of ice cream sandwiches should you use? Your favorite! Mine are the old-fashioned, rectangular sandwiches with vanilla ice cream and soft, cakey chocolate outside. Use whatever kind you’d like as long as two layers will fit in your pan. You could even mix up the flavors of the ice cream if available (I know they also make the rectangular ones with chocolate ice cream and strawberry ice cream inside)! 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 and toppings. 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.
- Can you substitute homemade whipped cream? Yes! My homemade whipped cream recipe is stable due to the sugar used, 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 week but will taste the best if you serve it initially within 1 to 2 days of making it.
- Serving Tips: – 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.
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 ice cream sandwich cake recipe and love it, remember to stop back and give it a 5-star rating – it helps others find the recipe! ❤️️
Easy Ice Cream Sandwich Cake
Ingredients
Instructions
- Line the bottom of a 9×13-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 week.
Notes
- Pan Recommendation: If you have a lasagna-style pan or deep 9×13-inch pan, that is perfect for accommodating these layers! If not, a regular 9×13-inch pan will work too, but your top layer will likely be higher than the sides of the pan.
- Ice Cream Sandwiches: This recipe features old-fashioned, rectangular sandwiches with vanilla ice cream. Use whatever kind you’d like as long as two layers will fit in your pan.
- Can you change up the flavors? Yes, absolutely! As mentioned above, you can use different ice cream and toppings (see the post above for specific suggestions). You can 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.
- Can you substitute homemade whipped cream? Yes! My homemade whipped cream recipe is stable due to the sugar used, 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 week but will taste the best if you serve it initially within 1 to 2 days of making it.
- Serving Tips: Remove the ice cream cake from the freezer about 20 minutes before you plan to serve it; 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.
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]
I really like your recipe. I always order cake online from Top Bakery in India but after reading you I will definitely try it out at home.
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?
Hi Cindy, Yes absolutely! That sounds amazing!
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
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!