Make an Ice Cream Cake

Ice cream cakes, with layers of cake, ice cream, and icing, are the perfect birthday or special occasion treat. When you make one at home instead of going the store-bought route, you can customize the flavors to create a unique, delicious confection. This recipe is made with layers of sponge cake and a whipped topping.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup flour
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • 4 eggs, separated
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 2 pints ice cream
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons plain gelatin
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • ½ cup powdered sugar

Steps

Making the Cake

  1. Prepare for baking. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-inch cake pan, taking care to ensure that the bottom and sides are completely oiled, so the cake won't stick to the pan. Sprinkle a little flour in the center of the pan and tip it from side to side, so the flour coats the bottom and sides of the pan.
  2. Sift the flour and cornstarch. Either use a sifter to sift the ingredients or place them in a small bowl and stir them together with a whisk.
    • If you'd like to make a chocolate ice cream cake, add 1/2 cup cocoa powder to the mixture.
    • For a spice cake, add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves.
  3. Make the egg yolk mixture. In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the egg yolks, vanilla, and 1/2 cup sugar. Continue beating until the mixture becomes thick and pale, which takes about 5 minutes.
  4. Make the egg white mixture. Place the egg whites and a pinch of salt in a medium mixing bowl. Using a whisk or clean beaters, beat the whites until they form soft peaks. Continue beating the mixture and add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Keep beating until the egg whites become stiff and glossy.
  5. Combine the ingredients. Carefully fold the egg white mixture into the egg yolk mixture. Fold in the flour mixture with a spatula. Be careful not to overmix the ingredients; continue folding them until they are just combined.[1]
  6. Pour the batter into the cake pan. Spread it evenly into the pan with a spatula.
  7. Bake the cake. Place the cake pan in the oven and bake it for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Remove the cake from the oven, invert it onto a wire rack or plate, and let it cool completely.
    • If the cake seems to be sticking to the sides of the pan, run a knife around the edge of the cake before attempting to invert it.
    • If the cake breaks when you invert it, place the pieces on a plate and allow them to cool. You can still use the cake.
  8. Slice the cake. Using a large serrated knife, slice the cake crosswise so that you have two thin discs of cake. Wrap each in plastic wrap and place them in the freezer for several hours. You can assemble the cake when the halves are frozen solid.

Layering the Ice Cream

  1. Soften the ice cream. Let the pints of ice cream sit out on the counter for a few minutes. When they become soft enough to handle, use a spoon to scoop the ice cream into a large bowl. Stir the ice cream with the spoon until it has the consistency of spreadable icing, but isn't too runny.
  2. Get the cake ready. While the ice cream is softening, remove the cake halves from the freezer. Unwrap one half and place it on a cake plate. Set the other half aside for now.
  3. Alternate cake and ice cream layers. Spread a pint of ice cream over the first cake half using a spoon and an offset spatula or knife. Try not to let it spill over the edges of the cake. You should have a thick, solid layer of ice cream. Place the second layer of cake on the layer of ice cream. Spread the second pint of ice cream on top of the cake.[2]
    • For a smaller cake, you can leave off the second ice cream layer.
    • If you'd prefer to have the cake layer on top, you can still have two ice cream layers; after spreading the first ice cream layer, make a layer of crushed cookies or chocolate chips, then spread the second pint of ice cream on top of that before adding the second cake layer.
  4. Freeze the cake. Place the cake in the freezer until it is completely frozen, which will take about two to four hours.

Finishing the Ice Cream Cake

  1. Make the whipped topping. Pour one tablespoon of cold water over the gelatin and let it sit for a few minutes to soften. Stir until the gelatin has completely dissolved. In a mixing bowl, pour in the cream and beat it with a hand mixer until soft peaks begin to form. Add the gelatin and the sugar, and continue beating until the topping becomes stiff.
    • Don't overbeat the topping, or it will turn into butter.
    • You can add a few drops of food coloring to the whipped cream so that it matches your ice cream. For example, if you're making a strawberry ice cream cake, add a few drops of red food coloring to make a pink topping.
  2. Top the cake. Remove the cake from the freezer. Spread the whipped topping on the cake using an offset spatula. If you wish, spread more topping onto the sides of the cake to hide the layers.
    • You can decorate the cake with sprinkles, chocolate chips, or fruit if you desire.
    • For a fancier cake, place the whipped topping in an icing bag and pipe it onto the cake in a pretty pattern.
  3. Freeze the cake. Place it back in the freezer to let the topping harden. The cake is ready to serve when the topping is stiff.
  4. Finished.

Tips

  • Here are some ideas for ice cream cake flavors:
    • Vanilla cake with strawberry, peach, or another fruity ice cream
    • Chocolate cake with mint chocolate chip ice cream or another chocolate chip ice cream
    • Spice cake with pumpkin ice cream or caramel ice cream
  • Once you get the hang of this cake try variations: ice cream sandwiched between two layers of cake, fruit fillings between the ice cream and cake layers, etc.
  • It is also possible to substitute flavored ice cream for the frosting. Since you don't want the ice cream frosting to melt more when it touches the cake, freeze the stacked layers of ice cream and cake for one hour before frosting with ice cream. Then just soften the ice cream and stir it into a whipped consistency, and spread like frosting.
  • Add nuts & chocolate chips.
  • If you have inspiration or creative mind then maybe you should shape the cake. For example, you can cut the cake into a shape. If you want to see some pictures then go to google.

Warnings

  • If serving this at a party, get the cake immediately before it is served and put it away after everyone's had their share. If you lack doing this step, the ice cream will melt, leaving a sticky mess and a soggy cake.

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Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.marthastewart.com/355498/vanilla-sponge-cake
  2. ↑ http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2012/10/mint-chip-ice-cream-cake
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