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If you're in the mood for a delicious frozen treat that's easy to make and perfect for any occasion, look no further than this easy ice cream cake recipe. With simple ingredients and no baking required, this homemade ice cream cake will impress your family and friends without the fuss.

Easy Ice Cream Cake

This easy ice cream cake recipe is a great cake alternative and is a breeze to assemble! If you love sundaes, you'll love this delicious frozen dessert for birthdays, get togethers, or as an every day treat! So simple but so delicious featuring ribbons of hot fudge, caramel sauce and salty peanuts. Try switching up the ingredients to match your favorite ice cream flavors and toppings!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword 4th of July, birthday cake, birthday desserts, birthday parties, cake alternative, caramel sauce, chocolate, easy desserts, frozen dessert, homemade ice cream topping, hot fudge, ice cream, ice cream cake, ice cream desserts, mermaid party ideas, no bake desserts, peanuts, summer desserts, sundae
Prep Time 15 minutes
Chill Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings 9
Calories 652 kcal
Author Emilie at FindingZest.com

Ingredients

  • 1.5 quarts vanilla ice cream very softened
  • 3/4 cup hot fudge warmed slightly
  • 3/4 cup caramel ice cream topping warmed slightly
  • 2 cups dry roasted peanuts or cocktail peanuts
  • Magic Shell in Hot Fudge or Reese's Chocolate and Peanut Butter flavor optional
  • whipped cream chopped nuts, maraschino cherries (optional)

Instructions

  1. Add 1/3 of the peanuts evenly over the bottom of an 8 inch square baking dish.
  2. Drizzle with 1/4 cup hot fudge and 1/4 cup caramel sauce.
  3. Spread half the softened ice cream over the top using an offset spatula.
  4. Repeat with an additional layer of peanuts, hot fudge, and caramel.
  5. Add remaining ice cream and spread over the top.
  6. Finish off the ice cream cake by sprinkling remaining peanuts and drizzling hot fudge and caramel sauce over the top.
  7. Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place in the freezer for several hours or until firm.
  8. If desired, drizzle with Magic Shell before cutting.
  9. Cut into the cake with a knife and serve with whipped cream, additional chopped peanuts and a cherry, if preferred.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Do not let this dessert sit too long or it won't maintain its square shape when cut. For best results, let sit only 5 to 10 minutes before cutting.

Switch out the ice cream flavors, nuts or ice cream toppings to suit your preferences. Consider other mix-ins such as crushed cookies, brownie pieces, cookie dough, chopped peanut butter cups, chopped pecans, etc.

For best results, cover and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to one month.

Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

Nutrition Facts
Easy Ice Cream Cake
Amount per Serving
Calories
652
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
36
g
55
%
Saturated Fat
 
14
g
88
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
4
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
14
g
Cholesterol
 
70
mg
23
%
Sodium
 
415
mg
18
%
Potassium
 
610
mg
17
%
Carbohydrates
 
71
g
24
%
Fiber
 
5
g
21
%
Sugar
 
55
g
61
%
Protein
 
15
g
30
%
Vitamin A
 
681
IU
14
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
243
mg
24
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.