Ice cream cake pops are the ultimate party treat cool, creamy, chocolatey, and totally customizable. Imagine your favorite ice cream wrapped in soft cake crumbs, dipped in a chocolate shell, and topped with sprinkles or cookie bits. They’re a little time-intensive (thanks to freezing between steps), but every bite proves they’re absolutely worth it. Whether you’re throwing a birthday bash, prepping for a shower, or just want to surprise your family, these treats bring the fun.
Here’s how a little nostalgia sparked this freezer-friendly favorite in my NYC kitchen.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
A Childhood Memory Reimagined
Growing up, my grandmother made cake balls for every occasion weddings, church potlucks, or just because it was Sunday. No fancy mixers, no stress. Just soft hands, warm cake, and good music in the background. When I started cooking for my own family, I kept her tradition alive but decided to give it a twist. I scooped a little ice cream into the middle, rolled it in cake crumbs, dipped it in chocolate, and froze them. That first batch? Gone in minutes.
Today, ice cream cake pops are a staple in our home. We love making different versions chocolate for my son, strawberry for my niece’s birthday, and Oreo for my husband’s late-night cravings. The best part? They’re freezer-ready, so I always have a stash for unexpected guests or those random dessert cravings.
What Makes Ice Cream Cake Pops Irresistible
What’s not to love? They combine everything we want in dessert: creamy ice cream, fluffy cake, a crunchy chocolate shell, and fun toppings. These pops are endlessly versatile. You can even take flavor inspiration from other easy treats, like our strawberry angel food cake, which pairs beautifully with strawberry ice cream in a pink coating.
They’re cute, compact, and perfect for parties or freezer storage. Stick or no stick, they’re an easy win for dessert lovers of any age.
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How To Make Ice Cream Cake Pops That Everyone Will Love
- Total Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 50 cake pops 1x
Description
Ice cream cake pops are fun frozen treats made with cake crumbs, ice cream, and chocolate shell. Perfect for birthdays and parties.
Ingredients
15.25 oz cake mix (chocolate, white, or strawberry)
1 cup water
½ cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1 quart ice cream (any flavor)
4 cups chocolate chips or white chocolate chips
½ cup coconut oil
¼ cup sprinkles or crushed cookies
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix cake mix, water, oil, and eggs. Bake in greased 9×13 pan for 30–35 minutes. Cool completely.
2. Crumble cooled cake into a large bowl. Scoop small ice cream balls (2 tsp size), coat in crumbs, freeze until solid.
3. Melt chocolate chips with coconut oil in microwave-safe bowl. Stir until smooth.
4. Roll frozen balls between hands, insert lollipop stick, dip in melted chocolate. Add toppings immediately. Freeze again until firm.
5. Store pops in airtight container or wrap individually. Keep frozen until ready to serve.
Notes
Store in freezer for up to 2 weeks.
Try different cake and ice cream combos like caramel, Funfetti, or marshmallow.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Ice Cream
- Method: Frozen Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pop
- Calories: 186
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0.1g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 16mg
How to Make Ice Cream Cake Pops
Making ice cream cake pops isn’t hard it just takes a bit of patience. You’ll be working in layers: bake the cake, form the ice cream centers, chill, dip, then decorate. Each step builds toward that perfect bite of soft, cold, crunchy, and sweet.
Start with Cake and Ice Cream Centers
Begin by baking a basic cake using a boxed mix chocolate, white, or strawberry all work well. Let the cake cool completely, then crumble it into fine crumbs in a large bowl. One standard 9×13-inch cake makes about 8 cups of crumbs, enough for 50 pops.
Next, scoop your favorite ice cream into small balls using a 2-teaspoon-sized dough scoop. Immediately roll each scoop in the cake crumbs, gently pressing them to coat. As you form each one, place it into a parchment-lined pan and pop it into the freezer. The colder your freezer, the faster they’ll set. Don’t rush this if they’re too soft when dipped, they’ll fall apart. Overnight freezing is best.
Coating, Dipping, and Decorating Tips
Once the cake-covered ice cream balls are fully hardened, melt your coating. Use semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or candy melts. Add a bit of coconut oil to help thin the chocolate for smooth dipping. Microwave in short bursts, stirring until glossy and fully melted.
Take one frozen ball out at a time, roll it between your hands to smooth it out, and insert a lollipop stick (if using). Dip into the melted coating, tap off the excess, and quickly sprinkle with toppings like crushed Oreos, rainbow sprinkles, or cookie crumbs. Return it to the freezer right away to set.
Want to add fruity flair? Pair strawberry cake with berry ice cream for a pop of color and flavor. These are great for kids’ parties or even mini bridal shower favors.
Flavor Variations & Creative Twists
The beauty of ice cream cake pops is how easy it is to customize them. Once you master the basic technique, the fun begins mixing and matching ice cream, cake, coatings, and toppings to create your own flavor combos. These are just a few of our favorites, plus some playful ideas for special occasions.
