We love cool desserts in the summertime, and today’s no-bake Ice cream sandwich cake is a family favorite. It’s a fun twist on a classic treat, is easy to make, and is so yummy that kids and adults will be asking for seconds.
What makes this Ice Cream Sandwich Cake extra special is how fast it comes together, then the freezer does the rest. The cookies add crunch, the pudding layer turns creamy and mousse-like, and every slice looks so fun for birthdays, BBQs, and summer parties.
If you like this cold, delicious dessert, be sure to try our Oreo Ice Cream Cake, Angel Food Ice Cream Cake, and Root Beer Float Ice Cream Cake.
Why we think you’ll love it:
- Quick. Fast to assemble, hands-on time is about ten minutes.
- No Bake. It is a no-bake, no-stress dessert that is perfect for busy days, BBQs and parties.
- Perfect for parties. Make ahead and serves a crowd.
Ice Cream Sandwich Cake Ingredients
- Hot fudge sauce (½ cup, warmed): Hot fudge adds rich chocolate flavor and helps bind the pudding layer so the cake slices neatly. Use homemade hot fudge or a store-bought jar.
- Whipped cream (4 cups): Whipped cream lightens the fudge and pudding into a fluffy filling and creates a soft, snowy finish for the outside. You can use store bought cool whip or make your own whipped cream.
- Instant chocolate pudding (3.4-ounce box): The pudding powder thickens the filling quickly, giving structure without cooking. You can try using instant vanilla pudding or instant cheesecake pudding. Do not use the cook n serve kind.
- OREOS, chopped (2 cups): Oreos provide crunch and chocolate cookie flavor for texture contrast. You can use any chocolate sandwich cookies, mini OREOS, or crushed wafer cookies.
- Ice cream sandwiches (12): The ice cream sandwiches form the cake layers, already portioned for fast assembly and clean slices. We used vanilla, but chocolate, Neapolitan or mint works too.
How to Make an Ice Cream Sandwich Cake
PUDDING. Start by making the fudge pudding mix. In a large bowl, whisk together the fudge topping (here is a link to our tasty Hot Fudge Sauce) and 1-2 cups of Whipped Cream until combined.
Add the dry chocolate pudding mix and stir for a couple of minutes. Add one cup of the chopped Oreos, mix, and set it aside. (Note: Use Instant Pudding Mix. Do not make the pudding, you are only using the pudding powder.)
ICE CREAM SANDWICHES. Start by unwrapping 12 regular-sized ice cream sandwiches. Put 4 of them side by side on a foil-lined baking sheet. You can also line the pan with parchment paper.
PUDDING LAYER. Add half the whipped cream pudding mixture on top and repeat the layers. Add the last 4 ice cream sandwiches and
WHIPPED CREAM. cover the cake with the remaining whipped cream.
TOPPING. Don’t forget to add the rest of the chopped cookies on top of the cake or all over the sides too.
CHILL + ENJOY! Freeze the cake for 1 hour. After an hour, lightly wrap the cake with tin foil and keep it in the freezer for an additional 2-3 hours before serving.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Line your sheet or platter with parchment or foil so you can lift, rotate, and transfer the cake without sticking.
- Work in quick layers. If sandwiches soften, pop everything in the freezer for 5–10 minutes, then resume.
- For neat slices, warm a large knife in hot water, wipe dry between cuts, and let the cake sit on the counter a few minutes before slicing.
- Flavor twists, swap in mint or Neapolitan sandwiches, instant vanilla or cheesecake pudding, different Oreo varieties, or sprinkle candy bits on top.
Ice Cream Sandwich Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup hot fudge sauce, warmed
- 4 cups whipped cream
- 1 (3.4-ounce) box instant chocolate pudding
- 2 cups OREOS, chopped
- 12 ice cream sandwiches
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk fudge topping and 1 – 2 cups whipped cream until well blended. Add the dry pudding mix and stir for a few minutes. Add 1 cup chopped cookies and mix until blended. Set aside.
- Place 4 ice cream sandwiches, side-by-side, on a foil-lined cookie sheet. Add half the whipped cream pudding mixture on top, then repeat layers.
- Add the last 4 sandwiches, then cover the entire cake with the remaining whipped cream making sure to add the rest of the chopped cookies to the cake (you can add them to the top or all over the cake).
- Freeze cake for 1 hour, then lightly wrap with foil and continue freezing for an additional 2-3 hours.
Notes
- Line your sheet or platter with parchment so you can lift, rotate, and transfer the cake without sticking.
- Work in quick layers; if sandwiches soften, pop everything in the freezer for 5–10 minutes, then resume.
- For neat slices, warm a large knife in hot water, wipe dry between cuts, and let the cake sit on the counter a few minutes before slicing.
- Flavor twists, swap in mint or Neapolitan sandwiches, instant vanilla or cheesecake pudding. different Oreo varieties, or sprinkle candy bits on top.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Make ahead and store, freeze uncovered for 1 hour to set, then wrap lightly in foil; keep frozen up to 1 month, thaw briefly before serving
Leftover cake can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and again with aluminum foil. This cake will last about a month in your freezer. Thaw slightly before serving.
