You don't need to forgo your favorite ice cream cake any longer! A "Better Than Carvel" Homemade Gluten-Free Vegan Ice Cream Cake no-bake recipe will take you back to those sweet & celebratory memories with your favorite dessert!
O my...are you ready for this one? Take a deep breath and clear some space in your freezer. We are baking freezing a cake today! As you know, summer calls for all things ice cream and cake just makes us all happy, so ice cream cake it is!
Ice cream cake has always had a special place in my families celebrations. Namely, the iconic Carvel ice cream cake with the lovely chocolate ice cream, layer of chocolate crunchies, vanilla ice cream, and then that frosting! Those cakes were simply glorious, I mean, the idea of an ice cream cake (a 2-in-1 dessert) was more than genius!
Carvel ice cream cake was loved by everyone in my family, but my brother the most. He HAD to have it for his birthday every year, it was his ultimate favorite. I don't blame him; Carvel just KNOWS good ice cream...and cake! We would usually buy these cakes at the local grocery store and I remember us always forgetting to let it sit on the counter for awhile before we lite candles or tried to cut it! Those bad boys FREEZE!
Besides the ice cream cake, there was an actual Carvel shop down the street from where my grandparents live. I remember a few times when I was super young, walking down there to get a cup of lovely chocolate vanilla twist ice cream with rainbow sprinkles! This might be weird, but I LOVED the smell of those ice cream shop (I think it's any ice cream shop), but that frozen sweet smell was just glorious! I think you can tell that I've missed that ice cream and those ice cream cakes! But, I always find a way to fix those problems and bring back the old favorites!
And it just so happens that the lovely Alisa of Go Dairy Free and So Delicious are throwing the "Coolest Creamiest Dairy-Free Recipe Contest" this month with 21 fabulous bloggers (including yours truly!) We were tasked to create a creamy, dreamy, dairy-free treat using either So Delicious coconut frozen dessert or cashew frozen dessert products. You can all follow along by using the hashtag #RaiseAPint on Instagram and Twitter, while also "voting" by sharing your favorite recipes! They will then test out the recipes themselves and choose the final winner in August. This is basically a virtual ice cream party!
Along with the contest, you can join in the #RaiseAPint Event, which runs from July 11th to August 5th. During this time, So Delicious will award 20 entries with an ice cream party prize pack! Simply share your "moment" on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter and be sure to use #RaiseAPint! Here are the full details!
To make my ice cream cake "better than Carvel's", I used a simple raw oat and cocoa base, then chocolate cashew ice cream, next the vanilla cashew ice cream, frosted with cocowhip, and some sprinkles and cookie crumbles to top it off and make it look pretty! I decided to put the homemade "chocolate crunchies" as the bottom base to make things easier for slicing and serving, but other than that, this cake is the homemade twin of the classic. Well, homemade, gluten-free, vegan, soy-free...i.e. Rebecca-friendly and "better than"!
"Better Than Carvel" Homemade Gluten-Free Vegan Ice Cream Cake
"Better Than Carvel" Homemade Gluten-Free Vegan Ice Cream Cake
You don't need to forgo your favorite ice cream cake any longer! A "Better Than Carvel" Homemade Gluten-Free Vegan Ice Cream Cake no-bake recipe will take you back to those sweet & celebratory memories with your favorite dessert!
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- "Crumb" Base:
- 2 Cups Gluten-Free Quick Oats*
- ¼ Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- ¼ Cup Cocoa Stevia Syrup or Pure Maple Syrup
- Next Layers (in order):
- 1 Pint of So Delicious Creamy Chocolate Cashew Ice Cream
- 1 Pint of So Delicious Very Vanilla Cashew Ice Cream
- 1 Container of So Delicious Light CocoWhip
- Toppings:
- 2 TB Allergy-Free Natural Confetti Sprinkelz
- 2 Crunchy Double Chocolate Enjoy Life Cookies (crumbled)
Instructions
- Take out the 2 pints of ice cream and set on the counter to soften.
- Mix together the quick oats, cocoa powder, and liquid sweetener in a large bowl.
- Grease the bottom of an 8-inch springform pan and line the sides of the pan with a strip of parchment or wax paper.
- Press the base mixture down into the bottom of the springform pan. Then scoop out the entire container of chocolate ice cream and layer that in, smoothing it out with a spatula. Do the same with the container of vanilla ice cream. Finally, spread on the container of cocowhip.
- Place the cake in the freezer to set again now that it's been out for a bit.
- Once the cake has reset, place a large round lid lightly in the center of the cake and sprinkle the sprinkelz around the edge of the cake top that is still exposed. Then remove the lid and place the crumbled cookies in the center.
- Reset in the freezer for an hour or so (if necessary) before removing from the pan, peeling away the parchment paper, cutting, and serving!
Notes
*You can also use gluten-free rolled oats, but give them a few pulses in a food processor first.
**If you can't do tree nuts, you can swap the chocolate and vanilla cashew ice creams with So Delicious coconut-based ice creams instead!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
CAKE TIME!!!!! You know I'm a firm believer in celebrating just for the heck of it...Funfetti all day! So even if you have no celebrations coming up, make this ice cream cake and celebrate....SUMMER or simply life (full of delicious homemade treats!)
So tell me:
+ Are you an ice cream cake fan?
+ Am I the only crazy one about liking the smell of ice cream shops?
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Lori
Hi! This looks amazing, and I was so happy to find a quick ice cream cake for my son’s birthday! I am a little confused by the directions. It says put the cake in the freezer to set “again” now that it has been out for a while. Is it supposed to go in the freezer between doing the base and putting the ice cream on it and also between layers? Or do you just do all the steps and then freeze? Thanks!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes. Unless you work fast.
Bulldog
This is so great!! Thank you very much! Although it's winter now, I can't deny this delicious ice-cream cake. Thank you for the recipe!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well, you commented on it now, so that must mean you were searching for it!
Deborah Davis
Yum! This is just the gluten free, vegan treat I need to eat on a hot summer day!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes it is!
Jen
Made this for my son's birthday and it was a huge hit! Super simple and easy to follow instructions, this will be our go to birthday cake. Thank you!
★★★★★
Rebecca Pytell
Awesome!
Emily
Yum!! You can't beat an ice cream cake. Love your alternative version. Pinned & tweeted this!
Angela @marathonsandmotivation.com
This looks FAbulous, Pinned 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Carly @ FitLiving Eats
Yummy! I used to always request an ice cream cake at birthday parties. This one looks incredibly delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The ultimate birthday pleaser!
Julie Briggs
Sounds delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
kimmythevegan
It actually sounds better than any ice cream I've ever had! You've outdone yourself on this one. I totally love So Delicious everything, but especially their ice cream. I like the added coco whipped cream, nice touch.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think you need to make some cake then!
Raia
I've never heard of Carvel before, but this cake looks uh-mazing, Rebecca! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Nikki
I love foods that bring back a childhood memory. For us it was a little building in the middle of nowhere, called the Dairy Wood. We loved it when my dad would unexpectedly announced that we were going out for ice cream. It was a small locally-owned shop that had soft serve ice cream and we loved to get it dipped in chocolate.
Obviously you had your own favorites in your childhood for ice cream. I love how you can always take a recipe and turn it into an allergy free, dairy free, gluten-free, vegan option.
Pinning this to try it looks absolutely delicious. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Ah, those little hole-in-the-wall local places are always the best too!
Thanks Nikki!
Michelle Palin
I've never had Carvel before, but I have had ice cream cake and I do miss thiem! Yours looks so good!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well no need for Carvel or to miss it! Just make it yourself 😉
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner
Who doesn't love ice cream cake? Been wanting to try their Cocowhip.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's so spectacular!
Cayanne Marcus @healthyezsweet
Trying really hard not to cry because A) it's beautiful and B) I don't have it in front of me right now. Please come to CA and love me with your delicious creations!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahahaha, you are so sweet!! It really is so easy to make! You must do it!
Erin Vincent
This looks scrumptious! I can't wait to make it. It looks soooooo good!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Erin!
Kortney // Allergy Girl Eats
Yes to sprinkles! Your cake is so friendly looking and makes you want to dive right in. 😀 Love the base of the cake, I personally find a crunchy base to frozen desserts the best part because it ads a fabulous contrast.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thank you!!! I wanted it to be a happy cake 😉
Yea!! I totally agree! It needs that little texture contrast!
