Jolly Festive Christmas Ice-Cream Cake Recipe for Holiday Joy

Deck the halls with a delightful Christmas ice-cream cake that promises to steal the spotlight at any holiday gathering.

This show-stopping dessert blends creamy layers of seasonal flavors in a festive Christmas ice-cream cake that will leave everyone speechless.

Rich vanilla ice cream mingles with crumbled holiday cookies and decadent chocolate shavings.

Swirls of whipped cream and sprinkles of crushed peppermint create a delectable winter wonderland on your plate.

Colorful and indulgent, the cake brings a touch of magic to your festive table.

Each slice offers a cool, sweet escape from traditional holiday desserts.

Be the culinary hero who transforms an ordinary celebration into an extraordinary moment of delicious joy.

How to Save Leftover Ice Cream Cake Right

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store the cake in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks, ensuring the dessert maintains its delightful texture and flavor profile.
• Slice and Serve Hack: Cut clean, precise pieces by running a sharp knife under hot water before each slice, which helps create smooth edges without cracking the frozen layers.
• Thawing Wisdom: Remove the cake from the freezer 10-15 minutes before serving, allowing it to soften slightly for the most enjoyable eating experience and preventing ice crystals from forming.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dessert up to 3 days in advance, wrapping it securely with plastic wrap to protect against freezer burn and maintain its festive appearance.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 12

Christmas Ice Cream Cake Ingredient List

• Graham Crackers: Crumbly base that provides a delightful textural contrast and buttery foundation for the ice cream cake.
• Unsalted Butter: Helps bind the cookie crumbs together and creates a smooth, cohesive crust that holds its shape when frozen.

• Granulated Sugar: Optional ingredient that can add a touch of sweetness and help the crust adhere more firmly.

What You’ll Need to Assemble a Holiday Ice Cream Cake

• Springform pan: Essential for creating a smooth, easy-to-release cake base.
• Medium bowl: Perfect for mixing cookie crumbs and butter evenly.
• Measuring cups: Help ensure precise ingredient proportions.
• Spatula: Great for pressing cookie mixture firmly into the pan.
• Freezer: Needed to set the cookie crust quickly.

Putting Together a Christmas Ice Cream Cake

• Crush Cookie Base

Smash some festive cookies into fine crumbs and blend them smoothly with melted butter. Press this delightful mixture into the bottom of your pan, creating a solid, delectable foundation for your holiday dessert.

• Chill the Crust

Pop the pan into the freezer and let the base set for about 10-15 minutes. This quick cooling helps create a firm, crisp bottom layer that’ll hold your creamy cake perfectly.

• Whip Creamy Layers

In a large mixing bowl, blend softened ice cream with your favorite holiday flavors like peppermint, gingerbread, or vanilla. Swirl and fold the ice cream gently to keep it light and airy.

• Build Ice Cream Tiers

Carefully spread your first ice cream layer over the chilled cookie base. Work quickly to prevent melting, and use a smooth spatula to create an even surface. Return to the freezer for a quick firm-up.

• Add Festive Decorations

Once the first layer is set, add another contrasting ice cream flavor. Top with crushed candy canes, chocolate shavings, or festive sprinkles for a magical Christmas touch.

• Final Freeze

Cover the cake and let it rest in the freezer for several hours or overnight. This allows all the flavors to meld and creates a perfectly sliceable dessert.

• Serve and Enjoy

Remove the cake from the freezer about 5-10 minutes before serving. Slice with a warm knife and watch your loved ones’ faces light up with holiday joy.

Flavor Ideas for Festive Frozen Cake Fans

• No-Bake Magic: Skip the oven completely by using a simple press-and-freeze method for the crust, making this dessert perfect for busy holiday preparations.
• Festive Flavor Boost: Swap regular cookies with gingerbread or peppermint-flavored cookies to instantly elevate the Christmas theme and add extra seasonal flair.
• Dietary Friendly Twist: Replace regular butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free version, and use gluten-free cookies to make the cake suitable for those with dietary restrictions.
• Decorative Delights: Garnish the top with crushed candy canes, chocolate shavings, or festive sprinkles just before serving to create a stunning visual presentation that screams holiday cheer.
• Make-Ahead Marvel: Prepare the cake up to a week in advance and store tightly wrapped in the freezer, allowing you to have a stress-free dessert ready for unexpected guests or holiday gatherings.

Serve Ice Cream Cake with Holiday Flair

• Holiday Party Centerpiece: Serve this festive cake as the star dessert at your Christmas gathering, creating a show-stopping moment that will have everyone talking and eager to dig in.
• Festive Garnish Delight: Top the cake with crushed candy canes, chocolate shavings, or sprinkle red and green holiday sprinkles for an extra magical Christmas touch that adds both color and crunch.
• Elegant Plating Technique: Present the cake on a beautiful holiday-themed platter, carefully slice with a warm knife, and add a small mint leaf or dusting of powdered sugar to elevate the visual appeal and impress your guests.
• Dessert Pairing Perfection: Complement the cake with a warm cup of hot cocoa, mulled wine, or a small shot of peppermint schnapps to enhance the Christmas flavors and create a memorable sweet experience.

Festive Christmas Ice-Cream Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Christmas ice-cream cake brings festive cheer to holiday dessert tables with classic peppermint and chocolate flavors. Creamy layers and crisp meringue create a delightful seasonal treat you will savor with friends and family.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ½ quarts (1.4 L) vanilla ice cream, softened
• 1 ½ quarts (1.4 L) chocolate or peppermint ice cream, softened
• 2 cups (473 ml) chocolate sandwich cookies (like Oreos), finely crushed
• 4 tbsps (60 ml) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup (240 ml) whipped topping or whipped cream
• ½ cup (118 ml) crushed candy canes or peppermint candies
• ½ cup (118 ml) red and green sprinkles
• Optional: holiday-themed candies (e.g., chocolate trees, stars, or snowflakes)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Crust Creation: Pulverize chocolate sandwich cookies into fine, uniform crumbs, then blend thoroughly with melted butter to form a cohesive mixture.
2. Base Preparation: Press the moistened crumb mixture firmly into a springform pan, creating a compact foundation. Chill in the freezer for 10-15 minutes until set.
3. Ice Cream Layering: Carefully spread softened vanilla ice cream evenly across the chilled cookie base, ensuring a smooth, consistent layer.
4. Flavor Infusion: Add a vibrant layer of peppermint ice cream atop the vanilla, maintaining a level surface and creating a festive color contrast.
5. Freezing Process: Return the assembled cake to the freezer, allowing the ice cream layers to solidify completely and meld together.
6. Decorative Finish: Adorn the frozen surface with crushed candy canes, delicate chocolate shavings, or sparkling holiday sprinkles for a festive presentation.
7. Storage and Serving: Wrap the cake securely in plastic wrap and store in the freezer. Before serving, let the cake rest at room temperature for a few minutes to ease slicing and enhance texture.

Notes

• Crush Cookies Uniformly: Use a food processor or rolling pin to create fine, consistent crumbs for a smooth, stable base that holds together perfectly.
• Soften Ice Cream Strategically: Let ice cream sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before spreading to achieve easy, clean layering without melting completely.
• Prevent Freezer Burn: Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and place in an airtight container to maintain optimal texture and prevent ice crystallization.
• Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap traditional cookies with gluten-free alternatives and use dairy-free ice cream for those with dietary restrictions, maintaining the cake’s delightful festive spirit.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Category: Desserts
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 46 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg