Chocolate Ice Cream Cake

Over the top delicious and decadent, this Chocolate Ice Cream Cake combines layers of a cookie crust, creamy homemade vanilla and chocolate ice cream, rich chocolate sauce then is topped with a luscious chocolate ganache. It’s the ultimate ice cream treat for chocolate lovers! 

From a hot summer day to a special occasion, there is nothing better than enjoying a slice of ice cream cake! It’s the ultimate frozen dessert from the cookie base to the homemade ice cream and chocolate ganache on top.

This chocolate ice cream cake may seem over the top but I assure you it’s not hard to make! I first made this for an after dinner dessert with my daughter’s friend, it was the perfect cool and creamy treat after a slice of hearty lasagna. 

While we love this Nutella crumb cake for a winter treat and berry Greek yogurt pie in the spring, any dessert with ice cream is a given for summertime and this recipe does not disappoint. Every plate will be cleaned down to the last crumb! 

Why You Will Love This Ice Cream Cake

• Chocolaty: With chocolate ice cream, chocolate sauce and a chocolate ganache this frozen dessert is perfect for chocoholics. 
• Customizable: Use a different flavor of ice cream, add in some mix-in’s or top with whipped cream, the options are endless!
• Easy to make: With a no churn homemade ice cream, this layered cake with ice cream is simple to make with a little planning ahead for it to freeze.
• Perfect for summertime: A frozen dessert hits the spot when warmer weather arrives, but no one is stopping you from making this year-round! 

Ingredients Needed

• Chocolate cookie crumbs: For your cookie crust, you will need crushed chocolate cookies, Oreo’s or your favorite brand. 
• Butter: This is needed to bind your crust together. 
• Sweetened condensed milk: This is needed for both your vanilla and chocolate ice cream layers as it lowers the freezing point to provide a creamier consistency.
• Whipping cream: Heavy whipping cream or whole whipping cream is what will give your no-churn ice cream their rich creamy texture. 
• Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla extract will give your vanilla ice cream the best flavor. 
• Unsweetened dutch processed cocoa powder: This will give your chocolate ice cream the best chocolate taste. 
• Chocolate sauce: Either a homemade chocolate sauce or quality store bought brand work. 
• Chocolate ganache: This easy to make homemade recipe is made with quality dark chocolate, milk chocolate or a combination of two, whipping cream and butter.

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How to Make Death By Chocolate Ice Cream Cake

To start, make your cookie base by combining your cookie crumbs with melted butter in a small bowl and then place the crumb mixture into the bottom of the loaf pan and flatten with the bottom of a glass until firm. Place the cookie base in the refrigerator to chill. 

Next, make your vanilla no-churn ice cream by whisking together the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla in one bowl.

With electric beaters, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.

Add a small amount of the whipped cream mixture to the sweetened condensed milk mixture, combine and then gently fold in the remaining mixture. 

Now it’s time to make your no-churn chocolate ice cream! In a small bowl combine your sweetened condensed milk with the cocoa powder.

In an electric mixer, beat the cream until stiff peaks form. Add a small amount of the whipped cream mixture to the sweetened condensed cocoa mixture, stir to combine then fold in the remaining whipped cream mixture. 

Assemble your ice cream cake by first removing the loaf pan with the cookie base from the fridge. Pour ½ the vanilla ice cream over it,  drizzle with ½ the chocolate sauce,

Cover with ½ of the chocolate ice cream, drizzle again with chocolate sauce, then cover again with the remaining  vanilla ice cream.

Cover the pan with plastic wrap and freeze until firm for approximately 5 hours or overnight.

Before serving, make your chocolate ganache by adding warm melted butter, whipping cream and chopped chocolate to a large bowl. Stir until your chocolate is smooth and melted. Cool for 2 minutes. 

Remove your frozen cake from the freezer and lift out of the loaf pan to a plate. Cover with ganache.

Decorate with chopped nuts or chocolate, slice and serve.

Variations

• Frosting: If you would like to frost your cake, whipped cream will hold up best in the freezer without cracking or changing consistency.
• Brownie base: Instead of a cookie base, you could use a prepared brownie base.
• Cake base: Make a homemade chocolate cake or use a store bought cake mix for the bottom layer. You will only need one prepared 8 inch cake.
• Mix-Ins: The easiest way to customize this frozen dessert is to add mix-ins! Add crushed Oreos or chocolate chip cookies to the vanilla ice cream or try peanut butter cups, M&Ms, Kit-Kats or crushed candy of choice added to the chocolate ice cream. 
• Flavor of ice cream: Another simple way to add some variety! Try easy cappuccino ice cream or no churn chocolate chip ricotta ice cream. 

Expert Tips for Serving

• Line your pan: Line your pan with plastic wrap or parchment paper leaving some hanging over the pan edges for easy removal once it is frozen.
• Best pan to use: The best size pan to use is an 8 or 9 inch loaf pan, you could try a smaller springform pan but your cake will not be as thick. I used an 8 inch loaf pan.
• Soften before slicing: Remove from the freezer about 5 minutes before serving for easier slicing. If you run your knife under hot water between slices, it will also make it easier to slice. This cake tends to be softer than store bought ice cream cakes so it will melt quicker.
• Toppings: Fresh berries, sprinkles, mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts would all be great. 

How to Store Death by Chocolate Ice Cream Cake

Any leftover cake should be stored in an airtight freezer safe container. Wrap it tightly to prevent freezer burn and store it for up to two weeks. 

How long to leave ice cream cake out to soften?

Usually 10-15 minutes at room temperature is enough to soften your death by chocolate ice cream cake for slicing. 

What other ice cream flavor combinations can I use? 

There are so many ice cream recipes to choose from! This recipe for coffee chocolate chip ripple ice cream plus the vanilla would be delicious, as would Baileys ice cream with the chocolate ice cream. For a more fruity frozen dessert, try the strawberry chocolate ripple ice cream. 

Can I use store bought ice cream?

You can but you will need to let it soften first before making the cake layers so it is easily spreadable. I really recommended making the no churn ice cream recipe, it’s already soft and when you pour it on the cookie base it won’t stick to it while spreading which could happen with a store bought ice cream. 

How far in advance can I make the cake?

You can make it a few days in advance. Then wrap well or store in an air tight container and keep frozen until ready to serve.

So what are you waiting for? Why not give this Death By Chocolate Ice Cream a try and let me know what you think! Enjoy.

Updated from May 2016.