Cake Batter Fudge Brownie Ice Cream Cake

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This Cake Batter Fudge Brownie Ice Cream Cake combines all of your favorite treats into one glorious dessert! Layers of chewy brownie and creamy cake batter ice cream are topped with hot fudge sauce, whipped cream and sprinkles.

Want another refreshing ice cream cake? You can’t go wrong with this Copycat Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake – I daresay it’s better than the original.

It’s Brownies & Ice Cream Like Never Before!

I don’t know about you, but I’ve always loved having brownie chunks in my ice cream. The cool and creamy ice cream with the fudgy morsels of brownie heaven in every bite—be still my heart! The only ice cream flavor that compares is a birthday must-have of the cake batter variety.

This incredibly tempting layer cake combines those classic treats in such an unforgettable way. It’s literally the cake of my dreams! It has the perfect ratio of chewy brownie to smooth ice cream. To make it even more irresistible, the cake is finished off with hot fudge sauce, rainbow sprinkles, and a few swirls of whipped cream.

Who wouldn’t want a slice of that?

Side view of Cake Batter Fudge Brownie Ice Cream Cake on a plate

Why I Love This Recipe

Looking at how luxurious this cake is, you’ll be shocked to learn that making it is easy! I know you’re going to love it as much as I do.

  • It Uses a Boxed Brownie Mix
  • You Don’t Need Many Ingredients
  • The Ice Cream is Made in Minutes Without a Machine
  • There’s No Need to Freeze the Ice Cream Before Building the Cake
  • The Cake is Easy to Decorate
  • Everyone Adores the Results!
Cake Batter Fudge Brownie Ice Cream Cake slice on a plate

What You’ll Need

Let’s discuss the simple ingredient lineup for this over-the-top dessert. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredient amounts.

  • Boxed Brownie Mix: You’ll also need the ingredients listed on the box. I use a box that makes enough batter for a 9×13-inch pan.
  • Softened Cream Cheese: This helps the ice cream develop the proper consistency – you won’t taste it.
  • Sugar
  • Milk: Any kind you have on hand is fine.
  • Dry Funfetti Cake Mix: Toast this on a foil-lined baking sheet before you use it! This eliminates potential bacteria.
  • Cool Whip: Or Homemade Whipped Cream.
  • Sprinkles: I use rainbow sprinkles, but any of the jimmies-style ones will do.
  • Hot Fudge Sauce: You could buy this from the supermarket or make your own Hot Fudge in 15 minutes.
Cake Batter Fudge Brownie Ice Cream Cake slice on a plate

How to Make Cake Batter Fudge Brownie Ice Cream Cake

It’s go time! Grab your springform pan and get acquainted with your new favorite dessert recipe.

Make the Brownie Layers

  • Make Batter: Make the brownie batter according to the instructions on the back of the box.
  • Prepare Pans: Grease two 8-inch springform pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper to allow for easy removal.
  • Bake: Bake the brownies at the temperature on the box, reducing the bake time to about 20 minutes.
  • Let Cool: Once the brownies are done baking, allow them to cool completely.

Make the Ice Cream

  • Beat Cream Cheese: Once the cake has cooled, make the ice cream. Beat the softened cream cheese until it’s smooth.
  • Add Sugar, Milk & Cake Mix: Add the sugar, milk and toasted cake mix, mixing until completely combined. The ice cream will be thick and sticky.
  • Fold In Cool Whip & Sprinkles: Fold in the cool whip and sprinkles. the mixture will be thick.

Assemble the Cake

  • Prep Pan: Line the sides of your 8-inch springform pan with parchment paper (one of the same pans you used for the brownies). The parchment paper should stick up above the top edge of the pan since the cake will probably be a bit taller. If you want, put a cardboard cake circle in the bottom of the pan.
  • Start Layering: Put the first brownie layer in the bottom of your pan. Spread 1/4 cup of hot fudge sauce on top of the brownie. Add half of the ice cream and spread it into an even layer.
  • Swirl Hot Fudge Into Ice Cream: Drizzle 2 tbsp of hot fudge over the ice cream and gently work it into the ice cream to create a little of a swirl.
  • Continue Layering & Swirling: Add the second brownie on top of the hot fudge swirl. Spread another 1/4 cup of hot fudge sauce on top of this brownie. Top the second brownie layer with the rest of the ice cream. Add the remaining 2 tbsp of hot fudge and gently work it into the ice cream to create a swirl.
  • Freeze: Allow the ice cream cake to sit in the freezer until it’s completely frozen, 6-8 hours.
  • Remove From Pan: Once it’s frozen, remove it from the springform pan and remove the parchment paper from the sides.
  • Decorate: Drizzle the cake with additional hot fudge sauce and decorate it with whipped cream and sprinkles.
Side view of a Cake Batter Fudge Brownie Ice Cream Cake on a plate
Cake Batter Fudge Brownie Ice Cream Cake slice on a plate

Tips for Success

Want some more advice before you hop to it? I’ve got your back.

