Friendly's Ice Cream Cake Recipe
Friendly's Ice Cream Cake is a delightful dessert that combines layers of rich cake and creamy ice cream, making it a perfect treat for any occasion. The recipe begins with a base of chocolate or vanilla cake, which can be made using a boxed mix or a homemade recipe. Once the cake is baked and cooled, it's sliced horizontally and layered with softened vanilla and chocolate ice creams, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.
Ingredients
Cake Layers
- 1 box chocolate or vanilla cake mix
- Water, vegetable oil, and eggs (as per cake mix instructions)
Ice Cream Layers
- 48 ounces vanilla ice cream
- 48 ounces chocolate ice cream
Additional Ingredients
- 1/2 cup hot fudge sauce
- 1 cup whipped cream (for decorating)
- Optional: sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or other toppings for garnish
Instructions
- Mixing the Cake Batter:Preheat your oven to the temperature specified on the cake mix box.In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs according to the package instructions.Beat the ingredients together using a mixer until smooth and well combined, ensuring there are no lumps in the batter.
- Baking and Cooling the Cake:Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.Divide the cake batter evenly between the prepared pans.Bake the cakes in the preheated oven for the time specified on the cake mix box, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.Once baked, remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for about 10 minutes.Transfer the cakes to a wire rack to cool completely before assembling the ice cream cake.
- Slicing the Cake Horizontally into Layers:Once the cakes are completely cooled, use a serrated knife to carefully slice each cake horizontally into two even layers, creating a total of four cake layers.
- Softening the Vanilla and Chocolate Ice Cream:Take the vanilla and chocolate ice cream out of the freezer and let them soften slightly at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes. This will make them easier to spread.
- Layering the Ice Cream and Cake in a Springform Pan:Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper.Place one cake layer at the bottom of the pan.Spread a layer of softened vanilla ice cream evenly over the cake layer.Drizzle some hot fudge sauce over the ice cream layer.Place another cake layer on top of the ice cream and fudge layer.Repeat the process with the chocolate ice cream, hot fudge sauce, and remaining cake layers, ending with a cake layer on top.
- Covering the Cake with Plastic Wrap:Cover the assembled ice cream cake with plastic wrap, ensuring it's tightly sealed to prevent freezer burn.
- Placing the Cake in the Freezer until Firm:Transfer the cake to the freezer and let it freeze until firm, which usually takes about 4-5 hours or overnight.
- Drizzling Additional Hot Fudge Sauce Over the Top:Once the ice cream cake is firm, remove it from the freezer and uncover it.Drizzle additional hot fudge sauce generously over the top of the cake.
- Piping Whipped Cream Around the Edges:Use a piping bag to pipe whipped cream around the edges of the cake for decoration.
- Adding Sprinkles, Chocolate Shavings, or Other Toppings:Optionally, sprinkle the top of the cake with sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or other toppings of your choice for added flair and flavor.
Notes
Here are some important notes to keep in mind when making Friendly's Ice Cream Cake:
- Quality Ingredients: Use high-quality cake mix, ice cream, hot fudge sauce, and whipped cream for the best flavor and texture in your ice cream cake.
- Layering: Ensure even layers of cake and ice cream for a balanced and visually appealing dessert. Spread the ice cream and hot fudge sauce evenly between the cake layers.
- Freezing Time: Allow enough time for the ice cream cake to freeze until firm. This typically takes about 4-5 hours or overnight. Cover the cake well with plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn.
- Slicing: Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water to make clean slices through the frozen cake layers when serving. This helps to maintain the integrity of the layers.
- Decorating: Get creative with decorating your ice cream cake! Drizzle additional hot fudge sauce over the top, pipe whipped cream around the edges, and add sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or other toppings for a festive look.
- Storage: Store any leftover ice cream cake covered in the freezer. Be sure to wrap it tightly to maintain its freshness and prevent ice crystals from forming.
- Dietary Considerations: You can adapt this recipe to be gluten-free by using a gluten-free cake mix and ensuring that all other ingredients are gluten-free. For a dairy-free version, use non-dairy ice cream alternatives and dairy-free whipped cream.
- Make-Ahead Option: You can make this ice cream cake ahead of time and keep it in the freezer until you're ready to serve. It's a convenient dessert option for parties and gatherings.