Dairy Free Ice Cream Cake (Gluten Free too)
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Transform an ordinary cake into a showstopping Dairy Free Ice Cream Cake with this simple, easy-to-follow guide. It's naturally gluten free too, so everyone at the party can dig in. Your family and friends will never guess just how effortless this homemade ice cream cake was to make.
There are so many dreamy, mouthwatering flavors in every bite -- soft, moist vanilla cake with cold, smooth dairy free ice cream and creamy whipped topping. Add a few sprinkles for a little crunch, and you've got the best of both worlds: cake and ice cream in one dessert.
Not only is this cake perfect for summer birthdays but also any summer gathering. My family begs for this cake even in the winter.
To be honest-- my kids say this cake is the best of both worlds... a real cake and ice cream splurge. And my son who has a summer birthday loves, loves, loves this cake for his birthday.
And just think of all the different ice cream flavors you can enjoy with this recipe. I've got to tell you strawberry ice cream is also so good, and you can top the whipped topping with fresh strawberries. It is heavenly!
Or another idea is to complete this ice cream cake with sprinkles, maraschino cherries, and birthday candles.
Dairy Free Ice Cream Cake Ingredient Notes
- cake mix-- my favorite gluten and dairy free brand is King Arthur GF Yellow Cake Mix. I shared a few more of my gluten free cake mixes below in the FAQ section.
- ice cream-- use your go-to GF DF ice cream. So Delicious is our favorite. This cake tastes wonderful with their chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla flavors. I shared a few more of my favorite ice cream options in the Frequently Asked Questions section below this section.
- whipped topping-- again So Delicious Coco Whip is my must-have whipped topping to have on hand. You can also use Truwhip or a homemade whipped topping.
- sprinkles-- Sweets Indeed is a brand I use often
- 8 inch cake pan-- I use these 8-inch cake pans in my kitchen
- angled icing spatula-- these are a kitchen must! I have several because I use them so often. If you don't have any check this set of angled spatulas out.
- this is a recipe that works best when the cake is baked a day ahead of time, and the ice cream is frozen overnight in the baking pan. Then this recipe comes together in minutes just before serving.
How to Make Dairy Free Ice Cream Cake
Bake the Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease the bottom of an 8 inch cake pan.
- Bake your favorite gluten free dairy free box cake mix according to package directions.
- Once the cake has cooled, remove it from the pan.
Freeze & Assemble
- Remove the ice cream from the freezer and let it soften.
- Line an 8 inch cake pan with plastic food wrap. Add the softened ice cream and spread it evenly with an angled icing spatula.
- Freeze the ice cream layer for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight.
- About an hour before serving, place the whipped topping in the refrigerator to slightly thaw.
- Just before serving, cut the cake evenly into a top and bottom layer.
- Place the bottom cake layer on a cake plate.
- Pull on the plastic wrap to remove the ice cream layer from the pan, place it on the cake, and remove the wrap. Top with the second cake layer.
- Let the ice cream soften for a few minutes, then smooth the edges of the cake with an angled icing spatula.
- Top with whipped topping and sprinkles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! This gluten free dairy free recipe actually works best when the cake is baked a day ahead and the ice cream layer is frozen overnight. Assembly then only takes a few minutes right before serving.
Cover leftovers with plastic wrap and keep them in the freezer for up to 1-2 days.
Use whatever gluten free dairy free ice cream flavor you love most -- chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla all taste wonderful in this cake. You could even change things up and add some chocolate cookies and cream or chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream into the mix.
You can change up the cake mix flavor too. Some other good options are King Arthur's GF Funfetti Cake Mix or King Arthur's GF Chocolate Cake Mix.
More Dessert Recipes
- s'more cookie bars-- these bars are even yummier than s'mores over the campfire. You will enjoy every bite of this wonderful cookie and s'more combo.
- 4th of July desserts-- you will find 10 desserts perfect for the 4th of July or any summer BBQ plans that are all gluten and dairy free
- homemade oreo milkshake-- this is a must- make treat. This thick and creamy milkshake is completed with bits of crushed oreo-like sandwich cookies. It's the perfect treat in anytime of year.
Ingredients
- 1 quart GF DF ice cream flavor of choice or 4 cups
- 1 GF DF yellow cake mix see suggestions in post
- all ingredients needed to bake your cake
- 1 So Delicious Coco Whip Topping Container Homemade whipped topping works great too
- GF DF sprinkles
- optional- maraschino cherries, fresh strawberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease the bottom of an 8 inch cake pan.
- Follow the directions to bake your favorite box cake mix.
- After the cake has cooled, remove it from the cake pan.
- Remove ice cream from the freezer and allow it to soften.
- Line an 8 inch cake pan with plastic food wrap. Place softened ice cream into the cake pan. With an angled icing spatula evenly spread the ice cream throughout the pan.
- Place the ice cream back into the freezer for at least 2 hours or even better is overnight.
- One hour before serving place So Delicious Coco Whip in the refrigerator to slightly thaw.
- Just before serving cut the 8 inch cake evenly into a top and bottom.
- Place the bottom on a cake plate.
- Then remove ice cream from the pan by pulling on the plastic food wrap. Place ice cream on the cake and remove wrap. Top ice cream layer with the top of the cake.
- Allow ice cream to soften for a few minutes then smooth ice cream cake with an angled icing spatula.
- Top with So Delicious Coco Whip and sprinkles.
- For leftovers- place food wrap over cake and transfer to the freezer up to 1-2 days.
Nutritional Disclaimer
These Nutritional Facts are ESTIMATED. Your actual nutritional info with this recipe may vary depending on the brands you choose. “Eating Gluten and Dairy Free” is not a registered dietician or nutritionist. The provided nutritional info above is based on a generic calculator, if you want more accurate info, use your nutritional calculator of choice where you can choose brands and get more info that way.
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