Are you tired of buying expensive ice cream cakes? Here’s how to make your own homemade ice cream cake- perfect for birthdays or any other celebration!
My kids love, love, love ice cream cakes. They are the number one most requested type of cake when it comes to birthdays.
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Making an ice cream cake isn’t too hard, but there are some tricks that will help you make that cake even better (and easier to make)!
Keep reading to see how to make the perfect homemade ice cream cake!
How to Make a Homemade Ice Cream Cake
So ice cream cakes are great- but those Stone Cold Creamery cakes are expensive! Luckily you can make an ice cream cake at home!
Here’s what you need:
- Your favorite cake recipe (average 2 layer cake)
- 2 cartons of your favorite ice cream
- Your favorite frosting recipe (probably doubled)
- Decorations- sprinkles, caramel, chocolate sauce, etc.
Now let’s put it together!
First, set out your cartons of ice cream. You want them pretty soft, so allow time for that.
While your ice cream is softening you can make your cake.
The Cake Layers:
We like to go all out in our birthday ice cream cakes, so this cake will end up being about 5 layer total. So you need 3 cake layers in total. ‘
Mix up your cake and divide it into 3 pans and cook as directed.
Allow to cool completely and then wrap tightly and place in the freezer until you are ready to assemble your cake.
Then wash your cake pans- you will need them for the ice cream.
How to Make the Ice Cream Layers:
The first time I made an ice cream cake I used a spring-form pan. And I tried to spread the ice cream on top of the cake- it was a mess!
Then I figured out how to make super easy “layers” of ice cream for my cakes.
Start my lining your cake pans with plastic wrap. Make sure that the wrap is long enough to reach over the edges of the pan with lots of room to spare.
You might have to use 2 pieces placed perpendicular to each other.
The spoon your ice cream into the lined pans. Press down with the back of a spoon to get rid of any air bubbles and smooth the top.
Gather the ends of the plastic wrap and fold over the top of the ice cream layer as shown in the picture above.
Then place the ice cream layers in the freezer until frozen solid.
How to Assemble Your Homemade Ice Cream Cake:
Once everything is frozen, it’s time to put your ice cream cake together!
Make sure to have your work space and your layers all ready- you have to work fast when working with ice cream!
Place a cake layer on your plate for the base.
Then carefully unwrap your ice cream from the plastic wrap and place it on top of the cake. Then repeat!
Cake- ice cream- cake- ice cream- cake!
Then place it back in the freezer while you get your frosting ready!
Frosting Your Homemade Ice Cream Cake:
You can use whatever frosting you like for your cake. I prefer a lighter frosting so I go with a whipped cream cheese icing. I find that buttercream tastes much more like butter when it is frozen- so whipped icing tastes much nicer.
Again, you have to work fast here so have everything ready ahead of time.
Take your cake out of the freezer and start frosting!
Depending on the temperature of my house, sometimes I do a crumb coat then refreeze the cake before doing the top layer.
I also like to pipe decorations around the top- but use your own creative license for how you want your cake to look. I’ve even make an ice cream cake with no frosting before- just some whipped cream piped on the top!
Related Reading: How to Make Homemade Soft Serve Ice Cream
Homemade ice cream cake with cookie layers!
Then decorate with sprinkles, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce- however you wish!
If you are decorating your ice cream cake with more intricate designs you may need to work in 10 minute spurts and place the cake in the freezer to harden up in between.
Once you have completely decorated your ice cream cake, place it back in the freezer to refreeze until it’s time to serve.
How to Cut and Serve a Homemade Ice Cream Cake
Ice cream cakes can be hard to serve neatly, especially if you are serving them in a warm room or outside in the summer. The ice cream can melt pretty quick!
Here are some tips on cutting and serving your homemade ice cream cake successfully:
- Don’t remove your cake from the freezer until you are ready to serve.
- Set your knife in hot water for a few minutes before slicing (quickly dry the knife before cutting!)
- Wipe your knife and dip it in hot water before slicing each serving.
Place the remaining cake back in the freezer as soon as you are done serving to prevent too much melting.
This homemade ice cream cake would be the perfect addition to a Carnival Birthday Party!
