Few desserts say summer in Wisconsin quite like ice cream. Whether you’re scooping homemade ice cream cake for a backyard celebration or stopping at a favorite creamery on a road trip, every bite connects back to the farmers and dairy families who help make Wisconsin the Dairy State. Wisconsin is home to dozens of dairy plants that produce ice cream and ice cream mix, making locally made frozen treats easy to find across the state.
Many Wisconsin families grew up enjoying brands like Cedar Crest, Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream, Babcock Dairy and Sassy Cow Creamery. These companies have built loyal followings by turning high-quality Wisconsin milk and cream into flavors that keep people coming back for another scoop. From classic vanilla and butter pecan to seasonal specialties, Wisconsin ice cream showcases the quality of dairy produced right here at home.
Behind every carton of ice cream is a dairy industry that plays a major role in Wisconsin’s economy and culture. Dairy farms stretch across the state, and generations of farm families work every day to care for their cows and produce the milk used in many of the foods we enjoy. Ice cream is one of the most delicious examples of how Wisconsin agriculture connects farmers and consumers around a shared love of good food.
If you’re looking for a fun way to explore that connection, add the Gather Wisconsin Great Ice Cream Trail to your summer travel plans. The trail features 20 destinations across Wisconsin, giving visitors the chance to enjoy ice cream while learning more about where dairy products come from. Stops include favorites like Lamers Dairy in Appleton, Sassy Cow Creamery near Columbus, Babcock Dairy Store in Madison and Kelley Country Creamery in Fond du Lac County. Many locations offer viewing windows, farm tours, creamery experiences or opportunities to see dairy products being made.
The trail highlights the diversity of Wisconsin’s ice cream scene. You can sample farmstead ice cream, frozen custard, gelato and soft serve while exploring communities throughout the state. Along the way, you’ll meet the people who produce the milk, craft the flavors and keep Wisconsin’s dairy tradition strong.
As you enjoy this homemade ice cream cake recipe, consider making it the start of your own Wisconsin ice cream adventure. Grab a spoon, gather your family and hit the road to discover some of the state’s sweetest destinations. You can find the full trail map and featured stops on our Gather Wisconsin Great Ice Cream Trail webpage.
Homemade Ice Cream Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 10 Oreo cookies
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1.5 quarts chocolate ice cream softened
- 1 cup hot fudge divided
- 1.5 quarts strawberry ice cream softened
Topping
- 2 cups heavy cream cold
- 1/3 cup confectioner's sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Using a food processor (or blender), pulse whole Oreos into a course crumb. Mix with melted butter. Set aside.
- Remove chocolate ice cream from freezer; soften for 10 minutes. Line a springform pan (either 9×3 or 10×3) with plastic wrap, allowing overhang.
- Add chocolate ice cream to lined pan and spread into an even layer. Allow to freeze for 30 minutes
- Heat fudge to a spreadable consistency. Spread 1/2 cup evenly over the ice cream laer and top with Oreo mixture. Return to freezer for 30 minutes.
- While the base is freezing, remove strawberry ice cream from freezer to soften for 10 minutes. Add remaining hot fudge to the top of Oreo layer and spread evenly.
- Spread strawberry ice cream into an even layer on top of the cake base. Cover in plastic wrap and freeze for 12-48 hours.
- To make the topping, use a mixer with a whisk attatchment to beat heavy cream, confectioners' sugar and vanilla on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form.
- Remove frozen cake from freezer and remove the springform pan rim. Remove the plastic rap and return to the springform pan base or a frozen cake plate, if desired.
- Spread whipped cream frosting over all sides and garnish with sprinkles, if desired.
- Slice and serve immediately or freeze for up to an hour before serving.
Notes
- Ice cream flavors used in this recipe can be swapped based on personal preferences, so feel free to get creative.
- To cut the cake, use a very sharp knife dipped in hot water between slices.