Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

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This Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake is insanely delicious. It’s made with layers of rich chocolate cake, cookie dough ice cream, and topped with even more edible cookie dough! Good luck eating just one slice.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

This Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake has been a long time coming. It’s been on my list of things to make for forever and now that I’ve made it, I’m wondering what the heck took me so long! It is amazing! I know I say this a lot, but seriously. I didn’t want to stop eating this and hoarded it all for myself and the hubs. 🙂

So I have got to tell you something.

Have you read or seen ‘Divergent’ yet? I am completely addicted!

I saw the movie the weekend it came out and again the following weekend. Then I decided to read the books.

Normally when I read books first, I’m disappointed with the movie. I’m kind of glad I saw the movie first because that disappointment wasn’t there. Plus, Theo James now is who I picture when I read about Four/Tobias and that ain’t so bad. 🙂

What has been bad is that I cannot. stop. reading. I have barely done any baking this week (or anything else for that matter) because all I want to do is come home and read. I’ve been dying to know how it ends so I keep going. I have so much I need to get done.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

I finally peeked ahead to the end last night. I couldn’t take it anymore! Honestly, I didn’t want to. But if I didn’t I was going to get absolutely nothing done.

I haven’t read closely what happens, but I saw enough to make me stop reading. If what I think I read is correct, I am going to be quite sad and look totally crazy reading tonight.

Why crazy? Well, I read when I workout. I already probably look crazy enough when doing that.

I read on the elliptical. I read on weight machines. And with a book like these, I read while walking around and in the stretching area. Can’t. Put. It. Down.

And tonight, not only will I be reading and working out, but I have a feeling there will be tears. And lots of them. And I’m scared.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

Part of me doesn’t want to keep going. Can’t I just stop reading right now, when they are still happy and kissing and laughing and seemingly carefree for this ONE TIME!? Why do I have to keep reading? Seriously, can’t they just be carefree and in love…poor kids.

So yeah, I’m addicted, crazy and I will be crying tonight.

Good thing I have this ice cream cake. If there’s one thing that might console me, it’s this Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

I considered making this cake for Cookie Dough Week (60+ Cookie Dough Recipes). There were so many things I wanted to make, it could’ve been cookie dough month. I ended up choosing to go with the Cookie Dough Pizza and Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Brownie layer cake, but I’ve had this one on my mind ever since.

Now that it’s finally getting warm, I figured it was time.

I used my favorite, no-ice-cream-machine-needed ice cream recipe.

It’s the best kind of ice cream to use for layering into an ice cream cake. You just make it and then you are ready to layer with your cake. It’s thick enough before freezing to work with, which saves freezing time. Score!

I loaded the ice cream with brown sugar, which lends a nice cookie dough flavor to the ice cream itself. Then I piled it full of cookie dough.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

The brown sugar is the best call ever! Don’t change it! The flavor is spot on. Between the ice cream flavor and the cookie dough bites in it, I want to sing a little song with every bite. SO good!

And so many of my ice cream cakes use brownie layers instead of cake because the brownies are so easy to work with and I love their denseness. But the hubs has been asking me to make an ice cream cake with cake layers. So this time I obliged.

Also a great call. I love the dense brownies, but I also love the softer cake. And certainly, it’s easier to slice. 🙂

This might be my new favorite cake. I’m sharing with the hubs, but have yet to give anymore away. I’d be willing to share a piece or two, but the rest is mine! 🙂

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

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Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake slice on blue plate
Recipe

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 35 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 10-12 Servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake is insanely delicious. It’s made with layers of rich chocolate cake, cookie dough ice cream, and topped with even more edible cookie dough! Good luck eating just one slice.


Ingredients

CHOCOLATE CAKE

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/4 + 1/8 cup Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 3/4 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup boiling water

EGGLESS COOKIE DOUGH

  • 6 tbsp butter
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup flour (heat treated)
  • 12 tsp milk
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

ICE CREAM

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/8 cup milk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 8 oz Cool Whip (OR 1 recipe of homemade whipped cream)
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

ADDITIONAL


Instructions

CHOCOLATE CAKE:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees
2. Put all dry ingredients in a large bowl and whisk together.
3. Add eggs, buttermilk and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
4. Add vanilla to boiling water and add to mixture.
5. Mix at medium speed until smooth.
6. Pour into 2 8-inch pans and bake 25-30 minutes.
7. Remove from oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes in pans, then remove to cooling rack to finish cooling.
8. Once cooled, cut off cake domes with a long serrated knife. You don’t have to do this step, but it will give you more even layers.

EGGLESS COOKIE DOUGH:

1. While the cake cools, cream the butter and brown sugar
2. Mix in the vanilla extract.
3. Add the flour and milk and mix thoroughly. The dough will be thick.
4. Mix in the chocolate chips.
5. Roll the dough into little balls that are between 1/2 and 3/4 inch in diameter.
6. Place the balls of dough in the fridge to firm up. If they end up a little big, cut them in half before adding them to the ice cream.

ICE CREAM:

1. Once the cake has cooled and the cookie dough balls are firm, make the ice cream. Combine cream cheese and sugar together in the bowl of a stand mixer, or with a hand mixer. Mix until completely combined.
2. Add the milk and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
3. Fold in the cool whip and mini chocolate chips.
4. Add about 3/4 of the cookie dough balls and stir together.

ASSEMBLING IT ALL:

1. Line the sides of an 8-inch springform pan with parchment paper. The parchment paper should stick up above the top edge of the pan, since the cake will probably be a little taller than your pan. If you want, put a cardboard cake circle in the bottom of the pan.
NOTE: You should be using the same 8-inch pan you used for the cake. Not all 8-inch pans are exactly the same size. Your cake needs to fit in this pan.
2. Put the first cake layer in the bottom of your pan.
3. Top with half of the ice cream.
4. Add second cake to the pan.
5. Top with remaining ice cream.
6. Allow ice cream cake to freeze completely, 6-8 hours.
7. When frozen, remove from springform pan and remove parchment paper from sides.
8. Ice cake with additional cool whip, then top with additional mini chocolate chips, remaining cookie dough and chocolate sauce, if desired.

Notes

8-inch springform pans are best for this recipe so that you can easily remove the cake once it’s been assembled. If you do not have a springform pan, line your pan with clear wrap before adding your parchment paper and cake board. You can use the clear warp to lift your cake out of the pan once it’s assembled and frozen. You want to make your cake layers in the same pan you’ll use for layering the ice cream and cake together so that they cake layers fit in the final pan you use for layering.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Slice
  • Calories: 572
  • Sugar: 46.8 g
  • Sodium: 193.9 mg
  • Fat: 33.6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 65.7 g
  • Protein: 6.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 51.1 mg

Filed Under:

Enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

This post contains affiliate links.

Recipes from friends:
Espresso Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream from Beyond Frosting
Cookie Dough Stuffed Peanut Butter Fudge from Lemon Tree Dwelling
Reeses Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Cups from Mom on Timeout

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107 Comments
  1. Cindyv

    I made this cake for a luncheon today.  I saw it in your cookbook (which I love!)  I made the recipe exactly as stated and it was a huge hit.  I wasn’t sure about the cream cheese ice-cream but it is fantastic.  I feel like your cookbook has really brought up my cake skills.  I had never really made many layer cakes but I bake a lot.   Your cookbook has tutorials about frosting, stacking, and lining the pan that I didn’t know before. Your really are a cake master.  Not just making a beautiful cake but they are unique and taste great too.  I now take beautiful cakes everywhere.  It’s so fun.  THANK YOU!!!

    1. Lindsay

      This just made my day! 🙂 Thank you so much – it’s wonderful to hear that you’ve enjoyed the recipes and especially the book and the tutorials! That was exactly my hope, so I’m glad to hear it’s been a helpful resource!

  2. Patrick

    I tried to make the cake 2 times. Both were a complete fail! However, the rest of the recipe was awesome. I just really wish I knew what I was doing wrong to the cake????  

    1. Lindsay

      Can you describe what went wrong? I’ve made that particular cake recipe no less than 50 times, so I know it works. I’m happy to try and help.

  3. Ayo

    Hi Lindsay, this cake looks so yummy! I definitely want to try it but the only is that I want to make it for a friend who doesn’t eat eggs. Do you have an eggless chocolate cake recipe or can you suggest any adjustments I would need to make to your recipe to cater for someone who doesn’t eat eggs ? thank you in advance for your help 🙂

  4. sara

    Hi,
    Your blog looks amazing as does this cake! I wanted to know if this cake could be made in advance? The decorating is my concern, can I take it out decorate it then pop it back in the freezer for a few hours? or can it stay in the fridge for a few hours (by few I mean 4-6?) or should I just decorate it right before I serve it?

    Thank you so much for your help!

    1. Lindsay

      Yes, it can be made in advance and put back in the freezer. It can be quite firm, so it you wanted to put it in the fridge to soften for 30 minutes to an hour before serving, that’d work great.

  5. DIane

    Hi!
    This cake looks fantastic! I’ve never made an ice cream cake before, but now I’ve got to try!
    I was wondering if you could explain to me the difference between using store bought ice cream vs. the cream cheese mixture? You obviously know what you’re doing (these cakes are incredible), so I’m curious as to the reason there isn’t acutally ice cream in the ice cream cake.
    Thanks!

    1. lifeloveandsugar@gmail.com

      Hi Diane! You could definitely replace the cream cheese based ice cream I use with melted store bought ice cream. I prefer to make my own since I can customize the flavor. Instead of using a traditional homemade ice cream, I like this version. It tastes just like regular ice cream, but it’s thicker right when it’s made. There’s no freezing it or waiting for it to thaw. It’s thick enough to layer with cake right away, then freeze. And truly, every time I made a new version of ice cream with this base, everything thinks it’s store bought. I figure why bother with the trouble of traditional ice cream if this tastes the same and is actually easier to use when layering it into a cake. I hope that helps!

      1. Diane

        I made the cake and it was delicious! Thanks for the great recipe! I wasn’t sure how to line the pan with the parchment paper coming up above the sides of the pan. How do I do that for the future? I tried googling it, but there were no examples of the paper coming above the top of the pan. Can’t wait to try another one of your recipes!

  6. Janie

    Hi Lindsay,
    I made this cake yesterday as a birthday cake for my boyfriend who was supposed to come over today, but I got struck with a fever! How long will this cake stay fresh? Will it still be good for next weekend?

    1. lifeloveandsugar@gmail.com

      Hi Janie! I’m so sorry I didn’t respond sooner. I hope you’re feeling better! I hope the cake was a hit. It should have been fine in the freezer.

  7. HopefulBaker

    Hi Lindsay,
    I’m wanting to make this cake for my mother’s birthday Monday. Her favorite ice cream is cookie dough, so this cake is perfect. However, is there another way to make the ice cream portion without cream cheese? My mother isn’t a fan of cream cheese, so I was wondering is there a possible substitute for the cream cheese in the recipe? Can’t wait to make this cake! Thanks

    1. lifeloveandsugar@gmail.com

      You really can’t taste the cream cheese – it tastes like regular ice cream. I’m not sure that there is a good substitute. Some people have used store-bought ice cream instead.

  8. Mariah

    This looks delicious and I am plannig on making it for a bday tomorrow. My only question is this. Does the ice cream layer taste geuinely like ice cream with similar texture? My husband is a die hard ice cream lover and I want to make sure before I do it. Thanks so much.

    1. lifeloveandsugar@gmail.com

      It definitely tastes like real ice cream. People are usually surprised it’s not store bought because it is so much like the real thing.

  9. Lindsay

    This recipe looks fantastic!
    It is possible to make the ice cream without the cream cheese? Could I just leave it out, or is there something I could use to substitute for it?

    1. lifeloveandsugar@gmail.com

      It is possible to replace it, I think. The substitute I’ve seen is sweetened condensed milk. The ice cream will be much thinner before frozen though, so you might need to freeze it for a bit to thicken it before layering it with the cake.

  10. Tiffany

    Hi, I’ve very excited about taking on the challenge of making my first I cream cake for my husbands birthday, but after reading the instructions a concern came to mind. In your photos the cake seems to be a good height, but looking at my spring form pan I fear mine will be short. In the directions it does say the cake will stick up some above the pan, but won’t that effect the shape the ice cream sets in. Now, I am using a 9 in pan & spring form pan since I could not find an 8 inch in store, but I figured the issue would be the same. My spring form pan is nearly 3 inches tall & so, I was thinking, I could fill it with one layer of cake and ice cream, let it set, remove it & then do the second layer, assembling them after it sets. Does this seem like a good solution? Any other advice would be greatly appreciated!!

    Thank you!
    Tiffany

    1. lifeloveandsugar@gmail.com

      You can definitely do it in two sections, if you want. I have parchment paper sticking up above the sides of the cake pan when I do it. The layers of cake and ice cream hold it in place so that it’s the same size around as the cake pan. Does that make sense? Either way should work fine. I hope you enjoy the cake! 🙂

  11. Roxy | Roxy's Kitchen

    This cake looks fabulous and your pictures are gorgeous! I wouldn’t mind a slice of this (or more) right now, even though it’s 11PM :D!

  12. Nechama

    I followed this recipe exactly for my son’s birthday and it was a HUGE hit. Everyone loved it, the cake was completely gone. Thanks for a great recipe! I used toffuti cream cheese and rich’s whip whipped cream to keep it dairy free and it worked great!

    1. Breeze

      Hi, thanks for providing this recipe and I am glad the ice cream is made from scratch. Other recipes I found used store bought ice cream. Question, after this cake is finished, do I need to keep it stored in the fridge or freezer? I am making this cake for a client of mine and I want to give her all the details she needs to know. Also she wants vanilla cake instead of chocolate.

Lindsay
About Lindsay

I’m the baker, recipe developer and photographer behind Life, Love and Sugar. I love sharing trusted recipes with helpful tips to give you great results.

Scripture I’m Loving

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29