Sweet Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Cake Recipe: A Summer Delight

Sweet summer memories burst through this strawberry shortcake ice cream cake that blends creamy nostalgia with delightful dessert magic.

Layers of smooth vanilla ice cream mingle with crumbled shortbread cookies and fresh strawberry chunks.

Childhood favorites dance together in each cool, delectable bite.

Soft whipped cream swirls across the top, creating a dreamy landscape of textures and flavors.

Homemade goodness shines through every carefully crafted slice.

Decadent yet simple, this dessert promises to become your new warm-weather obsession.

Chill out and savor every spoonful of pure deliciousness.

Why You’ll Love Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Cake

• Celebrate Seasonal Delight: Capture the essence of summer with a refreshing strawberry-packed dessert that bursts with fruity goodness.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients or add personal touches like different cookie crumbs or chocolate drizzles to make the recipe uniquely yours.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Perfect for gatherings, potlucks, and family celebrations where everyone craves a cool, sweet treat that looks professionally crafted.
• No-Fuss Preparation: Simple step-by-step instructions make this dessert achievable for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced home cooks.

What You’ll Need For Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation that provides structure and texture for the cake layer.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cake crumb.
• Baking Powder: Gives the cake its light and fluffy rise.

• Eggs: Bind the cake ingredients and provide moisture and richness.
• Milk: Contributes to the cake's soft texture and helps blend ingredients.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures the cake remains moist and tender.

• Vanilla Ice Cream: Creates a creamy base for the strawberry mixture.
• Fresh Strawberries, Strawberry Preserves: Add intense strawberry flavor and natural sweetness.
• Shortbread Cookies: Provide a crisp, buttery crunch to the dessert.

• Whipped Cream, Strawberry Syrup: Adds decorative and additional flavor elements.
• White Chocolate Shavings: Offers a delicate, elegant garnish.
• Fresh Strawberries: Provides a fresh and vibrant final decoration.

How To Build Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank up your oven to a toasty 350°F and generously grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray.

Step 2: Mix Dry Cake Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk these ingredients together until they create a smooth, even mixture.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

• Eggs
• Milk
• Vegetable oil

Blend until the ingredients are completely incorporated and look smooth.

Step 4: Create Cake Batter

Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix until a uniform cake batter forms without overmixing.

Step 5: Prepare Cake for Baking

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Use a spatula to spread the batter evenly across the surface.

Step 6: Bake the Cake Base

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 7: Cool the Cake

Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely at room temperature for about 1 hour.

Step 8: Soften Ice Cream

Take vanilla ice cream out of the freezer and let it soften at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.

Step 9: Create Strawberry Ice Cream Layer

• Chopped fresh strawberries
• Strawberry preserves

Mix until evenly distributed.

Step 10: Apply Ice Cream Layer

Spread the strawberry-infused ice cream mixture evenly over the cooled cake base.

Step 11: Freeze the First Layer

Place the cake in the freezer for 2-3 hours until the ice cream layer is completely set.

Step 12: Add Whipped Cream

Carefully spread a layer of whipped cream over the frozen ice cream surface.

Step 13: Add Cookie Crunch

Sprinkle crushed shortbread cookies across the whipped cream layer.

Step 14: Decorate with Fresh Strawberries

Arrange sliced fresh strawberries decoratively on top of the cake.

Step 15: Drizzle with Strawberry Syrup

Create a beautiful zigzag pattern of strawberry syrup across the cake.

Step 16: Garnish with Chocolate

Sprinkle white chocolate shavings over the entire surface.

Step 17: Final Freezing

Return the cake to the freezer for an additional 30 minutes to set the decorations.

Step 18: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the cake from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften slightly before slicing and serving.

Tips For Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Cake Success

• Soften Ice Cream Perfectly: Let vanilla ice cream sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to achieve a spreadable consistency without melting completely.
• Prevent Soggy Cake Base: Cool cake entirely before adding ice cream layer to maintain a crisp, firm foundation for the dessert.
• Create Smooth Texture: Fold strawberries and preserves gently into softened ice cream to distribute fruit evenly without breaking down the ice cream's structure.
• Slice with Ease: Allow cake to sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before cutting to prevent cracking and ensure clean, beautiful slices.
• Layer Like a Pro: Spread each component evenly using an offset spatula to create uniform, professional-looking layers that showcase the dessert's beautiful ingredients.

Fun Flavors For Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Cake

• Summer Berry Blast: Replace strawberries with a mix of raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries for a vibrant, multi-berry frozen dessert.
• Tropical Paradise: Swap strawberries with diced mango and add coconut flakes, creating a refreshing Caribbean-inspired ice cream cake.
• Chocolate Lover's Dream: Substitute vanilla ice cream with chocolate ice cream, mix in chocolate chips, and top with chocolate cookie crumbs for an indulgent version.
• Salted Caramel Sensation: Layer caramel sauce between cake and ice cream, sprinkle sea salt flakes, and use brown butter shortbread cookies for a rich, sophisticated flavor profile.

What Goes Well With Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Cake

• Pair Creamy Dessert Wine: Select a sweet moscato or late-harvest riesling that complements the strawberry's bright acidity and enhances the cake's creamy texture.
• Balance Flavor with Coffee: Brew a medium-roast Colombian coffee with subtle caramel notes to cut through the dessert's richness and provide a warm contrast.
• Elevate with Sparkling Rosé: Choose a light, fruity sparkling rosé that mirrors the strawberry elements and adds elegant effervescence to each decadent bite.
• Refresh with Herbal Tea: Steep a chilled hibiscus or berry-infused herbal tea to cleanse the palate and offer a refreshing counterpoint to the sweet, creamy dessert.

How To Store Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Cake

• Place cake in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid, ensuring no moisture enters. Cover completely to prevent freezer burn and maintain fresh flavor for up to 5 days.
• Wrap cake tightly in plastic wrap, then cover with aluminum foil to protect against freezer odors. Store flat in the freezer for maximum 2 weeks without compromising texture or taste.
• Cut remaining cake into single servings, wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Keeps individual portions fresh and easy to grab for quick dessert moments.
• Remove cake from freezer and transfer to refrigerator 2-3 hours before serving. Let sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften slightly, ensuring smooth and creamy texture when slicing.

Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Cake Q&A

• What equipment do I need to make this cake?

You’ll need a 9×13 inch baking pan, mixing bowls, whisk, spatula, and a freezer with enough space to store the cake.

• Can I use a different type of cake base?

Yes, you can substitute the vanilla cake with a yellow cake mix or a homemade sponge cake recipe for similar results.

• How do I prevent the cake from being too hard when serving?

Let the cake sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before slicing to soften the ice cream and make cutting easier.

• Is it possible to make this cake ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the cake up to 3 days in advance and keep it well-covered in the freezer until you’re ready to serve.

Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sweet memories melt together in this Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Cake, blending creamy layers of nostalgia with summer’s freshest berries. Cool dessert magic awaits you, promising a delightful journey through classic flavors and irresistible textures.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cake Base:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

Ice Cream Layer:

• 1.5 quarts vanilla ice cream
• 1 cup chopped fresh strawberries
• 1/4 cup strawberry preserves

Topping and Decoration:

• 2 cups whipped cream
• 1/2 cup crushed shortbread cookies
• 1/4 cup sliced fresh strawberries
• 2 tbsp strawberry syrup
• 1/4 cup white chocolate shavings

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and thoroughly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
2. Combine dry cake ingredients in a large mixing bowl, creating a smooth, even mixture.
3. Whisk eggs, milk, and vegetable oil in a separate bowl until well incorporated.
4. Gently fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients, mixing until a uniform cake batter forms.
5. Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly with a spatula.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Allow cake to cool completely at room temperature for approximately 1 hour.
8. Soften vanilla ice cream at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
9. Fold chopped strawberries and strawberry preserves into softened ice cream.
10. Spread ice cream mixture evenly over the cooled cake base.
11. Freeze the cake for 2-3 hours until ice cream layer is completely set.
12. Carefully spread whipped cream over the frozen ice cream layer.
13. Sprinkle crushed shortbread cookies across the whipped cream surface.
14. Arrange sliced fresh strawberries decoratively on top.
15. Drizzle strawberry syrup in a zigzag pattern.
16. Garnish with white chocolate shavings.
17. Return cake to freezer for an additional 30 minutes before serving.
18. Let cake sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften slightly before slicing.

Notes

• Enhance cake’s moisture by using buttermilk instead of regular milk for a richer, more tender texture.
• Replace traditional cake mix with gluten-free alternatives to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Create a vegan version by substituting eggs with mashed bananas or applesauce and using non-dairy ice cream.
• Prevent ice cream from melting during preparation by working quickly and keeping ingredients well-chilled.

• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg