Move over, Carvel and DQ! These homemade ice cream cakes are sure to please at your next summertime event.
29 Ice Cream Cakes You’ll Want to Make All Summer Long
Updated on Apr. 21, 2024
Banana Sundae Cake
This banana sundae ice cream cake is sure to be a family favorite! You get a taste of chocolate, banana and strawberries in every bite of the frosty treat. It does take a while to assemble, but it’s worth it in my book. —Caroline Wamelink, Cleveland Heights, Ohio
(Pick up an extra pint and also try making these recipes with ice cream.)
1/29
2/29
Strawberry Ice Cream Cake
Total Time
35 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
While growing up, I loved treats from the ice cream truck that rolled through my neighborhood. This ice cream cake is inspired by one of those crunchy, strawberry novelties. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
3/29
Butter Pecan Ice Cream Torte
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A simple, nutty crust and smooth caramel sauce are all the preparation required for this impressive dessert. It will keep in the freezer for one month—just be sure to wrap tightly. —Judy Wilson, Sun City West, Arizona
Copycat DQ Ice Cream Cake
You have likely indulged in a piece or two of Dairy Queen‘s famous ice cream cakes over the years. The cakes are still available and loved by DQ fans today—but believe it or not, you can DIY a better ice cream cake at home. —Lauren Habermehl, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
4/29
5/29
Coconut-Lemon Ice Cream Cake
Total Time
30 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I developed this cool treat because I wanted to find a new use for cream of coconut. The sweet coconut combines beautifully with the tart lemon juice, and the streusel adds a nice crunch. Look for cream of coconut in the cocktail mixer section of your grocery store. —Janet Gill, Canton, Ohio
6/29
Frozen Key Lime Delight
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
In the middle of summer, nothing hits the spot quite like this sublime Key lime dessert. Cold, creamy and tart, it tastes like sunshine. —Melissa Millwood, Lyman, South Carolina
7/29
Ice Cream Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For my kids’ birthdays, I like to top ice cream cakes like this one with plenty of jimmies. —Becky Herges, Fargo, North Dakota
8/29
Banana Split
Total Time
5 min
Servings
1 serving
From the Recipe Creator:
In 1904, the first banana split recipe was made here in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, by David Strickler, an apprentice pharmacist at a local drugstore. We still use his original formula when we make banana splits in our restaurants. —Melissa Blystone, Latrobe, Pennsylvania
9/29
Macaroon Ice Cream Torte
Total Time
20 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family loves frozen treats—especially ice cream cakes. With chocolate four ways, this one is so beautiful, people think it came from an ice cream shop. —Barbara Carlucci, Orange Park, Florida
10/29
Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream Cake
Total Time
35 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
While growing up, I loved treats from the ice cream truck that rolled through my neighborhood. This ice cream cake is inspired by one of those crunchy, strawberry novelties. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
11/29
Summer Celebration Ice Cream Cake
Total Time
35 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I wanted to make my youngest son an ice cream cake one year for his summer birthday, as he prefers ice cream to the traditional cake. He picked the flavors and I decided to try my favorite brownie recipe as a crust. It worked! —Krista Frank, Rhododendron, Oregon
12/29
Chocolate-Cherry Ice Cream Cake
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
O say can you see this amazing dessert at your next gathering? I make it ahead of time and keep it in the freezer, wrapped in foil, for a week or so before serving.—Scarlett Elrod, Newnan, Georgia
13/29
Delicious Ice Cream Dessert
Total Time
45 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We appreciate a cool, creamy dessert like this in summer. It stays fresh in the freezer for one week. Top with the fudgy sauce before serving. — Mrs. Earl Brewer, Jackson, Mississippi
14/29
Sherbet-Filled Angel Food Cake
Total Time
1 hour 35 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here’s a cool way to treat angel food cake: Fill it with sherbet or ice cream. We finish this cake with a tart, sweet lime glaze. —Leah Rekau, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
15/29
Layered Sherbet Dessert
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Macaroons and pecans combine in this special layered sherbet dessert. Try garnishing with fresh strawberries and just listen to folks “ooh” and “ahh” when you bring this in! —Kathryn Dunn, Axton, Virginia
