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    Home » Recipes » Ice Cream, Sherbert, and Frozen Treats

    Copycat Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake

    Published: Aug 30, 2025 by Eileen Murphy Kelly

    Jump to Recipe
    Pinterest pin with text overlay for Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake

    This Copycat Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake is the ultimate homemade treat for birthdays, celebrations, or just because. It’s got those creamy ice cream layers, the iconic crunchy fudge center, and a smooth whipped topping that ties it all together. Tastes just like the DQ classic, but even better because you made it yourself.

    A cake platter with a homemade Dairy Queen vanilla and chocolate cake on the platter topped with whipped topping and sprinkles.

    For specifics on the recipe use the table of contents to click on sections of the recipe.

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Ingredient List
    • Equipment
    • Instructions
    • Make-ahead, storage, and freezer tips
    • Eileen's Tips for Success
    • Variations
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Similar recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • You don’t need to turn on the oven, making it the perfect dessert for hot summer days or busy holidays when the oven is already full.
    • The recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients, so you can put it together without hunting down anything fancy.
    • It looks like a bakery-style cake but is secretly so easy to make, which means you’ll wow your guests with minimal effort.

    If you love this recipe, you’ll also enjoy my Mint Oreo Ice Cream, No Churn Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream, and Homemade Cookie Monster Ice Cream. They’re all easy crowd-pleasers with the same fun, frozen vibes.

    Ingredient List

    Ingredients for a copycat dairy queen cake with text overlay.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    • Chocolate ice cream
    • Chocolate Sandwich cookies
    • Hot fudge sauce
    • Vanilla ice cream
    • Whipped topping
    • Sprinkles

    Equipment

    • Serving platter
    • Parchment paper
    • 10-inch springform pan
    • Mixing bowl
    • Spatula

    Instructions

    This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.

    Dairy queen cake with a chocolate layer.
    1. Spread the softened chocolate ice cream evenly into the bottom of the lined springform pan. Freeze.
    A round pan with an ice cream cake being prepared with a layer of chopped chocolate sandwich cookies to make a dairy queen ice cream cake.
    1. In a mixing bowl, stir together the crushed Oreos and hot fudge sauce until well combined. Spread this mixture over the chocolate ice cream layer. Freeze,
    A round cake with a layer of vanilla ice cream on top of a chocolate layer to make an ice cream cake.
    1. Spread the softened vanilla ice cream over the Oreo-fudge layer. Freeze for 1–2 hours until completely solid.
    A layer of whipped topping is added to a copycat dairy queen layer cake.
    1. Spread whipped topping evenly over the top and decorate with sprinkles. Freeze until ready to serve.
    An overhead view of a homemade copycat Dairy Queen cake topped with whipped cream and sprinkles.

    Make-ahead, storage, and freezer tips

    Storage: Keep the cake covered in the freezer for up to 7 days.

    Make ahead: Assemble the cake up to 3 days in advance and decorate just before serving.

    Freezing: This cake is freezer-friendly for up to 2 weeks. Wrap tightly to avoid freezer burn.

    A Dairy Queen copycat cake with chocolate bottom and a vanilla top.

    Eileen's Tips for Success

    • Soften your ice cream just enough to spread easily but not so much that it melts.
    • Use a sturdy spatula to press down each layer firmly for clean slices.
    • Run your knife under hot water before cutting for smooth, neat slices.

    Variations

    Want to change up this recipe? Here are some ways to change the flavor of this dish.

    • Ice Cream: Swap chocolate ice cream for mint chocolate chip or no-churn cookies and cream.
    • Sauce: Use caramel sauce instead of fudge for a different flavor twist.
    • Toppings: Add crushed candy bars or peanut butter cups between layers. For the over-21s, add Whiskey Infused Cherries.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I make this cake without a springform pan?

    Yes! You can use a 9x13 dish lined with parchment paper, though the layers will be slightly different in thickness.

    Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?

    Absolutely. Just make sure it’s whipped to stiff peaks so it holds its shape.

    Do I have to use Oreos?

    Not at all. Any chocolate sandwich cookie will work, or you can try graham crackers for a different vibe.

    Serving Suggestions

    • Serve this Dairy Queen copycat cake recipe alongside your favorite meal, such as these Bang Bang Chicken Skewers.
    • If you are serving it for a birthday party, you can also serve it alongside this Grape Salad and Marshmallow Fruit Dip for some tasty appetizers.

    Similar recipes

    Do you love ice cream as much as I do? Check out these delicious ice cream recipes:

    Here are all our ice cream flavors.

    • Fried ice cream on a plate with chocolate and whipped cream.
      Air Fryer Fried Ice Cream Recipe
    • Cheesecake ice cream, no churn on a wire rack.
      No Churn Cheesecake Ice Cream
    • A scoop of caramel ice cream being scopped out of a bowl.
      Salted Caramel Ice Cream Recipe
    • Birthday Cake Ice Cream topped with rainbow sprinkles in a mug.
      Homemade Birthday Cake Ice Cream

    I love any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them below.

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    Thank you for your continued support. I am forever grateful.

    Eileen  xo

    If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card, you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

    📖 Recipe

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    A vanilla and chocolate ice cream cake with a slice out of the cake on a cake stand.

    Copycat Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake

    Make your very own homemade Copycat Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake at home any time. It is affordable to make and quite easy. Enjoy this chocolate and vanilla ice cream cake today.
    Print (Email Required) Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: copycat Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
    Servings: 10 servings
    Calories: 560kcal
    Author: Eileen Murphy Kelly

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

    Equipment Needed:

    • Serving Platter
    • Parchment Paper
    • 10-inch Springform Pan

    Ingredients

    • 2 ½ cups chocolate Ice Cream
    • 2 cups crushed chocolate sandwich cookies Note 1
    • 12 ounce Hot Fudge Sauce homemade or store-bought
    • 1 quart Vanilla Ice Cream
    • 8 ounces whipped topping Note 2
    • sprinkles

    Instructions

    • Line the bottom of a 10-inch springform pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
    • Let the 2 ½ cups chocolate Ice Cream soften slightly, then spread it evenly into the bottom of the springform pan.
    • Freeze for 30 minutes or until firm.
    • While the first layer freezes, mix 2 cups crushed chocolate sandwich cookies with 12 ounce Hot Fudge Sauce in a medium-sized mixing bowl until combined.
    • Spread the Oreo-fudge mixture over the frozen chocolate ice cream layer.
    • Freeze for another 30 minutes or until firm.
    • Let the 1 quart Vanilla Ice Cream soften slightly, then spread it evenly over the Oreo fudge layer.
    • Freeze the entire cake for at least 1–2 hours until completely firm.
    • Once frozen, remove the cake from the springform pan and place it on a serving platter.
    • Spread 8 ounces whipped topping over the top and finish with colorful sprinkles.
    • Freeze until ready to serve.
    • Let sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes before slicing for easier cutting. Serve and enjoy.

    NOTES

    Be sure to check the Expert Tips and FAQs above for important tips and questions that can help make a delicious recipe.
    Note 1: I use Oreo cookies
    Note 2: I use Cool Whip or Homemade Whipped Cream 
    I'm not a registered dietitian, but I strive to provide the most accurate nutritional values. Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation. Actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. 
    Don’t forget to shop at the Everyday Eileen store on Ama

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1slice | Calories: 560kcal | Carbohydrates: 87g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 355mg | Potassium: 456mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 61g | Vitamin A: 604IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 252mg | Iron: 5mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @Everyday_Eileen or tag #everydayeileen!

    More Ice Cream, Sherbert, and Frozen Treats

    • Mint Oreo no churn ice cream in a pan being scooped out of the pan.
      Mint Oreo Ice Cream Recipe
    • A loaf pan with pumpkin ice cream with a Biscoff cookie crumble.
      No-Churn Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream
    • No-churn cookie monster ice cream in a loaf pan.
      Homemade Cookie Monster Ice Cream
    • A glass cup with a gold handle with scoops of strawberry sorbet in the cup.
      Homemade Strawberry Sorbet Recipe

    Thank you for sharing!

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