Cindy "TheSweetNerd" Rodriguez Lickety split! Try making this ice cream cake tower and watch it disappear in seconds. My hubby loves bananas so I decided to create a masterpiece for him to mark his 47th birthday. Strawberry, pineapple, and chocolate layers are sandwiched between a ring of vanilla sandwich goodness to create this lovely Banana Split Ice Cream Cake. The best part of this recipe – no baking is necessary! Just split, slice, scoop, and top with a cherry!
HOW DO YOU START? BUY IT!
- SANDWICH BARS: Pick your favorite brand of ice cream sandwich bars and split them four ways. You will need approximately 7 bars.
- ICE CREAM: I used McConnell’s Ice Cream because I love their flavor profiles. If you want to use more traditional flavors, opt for chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.
- SAUCES: You’ll want a chocolate sauce, pineapple sauce, and strawberry sauce. You can usually find these sauces by the ice cream cones or topping section. (OK, I cheated and made fresh strawberry sauce – see my recipe below.)
- COOKIES: I would say splurge on some showstopper cookies. I love Tates and find they hold up really well in cakes and ice creams when they’re crushed. Buy vanilla and chocolate cookies that can easily be crumbled by hand.
- CAKE COLLAR (ACETATE) + SPRINGFORM PAN 9″: The pan (with a removable bottom) will make your life really easy as you build the tower, layer by layer. The acetate will allow you to build without anything toppling over. You don’t want a leaning power of pisa!
- TOPPINGS: Whipped cream, sliced bananas, cherries, and rainbow jimmies or sprinkles.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO PREP?
- FILLING: Combine store bought cookies (crumbled) + fresh fruit + sauce.
- WHIP: Fresh whipping cream (cold heavy whipping cream + dash of sugar).
- TOPPING: Chocolate ganache can be done by warming cream in microwave or stovetop and then combine with chopped chocolate.
- GANACHE: Final chocolate layer prepared easily on a stovetop or in the microwave.
- OPTIONAL SAUCES: If you want, you can make easy stovetop sauces. I could not find a strawberry sauce that I liked, so I made my own in only 10 minutes.
LET’S CREATE THE ICE CREAM CAKE TOWER!
- PREP THE PAN: Line the pan with your cake collar.
- OUTER EDGE: In a circular fashion, place your ice cream sandwich wedges. Freeze.
- LAYERS: Cookie Crumbles-n-Fruit + Ice Cream + Bananas. Freeze.
- WHIPPING CREAM: Layer whipping cream. Freeze.
- GANACHE: Pour over frozen cake and top with sprinkles, bananas, whipped cream (from a can), and cherries.
Voila! Almost done. Now comes cutting this cake. Muscle women – UNITE! You will need a hot glass of water, wet cloth, a sharp knife, and some grit! Dip your knife in the water, put some muscle in to it, and slice away baby.
Photos by: Maria Hedrick Photography
Ice Cream Sandwich Cake 1/4 cup chocolate sauce (store bought) 1/2 cup pineapple sauce (store bought) 9 bananas sliced (2-3 per layer) chocolate ice cream, 4-6 scoops strawberry ice cream, 4-6 scoops 6-8 chocolate cookies, crumbled (I used Tates Cookies) 14-16 vanilla cookies, crumbled (I used Tates Cookies) 1 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, chilled 2 tablespoons confectioners sugar, sifted Strawberry Sauce 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled 1 tablespoons granulated sugar (add more to your taste) Topping, Chocolate Ganache 3 ounces dark chocolate, finely chopped Decorating Ice Cream Sandwich Cake 1Prep pan with parchment liner on bottom and acetate clear around the inside of the springform pan with at least a 1-2" hang on top. 2Cut ice cream sandwiches into four equal parts and line the inside edge of the springform pan with the sandwich rectangles. 3Each layer is built inside of the sandwich rectangles and consists of a cookie crumble + ice cream + banana layer. 4First layer: Combine crumbled chocolate cookie with chocolate sauce. Line the inside of the sandwich circle with the crumb mixture. Add in chocolate ice cream, and then line with sliced bananas. Put in the freezer for 20 minutes. 5Second layer: Combine crumbled vanilla cookie with pineapple sauce. Add in vanilla ice cream, and then line with banana slices. Put in freezer for 20 minutes. 6Third layer: Combine crumbled vanilla cookie with strawberry sauce. (see below for instructions on homemade strawberry sauce). Add in strawberry ice cream, and then line with sliced bananas. Put in the freezer for 20 minutes. 7Add whipping cream layer. Freeze. 8To finish, pour the chocolate ganache over the top of the whipping cream layer. Decorate with jimmies and add banana slices, whipped cream, and cherries to top! Slice immediately. Strawberry sauce (should yield about 1 cup) 1Place strawberries and sugar in a medium saucepan. Cook uncovered over medium high-heat, breaking down strawberries with a wooden spoon. Cook 5-10 minutes until softened and broken down. Cool completely before using. Whipping Cream 1In a mixer, combine powdered sugar and whipping cream until stiff peaks or ribbons form. Topping, Chocolate Ganache 1Place chopped chocolate in a bowl. Warm up heavy cream in a saucepan until simmering. Then remove from stove, and immediately add to chopped chocolate. Stir until completely mixed and let cool at room temperature.Ingredients
Directions
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This is amazing!! I know what cake I’m making next.. especially in this heat. Wow what a beauty.
Thanks Kendall!
I love how easy and fun and festive this ice cream cake is! Also, hi from another LA-based baker!!!
Hi Rebecca – let’s chat. I would love to hear more about what you’re doing.
Awesome cake and love the detailed directions. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much Marjory!
Wow. This is such a cool idea. I’m sure the husband loved this one 🙂
Thanks Stephanie, major points. 🙂
This is such a phenomenal ice cream cake. And great job getting it done with all the hectic that must be going on with the move 😀
Anita – thanks so much! It was insane but now I’m looking forward to a calmer September.
What an amazing idea! Love how you’ve used the ice cream sandwiches and how beautiful it all looks! I’ll take ice cream cake anyday!
Me too – I love ice cream cake (this is a reminder hint to my hubby for my birthday).
This looks insanely delicious! I’m also in love with the plates…is this from a store? Or custom-ordered? Either way, this recipe would look blissful on any plate in front of me.
What a beautiful, fun and no doubt delicious cake! I need some of this 🙂
Thanks Jennifer!
This is such a decadent looking cake but seems quite manageable given you can buy a lot of the ingredients already made. Looks so delicious!
Thanks Lorna. It’s true, it makes it way more manageable.
This is the PERFECT cake for summer and I love how you used ice cream sandwiches along the outside — genius!! I hope the move went smoothly 🙂
That is so super sweet. Thanks for the summer love.
Hey, This is so amazing… I know what cake I’m making next for my house party. Pretty decent & delicious cake. Thanks for sharing step by step cake recipe with us. Loved the decoration. Great Job dear. Best wishes and Regards.
Awww, you are really kind! Appreciate the love.