Who doesn’t love ice cream? And cake? Well put the two together and you have the best dessert EVER! Perfect for birthdays, parties or even just a Tuesday, these 40 fun ice cream cake ideas are entirely worth the calories. Go on, you know you want to…

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Not only is an ice cream cake utterly delish, but it’s also a great dessert for a crowd or a fun twist for a birthday party.

I’ve got to say, the research for this article was really tough – but I’m (more than) happy to put my best foot forward in the interest of our readers…!

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Really Cool Ice Cream Cake Ideas

#1. Mint Chocolate Brownie

Image: Baking A Moment

Mint choc chip is my all-time favourite ice cream, so I had to start with this one!

Baking A Moment made this gooey, chewy and completely delicious dessert. It is quick to make and devoured even quicker, so grab a slice now!

#2. Copycat Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake

The classic DQ ice cream cake gets a homemade makeover from Brown Eyed Baker. Indulge in chocolate ice cream, hot fudge sauce, crushed Oreos and vanilla ice cream – all topped with some whipped cream and sprinkles!

#3. Coffee Ice Cream Cake

Image: The Little Epicurean

Here’s one for the adults, thanks to The Little Epicurean – a decadent brownie topped with coffee ice cream and a layer of vanilla ice cream swirled with fudge. Just look at those swirls!

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#4. Nutella Ice Cream Cake

Image: Tastemade

Creamy Nutella ice cream, a crunchy chocolate base, tons of Nutella, all topped with Ferrero Rocher chocolates – seriously, what’s not to love with this one from Tastemade?!

#5. Ice Cream Sundae Cake

Image: Sugar Hero

Sugar Hero created all the flavours of an ice cream sundae in one delicious cake. A brownie base, topped with ice cream mixed with chopped cherries, peanuts and pieces of waffle cone – then topped with some whipped cream, sprinkles and little teeny tiny ice cream cones to decorate!

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#6. Strawberry Gateau

Image: Life Love and Sugar

This is summer in a slice! Life Love and Sugar’s strawberry ice cream cake looks amazing – light and fluffy vanilla sponge with strawberry ice cream and lots of fresh strawberries for the extra yum flavour.

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#7. Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

This dessert from Tasty takes just minutes to assemble because it cleverly uses ice cream sandwiches to create layers. Add in chocolate ice cream, whipped topping and Oreos and you’re done!

#8. Strawberry Chocolate Chip

Image: Noble Pig

Strawberries are so synonymous with summer and this ice cream cake from Noble Pig would be the perfect summer dessert.

With a thin biscuit base (I skipped the called-for sugar and just used the butter) and some added chocolate chips to the strawberry ice cream. I also added chopped strawberries to the ice cream and served it with plenty more. This can be kept in the freezer (tightly wrapped) for several weeks, so you can cut a cheeky slice for ice cream emergencies!

#9. Root Beer Float Cake

Image: Taste and Tell

I love a root beer float so I practically swooned when I saw this one from Taste and Tell!

Vanilla ice cream is sandwiched in between two layers of root beer cake and frozen for a fun twist on a summer classic.

#10. Funfetti Ice Cream Cake

Image: Cupcakes and Kale Chips

Show me a kid (or adult!) who doesn’t love a funfetti cake! And this ice cream version from Cupcakes and Kale Chips takes the love even further.

Create your own funfetti rainbow with this no-churn ice cream recipe, which is then covered in chocolate frosting – it’s cake as you’ve never had it before!

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#11. Watermelon Cake

Image: Fearless Homemaker

Watermelon just screams summer, so this dessert from Fearless Homemaker is a ‘must’!

You’ll need three different types of ice cream/sorbet and chocolate chips, all arranged to look like watermelon. Check out the step-by-step photos to see how to create the layers – while this one is very easy, it take some refreezing time between stages.

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#12. Rainbow Layer Cake

Image: Instructables

Full step-by-step instructions are on Instructables for this rainbow cake which uses Kool-Aid to colour and flavour the layers.

The Kool-Aid gives the cake a slightly sour candy flavour, while the white chocolate ganache filling keeps the sourness from being overpowering – yum!

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#13. Cherry and Ginger Ice Cream Cake

Image: Food to Love

This is a grown up dessert for the big kids – brandied cherries top of a delicious flavour combination from Food to Love.

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#14. Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich

Image: Glorious Treats

This is what childhood dreams are made of! Glorious Treats had a great idea for a giant chocolate chip cookie sandwich, that’s finished off with a generous drizzle of homemade fudge sauce…heaven!

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#15. Banana Split Ice Cream Cake

If you love banana bread, you will want to make this dessert from Bigger Bolder Baking right now.

Vanilla ice cream is sandwiched between layers of banana bread then topped with scoops of ice cream, caramel, sprinkles and a cherry to resemble a classic banana split.

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#16. Raw Berry Ice Cream Cake

Image: Nadia Lim

Ice cream cake sounds unhealthy, right? But Nadia Lim’s version is refined sugar-free, gluten-free and nut-free, and has the option of being dairy-free too.

It’s also easy to make in just two simple steps – and bonus points because you don’t have to feel guilty about it either!

#17. Ice Cream Cake Roll

Image: Smitten Kitchen

This classic dessert from Smitten Kitchen gets an ice cream makeover, turning it into the perfect family-friendly treat.

Chocolate sponge with vanilla ice cream is timeless, but you could try your favourite flavours instead.

#18. Candy Shop Cake

Surrounded by Kit Kat fingers, and topped with lots of sweet treats, this candy shop ice cream cake from Family Spice looks amazing!

Pick your favourite ice cream flavours for inside, and you’ve got the ultimate birthday cake or summer dessert.

#19. Mint Chip Ice Cream Squares

Image: Glorious Treats

When you layer brownies, ice cream, chocolate fudge and whipped cream, there is really no way it’s ever going to be bad!

Glorious Treats created this yummy frozen dessert that is easy to make, can be made up to a couple days in advance, and will be devoured in no time.

#20. Cookie Dough Layer Cake

Image: Sweetest Menu

Layers of chocolate chip cookie dough are filled with creamy vanilla ice cream and dark chocolate ganache – total heaven!

Sweetest Menu then topped the cake with more dark chocolate ganache, chocolate whipped cream and more cookie dough. It’s fun and grown up at the same time!

#21. Toblerone Ice Cream Cake

Image: The Sugar Hit

This cake from The Sugar Hit is a chocoholic’s dream!

Layers of chocolate cake, filled with creamy Toblerone ice cream, smothered in honey chocolate sauce, and topped with yet more Toblerone chunks.

#22. Raspberry and Malteser

Image: Stay at Home Mum

This idea from Stay at Home Mum is so easy to make, and you can adjust the amount of Maltesers and raspberries to your taste and what you have to hand.

Assemble it the day before so it has time to freeze properly, and then take it out right before dessert.

#23. Cake Batter Fudge Brownie Layer Cake

Image: Life Love and Sugar

Holy moly, this cake from Life Love and Sugar combines so many delicious things – funfetti cake batter, brownies, fudge sauce and ice cream!

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#24. S’mores Ice Cream Cake

Image: Boy Meets Bowl

This ice cream cake looks really impressive, and it’s packed full of the flavours we all now and love from campfire s’mores session – Graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate.

Boy Meets Bowl shows step-by-step pictures on how to assemble this dessert, that’s bound to be a summer favourite!

#25. Vegan Neapolitan Ice Cream Cake

Image: The Greedy Vegan

Yes, you read that right – vegan!

The Greedy Vegan uses frozen bananas as the base for her dairy-free ice cream, adding strawberries, vanilla bean or cocoa for the flavouring in each layer.

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#26. Nutella Crunch

Image: A Family Feast

Three ingredients, that’s it! You can make this ice cream cake from A Family Feast in a matter of minutes, and have it in the freezer ready to go.

Let me tell you, your kids will think you are the best EVER when you make this one – I call it the bribery cake because I can get my daughter to clean her room in record time if I even suggest making it!

#27. Snickers Peanut Butter Layer Cake

Image: Life Love and Sugar

Just look at the four layers of deliciousness in this cake from Life Love and Sugar!

Chocolate brownie, peanut butter ice cream, chopped Snickers, chocolate sauce and caramel sauce. Wouldn’t this make the most amazing birthday cake?

#28. Classic Milkshake Ice Cream Cupcakes

Image: Sprinkle Some Fun

Try all the classic milkshake flavours – strawberry, banana, vanilla, chocolate, and mint – they are just so pretty!

These bite-size beauties from Sprinkle Some Fun are great for any occasion, but especially for a party! There is no cutting cake or scooping ice cream when it comes time to serve, just take as many as you need from the freezer and top with some whipped cream and a cherry.

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#29. Tiramisu

Image: The Delicious Life

Tiramisu is one of my all-time favourite desserts, and this ice cream version from The Delicious Life is a great variation.

Layers of vanilla sponge, chocolate ice cream, coffee ice cream, and mascarpone cream combine all the great flavours I love from tiramisu.

#30. Rainbow Layers

I’m not normally a fan of adding food colouring to anything, but my daughter came across this layered rainbow cake from Delish – so for ‘research’ purposes we had a go.

I couldn’t get my colours quite so vibrant, but it literally made my daughter’s day to have this for dessert!

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#31. Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream Cake

Image: Lovely Little Kitchen

Lovely Little Kitchen uses crushed Oreos for the base of this divine cake, but you could try any of your favourite cookies instead.

The crunchy base is topped with a layer of hot fudge sauce and then vanilla ice cream with chopped peanut butter cups inside.

#32. Brownie Ice Cream Sundae Cupcakes

Image: Celebrating Sweets

This is such a fun individual dessert from Celebrating Sweets that is popular with both adults and kids.

Individual chocolate fudge brownies are topped with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, hot fudge, caramel, sprinkles, and more!

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#33. Birthday Party Ice Cream Cake

Image: Sweetapolita

Isn’t this cake from Sweetapolita just gorgeous?

The best part is that it’s almost entirely an assembly job, making it a quick and easy choice for a last-minute birthday cake.

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#34. Individual Raspberry Ice Cream Cakes

Sometimes smaller really is better – and what could be better than having such a cute ice cream dessert all to yourself?

Check out Joy of Baking’s full video tutorial to see how to make these little beauties!

#35. Orange Creamsicle Cake

Image: Life, Love and Sugar

This orange creamsicle cake from Life, Love and Sugar is light and fruity – just like eating an orange creamsicle!

So clever to use jelly (jello) powder to flavour the cake and the ice cream. It gives just enough flavour to recreate the creamsicle – perfect!

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#36. Peach Cobbler Ice Cream Crunch

Image: Life Made Sweeter

This easy summery peach cobbler ice cream cake from Life Made Sweeter has layers of peach and vanilla ice cream over a no-bake cinnamon toast crunch cereal crust and topping.

Just blend up the peaches and add into the easy homemade ice cream base to get summer in a bite – you could do the same with other stone fruits, berries or bananas too.

#37. Salted Caramel Brownie Brittle Ice Cream Cake

Image: Inside Bru Crew Life

All of those words are heavenly to me – salted caramel, brownie brittle, ice cream and cake. Seriously, what’s not to love!

Inside Bru Crew Life uses salted caramel and coffee ice creams for this frozen dessert, but you could swap in vanilla or chocolate if you prefer a less intense flavour.

#38. Brownie Birthday Cake

Image: Crazy for Crust

Lots of flavours come together to create a yummy dessert in this one from Crazy For Crust.

Don’t get put off by all the layers – this is an easy cake to make, although it does take time to refreeze after each step.

#39. Red Velvet Ice Cream Cake

This cake from Todd’s Kitchen has a classic flavour combination – red velvet cake with a cream cheese-based ice cream.

The show-stopping layers work really well together, with a definite thumbs up from the family!

#40. Curtis Stone’s Mango Caramel Ice Cream Cake

I didn’t even know mango caramel was a ‘thing’, until I saw this!

See the full step-by-step of how to make the chocolate biscuit base, the creamy mango caramel and the macadamia ice cream layer. There is no part of this that doesn’t look amazing…including Curtis!

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Have your say! There really is no such thing as too much ice cream – I think I love them all! Did we find your favourite ice cream cake flavour? Leave a comment below and let us know – we’d love to hear from you!