16/29
Festive Mint Cream Dessert
Total Time
25 min
Servings
24 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Mint ice cream and colorful sprinkles make this cool concoction perfect for holiday parties or meals. For a chocolaty dessert, use rocky road or chocolate ice cream instead. —Sally Hook, Montgomery, Texas
17/29
Spumoni Baked Alaska
Total Time
55 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For a refreshing end to a rich meal, try this freezer finale. Its intriguing interior and pretty color scheme are bound to garner oohs and aahs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
18/29
Nutty Caramel Ice Cream Cake
Total Time
30 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Tuck this dessert in the freezer for one of those anytime celebrations. This caramel, butter pecan and almond version is our favorite, but try it with other ice cream, cookie and syrup flavors. —David Stelzl, Waxhaw, North Carolina
19/29
Chocolate-Coffee Bean Ice Cream Cake
Total Time
15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
At our school, we celebrate faculty birthdays. I needed a quick recipe that would be appealing to everyone. This tall, impressive dessert certainly fit my needs and it was a huge hit.—Karen Beck, Alexandria, Pennsylvania
20/29
Patriotic Ice Cream Cupcakes
Total Time
45 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These frosty cupcakes are practically a fireworks display on their own. The little treats feature red velvet cake, blue moon ice cream, a creamy white topping and star-spangled sprinkles. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
21/29
Fourth of July Ice Cream Cake
Total Time
20 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This eye-catching dessert is actually easy to prepare and keeps well in the freezer for days. It's nice to be able to serve cake and ice cream in one slice.—Anne Scholovich, Waukesha, Wisconsin
22/29
Giant Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwich
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this giant peanut butter cookie cake for my husband, adding light and low-fat products to the cookie dough. It was so fantastic that I fixed it with conventional ingredients for guests. Since it can be made ahead of time and frozen, it cuts stress for busy hostesses. And really, who doesn’t love peanut butter ice cream? —Joann Belack, Bradenton, Florida
23/29
Fried Ice Cream Dessert Bars
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Fried ice cream is such a delicious treat, but it can be a hassle to make individual servings. This recipe gives you the same fabulous flavor in an easy and convenient bar form. —Andrea Price, Grafton, Wisconsin
24/29
Frozen Grasshopper Torte
Total Time
25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I first made this minty cool torte for a ladies’ meeting at our church. I’m still making it, and the compliments keep coming. —Elma Penner, Oak Bluff, Manitoba
25/29
Pumpkin Ice Cream Roll
Total Time
40 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This wonderfully light dessert is our standby at Thanksgiving and Christmas. The hint of pumpkin and the refreshing ice cream make a most delicious after-dinner treat. —Gayle Lewis, Yucaipa, California
26/29
Ladyfinger Ice Cream Cake
Total Time
25 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
No one will believe you didn’t fuss when you bring out this show-stopping cake. On a hot summer day, it will melt all resistance to dessert—one cool, creamy slice at a time. —Barbara McCalley, Allison Park, Pennsylvania
27/29
Frozen Peppermint Delight
Total Time
25 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you’re looking for a dessert that’s festive, delicious and easy to make, this is the one for you. Drizzled in hot fudge sauce and loaded with pretty peppermint pieces, this almost tempting treat will have guests asking for seconds. —Pam Lancaster, Willis, Virginia
28/29
Sherbet Cream Cake
Total Time
30 min
Servings
14-16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For a show-stopping spring or summer dessert, serve this colorful, refreshing “cake.” This recipe takes a little time to prepare, but it’s a beautiful and delicious creation. Family members often request it for their birthdays. —Paula Wipf, Arlington, Virginia
29/29
Caramel-Mocha Ice Cream Dessert
Total Time
45 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You can use any flavor of ice cream in this frosty dessert. Chocolate and vanilla would be delicious substitutes for coffee and dulce de leche. —Scarlett Elrod, Newnan, Georgia
Also, don’t forget to try these vanilla ice cream desserts that can turn the classic ice cream flavor into fun.