  • Let the Brownies Cool Completely: Spreading ice cream onto a warm brownie only ends in a melty mess. Make sure those layers have fully cooled before you whip up the ice cream. If you made your own hot fudge sauce, let that cool as well.
  • Don’t Grab a New Pan for Assembly: It’s important to build your cake in one of the same pans you used for the brownies. Not all 8-inch pans are exactly the same size, and your cake needs to fit.
  • No Springform Pan? No worries – you can use regular 8-inch pans if needed. If you do, I recommend lining the pan you build the cake in with plenty of overhanging plastic wrap. This will make it easier to lift out the finished cake. I like to lift it out before I add the final touches.
  • Ditch the Box Mix: Want to take this cake a step further and make your Brownies From Scratch? More power to you!
Cake Batter Fudge Brownie Ice Cream Cake slice on a plate

Storage Instructions

This beautiful brownie ice cream cake will last for up to 2 weeks if you store it properly. Keep it frozen in an airtight container and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before you slice it. This allows the brownies to soften up a bit, making it easier to cut through.

Cake Batter Fudge Brownie Ice Cream Cake slice on a plate

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A brownie cake batter ice cream cake on a white cake stand on top of a dining table
Recipe

Cake Batter Fudge Brownie Ice Cream Cake

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 14
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Cake Batter Fudge Brownie Ice Cream Cake combines all of your favorite treats into one glorious dessert! Layers of chewy brownie and creamy cake batter ice cream are topped with hot fudge sauce, whipped cream and sprinkles.


Ingredients

  • 18.4 oz box brownie mix (or similar size), plus ingredients listed on box
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 3/4 cup dry funfetti cake mix, heat treated
  • 8 oz Cool Whip
  • 5 tbsp sprinkles
  • 1/2 cup + 4 tbsp hot fudge sauce

Instructions

Make the Brownies

  1. Make brownie batter according to instructions on back of box.
  2. Grease two 8-inch pans (preferably springform pans, see above) and line the bottoms with parchment paper to allow for easy removal. Bake at temperature on box, reducing baking time to about 20 minutes.
  3. When brownies are done baking, allow to completely cool.

Make the Cake Batter Ice Cream

  1. Once the cake has cooled, make the ice cream. Beat cream cheese until smooth.
  2. Add sugar, milk and cake mix to cream cheese and mix until completely combined. Mixture will be thick and sticky.
  3. Fold in the cool whip and sprinkles. Mixture will be thick.

Assemble the Cake

  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. If not using a springform pan, you pan put some plastic wrap in the bottom of the pan and up the sides and use it to lift the cake out of the pan when it’s done. 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 brownie layer in the bottom of your pan.
  3. Spread 1/4 cup of hot fudge sauce on top of the brownie.
  4. Add half of the ice cream and spread into an even layer.
  5. Drizzle 2 tbsp of hot fudge over ice cream and gently work it into the ice cream to create a little of a swirl.
  6. Add second brownie to the pan.
  7. Spread 1/4 cup of hot fudge sauce on top of the brownie.
  8. Top with remaining ice cream.
  9. Add remaining 2 tbsp of hot fudge and gently work it into the ice cream to create a little swirl.
  10. Allow ice cream cake to freeze completely, 6-8 hours.
  11. When frozen, remove from springform pan and remove parchment paper from sides.
  12. Drizzle with additional hot fudge sauce and top with whipped cream and sprinkles.

Notes

  • Makes 12-14 servings.
  • To Store: Keep this cake frozen in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before you slice it. This allows the brownies to soften up a bit, making it easier to cut through.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Slice
  • Calories: 465
  • Sugar: 40.9 g
  • Sodium: 285.9 mg
  • Fat: 25.6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 59.6 g
  • Protein: 5.1 g
  • Cholesterol: 43.2 mg

Categories

Enjoy!

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77 Comments
  1. Jacki

    This looks heavenly! My kids prefer chocolate ice cream.. do you think i could use a chocolate cake mix instead?

    1. Lindsay

      Preheat your oven to 350°. Spread the mix out onto a cookie sheet and bake it for about five minutes, then let it cool completely.

  2. Sasheen

    For the funfetti cake mix, what or how do you “toast” it? Looking at making this for my nephews birthday.

    1. Lindsay

      Since cake mix has raw flour in it, it’s best to heat-treat it prior to using. You can bake/toast it in the oven by cooking it at about 400 degrees for 5-10 minutes.

  3. April

    Hey Lindsey – I would love to make this cake tonight for my hubby’s bday tomorrow but was wondering if I could use the strawberry ice cream from the neopolitan ice cream cake instead of this funfetti one. What do you think would work? I’m a perfectionist so let me know the best way to do it! Thanks so much!

  4. Leashy85

    This looks so yummy and cute! Now i have to try to recreate it using gluten free and dairy free ingredients, argh! I’m sure it probably wont taste as good as I’m sure yours does, but hopefully it’ll be as pretty! Thanks for the inspiration 😊

  5. Vanessa

    Your pics are amazing! I felt like being extra lazy so I bought a container of vanilla ice cream, let it come to almost room temp and stirred in some sprinkles then lined 2 8 inch pans with parchment, filled it half way and then froze it. Absolutely delish! Thanks for the idea!

  6. Carie Jimenez

    I’m these in structures you say to make brownies and let cool.  Then under cake batter recipe you say to let cake cool but I never saw when to make the confetti cake.  Am I measuring the cake mice out of box or bake cake?  Thank u

  7. Melanie

    Hi! Wondering if you make the funfetti cake then put it in the ice cream or you use the dry mix in the ice cream? Thank you!

  8. Hira

    Hello Lindsay
    I made this cake yesterday but i used baskin ribins vanilla icecream instead of making my own. I assembled the cake in way as mentioned but when i took it out and served it, brownie was hard as rock and difficult to cut and of course to eat. So we had to waited till the brownie got soften but by that the icecream was melted. Thats how its supposed to be?

    1. Lindsay

      Yes, I could see that being an issue. The ice cream used in the recipe isn’t really a standard ice cream and doesn’t melt quite the same way, but gives the same flavor as ice cream. Because of that, you can let the cake soften a bit without the ice cream going everywhere. I’m sorry you had trouble with it!

    1. Lindsay

      I would think that’d be fine. You could cut it in half for an 8 inch round – or it might all fit well in a 9×13.

      1. Lindsay

        Pop it in the oven and cook it a bit, so that you kill any potential bacteria. I set my oven to 350 and spread it out on a cookie sheet and bake it for 5-10 minutes.

      2. Laura Raymond

        Thank you!
        I have used funfetti cake mix before in other recipes but it’s always been baked. Do you think this is a crucial step?

  9. Dena Durr

    This cake looks awesome and I am going to attempt to make it but I have a question about the assembly. I am not understanding how I will be able to assemble the cake with all of the layers fitting in one 8″ pan. How deep should the pan be?

    1. Lindsay

      I use an 8×3 inch cake pan and then the parchment paper that is used to line the sides of the pan extend the height a little more (photo). You could also use an actual cake collar (affiliate link).

  10. Jennie Gemignani

    Our youngest was scrolling through Pinterest looking for ice cream cakes for her birthday. She picked this one, not realizing the connection to you until we were reading through the recipe.

    You entice us, even unexpectedly, Lindsay! ????

    Hope you are feeling great!

  11. Nancy

    I made this for my grandson, my question is, will it freeze solid? Mine is still soft and has been in the freezer for 5 hours.

  12. Thaveesha Lokuge

    If I use this brownie recipe (www.lifeloveandsugar.com/2015/12/21/strawberry-brownie-cheesecake/) for the brownie layer, should I bake it for the usual 30-35 minutes in 350 degrees?

    1. Lindsay

      The brownie from the cheesecake is made in a 9 inch pan. This cake uses 8 inch pans. If you are going to make one brownie in an 8 inch, you’d need to bake it for longer. If you split it into two pans, you’d bake it less. Probably closer to 20 minutes.

  13. Thaveesha Lokuge

    Hi Lindsay,
    I recently stumbled upon your blog and I have to say it’s amazing. Thank you for sharing all these amazing recipes. When I saw this recipe instantly I thought, “I have to make this for my sister’s b’day” coz it looks fantastic. Though I have a couple of questions about it. We don’t have the brownie mix or the funfetti mix in our country and I was wondering if I could use the brownie mix from one of your own recipes (www.lifeloveandsugar.com/2015/12/21/strawberry-brownie-cheesecake/) & the funfetti mix from your own vanilla cake mix (www.lifeloveandsugar.com/2017/02/24/homemade-vanilla-cake-mix/)? I’ll be really glad if you could help me out.

