Dreamy Chocolate Caramel Ice Cream Cake Recipe for Sweet Fans

Decadent layers of rich chocolate and gooey caramel dance together in this irresistible chocolate caramel ice cream cake recipe that promises pure dessert bliss.

Sweet dreams become reality with every creamy, indulgent bite.

The combination of smooth chocolate, silky caramel, and velvety ice cream creates a dessert that feels like a luxurious treat.

Elegant yet simple, this cake delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Each slice offers a perfect balance of cool, creamy textures and deep, complex flavors.

Summer celebrations or quiet weekend afternoons demand this show-stopping dessert that will impress everyone at the table.

Grab your apron and get ready to craft a memorable masterpiece that turns ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 564 kcal

Servings: 13

Chocolate Caramel Ice Cream Cake Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chocolate Graham Cracker Crumbs: Provides rich, chocolatey base with delightful crunch and deep flavor complexity.
• Granulated Sugar: Enhances sweetness and helps bind crumb mixture for perfect texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies overall flavor profile.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates moisture and helps ingredients stick together seamlessly.

• Heavy Cream: Delivers luxurious richness and smooth texture to ganache and caramel.
• Chocolate Chips: Melts beautifully to create silky, decadent ganache layer.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic depth to caramel sauce.
• Sea Salt: Provides elegant finishing touch and elevates sweet-savory balance.

• Granulated Sugar: Transforms into golden caramel with deep, complex sweetness.
• Corn Syrup: Prevents crystallization and ensures smooth caramel consistency.
• Unsalted Butter: Introduces creamy richness and glossy texture to caramel.
• Kosher Salt: Heightens caramel's nuanced flavor and cuts through sweetness.

Kitchen Tools for Chocolate Caramel Ice Cream Cake

• 9-inch springform pan: Essential for layering and presenting the cake perfectly.
• Baking sheet: Helps freeze and prepare cookie crumbs evenly.
• Medium saucepan: Crucial for making ganache and caramel sauce.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
• Whisk: Helps blend ganache and caramel ingredients seamlessly.
• Sharp knife: Useful for cutting and serving the cake cleanly.

How to Make Chocolate Caramel Ice Cream Cake at Home

• Chocolate Cookie Foundation

Blend chocolate graham cracker crumbs with sweet and salty elements. Press half the mixture into a springform pan while scattering remaining crumbs on a separate baking sheet. Chill both sections to create a crispy, rich base.

• Silky Chocolate Sauce

Gently warm cream until tiny bubbles form around the edges. Whisk in chocolate chips, creating a glossy, smooth ganache that will provide luxurious layers throughout the dessert.

• Golden Caramel Magic

Transform granulated sugar and corn syrup into a deep amber liquid. Carefully introduce cream and butter, stirring quickly to prevent burning. Cook until the mixture reaches a rich, dark color. Finish with a sprinkle of salt and vanilla for depth.

• Dreamy Layer Construction

Start by spreading half the chocolate ganache over the chilled crust. Sprinkle sea salt for a flavor boost. Add a smooth ice cream layer, then scatter chocolate crumbs and drizzle most of the caramel sauce. Complete with a final ice cream layer.

• Decadent Finishing Touch

Crown the cake with remaining ganache, chocolate crumbs, caramel swirls, and a delicate sea salt garnish. Freeze until perfectly set, creating a stunning dessert that blends sweet, salty, and creamy textures.

Tips to Perfect Your Chocolate Caramel Ice Cream Cake

• Replace chocolate graham crackers with Oreo cookies, shortbread, or chocolate wafers for a personalized crunch and flavor twist.
• Try different ice cream varieties like coffee, vanilla bean, or mint chocolate chip to create unique flavor combinations.
• Infuse caramel with bourbon, cinnamon, or sea salt for deeper, more complex taste profiles that complement the chocolate.
• Sprinkle toasted nuts, chocolate shavings, or crushed candy bars between layers for added texture and visual appeal.
• Wrap the finished cake tightly in plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to two weeks, making it perfect for advance party planning.