Top 3 Flavors to Try: Chocolate, Oreo, Strawberry
Chocolate Lover’s Dream
Use chocolate cake with chocolate ice cream, dip in dark chocolate, and finish with rainbow sprinkles or mini chocolate chips. This one’s a hit at birthday parties and is always the first to vanish from dessert tables.
Cookies and Cream Delight
Start with a white or vanilla cake and Oreo ice cream, then coat in white chocolate and sprinkle with crushed Oreos. You can also mix Oreo crumbs into the cake itself for extra crunch. It’s the perfect treat for cookie fans my husband, Brian, always requests a batch for movie nights.
Pretty in Pink (Strawberry)
Strawberry cake + strawberry ice cream = pink perfection. Dip in a pink-tinted candy coating, add white sprinkles, and you’ve got a beautiful dessert for baby showers or girls’ birthdays. Want a blue version? Just swap in blue ice cream, vanilla cake, and blue candy melts.
More Ideas: Marshmallow, Funfetti, Caramel Crunch
Want to go bold? Try marshmallow ice cream with chocolate cake, coated in graham cracker crumbs for a s’mores effect. Or make a playful birthday cake version with Funfetti cake and cake batter ice cream. For something a little more grown-up, use caramel ice cream, vanilla cake, and dip in white chocolate with chopped pecans on top.
These fun twists are great for mixing things up or designing a full ice cream cake pop dessert bar for guests to sample and enjoy.
Tips, Storage & Serving Suggestions
Once your ice cream cake pops are dipped, decorated, and frozen, it’s time to think about storage and presentation. These fun little treats hold up beautifully with the right steps, making them ideal for both last-minute desserts and make-ahead party sweets.
Make Ahead, Freeze, and Store Like a Pro
One of the best things about ice cream cake pops is how freezer-friendly they are. After your final coating step, place the pops back in the freezer to harden completely. Once firm, you can transfer them to an airtight container or a large freezer-safe bag. If you’re making multiple flavors, store them separately to keep the toppings and colors from mixing.
Want to go one step further? Wrap each individual pop in plastic wrap or place them in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon. Not only does this protect the coating and prevent freezer burn, but it also makes your treats giftable and party-ready. These pops can be stored in the freezer for up to two weeks for best taste and texture though they rarely last that long!
How to Serve at Events Without a Meltdown
Timing is key when serving these frozen pops. Keep them frozen until right before your event. For easy presentation, stand them upright in a foam block, cake pop stand, or a mason jar filled with sugar or rice. Lay them flat on a chilled tray if you prefer a no-stick version.
If your gathering is outdoors or during hot weather, keep them in a cooler with ice packs nearby and only display a few at a time. That way, they stay firm and photo-worthy until the last bite. Trust me guests love the surprise inside just as much as the chocolate shell on top.
Why Ice Cream Cake Pops Deserve a Spot in Your Freezer
Ice cream cake pops bring together everything you love about dessert cake, ice cream, chocolate, and toppings all in one bite-sized treat. They may take a little extra time to prep, freeze, and dip, but the result is more than worth it. These pops are freezer-friendly, endlessly customizable, and fun to decorate for any occasion.
Whether you’re making chocolate for a birthday, strawberry for a baby shower, or cookies and cream for a late-night snack, there’s a version for everyone. With a few simple steps and a little planning, you can surprise your family, impress your guests, and enjoy a cold, creamy treat straight from your freezer. Like all sweets, these are best enjoyed in moderation Harvard Health explains why sugar should be consumed mindfully, especially when it comes to maintaining long-term health and balance.
So grab your cake mix, a tub of ice cream, and your favorite toppings. It’s time to make your own batch of unforgettable ice cream cake pops—treats to be savored, shared, and enjoyed, one sweet bite at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ice Cream Cake Pops
Why do Starbucks cake pops taste so good?
Starbucks cake pops are known for their rich, moist texture. They’re made by mixing cake crumbs with frosting to create a smooth, fudgy base, then coated in a candy shell. While they don’t include ice cream like homemade ice cream cake pops, their creamy consistency and sweet finish make them an easy favorite.
Do ice cream cone cupcakes get soggy?
They can, especially if made too far ahead of time. The cone absorbs moisture from the batter and frosting, which softens the crunch. If you’re serving them at a party, prepare them the same day. With ice cream cake pops, the cake crumb coating and freezing process help lock in texture longer, making sogginess less of an issue.
Do I have to freeze cake pops before dipping?
Yes—especially for ice cream cake pops. If the ice cream isn’t fully frozen, the ball can soften too fast and fall apart during dipping. Freezing the cake-covered scoops for at least 3–4 hours (or overnight) ensures they stay firm when coated in warm chocolate or candy melts.
Does Walmart do cake pops?
Walmart carries traditional cake pops, often pre-packaged or available in the bakery department. They’re great for convenience, but you won’t find the unique twist of ice cream cake pops there. For that cool surprise center, homemade is the way to go—and you can get creative with every detail, from cake flavor to toppi
