This Oreo Ice Cream Sandwich cake is the EASIEST homemade ice cream cake you’ll ever make — only 3 ingredients and no baking required! This is our most-requested summer dessert of all time!
The Easiest Homemade Ice Cream Cake
We first made this ice cream sandwich cake for a party a few years ago… and it sure didn’t last long!
In fact, this Oreo Ice Cream Cake is now one of our go-to party desserts because everyone loved it so much!
There’s something about the combination of creamy ice cream sandwiches and the whipped Oreo frosting that is just heavenly! Seriously, I could just eat that frosting right out of the bowl by itself (and I might have while making the cake…don’t judge me!)
I knew that you all would enjoy this recipe because it is just SO easy, and it’s absolutely rich, chocolate-y and decadent! Plus, if I can make it, anyone can!
All you need are 3 simple store-bought ingredients and a couple hours to let the cake set!
Honestly, I think this homemade ice cream cake tastes more delicious than the fancy (and expensive) ice cream cakes you’d buy at the store!
Update 2020: Originally published in March 2015, this homemade ice cream cake has turned out to be one of our most popular recipes of all time on the blog! We’ve added some new photos and a video lately, but it’s still the same fabulous recipe!
PS- Be sure to try our Frozen S’mores recipe too!
For your convenience, I’ve included shop-able ad links to some of the supplies used to make our easy ice cream cake; read our disclosure policy here.
Ice Cream Sandwich Cake Ingredients
All you need are 3 simple, store-bought ingredients!
- 12 ice cream sandwiches (or 18 mini sandwiches)
- 1 medium size pack of Oreos
- 1 large container of Cool Whip
Kitchen Supplies Used
- Food Processor
— Our Hamilton Beach Food Processor is a true workhorse – it has lasted us years! - Silicone Reusable Baking Mats — We love these mats becausee they are non-stick and you can wash them to use over and over again!
— Our PREP TIME: 10 Minutes
“BAKE” (aka FREEZE) TIME: 1-2 hours
Prep Tips
We’ve made this recipe MANY times over the years, so we’ve figured out a few tricks to make this ice cream sandwich cake even easier to make and serve!
- Make sure Cool Whip is thawed before mixing frosting. If the Cool Whip is frozen it won’t mix well.
- Decorate your cake with crushed Oreo cookies or even whole Oreo cookies on top for a wow-worthy dessert!
- When you’re ready to serve the cake, give it 10-15 minutes to thaw so it will be easier to cut.
- To slice, we recommend using a long serrated knife and running it under hot water for a few seconds.
- This recipe can be made gluten free and/or dairy free by substituting the type of “ice cream” sandwiches and cookies used. In this context, we use “dairy free” to mean lactose-free. Some brands of whipped topping may contain milk-derived ingredients, so be sure to check the labels.
How to Make Ice Cream Cake with Ice Cream Sandwiches
First, we’ll make our “frosting” by combining crushed Oreos and Cool Whip. A food processor is perfect for getting fine crumbs.
Add ground Oreos to mixing bowl containing 2 cups Cool Whip. Fold ground Oreos into Cool Whip until well combined — this is the “frosting and my FAVORITE part! Seriously, I could just eat the frosting by itself!
Place non-stick baking mat over a cookie pan and arrange four ice cream sandwiches together in center of baking mat. Spread a generous layer of frosting on top.
Repeat with two more layers of ice cream sandwiches, then frost the top and sides of the cake.
Allow cake to set in freezer for at least 1-2 hours. Depending on how soft your ice cream sandwiches got while assembling, your cake may need more time in the freezer.
When ready to serve, remove from baking mat, slice and enjoy!
PS — Try the Dairy-Free version of this Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Cake!
What Size Cool Whip Container Do I Need?
We used the large size Cool Whip container, which is 16 ounces. You probably won’t use all of it, but the smaller container might not be enough.
And the way I see it, it’s always better to have a little extra frosting than not enough!
How Long Can I Keep Ice Cream Cake in the Freezer?
This is a great make-ahead dessert because it does need at least a couple hours to set before serving. You can even make the night before so it will have all night to re-freeze — this makes it much easier to get perfect slices!
