For birthdays, holidays, or simply a sweet treat, this homemade keto ice cream cake offers layers of fluffy low-carb cake, sugar-free ice cream, and creamy whipped topping. The keto cake is a family favorite and the best way to celebrate any special occasion. With both homemade and store-bought options, this cake is simple yet impressive, and easily customized to your liking.
Why Keto Ice Cream Cake?
If you're following a ketogenic diet, you might think ice cream cake is off-limits. This recipe proves otherwise, allowing you to indulge in a classic dessert without derailing your dietary goals. Many people remember the first year they went keto and how they missed not having an ice cream cake. Thankfully, this keto dessert has become a family favorite, and it's often requested as a birthday cake.
Key Components of the Keto Ice Cream Cake
The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability. You can tailor it to your specific tastes and dietary needs. Here's a breakdown of the core elements:
- Keto Cake: Opt for a boxed keto cake mix to save time. Luckily, there are many companies coming out with keto cake mix. Several are gluten free and use fairly clean ingredients. Alternatively, bake a keto-friendly cake from scratch. For a nut-free option, bake a Keto Hershey's Cake or a Keto Chocolate Coconut Flour Cake.
- Sugar-Free Ice Cream: If you have time you can use homemade ice cream, otherwise store-bought ice cream works perfectly! With so many good options for keto friendly low carb ice creams sold in the grocery store or online now, you don’t even have to bother making your own ice cream for this easy keto ice cream cake! Just buy your favorite flavor and use a shortbread crust that complements it!
- Whipped Topping: Create a light and airy whipped topping using heavy cream and a sugar-free powdered sweetener. For a chocolate twist, incorporate unsweetened cocoa powder or Cacao Bliss. Cacao Bliss is a raw cacao powder blended with superfoods, giving a unique flavor to the chocolate whipped topping that tastes better than regular cocoa powder.
- Magic Shell (Optional): Elevate your cake with a homemade keto magic shell. It's a win with coconut oil, cocoa powder, and confectioner's sugar substitute!
Assembling Your Keto Masterpiece
This recipe is more of a method than a strict set of instructions. Feel free to experiment with flavors and layers.
Ingredients
- Your favorite keto cake (store-bought mix or homemade)
- Sugar-free ice cream (store-bought or homemade)
- Heavy whipping cream
- Powdered sugar-free sweetener
- Unsweetened cocoa powder or Cacao Bliss (optional, for chocolate whipped topping)
- Coconut oil (for magic shell)
- Cocoa powder (for magic shell)
- Confectioner's sugar substitute (for magic shell)
- Sea salt
- Vanilla extract
- Cream cheese
Equipment
- Square baking dish
- Loaf pan (9x5 inch or 10x10 inch)
- Parchment paper or plastic wrap
- Electric mixer
- Large bowl
- Spatula
- Plastic baggie
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Cake: Mix and bake the cake in a square baking dish according to package directions. Let the cake cool completely. Once the cake layers have cooled, crumble the cake and evenly divide the crumbs into two parts. One part will be the bottom layer of the ice cream cake the other will serve as the topping.
- Soften the Ice Cream: Put ice cream in the refrigerator 2-3 hours prior to assembling the ice cream cake. This will make the ice cream easier to spread. If using store-bought keto ice cream, you will need to soften it for about 30 minutes first.
- Make the Whipped Topping: In a large bowl, add whipping cream, powdered sugar free sweetener and unsweetened cocoa powder or Cacao Bliss. Beat on medium speed until frothy. Then increase speed to high and continue beating until stiff peaks form. Next using an electric mixer in a large bowl combine the softened cream cheese, sugar substitute, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Mix at high speed, scraping the sides of the bowl a few times. Once that mixture is combined, add the cold heavy whipping cream a little at a time continue to beat the heavy cream until it is fully incorporated into the cream cheese mixture.
- Layer the Cake: Line a loaf pan (9x5 inch or 10x10 inch) with parchment paper or plastic wrap. In a 10 x 10 pan that can be frozen, press half of the cake crumbs into the bottom of the pan. Then pour the ice cream on top of the bottom layer of cake crumbs. Next spread the remaining cake crumbs directly over the ice cream and gently press the crumbs into the surface of the ice cream.
