This Easy Fried Ice Cream Cake is everything you love about fried ice cream, the crispy, cinnamon-sweet coating, the creamy cold center, and the indulgent drizzle of chocolate and honey, but without the hassle of deep frying. By toasting crushed cornflakes with butter, sugar, and cinnamon, you get all the flavor and texture you crave while keeping things simple and mess-free.
Perfect for summer parties, potlucks, or just a treat-yourself moment, this cake slices beautifully and serves a crowd. The combination of warm spice from cinnamon, the crunch of golden cornflakes, and the smooth, velvety ice cream makes each bite a little celebration. Top it with whipped cream and a cherry, and you’ve got a dessert that looks as good as it tastes.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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3 cups crushed cornflakes cereal
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1/2 cup unsalted butter
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1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
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1/4 cup granulated sugar
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1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream (softened slightly)
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8 ounces whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
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1/2 cup honey
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Chocolate syrup for drizzling
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Whipped cream for garnish
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Maraschino cherries for garnish
Directions:
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In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add crushed cornflakes, sugar, and cinnamon. Stir continuously for 5–6 minutes until golden brown and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
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Spread half of the cooled cornflake mixture evenly in the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine softened vanilla ice cream and whipped topping until smooth. Spread the mixture over the cornflakes in the baking dish.
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Top with the remaining cornflake mixture, pressing down lightly.
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Drizzle honey evenly over the top layer. Cover and freeze for at least 3–4 hours, or until firm.
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Before serving, cut into squares, drizzle with chocolate syrup, and garnish with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 6 minutes | Total Time: 3 hours 26 minutes (includes freezing time)
Kcal: 420 kcal | Servings: 12 servings
Easy Fried Ice Cream Cake – A No-Bake Dessert Masterpiece
If you’ve ever indulged in a classic fried ice cream dessert at a restaurant, you know the magic it brings, a warm, crunchy coating giving way to a cold, creamy center, all drizzled with sweet syrup. The only problem? Making it at home can be messy, time-consuming, and a little intimidating if you’re not used to deep frying. That’s exactly why this Easy Fried Ice Cream Cake is a game-changer.
This dessert takes all the flavors and textures you love from the original fried ice cream and transforms them into a layered, sliceable cake, no frying necessary. With just a handful of ingredients, a short prep time, and a few hours in the freezer, you’ll have a dessert that’s beautiful, impressive, and guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering.
The star of the show is the toasted cinnamon-sugar cornflake topping, which mimics the fried coating’s signature crunch. Combined with velvety vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of honey and chocolate syrup, every bite is a perfect balance of sweet, creamy, and crispy.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Fried Ice Cream Cake
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No frying required – You get the “fried” taste and texture without the mess or extra oil.
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Easy to prepare ahead – This is a freezer dessert, so you can make it the day before and have it ready to serve.
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Crowd-pleasing flavors – Vanilla ice cream, cinnamon, honey, and chocolate, it’s a universal favorite.
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Perfect for gatherings – Serves 12 slices, making it great for potlucks, BBQs, birthdays, or holiday dinners.
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Versatile garnish options – Add fresh fruit, caramel sauce, or even crushed nuts for a personal twist.
The Inspiration Behind This Recipe
Fried ice cream is often associated with Tex-Mex restaurants and festive occasions, where the dessert is served after a hearty meal of tacos or fajitas. Traditionally, scoops of ice cream are coated in a cornflake or cookie crumb mixture, quickly deep-fried to create a crunchy shell without melting the ice cream inside.
While delicious, it’s not always practical to deep fry at home, especially if you’re hosting or cooking multiple dishes. This no-bake cake version borrows the essential elements of the dessert (the crispy coating, the creamy interior, and the sweet drizzles) but makes it much easier to prepare.
Instead of frying, we toast the cornflake mixture in butter, cinnamon, and sugar to develop that golden flavor and crunch. Then we layer it with softened ice cream and whipped topping, freeze it until firm, and slice it into perfect portions.
Ingredients Breakdown and Tips
Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients that make this dessert irresistible:
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Crushed Cornflakes – The base of our “fried” texture. Crushing them finely ensures a consistent layer that sticks well to the ice cream. You can use a food processor or place them in a zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin.
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Unsalted Butter – Melts into the cornflakes, helping them toast evenly and achieve that golden crunch.
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Ground Cinnamon – Adds warmth and a subtle spice that pairs beautifully with vanilla ice cream.
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Granulated Sugar – Sweetens the coating and enhances caramelization during toasting.
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Vanilla Ice Cream – Classic flavor that allows the cinnamon coating and toppings to shine. Feel free to use other flavors like cinnamon, caramel swirl, or even dulce de leche.
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Whipped Topping (Cool Whip) – Makes the ice cream layer lighter and creamier while helping it spread easily.
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Honey – Drizzled over the top for a smooth sweetness that ties all the flavors together.
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Chocolate Syrup – For serving, adding a decadent touch and extra visual appeal.
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Whipped Cream & Maraschino Cherries – The classic sundae-style garnish for a picture-perfect finish.
Serving Suggestions
This cake is already a complete showstopper, but you can customize it to fit your occasion or personal taste.
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Fruit Lovers – Add sliced strawberries, mango, or pineapple on top before serving for a fresh contrast to the richness.
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Nut Crunch – Sprinkle chopped pecans, almonds, or peanuts over the honey drizzle for added texture.
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Extra Sauce Options – Try caramel sauce, raspberry coulis, or even a spiced rum sauce.
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Holiday Twist – Swap the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice in autumn, or add crushed peppermint candy during the holidays.
Tips for Success
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Soften Ice Cream Slightly – This makes it easier to spread into an even layer without melting completely.
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Cool Cornflake Mixture Before Layering – If it’s too warm, it will melt the ice cream prematurely.
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Use a Sturdy Baking Dish – A glass or ceramic 9×13-inch dish works best for even freezing and easy slicing.
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Cut with a Warm Knife – Dip the knife in hot water, wipe dry, and slice for neat, clean portions.
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Serve Immediately After Slicing – This dessert melts quickly, so plate and serve right away for the best texture.
When to Serve Easy Fried Ice Cream Cake
Because it’s a cold dessert that requires freezing, it’s especially refreshing during warm-weather months. However, the cinnamon-honey flavor profile makes it equally fitting for winter holidays.
It’s perfect for:
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Summer BBQs and picnics
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Birthday celebrations
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Cinco de Mayo parties
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Holiday dessert tables
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Potluck gatherings
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Family dinners when you want something special but stress-free
Storage
Store any leftovers (if you’re lucky enough to have them) tightly covered in the freezer for up to 1 week. For longer storage, wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and place in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn.
Conclusion
This Easy Fried Ice Cream Cake is proof that you don’t have to deep fry to enjoy the irresistible combination of crispy, sweet coating and creamy ice cream. By toasting cornflakes with butter, sugar, and cinnamon, you get all the flavor and texture of traditional fried ice cream with a fraction of the effort.
It’s a dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious, a golden, crunchy top drizzled with honey and chocolate, giving way to soft, creamy vanilla ice cream in every bite. Whether you’re hosting a party, celebrating a holiday, or simply craving something indulgent, this recipe delivers every time.
Best of all, it’s make-ahead friendly, freezer-stable, and endlessly customizable. Once you try it, you’ll find yourself making it for every special occasion… and maybe even a few ordinary ones that just deserve a little extra sweetness.