Easy Oreo Ice Cream Cake only takes minutes to assemble, yet it tastes and looks incredible with its layers of ice cream, chocolate graham crackers, whipped cream, Oreos, and chocolate ganache.
Easy Oreo Ice Cream Cake will be your new favorite go-to dessert for any birthday party! For the past 2 years I’ve made my husband this ice cream cake for his birthday and each year it’s met with rave reviews. I’m almost embarrassed to show everyone just how easy this cake is because it’s tastes really labor intensive! Since I made the video I actually had a good time estimate on how long it took, and a majority of the cake came together in less than 3 minutes. Yep. Altogether I’d say there was about 5-10 minutes of “work” involved, but even that’s a stretch. It’s simple, tastes divine, and looks like something from a bakery. Be sure to scroll down and watch how easily it all comes together in the video!
What is Oreo ice cream cake?
It’s a cookies and cream ice cream cake that packs chocolate and vanilla into every freezing bite. With just a few simple ingredients and minutes of your time, you can make your own cake at home too! Homemade oreo ice cream cake is made even easier thanks to storebought ice cream, Oreos, whipped topping, and graham crackers! No oven baking required for this chilled recipe.
Easy Oreo Ice Cream Cake Ingredients
-Ice cream: We need about 1/2 of a block’s worth of Cookies and Cream ice cream. We want the block (the one fully wrapped in cardboard) not the kind in a tub (it’s shaped differently.
-Oreos: We only need about 17 whole Oreos so you can still snack on the rest in that blue package.
-Whipped topping: We need 3 cups of whipped topping, which is roughly 2/3rds of an 8ounce container of Cool Whip.
-Graham crackers: 6 chocolate graham crackers become the base of our cookie ice cream cake. You can use plain or even another type of chocolate cookie if you can’t find chocolate ones available.
-Chocolate ganache: We need 1 1/2 cups of homemade chocolate ganache, which is half of the recipe included.
For the ganache you’ll need:
-Chocolate: We need 16 ounces of chocolate, this is roughly 2 2/3rds cups of chocolate. Bar chocolate and chocolate chips work best. You can use a blend of different chocolates.
-Cream: 1 cup of heavy whipping cream will make the ganache thick and creamy.
-Butter: We need 1/2 cup of butter (one stick) to make the ganache both shiny and rich tasting.
How to make oreo ice cream cake
To make the ganache:
Place chocolate in a medium-sized bowl and set it aside.
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
Whisk in the cream when the butter is almost completely melted and increase heat to medium.
Whisk while bringing the mixture up to barely a boil and then remove.
Pour the cream and butter over the chocolate-filled bowl and then top with a lid or plate.
Let rest 3-4 minutes before stirring to combine.
Let sit for 5-15 minutes to cool and thicken and then use as desired.
To make the cake:
Line a bread pan with parchment paper. This makes it easier to remove the cake later.
Place 3 graham crackers into the bottom of the pan.
Top with two 1 inch sliced pieces of the ice cream.
Spread 1 cup of whipped topping over the top of the ice cream and then press whole Oreos into the whipped cream.
Top with another layer of whipped cream and then drizzle with about 1/2 cup of the chocolate ganache.
Top with 2 more 1 inch sliced pieces of ice cream and then the remaining 3 graham crackers.
Spread the remaining 1 cup of whipped topping over the crackers.
Cover the bread pan and freeze for at least a couple of hours, but preferably overnight. (Note: if you plan to serve this cake within 24 hours, to make sure the crackers & cookies are soft, dip them in milk immediately before assembling the cake!)
Remove the cake from the bread pan and place it on a serving plate or tray.
Pour the remaining 1 cup of chocolate ganache over the frozen cake, letting it drop down the sides.
Crush your remaining Oreo cookies and sprinkle them on top of the cake for garnish.
Return the cake to the freezer until ready to serve. Or freeze for 5-10 minutes for the ganache to cool.
Slice the cake and serve.
Enjoy!
EASY OREO ICE CREAM CAKE
Ingredients
- 1/2 carton Cookies & Cream ice cream get the block, not a tub!