- Add Whipped Cream: Spread a thick layer of whipped cream on top the ice cream.
- Freeze: Freeze the cake in the freezer for at least 6-8 hours or overnight. Allow the ice cream cake to chill for at least 4 hours or until frozen solid.
- Final Touches: Add a final layer of whipped topping to the top and around the sides of the cake. Freeze for 10-20 more minutes to set the cake before slicing and serving.
- Make the Magic Shell: To make the keto magic shell, melt the coconut oil and mix in the cocoa powder, and confectioner's sugar substitute. Once the ice cream cake is fully chilled drizzle the keto magic shell topping over the cake.
- Serve: When you go to serve it, you can thaw it a bit at room temperature for about 5 minutes to make it easier to slice. For a fun twist, you can serve by inserting popsicle sticks into the end of the slice and eating it with no fork required!
Customization Ideas
- Ice Cream Flavors: The possibilities are endless! Chocolate, vanilla, coffee, peanut butter, strawberry - choose your favorites or mix and match. For a fruit flavored ice cream try my lemon almond shortbread dough as a base. For a nut based ice cream (like this pecan praline ice cream) my pistachio almond shortbread dough would be ideal.
- Cake Variations: Experiment with different keto cake recipes or add-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or berries. Check out all our keto cakes because you could easily swap out the low-carb Hershey's cake for any of my other cake recipes.
- Crunchy Layers: To really take your keto ice cream cake over the top, try crumbling baked shortbread crumbs in between the layers for an added crunch and pizzaz! As for the crispy brownie crumble, you can use the HighKey Brownie Bites. But you have plenty of options there too, both homemade and purchased. As long as it’s a crispy style cookie, any flavor would work. If you want a homemade brownie crumble, try my keto brownie bark. You will only need about one-quarter of the recipe for this sugar-free ice cream cake.
- Extracts and Zest: Add a touch of citrus zest or a few drops of your favorite extract (vanilla, almond, peppermint) to the ice cream or whipped topping.
Tips for Success
- Softening Ice Cream: Softening the ice cream is crucial for easy spreading. Don't let it melt completely, just soften enough to be pliable.
- Freezing Time: Adequate freezing time is essential for a firm cake. Plan ahead and freeze for at least 6-8 hours, or preferably overnight.
- Clean Slices: Dip your knife in warm water and wipe it clean between slices for neat presentation.
Keto Ice Cream Cake: FAQs
- What is ice cream cake made of? Generally, ice cream cake is made of layers of cake, ice cream and whipped cream. Sometimes other ingredients can be added like fudge or caramel.
- Do you freeze ice cream cake? Unless you want it to melt, ice cream cake should be stored in the freezer.
- How long can ice cream cake sit out? Ice cream cake should stay frozen if possible but it can stay out at room temperature for around 10-20 minutes.
- Can I use store-bought ice cream? You sure can! A few things to keep in mind: you will need at least two pints of ice cream for this recipe. You will also need to soften it for at least 30 minutes before you can spread it in the pan.
- Can I make this dairy free? If you have a dairy free keto ice cream you love, you can use it in this keto ice cream cake. Make sure whatever cookies you use for the crumble are also dairy free. And make the ganache with coconut cream instead of heavy cream.
- Can you make this sugar-free ice cream cake in advance? Yes! The beauty of frozen desserts like this is that you can easily make them ahead of time. I recommend making the ganache on the day you plan to serve, to keep it shiny.
- How do you store this dessert? In the freezer, of course! Place it on a platter and cover it tightly with plastic wrap. You can even put it back in the pan for storage. It will keep for up to two months.
A Note on Nutritional Information
Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Beyond the Recipe: A Keto Lifestyle
Looking for an online support system to help you stay on keto? As a family, we came to the keto diet, looking at it from a Christian perspective. So when the Holy Spirit led us to combine our Christian faith and the keto diet, we did so in hopes of finding lasting transformation. Be sure to request our FREE Jesus and Keto E-Book (First 7 Days). Looking for a fast way to access our keto recipes? We've got you covered. There's an app for that. Yup, there's a Fit To Serve Group App, and it's going to make your keto diet a delicious breeze! Plus, bonus recipes that are exclusive to the app.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto