There’s nothing quite like a homemade vanilla ice cream cake recipe to turn an ordinary day into a celebration.
This classic dessert is always a crowd-pleaser, and the beauty is, it’s surprisingly easy to make! Today, I’m sharing my go-to vanilla ice cream cake recipe – a delightful symphony of textures and flavors that’s perfect for birthdays, barbecues, or whenever you crave a sweet escape.
There’s something truly magical about ice cream cakes. They have the power to transport us back to childhood birthday parties, summer celebrations, and lazy Sunday afternoons spent with loved ones.
And while you can certainly pick up a pre-made ice cream cake from the store, there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of creating your own from scratch.
So, are you ready to embark on a sweet journey with me? Let’s dive into the delightful world of homemade vanilla ice cream cake recipe, one spoonful at a time.
Trust me, once you taste this heavenly creation, you’ll never look at dessert the same way again. Let’s get started!
How To Prepare Vanilla Ice Cream Cake Recipe?
Recipe Details:
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Yield: 8 servings
Equipment Needed:
- 9-inch round cake pan
- Electric mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Plastic wrap
- Freezer-safe container
Ingredients:
For the cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup buttermilk
For the vanilla ice cream:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For assembly:
- 1 cup hot fudge sauce
- 1 cup whipped cream
- Maraschino cherries (optional, for garnish)
Making Instructions:
1. Preparing the Cake:
● Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan.
● In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
● In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
● Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
● Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, until fully incorporated.
● Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
● Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
● Allow the cake to cool completely before proceeding to the next step.
2. Making the Vanilla Ice Cream:
● In a mixing bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, and vanilla extract until the sugar is fully dissolved.
● Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it reaches a soft-serve consistency.
● Transfer the ice cream to a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 2 hours until firm.
3. Assembling the Ice Cream Cake:
● Once the cake and ice cream are completely cooled and frozen, remove them from their respective containers.
● Place the cake on a serving plate and spread a layer of hot fudge sauce over the top.
● Carefully place the vanilla ice cream on top of the fudge layer, smoothing it out with a spatula.
● Drizzle additional hot fudge sauce over the ice cream layer.
● Pipe whipped cream around the edges of the cake and top with maraschino cherries if desired.
● Return the cake to the freezer and freeze for at least 2 hours or until ready to serve.
Special Note:
Be sure to plan ahead as this recipe requires several hours of freezing time to set properly. It’s best to prepare the cake and ice cream a day in advance before assembling the final dessert.
Nutrition Facts Vanilla Ice Cream Cake Recipe
| Nutrition | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 560 kcal |
| Total Fat | 33g |
| Cholesterol | 148mg |
| Sodium | 290mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 62g |
| Sugars | 44g |
| Protein | 7g |
How To Make With More Delicious
1. Level Up Your Cake:
➤ Ditch the Mix: Elevate your cake base by baking a homemade vanilla cake. This gives you more control over ingredients and allows you to add interesting twists like almond extract or fresh vanilla bean.
➤ Spice Things Up: For an extra flavor dimension, consider adding a spice cake mix or a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter.
2. Get Saucy with the Ice Cream:
➤ Homemade Magic: Ditch the store-bought ice cream and whip up a batch of homemade vanilla ice cream. It’s surprisingly easy and allows you to customize the flavor with vanilla bean pods or a splash of your favorite liquor.
➤ Swirl in Flavor: Instead of a plain vanilla ice cream layer, fold in swirls of another flavor like chocolate fudge, caramel, or fruit puree.
➤ Mix-in Mania: Take your ice cream to the next level with delicious mix-ins! Chopped nuts, cookie dough pieces, chocolate chips, or even sprinkles can add delightful pops of texture and flavor.
3. The Frosting Fantasy:
➤ Ditch the Whipped Topping: For a richer and more decadent cake, make a homemade vanilla buttercream frosting. It pairs beautifully with the ice cream and adds a luxurious touch.
➤ Chocolate Fantasy: Who says frosting has to be vanilla? Create a chocolate ganache by pouring hot cream over melted chocolate and letting it cool slightly before frosting the cake.
➤ Fruity Flair: For a refreshing twist, use a fruit puree or compote as a layer between the ice cream and the frosting. This adds a pop of color and tangy flavor.
4. Don’t Forget the Decorations:
➤ Caramel Drizzle: Elevate the presentation with a rich caramel drizzle. Simply heat up some caramel sauce and drizzle it over the top of the cake in a decorative pattern.
➤ Chocolate Shards: For a touch of elegance, create chocolate shards by tempering chocolate and letting it cool on a parchment sheet. Break the cooled chocolate into shards and use them to decorate the sides of the cake.
➤ Candied Delights: Top your cake with colorful candied fruits, chopped nuts, or even edible flowers for a touch of whimsy and visual appeal.
Conclusion
As we reach the conclusion of our vanilla ice cream cake recipe journey, I hope you’re feeling just as excited and content as I am.
Making this dessert has been a labor of love, and I’m so happy to have experienced it with you. With its layers of moist cake, creamy vanilla ice cream, and rich toppings, this homemade creation is a true showstopper.
And the best part? You made it yourself, adding your own personal touch and love to every bite. So, the next time you’re craving something special, why not whip up a vanilla ice cream cake recipe?
With a little time, effort, and a whole lot of love, you can create a dessert that’s as delicious as it is memorable. Thank you for joining me on this sweet journey. Until next time, happy baking and indulging!
Vanilla Ice Cream Cake Recipe
Equipment
- 9-inch round cake pan
- Electric mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Plastic wrap
- Freezer-safe container
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup buttermilk
For the vanilla ice cream:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For assembly:
- 1 cup hot fudge sauce
- 1 cup whipped cream
- Maraschino cherries optional, for garnish
Instructions
Preparing the Cake:
- ● Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan.
- ● In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- ● In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- ● Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- ● Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, until fully incorporated.
- ● Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- ● Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- ● Allow the cake to cool completely before proceeding to the next step.
Making the Vanilla Ice Cream:
- ● In a mixing bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, and vanilla extract until the sugar is fully dissolved.
- ● Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it reaches a soft-serve consistency.
- ● Transfer the ice cream to a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 2 hours until firm.
Assembling the Ice Cream Cake:
- ● Once the cake and ice cream are completely cooled and frozen, remove them from their respective containers.
- ● Place the cake on a serving plate and spread a layer of hot fudge sauce over the top.
- ● Carefully place the vanilla ice cream on top of the fudge layer, smoothing it out with a spatula.
- ● Drizzle additional hot fudge sauce over the ice cream layer.
- ● Pipe whipped cream around the edges of the cake and top with maraschino cherries if desired.
- ● Return the cake to the freezer and freeze for at least 2 hours or until ready to serve.