[This post is sponsored by Nestlé. I’m excited to share some delicious ice cream recipes for summer!]
My love for ice cream cake runs deep.
When you see this, who wouldn’t be tempted?
Ice cream cake was always a very special treat growing up. We only had it on rare occasions, and those moments felt magical — something to look forward to all year. Most times my parents seemed to forget it existed, but when it appeared, it became the topic of conversation and nostalgia for weeks.
My mom used to make an ice cream cake-like dessert for her card club, and they still meet to this day. Every once in a while she’ll bring that dessert back for them — which makes the rest of us wonder why it’s exclusive! We usually try to stop by after the gathering to snag any leftovers, and inevitably we fight over them because they’re that good.
So now I’m taking matters into my own hands.
I wanted an ice cream cake that looks semi-fancy but is simple enough to make on a weeknight — something you can prepare ahead and pull out when it’s time to serve.
I’m excited to partner with Nestlé this summer and share a favorite: Edy’s Slow Churned Classic Vanilla. It was the one my mom and aunt bought when I was a kid, and to me it still defines the best vanilla — rich, creamy, and perfect for birthday parties or summer cones. While I tend toward chocolate, my family always reaches for vanilla.
So into this ice cream cake it goes.
This cake is truly special. The combination of vanilla ice cream, rich chocolate fudge, and peanut butter is one of my favorites. Add a salty pretzel-and-graham cracker crust and peanut butter whipped cream on top, and you’ve got something dreamy.
The cake is assembled in a springform pan, which makes it easy to remove and slice. The only real waiting is allowing each layer to freeze before adding the next — but that patience pays off in clean layers and perfect texture.
The textures and flavors are wonderful: crunchy, salty crust; smooth, creamy vanilla; thick fudgy chocolate; and light peanut butter whipped cream. It’s a great dessert for birthdays, dinner parties, or any time you want to create an extra-memorable moment.
Peanut Butter Fudge Ice Cream Cake
1 cake
6 hrs
Ingredients
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup pretzel crumbs
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 half gallon Edy’s Slow Churned Classic Vanilla Ice Cream
- 1 12-ounce can evaporated milk
- 1 cup sugar
- 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 2 cups cold heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
for serving
- a scoop of Edy’s Slow Churned Classic Vanilla Ice Cream on top
- ice cream cones, if desired
- rainbow sprinkles
Instructions
- Note: to make the pretzel crumbs, pulse 1 to 2 cups of mini pretzel twists in a food processor until fine.
- In a large bowl, combine the graham crumbs, pretzel crumbs and melted butter until the mixture is evenly moistened. Press into a 9-inch springform pan and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to set.
- Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to soften slightly. Scoop the softened ice cream onto the crust and spread with a spatula. Freeze for at least 1 hour.
- Make the fudge while the ice cream layer freezes: in a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the evaporated milk, sugar and chopped chocolate. Stir constantly until the chocolate melts and the mixture thickens, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool and thicken for 30 minutes.
- When the fudge has cooled, remove the pan from the freezer and quickly pour the fudge over the ice cream layer. Freeze again for 1 to 2 hours to set.
- Whip the cold heavy cream with the vanilla until stiff peaks form. Reserve about 2/3 cup of whipped cream for piping. Fold the peanut butter into the remaining whipped cream until smooth, then spread the peanut butter whipped cream over the fudge layer. Freeze for 1 hour.
- Before serving, pipe the reserved whipped cream around the exterior for decoration, add sprinkles, and optionally top with extra scoops of vanilla and cones.
Did you make this recipe?
Share your photo and tag the creator on social media if you’d like. I appreciate you so much!
Ice cream dreams come true.