Melissa Ruddy
Better than Carvel is a tall order but this looks like it could do the job.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's automatically better because it's vegan and GF 😛
Debbie
This is a masterpiece! It looks delicious. Pinning!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you so so much!
Chrissa - Physical Kitchness
NO WAY. Did you know I look forward to summer bday's JUST so I can have ice cream cake?!?!?! And NOW I can have it at home!! This looks easy peasy and like insanely good!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is easy peasy! That's what I love most! Ice cream cake always looked so deceivingly hard to make...but it's not! (And screw just summer birthdays...this is for ALL birthdays! Hahaha!) xo
Anjali @ Vegetarian Gastronomy
I LOVE ice cream cakes...always have growing up! They were what we got in the house, and this one looks delicious! Never really made one myself, but need to change that!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! Make it homemade from now on! Then you can customize it and make it even more amazing!
Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite
Funny thing is I have never been a huge cake fan, I usually didn't eat the birthday cake but just the ice cream (because in my day you always had ice cream with the cake at a party). However I was always a huge fan of ice cream cake! I think it was a texture thing, I love the hardness of the cake in an ice cream cake, and well there was ice cream in it so big win! Looks so delicious!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That's what my brother says! Haha! I'd take ice cream cake over birthday cake any day too!
Elizabeth DiBurro
I have similar memories of the carvel shop in town! Ice cream cakes are my favorite! Can't wait to try this!!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Many memories start at Carvel 😉
Evi @ greenevi
Oh my gosh, I haven't had ice cream cake in the past 20 years but right now I'm dying to try this one, it looks insanely good! Great job, Rebecca! Pinned, of course 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Make your own!!! I could not believe how deprived I've been while it was so easy to make!
Ashley - Forking Up
So, I am not vegan at all, but I am OBSESSED with vegan ice cream! What a great idea to put it into a cake!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Just because something happens to be vegan doesn't mean any type of eater can have it!
Amanda
I love ice cream cakes. Finally a recipe that is gluten free.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
We needed one!!! 😉
Marla
HI Rebecca,
Ice-cream is always so refreshing in the summertime heat. I love how you made an ice-cream cake healthy and very pretty.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The best fun treat!
Shannon
I need to try the So Delicious ice cream! This looks so good!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They make the best!
Miz Helen
Your Ice Cream Cake looks delicious and perfect for our hot summer days!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It sure is!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt
Carvel were the coveted birthday cakes when I was growing up!
Your version looks even better!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
O well it IS better 😉 Thanks, Julie!
Natalie
Woow what a treat! Great job Rebecca!
Thank you for sharing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Ha, thank you!
Aimee
Umm YES PLEASE
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha, no words 😉
neil@neilshealthymeals.com
Ice cream cake. Wow! 😀
This just looks so good Rebecca, and you know how much I LOVE my cake!!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
And summer is the time for ICE CREAM cake!
Jessica
First of all, I had NO IDEA that So Delicious had cashew ice cream!! I have had their coconut ice cream many times, but cashew ice cream! OH man, I bet that is incredible!
Second of all, I am pregnant and it's like 90 degrees here at 10pm, and this needs to go down right now! It looks incredible!
Third, thank you for having a reasonable serving size on this. I am pregnant, and yes, this would be one serving at this stage in the game. Thank you for understanding that.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, girl! You need this cashew ice cream! The best dairy-free ice cream!
You deserve this entire cake, my dear 😉
Megan @ MegUnprocessed
These sound delicious – and they look so pretty!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
IT is delicious!
Teffy @ Sprinkle of Green
OOOH MAAA GAAAWD that looks SO good! I want that whole thing to myself. I think I may have only had ice cream cake once in my life, and now it's all I can think about!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Then you need to make some ice cream cake STAT!!!!!
Linda @ Veganosity
This looks amazing! I can't even stand how many delicious ice cream cakes I'm seeing on the web right now. Yours has just earned first place, my dear.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha, thank you Linda!! Ice Cream Cakes ALL win!