    1. Lindsay

      I haven’t ever tried it, but it would probably be worth trying. The brownie should be fine. You can split it into two 8 inch pans. Not entirely sure on the bake time, but probably around 18-20 minutes. As for the cake mix, it’d be worth trying. 🙂

      1. Thaveesha Lokuge

        Hi again! So I tried it with your vanilla cake mix & it turned out great. Everyone in my family loved it. Thank you so much Lindsay! ????

  14. Diane

    Can I add the whipped cream decorations and then freeze or add that when I take out of the freezer?   I’m making for my nephew’s birthday. 

  15. Lily

    In the photos are the little swirls on top the leftover ice cream or something else? This cake looks delicious and I can’t wait to make it for my birthday on Saturday!

  16. Anna

    Thank you so much for your recipes! I made the, Cake Batter Fudge Brownie cake for my son’s birthday. We used the Pillsbury gluten free funfetti cake mix and it was a huge hit with everyone! Thank you again for helping us to make the occasion special.

  17. Kate Koster

    Just wondering, i’ve something similar and struggled to cut through the frozen brownie base when serving. Did u find this or any tips?. Thanks kate

    1. Lindsay

      The brownie can be a little firm, but I usually let the cake sit for about 45 minutes or so before cutting and it’s fine.

  18. Barbara

    Hi! Do you think that a 12″ pan would work to double this recipe? Or do you think a 10″ pan would be better?

    1. Lindsay

      Hmmm, I’m not entirely sure. Both might work, one would just be taller. 🙂 I might try the 10 inch. You could also do a 9×13 pan most likely.

  19. Rachael

    Hello There, just wondering if the brownie is frozen through when lifted out of the freezer and if so does this create an issue when trying to cut the cake?

    1. Lindsay

      Yes, the brownie will be frozen. You can let the cake sit out for about 20 minutes before cutting and it should be fine.

  20. Katie

    I want to make this cake for my husband’s birthday, was just curious how many days in advance I could make it?

    1. Lindsay

      Because it’s frozen, it should be fine for several days. I’d say 2-3 days in advance at most is probably best though.

  21. Taylor

    I’m wanting to make this for my son’s birthday tomorrow. I’m not the most experienced person in the kitchen. Could I use store bought ice cream?

    1. Lindsay

      I would think you could, but you’d have to change up the method a bit. Melted ice cream is much thinner than the ice cream I use in the recipe.

  22. Bree

    I am making this cake for my little sister for her birthday… I just wanted to be sure, the hot fudge sauce you are talking about, do you mean the kind that you buy in the jar and heat up before you use or the kind you buy in a plastic bottle and can just squeeze out? And if it is the jar I assume I am heating it before I put it in and on the cake?

    1. lifeloveandsugar@gmail.com

      I used Hershey’s brand hot fudge sauce for this cake. It does come in a jar and should probably be warmed a bit before using.

  23. Kelly

    Looks delicious!! I’m planning on making it for my sister for her birthday. Do you have an idea on how many it serves? Thank you!!

  24. Aimee @ Like mother like daughter

    I love all your ice cream cakes. And this one sounds AMAZING. I mean cake batter and brownie? Yes yes please!

  25. Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes)

    That fence story is a trip girl. But this brownie situation is all I will be dreaming about until someone makes it for my bday!

  26. Renee@Two in the Kitchen

    OH my heavens! Now THIS is a cake!! I love your fence betting story. So glad for you that it’s finally up! 🙂

  27. Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats

    For the record you are totally without a doubt correct on the betting rules! I hope he bet another one of these cakes because this looks to die for! Hope you have a fun trip!

  28. Amy @ Amy's Healthy Baking

    This cake. There are NO words. You totally outdid yourself! Ice cream is my kryptonite, fudgy brownies are my vice, and topping it all off with hot fudge sauce… So dangerous. 😉 Pinned!

  29. Tonia from TheGunnySack

    Yay! They finished the fence! This cake is the most gorgeous thing ever. My family would go crazy for it!

  30. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    That’s great that you r fence is finally finished! And I totally agree with you about betting, if no one wins, how can you get a reward? 🙂 This cake looks so delish! All of my favorites combined into one. Yum!

  31. Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures

    This is so festive and pretty! I think I in a bet if your both wrong, no one gets a reward or prize.

  32. Tanya+Schroeder

    Staining fences? No way, I’m with you, eating cake is way better. I do love is idea of how betting works though, that’s pretty good. Lindsay, as usual, you’ve outdone yourself with this one!

  33. Mir

    Your ice cream cakes put Baskin Robbins to shame! This is gorgeous.
    I agree with you on betting philosophy, by the way…

Lindsay
About Lindsay

I'm a wife and a mom to twin boys and a baby girl! And I've got a serious sweets addiction! Bring on the treats!

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