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If you love Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake but you’re looking to save some money, this recipe is for you! My copycat version nails that authentic DQ flavor, but this frozen cake is much cheaper to make at home.
A Copycat Recipe That Tastes Like the Real Deal!
I love that when you make a DIY ice cream cake at home, the sky’s the limit when it comes to flavors and toppings. Just don’t skip those irresistible Oreo cookie crunchies!
This homemade ice cream cake recipe is really easy to make for any special occasion, but here’s a quick tip to ensure it’s perfect: let it thaw on the counter a bit before you serve it. Then it will be easier to slice through!
(If you love copycat recipes that let you make your restaurant favorites at home, try my Copycat Portillo’s Chocolate Cake and Cracker Barrel Pancakes too!)
My Best Tips for Making DQ Ice Cream Cake at Home
There are a few pointers I want to share before you get started to help you make sure your homemade Dairy Queen ice cream cake turns out absolutely perfect.
- Coarsely crush the Oreos. You don’t want fine crumbs like you’d use for a pie crust. You can place the cookies in a zip-top bag and use a rolling pin to crush them for the chocolate crunchies, or you can blitz them in your food processor until coarse crumbs form.
- Don’t use chocolate sauce. You really need that fudgy texture from chocolate fudge topping to mimic the cookie crumb layers in a Dairy Queen ice cream cake.
- Run your knife through warm water before cutting the cake. It will warm the knife just enough that it will easily slice through the cold ice cream.
- Taking it on the go. Want to make this cake and take it with you to a party? I suggest bringing it in a cooler. But if it’s an outdoor party and you have the ice cream cake sitting in a cooler on a hot day, it won’t last as long, even on ice. If you want the cake to last several hours outside in a cooler, consider purchasing dry ice rather than using regular ice cubes to keep it chilled.
Variation Idea
You can really use any ice cream flavor you like to make this ice cream cake recipe your own! Strawberry, mint chocolate chip, sea salt caramel—the possibilities are endless (and delicious)!
How to Store
This cake needs to be stored in the freezer, and it will last for up to 2 weeks when wrapped well. For best results, let the cake sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before serving for easier slicing.
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Copycat Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake
Ingredients
- 1 quart vanilla ice cream
- 1 quart chocolate ice cream
- 20 Oreo cookies crushed
- 1 11.75 ounce jar of hot fudge topping
- 1 tub of Cool Whip
Instructions
- Line a 9” springform pan with plastic wrap. Set aside.
- Remove the chocolate ice cream from the freezer and thaw for 15-20 minutes. (This will help dramatically when it comes to spreading.)
- Spread a layer of chocolate ice cream evenly over the bottom of the pan. Return to the freezer for 1 hour.
- Remove the lid from the hot fudge topping and microwave for 20-25 seconds. Spread a layer of fudge evenly over the chocolate ice cream layer. Sprinkle the fudge with the Oreo crumbs. Return to the freezer for 1 hour.
- Remove the vanilla ice cream from the freezer and thaw for 15-20 minutes.
- Spread a final layer of vanilla ice cream over the cake. Return the cake to the freezer for at least 8 hours, or overnight.
- Before adding the frosting, remove the cake from the springform pan and remove the plastic wrap. Transfer the cake to a serving platter. Spread an even layer of Cool Whip over the cake. Decorate with leftover cookie crumbs. Place back in the freezer until ready to serve.
Nutrition
More Summer Cake Recipes
- Looking for another ice cream cake idea? This Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream Cake is sure to be a hit!
- My Oreo Ice Cream Cake is a reader favorite too. Oreo fans will want to make it again and again!
- It truly doesn’t get any easier than this 3-Ingredient Strawberry Icebox Cake. it’s cool and creamy for a hot summer day.
Do you remove the cream from the oreo cookies?
I may never buy a dq ice cream cake ever again! This was fun and easy to make. Made me live this cake even more!
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