For best flavor and texture, we recommend enjoying your homemade ice cream cake within a week. Keep covered as tightly as possible to prevent freezer burn or moisture from getting into the cake.
What is the Best Way to Transport an Ice Cream Cake?
For short distances, a cooler with ice will work just fine for keeping your cake frozen. If you have ice packs, those are even better because they won’t melt and fill your cooler with water.
More of our favorite Cookies & Cream Desserts
Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Cake Recipe:
If you like this recipe, please rate it! We’d also love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
{3 Ingredient} Ice Cream Sandwich Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 ice cream sandwiches or 18 mini sandwiches
- 1 medium size pack of Oreos
- 1 large container of Cool Whip
Instructions
- Chop Oreos in food processor until finely ground.
- Add ground Oreos to mixing bowl containing 2 cups Cool Whip.
- Fold ground Oreos into Cool Whip until well combined — this is the "frosting."
- Place non-stick baking mat over a cookie pan. (We love these Reusable Silicone Reusable Baking Mats!)
- Place four ice cream sandwiches together in center of baking mat. Spread a layer of frosting on top.
- Repeat with two more layers of ice cream sandwiches.
- Frost the top and sides of cake.
- Allow cake to set in freezer for 1-2 hours. Remove from baking mat. Slice and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
More of our Most Popular No-Bake Desserts
If you love this easy homemade ice cream cake, be sure to check out our other favorite easy no-bake desserts!
No Bake Peaches & Cream Trifle
No Bake Cookie Monster Cheesecake
Be sure to save this Easy OREO Ice Cream Cake recipe on Pinterest:
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The BEST Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake
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kskimbrough says
My oldest loves cookie and cream ice cream, so I definitely have to try this!
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
It’s sooo good! I had a hard time not eating all the frosting while making it!
Eileen Johnson says
I like more filling and frosting so
I used 3 cups of cool whip and 2/3 of the cookies.
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
I love the frosting too! I bet that would be delicious!
Kieva says
I am going to try adding cream cheese to the frosting 🙂 I love cream cheese 🙂
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
That sounds very rich and decadent! 🙂
Dee manning says
Love this recipe, wanted more texture in icing( cool whip ) so I used wax paper and rolling pin over cookies for chunkier bites, also used more cool whip. My granddaughters loved it.
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Great idea Dee! I might just have to try sprinkling some chunky cookie pieces on top 🙂 Glad you all enjoyed the recipe!
Evie Scarpides says
Oh my !! This is perfect ! My son ( that is 30 years old ) only and I say ONLY loves having an Oreo ice cream cake for his birthday … Finally a simple recipe for a man that has a passion for Oreos ! I can’t wait to make this for him …. And me 😉
Thank you so very much for sharing this with all of us ~
#onehappymom
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
You’re welcome and I’m glad you found this recipe Evie! It sounds like it will be perfect for your son 🙂
Ashley says
Do you cover it with anything while it’s freezing?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
You don’t have to for the hour or two that it takes the dessert to set. If you’re going to be keeping it in the freezer to enjoy over a few days, you might want to cover to protect it.
Edleide says
Hi Stacey! For how many people is this recipe good?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Hi Edleide! It really depends on how large you’d like the servings to be, but I think you could get 6-8 slices.
Gia says
Could I double the recipe to make a bigger cake? We have a big family and want to make sure everyone gets to enjoy.
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Absolutely! This recipe is very easy to adjust. 🙂
Sue says
Can you freeze it for more than 2 hours
If so do you need to cover it
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Hi Sue – You can freeze for more than two hour uncovered, but if you’re not going to finish it within 24 hours I would cover.
Carolina Vasquez says
Hi! I can’t tell if you removed the filling from the Oreos or left them as is? Thank you
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Hi Carolina- We didn’t remove the filling; we simply chopped them up as they come 🙂
ally says
i just love it i myself am a big fan of oreo
Tish says
This is my son who is now turning 15 request every year for his birthday. Thank you for such an easy but delicious recipe. Family favorite!!!
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
So glad your son loves it! 🙂
Kristen says
This was amazing. I doubled the frosting, made 2 layers in a 9×9 pan and it took 16 blue bunny ice cream sandwiches. Soooo good. Topped with the mini ores.
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
So glad you loved it as much as we do! (And the frosting is my favorite part!!)