Black Forest Ice Cream Cake

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This black forest ice cream cake is made with an Oreo cookie crust, chocolate ice cream, maraschino cherries, and whipped topping. A quick and easy no-bake dessert recipe that's a showstopper on any dessert table!

A close up, straight on image of a slice of black forest ice cream cake on a plate.

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Why You'll Love This Black Forest Cake Ice Cream-Style
Ingredient Information And Substitutions
How To Make This Recipe For Easy Ice Cream Cake
Frequently Asked Questions
Tips For Making Ice Cream Pies
What To Serve With This Chocolate Ice Cream Cake
Other Delicious No-Bake Dessert Recipes To Try
Black Forest Ice Cream Cake

Why You'll Love This Black Forest Cake Ice Cream-Style

You know what my family loves? A dessert that looks like you spent hours on it, but actually took about 10 minutes to throw together. This one's perfect for the holidays, Valentine's Day, or honestly just a Tuesday when you need something special on the table.

I'm a firm believer that there should always be an ice cream pie in the freezer... not even for guests, just because you deserve it. And this one combines two of my favorite things: a classic black forest cake and a creamy ice cream pie, in one ridiculously easy dessert. Here's what makes this easy ice cream cake recipe so great:

No bake
Ready in under 15 minutes
Always a crowd-pleaser
Freezer-friendly

An overhead image of an ice cream pie with cherries and chocolate shavings on top.

Ingredient Information And Substitutions

Oreo cookie crust- I buy mine pre-made right in the baking aisle. You could make your own by mixing crushed Oreos with melted butter.
Chocolate ice cream- Use your favorite brand. Chocolate is the classic choice, but cherry chocolate chip or dark chocolate would also be delicious.
Maraschino cherries- You'll use most of them chopped and used as a layer in the pie, but pull aside a few of the prettiest ones for topping.
Whipped topping- Adds a light, creamy layer over the cherries. Cool Whip works perfectly here.
Chocolate shavings- For garnish. Mini chocolate chips work just as well and are even easier.

An overhead image of labeled recipe ingredients.

How To Make This Recipe For Easy Ice Cream Cake

Step 1- Soften the ice cream.

Pull your chocolate ice cream out of the freezer and let it sit on the counter for 7-10 minutes to soften. Drain and chop most of the cherries in a food processor, reserving a few of the prettiest ones on the side for topping.

Step 2- Build the pie.

Carefully spread the ice cream inside the Oreo crust, leaving about ¼ inch of space at the top. Use a spatula to smooth the surface.

Cherries chopped in a food processor and chocolate ice cream spread in the oreo crust.

Step 3- Add the cherries.

Evenly distribute the chopped maraschino cherries over the ice cream layer.

Step 4- Top with whipped topping.

Carefully spread the whipped topping over the cherries to cover the top of the pie completely.

A layer of chopped cherries on the ice cream and then topped with whipped topping, whole cherries and chocolate shavings.

Step 5- Decorate and freeze.

Place 8 whole cherries evenly around the perimeter and 1 in the center. Sprinkle with chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips. Return to the freezer for at least 1 hour before serving. Cover once frozen solid.

A slice of ice cream cake being lifted from the pan.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to make an ice cream cake?

Press your crust into a pie pan, spread softened ice cream over it, layer on your toppings, and freeze for at least an hour. That's it… no baking, no fuss.

Does the ice cream cake need to stay frozen?

Yes, pull it out a few minutes before serving to make slicing easier, then return any leftovers to the freezer right away.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes. This is actually a great make-ahead dessert. Assemble it, freeze it solid, then cover tightly.

A close up image of the layers of the ice cream pie.

Tips For Making Ice Cream Pies

Pull aside your nine best-looking cherries before chopping the rest. It makes the decorating step much easier.
Drain remaining cherries well and chop them small. This prevents the ice cream layer from getting icy and ensures a better distribution in every slice- be sure to put a few whole ones aside for topping.
An offset spatula is your best friend for getting a smooth, even ice cream layer.
Let the ice cream soften before spreading. 7-10 minutes on the counter makes all the difference and prevents tearing up the crust.
Work quickly once the ice cream is softened. You don't want it melting before it goes back in the freezer.
Don't skip the freeze time. A full hour minimum ensures clean slices. Longer is even better.
Make two pies. Seriously. This goes fast, and leftovers are not a guarantee. Having a backup in the freezer is never a bad idea!
Ingredients to prep ahead- You can drain and chop your cherries in advance and keep them in the fridge until you're ready to assemble.
Leftovers and storage- Cover tightly and store in the freezer for up to one week.

A slice of ice cream pie on a plate with a bite on a fork on the plate as well.

What To Serve With This Chocolate Ice Cream Cake

This pairs perfectly with easy, no-fuss meals, the kind where dinner comes together just as quickly as dessert. A few ideas my family loves:

Other Delicious No-Bake Dessert Recipes To Try

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down. Check out my Amazon Store for all my favorite tools, including those used in this recipe. And follow @thelifejolie on Instagram and TikTok!