Mandy
I totally remember birthdays as a kid and ice cream cakes! Pure heaven! This looks amazing and the crumb base sounds so good! Hahaha! You are not alone...walking into an ice cream shop was kinda like walking into a coffee shop...intoxicating. In my pre vegan days, Ben & Jerry's was the place to be - the smell of those fresh baked cones...nothing better! 🙂
Good luck in the contest!!! <3
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Those "sweet" childhood memories 😉 Now we can just make our own homes the place to be!
xoxo Thank you dear! (Miss you!!)
Igor @ Cooking The Globe
Wow, this cake looks mouth-watering. I am not vegan, but I will surely try this one!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
This cake is for EVERYONE who loves ice cream!
Melanie @ Nutritious Eats
Ahh, this sounds SO good! I totally crave ice cream desserts in the summer.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is the perfect time to make them!
The vegan 8
Omg, it looks amazing! I LOVE ice cream cake and am dying over this! I want a huge slice right now!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, I think you need the entire cake!!
Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners
I love no-bake desserts, Rebecca and this one looks so yummy! Love that you made it so easy, too. Count me in!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!!
Mel |avirtualvegan.com
What an awesome looking cake! I am loving that chocolatey base. I haven't made an ice cream cake in a long time but my son (and me) would absolutely go nuts for this. I so wish So Delicious Cool Whip was available here. Whipped coconut cream would probably be a great sub though. Great recipe!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes it would! Just a bit more work 😉 Hahaha! But all the rewards of ice cream cake!
Ashley@CookNourishBliss
I ALWAYS asked for an ice cream cake growing up for my birthday!! It was definitely tradition! LOVE the sound of this! I can't really do much dairy anymore so this is perfect!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, it is the ultimate birthday wish 😉
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
This looks so delicious. Homemade is the way to go for sure. Awesome!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is!
Munchkin TIme
This ice cream cake look so yummy! I need to make it for my friend who is on a gluten free diet, I am pretty sure she will love it! Thank you so much for sharing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Everyone will love a slice!
Demeter | Beaming Baker
Rebecca, you KNOW I've been drooling over this ice cream cake for days now. Stop the torture and hand me a slice (or five). 😉 This ice cream cake is everything we've been waiting for this summer. It looks like your brother's gonna have a new favorite ice cream cake for his birthday. 🙂 Btw, best words for this summer: "We are baking freezing a cake today!" Count me in! 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
YEASSSS!!!! I think we should celebrate every single day with a slice of ice cream cake in the summer, regardless of birthdays! hahaha!
rachel @ Athletic Avocado
I'm pretty sure my prayers were answered here! You can't get much better than ice cream cake 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahahaha! Agreed! xo
Harriet Emily
Wow Rebecca, this cake looks so incredible!!!! Nothing beats ice cream cake. It's lovely and sunny in London today, so I definitely think I need to make this cake to celebrate the weather! Pinned <3
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think that would be a very good idea 😉
Chris @thinlyspread
This looks amazing! I haven't actually tried ice cream cake for so long - I am totally inspired to try it again after seeing this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Make it yourself! It's so fun!
Kim Beaulieu
Oh my gosh, I'll be right over. I love a great ice cream cake. This looks so refreshing and delicious.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea! When it's homemade it's even more glorious!
dixya @food, pleasure, and health
i love ice cream cake in general..but after one serving - it gets kind of nasty. i am loving this version 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
How does it get nasty??
Adriana Lopez-Martin
This looks like the perfect cake I need this now. Creamy and with the texture of the cake, yummy bite =)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It does make for one good yummy bite(s) 😉
Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons
What a great cake to celebrate with! Gorgeous!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Nicole Hood
I love this and the So Delicious products are sooo good!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They know how to make some killer "ice cream"!
Debra C.
Love hearing about your great memories! And that cake....ooooh!!! I definitely need this in my life!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thank you Debra!
Farrah
I've definitely never tried making ice cream cake, but holy eff, this looks so good! That'd definitely be my favorite way to celebrate! <3 Sprinkles make everything even better! ;P
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I literally had TOO much fun making this, haha! Sprinkles <3 They make me so happy!
Bethany
Yum. This looks incredible!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks dear!
