This easy gluten free ice cream cake is made of three decadent layers. Gluten free chocolate cake is covered in cherry ice cream and an almond flavored whipped cream topped with chocolate chips. This shortcut 3 layer cake is super simple to prepare for a special occasion and the delicious flavor combination is sure to please your guests.
If chocolate and cherry isn’t your favorite flavor combination, use the same method but swap out the ingredients for your favorite flavors. We’re using box mix so trying different variations is…well, a piece of cake!
Homemade whipped cream
I love homemade whipped cream. I love the taste and I love to customize it using flavor extracts. So while this recipe does use box cake mix, I like to elevate the flavor with homemade whipped cream frosting so I make that from scratch. If you’re short on time, using store-bought whipped cream is a super simple way to cut back on prep time (and dirty dishes) by 5 minutes or so.
Flavor variations
Have fun experimenting with different variations and if you find a keeper, share it in the comments section! Here are a few I’ve tried.
- Chocolate Strawberry: Gluten free chocolate cake mix, strawberry ice cream and vanilla whipped cream (swap the almond extract for vanilla) and sprinkle chopped fresh (gently squeeze in a paper towel to remove excess water) or dried strawberries and mini chocolate chips on top.
- Mint Chocolate Chip: Gluten free chocolate cake box mix, mint chocolate chip ice cream, regular whipped cream, topped with chopped Andes Mints or mini chocolate chips.
- Birthday Cake: Gluten free vanilla box cake mix with about 1/3 cup colored sprinkles gently folded into the batter, vanilla ice cream, vanilla whipped cream, colored sprinkles on top.
- Cookies and Cream: Gluten free chocolate box cake mix, vanilla ice cream, vanilla whipped cream, topped with crushed gluten free Oreo cookies. If you haven’t tried gluten-free Oreos, you’re missing out. I think they’re better than the original. You can add the cookie crumbs to the top of the cake or in a layer between the cake and the ice cream.
- Patriotic: Gluten free vanilla box cake mix, strawberry ice cream, vanilla whipped cream, topped with blueberries and chopped strawberries (be sure to gently squeeze them in a paper towel to remove excess water) or red, white and blue sprinkles.
- Coconut Vanilla: Gluten free vanilla box cake mix, coconut ice cream (Talenti Caribbean Coconut Gelato is amazing), vanilla whipped cream, topped with sweetened coconut flakes.
Easy Gluten Free Ice Cream Cake
This easy gluten free ice cream cake has three decadent layers. Chocolate cake is covered in cherry ice cream and an almond flavored homemade whipped cream and topped with chocolate chips.
Ingredients
- 1 gluten free box cake mix My favorite is King Arthur's Gluten-free Chocolate Cake Mix.
- eggs according to directions on cake mix
- oil according to directions on cake mix
- water according to directions on cake mix
- 1.5 quart cherry ice cream
- 16 ounces heavy whipping cream
- 3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar (powdered sugar)
- 1 teaspoon almond extract Reduce to 1/2 teaspoon if you prefer less almond flavor or substitute 1/2 teaspoon almond extract for vanilla extract.
- 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips mini
- Maraschino cherries optional garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the gluten free chocolate box cake mix according to the directions on the package in a 9×13 cake pan. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper to make it easier to remove.
- Allow the cooked cake to cool to room temperature.
- Remove the ice cream from the refrigerator about 10-15 minutes before spreading it onto the cooled cake. Prepare the whipped cream while you wait.
- Using a handheld or stand mixer with a whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream, sugar, and almond extract on medium-high speed about 3-4 minutes or until it reaches the desired whipped cream consistency.
- Use a spatula to spread the ice cream evenly on the cooled cake.
- Use a spatula to spread the whipped cream evenly on top of the ice cream layer.
- Spread mini chocolate chips evenly on top of whipped cream layer.
- Cover with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place in the freezer for at least 6 hours before serving.
- Once the cake is removed from the freezer, wait about 10 minutes before slicing it.
- Top each slice with a Maraschino cherry garnish (optional)
Notes
Gluten free ice cream cake variations
Chocolate Strawberry:
Gluten free chocolate cake mix
Strawberry ice cream
Vanilla whipped cream (swap the almond extract for vanilla)
Sprinkle chopped fresh strawberries (gently squeeze in a paper towel to remove excess water) or dried strawberries and mini chocolate chips on top
Mint Chocolate Chip:
Gluten free chocolate cake box mix
Mint chocolate chip ice cream
Whipped cream without extract
Topped with chopped Andes Mints or mini chocolate chips
Birthday Cake:
Gluten free vanilla box cake mix with about 1/3 cup colored sprinkles gently folded into the batter
Vanilla ice cream
Vanilla whipped cream
Colored sprinkles on top.
Cookies and Cream:
Gluten free chocolate box cake mix
Vanilla ice cream
Vanilla whipped cream,
Topped with crushed gluten free Oreo cookies
Patriotic:
Gluten free vanilla box cake mix
Strawberry ice cream
Vanilla whipped cream
Topped with blueberries and chopped fresh strawberries (be sure to gently squeeze them in a paper towel to remove excess water) or red, white and blue sprinkles.
Coconut Vanilla:
Gluten free vanilla box cake mix
Coconut ice cream (Talenti Caribbean Coconut Gelato is my faovorite)
Vanilla whipped cream
Topped with sweetened coconut flakes.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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