The ultimate summer treat, this Kit Kat Ice Cream Cake is sweet, colorful, and the best way to cool down. With an Oreo crumble crust supported by crunchy Kit Kat bars, the cake is then layered with both chocolate and vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce before being topped with M&Ms for total indulgence.
A hit with both kids and adults alike, this ice cream cake with Kit Kat bars is always a show stealer, kind of like this ice cream sandwich cake. Though the final result is gorgeous, the recipe itself is easy to whip up. In fact, the hardest part is waiting for the layers to set!
And given that this recipe needs time to freeze and come together, it’s also the perfect dessert to make in advance, along with many of these summertime potluck dessert recipes. This way, you can save yourself time in the kitchen and actually enjoy the party.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Decorating made simple: No fancy cake decorating skills are needed to make this candy ice cream cake, and it’s a hit every time.
- Indulgent: It’s the perfect blend of sweet ice cream, your favorite candy bar, and bites of crunch swirled in.
- Cost-effective: Ordering a custom ice cream cake can get pricey. Learning how to make a candy ice cream cake saves you money in the long run. Plus, the recipe's base is easy to customize, so you can make it unique for each celebration.
- Make-ahead: The cake needs to be frozen overnight, so it’s an easy recipe to make in advance. It's perfect for when you’re short on time.
Ingredients
All the ingredients for this ice cream cake recipe can be easily found at your grocery store. Below are a few key notes and substitutions for when you’re buying.
- Oreo cookies: The crust is made from crumbled Oreos, so make sure to use a food processor to grind them into an almost sand-like texture. This ensures the crust holds together well.
- Kit Kat bars: Used for both the outside of the cake and to sprinkle throughout the layers. When chopping the ones for the inside of the ice cream candy cake, take care to make them bite-sized or smaller.
- Chocolate fudge sauce: Let the sauce come to room temperature if possible, as it will spread better.
- M&M's: Any chocolate candy will work here, making it easy to make the cake festive for specific occasions.
- Ice cream: Though store-bought ice creams will work, whipping up batches of Kit Kat ice cream and Kit Kat chocolate ice cream at home brings so much more flavor.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
Below are a few fun variations of Kit Kat birthday cake ideas for you to try, allowing you to customize the cake to suit the celebration.
- White chocolate: In place of traditional Kit Kat bars, try using the white chocolate ones for a new and indulgent birthday ice cream cake.
- Oreos: Use a specialty Oreo like mint chocolate as the base for new flavors.
- Caramel: In place of the chocolate fudge sauce, swirl caramel sauce between the layers instead.
- Different crunch: Replace some of the candy topping with toasted nuts like pecans for a new kind of texture. Or use peanut M&Ms.
How To Make Ice Cream Cake with Kit Kats
Below are all the steps you need to make the ice cream cake. Know that most of the effort in this recipe goes into layering the ingredients. No major skills are needed.
Step 1: Pulse the cookies. In a blender, process the Oreos until they’re very fine, almost sand-like.
Step 2: Prepare the crumble. Add the butter to the crumbled cookies in a large bowl.
Step 3: Mix. Press together the cookies and butter until combined.
Step 4: Shape the base. Line a springform pan with parchment paper and press the Oreo mixture into it firmly.
Step 5: Build the border and fill. One by one, press the Kit Kat bars into the base with the Kit Kat logo facing out and freeze the base for 10 minutes.
Step 6: Start layering. Carefully spread the chocolate ice cream. Pop it back into the freezer for 2 hours.
Step 7: Begin to layer. Remove it from the freezer and cover the ice cream with chocolate fudge sauce, followed by chopped Kit Kat pieces, and then the vanilla ice cream. Place it back in the freezer to set for another 2 hours.
Step 8: Decorate. Add a final layer of chocolate fudge sauce and then sprinkle on the M&Ms to finish the cake. Refreeze it overnight until you serve it.
Recipe Tips
- Chill layers individually: Let the layers chill for 2 hours individually as listed. This allows for much easier construction as the toppings and fudge sauce won’t sink in as much.
- Gather ingredients first: Working with ice cream means that you need to move quickly. So, get your ingredients all together in one spot before you begin making the ice cream cake.