Nutrimom
I am right there with you for the weird, frozen, somewhat chemical smell that you get in ice cream parlors 🙂 Love this and they are both companies that I use in my own frozen cakes <3
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, yes! It is a bit chemically and I'm pretty sure that comes from all the SWEET!
KC @ G-Free Foodie
This looks delish! I've been working to perfect the Baskin & Robbins Ice cream cake icing from my childhood - they don't even use the same stuff anymore!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They always change the classic things, don't they!? :/
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free
I love the name of this recipe Rebecca and it looks SO incredible. You did an amazing job - can't wait to try it out.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Alisa! It was so FUN to make, haha!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free
And EAT I bet!
angie
love ice cream cake and this looks so yummy. Thanks for sharing the recipe I have birthdays coming up in the fall months and I believe I will use this recipe
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You will have some happy partiers 😉
Gluten Free With Emily
I used to love ice cream cakes growing up- this looks like an adult version that I can have!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You're never too old for ice cream cake!
Sarah- A Whisk and Two Wands
Looks delicious Rebecca! We are totally on the same wavelength as I have an ice cream cake posting soon (trying to space out the almost dozen ice cream recipes I have right now, lol) and used So Delicious and Enjoy Life Foods! Two of my favs too! I didn't add sprinkles, which I love in this cake, so fun!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You can't have ice cream cake without SPRINKLES!!! Haha!
Cricket
I've never tried their cool whip, I'll have to keep an eye out for it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That stuff is the best!
jules
Looks like another yummy recipe, Rebecca! Thanks!
~jules
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Chrystal @ Gluten-Free Palate
This looks wonderful! Definitely sharing.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Cathy @ Planet Veggie
I eat a lot of vegan things that look similar to dairy but this is amazing. So creamy!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
This one is a dairy-free winner!
Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry
This looks amazing, I really need to make an ice cream cake now.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They are so easy to make! Who know!?
nadia
This is one beautiful ice cream cake! And it also has sprinkles and a cookie crumbled on top! Perfect 😀
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's all about the toppings 😉
Laura
Oh my golly! I love the picture with all the steps . . . makes me want to make it so I can eat a sample at each step. My favourite part haha. This looks awesome Rebecca!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha! It was stressful! I didn't want it to melt in the process of taking those shots!
Jenn
Totally drooling! Their cashew milk ice creams are to die for! Loving the looks of this cake! Stiff competition for this contest...everyone's entries have been divine!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Since it's all ice cream...I think we all "win" 😉
Lecy | A Simpler Grace
I love a good vegan ice cream and this cake looks so tasty!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is super delicious!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland
Wow, now that's an ice cream cake! Love the toppings 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Sue!
Georgianna
This sounds amazing! I love the use of the So Delicious Products!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday
I was the kid who never liked cake, but I always loved ice cream cake! And the way ice cream shops smell is AMAZING. It's that frozen sweetness + the fresh-baked waffle cones 😀
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That's exactly my brother! Ice cream CAKE all the way!
I would live in an ice cream shop....but it might be a tad too cold 😉
swayam
LOVE this!! I am big icecream cake fan and this looks exactly like what I 'ld love.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
One of the best cakes, eh? 😉
Francesca - From Pennies to Pounds
This looks amazinggggg I need to make it immediately!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes you do!!
Jenn @ peas and crayons
Loooooove this healthified ice cream cake! Carvels ICC was my favorite growing up!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They were the best!
Matthew From Nomageddon
It's 8 in the morning and I am now craving ice cream cake. Now I feel like a fatty!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha, well it's made with cashews so....healthy 😉
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
Carvel is such a classic around here, this looks so good. Loving all the dairy free ice cream around lately!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Everyone needs to be able to enjoy some ice cream!
Kristen @A Mind Full MOm
Ice Cream Cake was always one of my favorites--this looks great!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you, Kristen!
Courtney
Ice cream cake is pretty much the dessert to which all other desserts aspire, in my opinion. 🙂 This looks fantastic!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha! That's a good way to put it 😉 It's on a level of its own!
Camilla
Oh my what a delectable ice cream cake, I just want to dive into the picture and take a slice:-)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thanks Camilla!