Serving Chocolate Caramel Ice Cream Cake in Style

• Slice and Serve with Flair: Present each cake slice on a chilled dessert plate, garnished with a light sprinkle of sea salt and a drizzle of extra caramel sauce for dramatic effect.
• Pair with Beverage Companions: Complement the rich chocolate and caramel flavors with a smooth espresso, dark roast coffee, or a small glass of dessert wine like port or sweet sherry.
• Create Textural Contrast: Add a crisp element like toasted almond slivers, chocolate-covered coffee beans, or a delicate wafer cookie alongside each slice to provide a satisfying crunch against the creamy cake.
• Temperature Play Technique: Serve slightly chilled but not completely frozen, allowing the ganache to soften just enough to create a luxurious, melt-in-your-mouth experience that highlights the cake's complex layers.

Keeping Chocolate Caramel Ice Cream Cake Frozen Right

• Refrigerate Strategically: Store the cake in the freezer for up to 2 weeks, tightly wrapped in plastic film to prevent freezer burn and maintain optimal flavor.
• Slice Before Freezing: Cut individual servings before freezing to make thawing and serving easier, preventing damage to the cake's delicate layers.
• Thaw with Care: Move the cake from freezer to refrigerator 30-45 minutes before serving, allowing it to soften gradually without melting the intricate layers.
• Protect from Odors: Use an airtight container or cake carrier to shield the dessert from absorbing unwanted refrigerator smells and maintain its rich chocolate and caramel essence.

Indulgent Chocolate Caramel Ice Cream Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Indulgent chocolate caramel ice cream cake delivers a luxurious dessert experience that combines rich chocolate layers with creamy caramel. Smooth chocolate and caramel elements create a memorable treat you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 half-gallons vanilla ice cream
• 18 chocolate graham crackers (pulverized into crumbs)
• 12 oz (340 g) semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup (200 g) sugar
• 12 tbsps (170 g) unsalted butter
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp light corn syrup
• 1 ¼ cups (300 ml) heavy cream
• 4 tbsps (57 g) unsalted butter
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¾ tsp salt
• 2 tsp flaky sea salt

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Instructions

1. Crust Creation: Pulverize chocolate graham crackers with granulated sugar and salt, then blend with melted unsalted butter until uniformly moistened. Press half the mixture firmly into a 9-inch springform pan base, spreading remaining crumbs on a chilled baking sheet. Refrigerate both for 30 minutes to set.
2. Ganache Preparation: Heat heavy cream until tiny bubbles form around edges, then remove from heat. Gradually whisk premium chocolate chips into warm cream, stirring continuously until achieving a silky, glossy texture.
3. Caramel Crafting: Melt granulated sugar with light corn syrup in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, watching carefully until it transforms into a rich amber hue. Cautiously introduce room-temperature heavy cream and unsalted butter, stirring vigorously. Cook until color deepens, then remove from heat and incorporate kosher salt and pure vanilla extract.
4. Initial Layer Assembly: Spread half the prepared ganache over the chilled crust, sprinkling flaky sea salt for enhanced flavor complexity. Freeze for 15-20 minutes to set ganache layer.
5. Ice Cream Layering: Carefully spread first ice cream layer, ensuring even distribution. Sprinkle chocolate cookie crumbs and drizzle most of the caramel sauce across the surface. Add final ice cream layer, smoothing with an offset spatula for pristine presentation.
6. Final Freezing and Decoration: Freeze the entire dessert for 2-3 hours until completely solid. Complete by adorning with remaining ganache, reserved cookie crumbs, caramel drizzle, and delicate sea salt crystals.

Notes

• Chill Equipment: Refrigerate pan, baking sheet, and utensils beforehand to maintain ingredient integrity and support structural stability during cake assembly.
• Temperature Control: Work swiftly when handling warm ingredients like ganache and caramel to prevent unwanted melting and ensure precise layering.
• Texture Precision: Use an offset spatula for smooth, even ice cream layers and minimize air pocket formation during spreading.
• Salt Selection: Choose high-quality flaky sea salt for garnishing to elevate flavor complexity and provide delightful textural contrast in the final dessert.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 564
• Sugar: 41 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 22 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 57 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 87 mg