- Heat your knife: To make slicing the cake easier and cleaner, run the knife under hot water first.
- Storing: On the off chance that you end up with leftover ice cream cake, you can store it easily in the freezer. Wrap the cake tightly with plastic wrap and store it for up to 2 weeks.
If you love recipes like this ice cream Kit Kat Cake, you may also enjoy this loaded monster cookie ice cream.
Serving Suggestions
- This ice cream cake is most enjoyed in the warmer months, which means it pairs perfectly with both venison burgers or smoked burgers.
- It can also be used for birthdays or celebrations with other dessert-table staples like strawberry charlotte cake and strawberry Jello cheesecake.
- You can even dress it up with red, white, and blue candies as part of a Fourth of July celebration like this red, white, and blue cake.
Recipe FAQs
After being stored for two weeks in the freezer, ice cream cakes tend to develop crystals, and the ice cream gets a gritty texture.
In order for the chocolate bars to stick in the Oreo base, you need to really press them down and get the base into the freezer to set so that they hold.
For the fudge to really coat the ice cream layer, you need to have it at room temperature. If it’s still a bit chilled, try placing the container in a bowl of warm water to adjust the texture.
More Delicious Summer Dessert Recipes
Do you like summer desserts? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section, I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Kit Kat Ice Cream Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pkg (24 oz) Oreo Cookies
- 1 cup Butter or 2 sticks
- 21 regular Kit Kat Chocolate Bars for outside of cake
- 4 regular Kit Kat Chocolate Bars chopped, to sprinkle between the cake layers
- ¾-1 cup Chocolate Fudge Sauce room temperature or refrigerated
- 1 bag (10 oz) M&M’s
- 1 batch Kit Kat Ice Cream or use storebought
- 1 batch Kit Kat Chocolate Ice Cream or use storebought
Instructions
- Allow the ice cream to soften to room temperature, about 10 minutes if in loaf pan.
- Place your Oreos in a food processor and pulverize until it resembles a fine sand texture.
- Combine the butter with the oreo crumble until well combined. It will be very soft and not moldable.
- Pour the Oreo butter crust mixture into a 9 inch springform pan that has been lined with parchment.
- Place your Kit Kat bars around the outside of the pan, Kit Kat symbol outward. Press them down into the Oreo crust, this will hold them in place.
- Place it into the freezer for 10 minutes to harden slightly.
- Remove the crust from the freezer and pour your softened chocolate Kit Kat ice cream over the crust. Place it back into your freezer for at least 2 hours to refreeze.
- Cover the top with a layer of room temperature chocolate fudge sauce.
- Cover chocolate with chopped Kit Kat pieces.
- Add softened (vanilla) Kit Kat ice cream layer on top of chopped Kit Kats.
- Refreeze for at least 2 hours.
- Add some more chocolate fudge sauce to top of cake and then enough M&M's to completely cover it. Sometimes I just add M&M’s to cover the top but the M&M's stay in place better if using chocolate sauce.
- Refreeze cake until needed. Ideally for 6 hours to overnight, if possible. You want to be able to get the best slices when serving.
- Run sharp knife under hot water to make slicing easier. Slice and serve.
Notes
- The ice cream cake is best when it’s been able to freeze overnight. This lets all the flavors settle and makes it easier to slice.
- Wrap leftover cake tightly with plastic wrap and store it for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
This post was originally published in March 2022. It has been updated with new content and images.
Naomi says
Wow what a cake thank you for this recipe. It was so fun to make. It tasted great and my kids just love kit kats so it was the perfect thing. I thought the ice cream would be difficult but your recipe made so simple. Lots of love to you Karin
Karin and Ken says
I’m so happy you all enjoyed it! It’s a personal favorite! All the best. Karin
Steve says
I just love this cake. I’m so glad I made my own ice cream. Your recipes were spot on and tasted great! It was easier than i thought to make and it was perfect. The M&Ms are a great touch. Thank you guys! This cake was the hit of the party and I’ll definitely make it again. Your recipes are always a pleasure. Thx
Karin and Ken says
Glad to hear it! This cake tastes great! I’m so glad you made your own ice cream. I think it tastes even better that way even though i have to admit there have been times when I used store bought softened vanilla ice cream. All the best. Karin