Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

Written by
Stephanie Gallagher
Stephanie Gallagher is a journalist and food writer who has authored multiple cookbooks.
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Stephanie Gallagher
Updated 09/29/20
Ice cream sandwich cake recipe

The Spruce
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 2 mins
Freeze: 3 hrs
Total: 3 hrs 22 mins
Servings: 24 servings
Yield: 1 cake

This ice cream sandwich cake makes a terrific frozen treat for Mother's Day, Memorial Day, the 4th of July, or any summer picnic or party. Purchase premade ice cream sandwiches for a quick and easy crowd-pleaser, or make your own ice cream sandwiches with any flavor of ice cream and shortbread, graham crackers, chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, or favorite flavor of cookies for a truly custom indulgence. Kids can even make this no-bake ice cream sandwich cake by themselves.

These instructions work for assembly with standard rectangular ice cream sandwiches in a 9x13 pan, but you can fit square sandwiches in a 9x9 pan or round sandwiches in a springform pan. You may need to cut some of the sandwiches to fill in gaps along the edges. You can even make a free-form ice cream sandwich cake on a sheet pan, then frost it like a layer cake using softened ice cream or flavored whipped cream.

Ingredients

  • 20 standard ice cream sandwiches (vanilla, strawberry, Neopolitan, or a mix)
  • 1 (12-ounce) jar hot fudge sauce
  • 12 ounces frozen whipped topping (thawed)
  • 1/2 cup sprinkles

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for ice cream sandwich cake
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  2. Place one whole ice cream sandwich and one half of an ice cream sandwich side by side along the short edge of a 9x13-inch pan.

    Put sandwiches on bottom of pan
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  3. Arrange more sandwiches and halves lengthwise to cover the bottom of the pan. Cut one sandwich in half lengthwise to fill in any remaining space along the edge.

    Arrange sandwiches in a pan
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  4. Put the hot fudge sauce in a microwave-safe container. Heat it on high for 30 seconds or until it feels easy to stir.

    Hot fudge sauce in a bowl
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  5. Spread half of the sauce evenly over the ice cream sandwiches.

    Spread half the sauce on the ice cream sandwiches
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  6. Top with half of the whipped topping.

    Top with half of the whipped topping
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  7. Repeat with an additional layer of ice cream sandwiches, hot fudge sauce, and whipped topping. Scatter the sprinkles over the top.

    Ice cream sandwich cake topped with sprinkles
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  8. Freeze, uncovered, for 2 hours.

    Freeze ice cream sandwich cake for 2 hours
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  9. Cover the pan with foil and put it back in the freezer for an additional hour.

    Cover the pan and freeze
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  10. To serve, pull the cake from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 10 or 15 minutes. Soak the blade of a knife in hot water (a long serrated bread knife is best), wipe the water off with a clean kitchen towel, then cut the frozen cake into squares. Re-dip the knife between slices to make it easier to cut.

    Cut ice cream cake into squares
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  11. Serve and enjoy.

    Ice cream sandwich cake cut on a plate
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Recipe Variations

  • Scatter chopped almonds, peanuts, walnuts, pecans, or other nuts on each layer instead of candy sprinkles.
  • Replace one fudge layer with caramel topping.
  • Swirl warm peanut butter into the fudge layers with the tip of a dinner knife.
  • Cover the top with a layer of chocolate chips, shredded coconut, crushed peppermint sticks or other candies, chopped cookies, candy bar bits, maraschino cherries, or fresh berries.

Tips

  • Don't forget to take the ice cream sandwich cake out of the freezer about 15 minutes before cutting and serving. This will let it melt just enough to make it sliceable.
  • If you're transporting your frozen ice cream cake for a party or potluck, plan ahead to keep it from melting. Freeze the cake overnight along with ice packs. Place the covered cake in a cooler bag or chest and surround with ice packs. Keep the bag sealed and in the shade and serve as soon as possible.