Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Cake

Highlighted under: Baking & Desserts

Satisfy your sweet tooth with this delightful Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Cake recipe. Layered with rich chocolate cake, creamy cookies & cream ice cream, and topped with fluffy whipped cream, this dessert is perfect for birthdays, special occasions, or any celebration. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious, it will be a hit at your next gathering!

Emma

Created by

Emma

Last updated on 2025-11-20T13:02:56.920Z

This Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Cake combines the best of both worlds: a rich chocolate cake and creamy cookies & cream ice cream.

The Perfect Dessert for Any Occasion

Whether you’re hosting a birthday party, a summer barbecue, or just want to impress your family, this Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Cake is the perfect dessert. Its combination of rich chocolate cake and creamy ice cream creates a delightful contrast in textures and flavors. Not only is it visually stunning, but it also satisfies a range of taste preferences. The cake is sure to be the centerpiece of your dessert table, captivating both kids and adults alike.

With its layered structure, this cake allows for creativity in presentation. You can easily customize the decorations to match your theme or the season. Add colorful sprinkles for a birthday celebration or fresh berries for a more elegant touch. This cake not only tastes great, but it also offers versatility in how you present it, making it a favorite among dessert enthusiasts.

Easy to Make and Fun to Prepare

Making this Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Cake is a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy. The recipe is straightforward and requires common ingredients found in most kitchens. This means you can whip it up with minimal fuss, making it ideal for both beginner and experienced bakers. The hands-on aspect of layering the ice cream with the cake creates a wonderful opportunity to involve kids in the kitchen, teaching them a love for cooking and baking.

Furthermore, the cake can be prepared in advance, allowing you to focus on other party preparations on the day of your event. Simply make the cake a day or two ahead, and freeze it until you’re ready to serve. This flexibility makes it easy to fit into your busy schedule, giving you one less thing to worry about.

Storage Tips for Leftovers

Ingredients

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make the Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Cake.

For the Chocolate Cake

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water

For the Cookies & Cream Layer

  • 1 quart cookies & cream ice cream
  • 1 cup crushed chocolate sandwich cookies

For the Whipped Cream Topping

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before starting.

Instructions

Instructions

Prepare the Cake Batter

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Stir in boiling water until well combined.

Bake the Cakes

Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in pans for 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Create the Ice Cream Layer

Once the cakes are cool, spread a layer of cookies & cream ice cream on top of one cake layer. Sprinkle crushed cookies on top of the ice cream and freeze until firm.

Assemble the Cake

Place the second cake layer on top of the ice cream layer, pressing down gently. Freeze again until solid.

Prepare the Whipped Cream

In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.

Frost the Cake

Remove the cake from the freezer and frost the top and sides with whipped cream. Garnish with additional crushed cookies if desired.

Return the cake to the freezer for at least 1 hour before serving. Slice and enjoy!

Tips for Perfecting Your Cake

For a moist chocolate cake, be sure to measure your ingredients accurately. Too much flour can lead to a dry texture, so it's important to fluff up the flour before scooping and leveling it off. Additionally, the boiling water is crucial; it helps melt the cocoa, creating a rich and fudgy cake. Don’t skip this step—it makes all the difference!

When it comes to the ice cream layer, allow the ice cream to soften slightly before spreading it over your cake layer. This will make it easier to work with and help prevent any cracking. If you're looking for a bit of extra crunch, consider adding more crushed cookies into the ice cream layer for added texture.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Cake with a side of fresh fruit or dessert sauces for added flavor. Berries like strawberries or raspberries provide a refreshing contrast to the rich chocolate and creamy ice cream. You can also drizzle caramel or chocolate sauce on top for an indulgent touch.

For an extra special treat, consider pairing your cake with a scoop of vanilla or mint ice cream. This will enhance the overall dessert experience, providing even more layered flavors in each bite. Your guests will be raving about this dessert long after the celebration ends!

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Questions About Recipes

→ Can I use a different flavor of ice cream?

Absolutely! You can substitute any ice cream flavor you like.

→ How do I store leftovers?

Keep the cake covered in the freezer to maintain freshness.

Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Cake

Satisfy your sweet tooth with this delightful Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Cake recipe. Layered with rich chocolate cake, creamy cookies & cream ice cream, and topped with fluffy whipped cream, this dessert is perfect for birthdays, special occasions, or any celebration. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious, it will be a hit at your next gathering!

Prep Time20 minutes
Cooking Duration30 minutes
Overall Time3 hours 50 minutes

Created by: Emma

Recipe Type: Baking & Desserts

Skill Level: Intermediate

Final Quantity: 8 servings

What You'll Need

For the Chocolate Cake

  1. 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  2. 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
  3. 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  4. 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  5. 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  6. 1 teaspoon salt
  7. 2 large eggs
  8. 1 cup whole milk
  9. 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  10. 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  11. 1 cup boiling water

For the Cookies & Cream Layer

  1. 1 quart cookies & cream ice cream
  2. 1 cup crushed chocolate sandwich cookies

For the Whipped Cream Topping

  1. 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  2. 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  3. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

How-To Steps

Step 01

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Stir in boiling water until well combined.

Step 02

Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in pans for 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Step 03

Once the cakes are cool, spread a layer of cookies & cream ice cream on top of one cake layer. Sprinkle crushed cookies on top of the ice cream and freeze until firm.

Step 04

Place the second cake layer on top of the ice cream layer, pressing down gently. Freeze again until solid.

Step 05

In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.

Step 06

Remove the cake from the freezer and frost the top and sides with whipped cream. Garnish with additional crushed cookies if desired.

Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving)

  • Fat: 20g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Protein: 5g