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Root Beer Float Ice Cream Cake
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Frozen Strawberry Dessert
6 hrs 10 mins
Oreo Ice Cream Cake
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This recipe was first shared May, 2019.
I want to make this amazing dessert for Christmas (it’s very hot here then). My only problem is that the only instant puddings we can buy here in Australia are vanilla flavour. I have found some homemade recipes for chocolate instant pudding mix (I think I can get Instant Clear Jel online). Would I be better off making that, or making the vanilla and adding some cooled chocolate ganache to it?
I look forward to hearing your ideas.
Thanks.
The simplest method that I would try is to whisk in 2-3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder with the instant vanilla pudding mix, then add it to the recipe as directed. Let me know how it works.
Thanks so much for getting back to me.
I’ll let you know how it goes.
It’s easy to make and understand and it’s amazing to eat on a hot day
So glad you enjoyed it! It’s a favorite of mine especially during the brutal Arizona summers.
My husband doesn’t like Oreos. What can I substitute?
Recipe calls for 13.9 oz box pudding. The boxes come as 5.9 oz or small box of 3.4 oz. Even using 2 of the big boxes seems like a lot. Is it a mis-print?
Patty, I had to read it twice before I realized that it’s 1 box of 3.9 package of pudding. It does look like 13.9 instead of 1 3.9oz box.
Thank you! You saved my husband from a freaked out out. 🤣
I’m glad I saw this comment as the formatting was off on this card. It’s been fixed and the ingredients are more clear to read. I hope the dessert turned out well for you.
The formatting looks weird, I think it is 1 x 3.9 ounce box.
We’ve made this recipe about 20 times now over the last decade or so. Always a hit. You can substitute vanilla pudding for chocolate if you want a slightly different taste.
Oh I’m so glad that this recipe has been a hit!
Our favorite go to and as fun to make as it ìs to eat.
This ice cream bar cake was absolutely DELICIOUS! We made it for my son’s birthday and we could not stop eating it, everyone loved it! We’re making it again already for my birthday! Thank you!
My boujie daughters favorite cake! Her birthday cake for the past three years!
I love making ice cream cakes desert’s my family loves this recipe and what’s good about it you can add toppings of your choice 😋❤️
Ice cream cake
I LOVE this cake! It could not be any easier to make, and it’s sooooo good.
Thank you so much for this, it’s so fun and easy to make. The kids LOVED it!
You’re welcome! This is a favorite at my house too. So glad they enjoyed the cake!
Do I need to let the fudge cool before adding whip cream and pudding mix?
So impressive looking yet so simple to make!!! Loved it!
I made this for my daughter’s 9 bday and it was a huge hit! Thanks for sharing!!
You’re welcome! So glad it worked well for you. Happy birthday to your daughter!
I topped this with pecans and cherries instead of cookie crumbles – kind of an ice cream sandwich sundae cake. It was sooo good & so easy to make. Everyone loved it!
Ooh that sounds tasty!! Thanks for sharing. I’m glad to hear it was a hit!
Can Cool Whip be used?
Yes – it sure can! 🙂
One of the best and easiest cakes I’ve ever made! My guest RAVED about it. Cannot wait to make this again.
Yay! That makes me so happy to hear! So glad your guests liked it!
Way too much spices, you end up chewing on them. Nice flavor, but grainy.
Spices, WHAT SPICES. Did I miss something in this recipe? I didn’t see any spice in it..
So easy & super good. I made with my 7 yr. okd grandson for his birthday. We cut the recipe in half to make a small cake. It was a big hit!!!
Glad it was a hit!! Thank you so much!
This looks really good but looks like it took time to make but so want to try this
This was a great recipe to follow. My daughter always requests ice cream cake for her birthday (HOT July). I Substituted mint chocolate ice cream sandwiches & MINT chocolate covered COOKIEs instead of OREOS. We,of course, had to use Sanders (it’s a Michigan thing).
This cake turned out great! Thank you for sharing
You are so welcome! That sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing that!
Do you recommend using homemade whipped cream (from whipping cream) or whipped topping? If homemade, sweetened or unsweetened? Thank you!
Either one works great! I usually have whipped topping from the store on hand, because of time, but of course homemade is always so good. I would have it sweetened 🙂
these didn’t last long in my house! My girls devoured them.
That is what I love to hear!! Thank you for letting me know 🙂
Excellent! Family loved it.
Yay!! I am so glad your family loved it! Thank you!
5 minute prep?! YES PLEASE!
MakIng your recipe brought back memories from my HS joB at cold stone creamery. Your Recipe is way easier and just as tasty.
This is the perfect summer treat! I love ice cream sandwiches & chocolate, so I know I will love this! I will make it for my family!
This Yummy Cake is on the menu for our graduation party! Everyone loves it!! Thanks for the recipe!
This is the BEST Cake ever! My kids loved it! It will be make frequently this summer!
Another cool yummy dessert that wont disAppOint. A great way to serve up those ice cream sandwiches.
this is funny in the best of ways, love the pyramid of ice cream sandwiches used to make this, very creative