- about 17 OREO cookies
- 3 cups of whipped cream or about 2/3 an 8-oz container of Cool Whip
- 6 chocolate graham crackers
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate ganache
For the ganache you'll need:
- 16 oz chocolate {roughly 2 2/3 cup}**
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup butter
Instructions
- Line a bread pan with parchment or foil. (This just makes it super simple to lift the cake out once frozen.)
- Place 3 graham crackers into the bottom of the pan. Top with two 1" slices of ice cream. Spread 1 cup of whipped cream over the top of the ice cream and press whole Oreo cookies into the whipped cream. Top with another small layer of whipped cream and drizzle with about 1/2 cup of chocolate ganache. Top with 2 more 1" slices of ice cream and then the remaining 3 graham crackers. Spread the remaining 1 cup of whipped cream over the crackers.
- Cover and freeze for at least a couple hours, but preferably overnight.
- Remove cake from bread pan and place on a tray/ serving plate. Pour about 1 cup of chocolate ganache over frozen cake, letting it drip a bit down the sides. Crush remaining Oreo cookies and sprinkle on top of ganache. Return to freezer until ready to serve. (I'd at least let the ganache-covered-cake be in the freezer for 10-15 minutes prior to serving to make sure ganache is sufficiently cooled. It will be easier to cut and serve this way.)
- Slice cake to serve. (If the cookies are still a bit solid, I find it helps to first pierce a knife straight down into the cake where the cookies are, then slice and serve. However if you have the cake in the freezer for 2-3 days prior to serving, you won't have any issues- the cookies will be soft.)
Ganache
- To make the ganache place the chocolate in a medium sized bowl, set it aside.
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add in cream when the butter is just about melted and increase the heat slightly while whisking.
- Heat the mixture until it just barely comes to a boil.
- Pour the butter and cream over the chocolate in the bowl. Cover with a lid or a plate and let sit for 3-4 minutes.
- Stir gently to combine and let rest for 5-15 minutes depending on how drippy you want it to be.
What size cake pan should I use for making ice cream cake?
The bread pan I use is a Norpro 10″ non-stick. It’s amazing, I love it and I have had it for years. This cake didn’t extend the full length of the pan, so an 8″ standard bread pan would work just fine!
Can I make Oreo ice cream cake in advance?
I’ve made this many times and I personally think it’s better after sitting in the freezer for a couple of days. The graham crackers and cookies soften so they taste like cake- wrapped up in ice cream, rich chocolate ganache, and whipped cream. Does it get any better than that? Nope.
Like frozen desserts? Here are more of our favorites!
- Banana Split Milkshakes
- Frozen Peanut Butter Pie
- Easy Kool-Aid Sherbet
- Quick Strawberry Ice Cream
- Chocolate Banana Ice Cream
- Strawberry Banana Sorbet recipe
- Strawberry Ice Cream Pie
- Apple Pie Milkshakes
- Skinny OREO Milkshakes
- Holiday Peppermint Ice Cream Cake Roll
- Raspberry Cheesecake Shakes
- Easy Pear Sorbet
- Peach Ice Cream
- Layered Pumpkin Ice Cream Dessert
- Watermelon Berry Sorbet
You’re going to love this easy oreo ice cream cake. It only takes a few minutes from start to finish and the results speak for themselves. With ice cream, cookies, and a chocolate ganache on top you know it’s going to be good!
Lori says
Where can I find the ice cream in a box?
Jessica says
It’s by all the other ice cream at the grocery store!
Tricia says
Just made this and I’m so excited!! But you said you can make the ganache in advance-how do I store it and then pour on top just before serving?
Jessica says
Yep! You can make the ganache, then just refrigerate it. When you’re ready to drizzle it on top, just microwave it until smooth, then spread it on. Return the cake to the freezer until the ganache sets, then you’re ready to go!
Trudy says
What can you use in place of chocolate graham crackers (I can’t find the chocolate ones anywhere)?
Jessica says
You can just use regular graham crackers, or any type of thin chocolate cookie, like Famous Chocolate Wafers. 🙂
Ayesha says
I made this came and it turned out awesome! The ganache really made it exceptional
Jessica says
So glad you liked it!