Come summer, ice cream cake is a festive and refreshing dessert and a fitting treat for those with summer birthdays. These cakes can typically be found at specialty ice cream shops and maybe even at the grocery store, but most lack scratch-made flavor (and have a hefty price tag to boot!). Lucky for us, it’s easy and economical to make one at home, and it’s fun to customize with your favorite flavor of ice cream.
This confetti cake is party-ready with rainbow sprinkles inside and out. A thick layer of birthday cake ice cream is sandwiched between two soft layers of yellow confetti cake and then the entire cake is covered in light whipped cream frosting. A spring-form pan will make for easy removal of the frozen ice cream layer, but if you don’t have one, you may choose to line a regular 9-inch round cake pan with plastic wrap before you pour the softened ice cream into the pan.
A pastry comb was used to give the sides of the cake a decorative stripe. This step is optional, but gives the cake a professional ice cream parlour appearance. You can find pastry combs inexpensively online.
You will need:
Cake layers
1/2 gallon birthday cake ice cream or other choice of ice cream
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups whole milk
2/3 cup rainbow sprinkles
Whipped frosting
2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cup assorted sizes and shapes of rainbow confetti sprinkles

Allow the ice cream to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes to soften. Pour the ice cream into a 9-inch spring-form pan and spread it evenly into the bottom. Freeze the layer until solid. Allow it to remain in the freezer while you prepare the remainder of the cake.

For the confetti cakes, begin by creaming the butter and sugar together with an electric mixer. Add the eggs and vanilla. Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt together in a large bowl.

With the mixer running on low speed, alternately add the flour and milk into the mixing bowl. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Fold in the rainbow sprinkles.

Grease two 9-inch round baking pans and line the bottoms with parchment; divide the cake batter evenly between the two pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until a toothpick tester comes out clean. Let the cakes cool completely on wire racks.

When the cakes are done, remove the ice cream layer from the freezer. Wrap the outside of the pan with a tea towel that has been soaked with warm water. This will help the cake release from the sides of the pan.

Run a knife between the ice cream layer and the side of the pan, then unclip and remove the spring-form collar. Place a cake layer on a serving board or cake stand.

Invert the ice cream layer on the spring-form base on top of the cake layer. Place a tea towel warmed with hot water on top of the base and gently coax it away from the ice cream layer with an off-set spatula.

Top the ice cream layer with the second cake layer. Place the cake in the freezer while you prepare the frosting.

Place the heavy whipping cream in a large bowl and beat it on high speed until it begins to thicken. Gradually add the sugar and beat until very thick, about 3 minutes.

Transfer 2/3 cup whipped cream to a piping bag fitted with a star tip; frost the cake with the remaining whipped cream.

Run a pastry comb around the outside edge of the cake to create decorative ridges.

Pipe stars of whipped cream around the top edge of the cake with the reserved frosting in the piping bag.

To cover the bottom of the cake with sprinkles, place the cake on a cake stand with one side just overhanging the edge of the stand. It’s important to use a cake stand with a sturdy base so it doesn’t teeter over under the cake’s weight. Place a large baking pan underneath the cake stand and toss on sprinkles, allowing the excess to fall into the pan. Turn the cake and repeat until the entire bottom 1/3 of the cake is covered in sprinkles.

Use larger sprinkles to garnish each star piped on top of the cake.

Place the cake in the freezer until the icing is firm, then cover with plastic wrap. Store the cake in the freezer until ready to serve. All photographs by Heather Baird.
112 comments
Natalie from HansHolzkopf said 6 years ago
Yummy and fun! Thank you for the recipe!
Nata from threecuteflowers said 6 years ago
The cake looks great! :)
Shanay Worthy from ShanaysCreation said 6 years ago
I love birthday cakes, I'm so making this!!
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 6 years ago
Oh my! This looks amazing!!!
Laurie C. from JCBDesignStudio said 6 years ago
My son and I both have August birthdays so this will be PERFECT! Can't wait to try, thank you for sharing!
Ann Cosgrove from acbcDesign said 6 years ago
This looks delicious and so beautiful!
Beard Oil from BeardOil said 6 years ago
YES! Looks delicious!!! Thanks for the share =D
Deodorant Shop from deodorantshop said 6 years ago
Oh YUM!! Thank you for sharing, Heather!!!
Ironwood Candles from IronwoodCandles said 6 years ago
Almost looks too pretty to eat! ALMOST ;)
Patrick from EdelweissPost said 6 years ago
I'm making coconut-milk lavender ice cream today with some lavender flowers I have in the freezer from last summer's garden. I've made it before, but now I'm wondering what it would taste like on a cake!
Crystal Foster from CrystalsArtHouse said 6 years ago
looks so good!! yummy yummy :)
Melissa Pancakes from littlepancakes said 6 years ago
I am too lazy to make this, I wish someone would make it for me!!
Quality Handmade Items from WhisperingOak said 6 years ago
Just wonderful for a summer pic nic.
Pepitas House from PepitasStudio said 6 years ago
For sure I will try this recipe. Looks great. Sure it tastes great.
Barbara from BodaciousDesignz said 6 years ago
At what degrees, do you warm the oven, for the cake?
Deborah Terrio from debter52 said 6 years ago
Beautiful cake...thank you for sharing
Bangkokpants Pants from bangkokpants said 6 years ago
look yummy !!!! i m so hungry now
Asma from AsmaOriginal said 6 years ago
How delicious this cake looks like!
Fields Of Vintage from FieldsOfVintage said 6 years ago
ohhh yummy! Great tutorial! Thanks.
Narwhal Needlework from NarwhalNeedlework said 6 years ago
This is so helpful! I've always wanted to learn to make something like this! :)
QiQi Gallery from QiQiGallery said 6 years ago
yummy!!! looks great.
Elizabeth from ABreathOfFrenchAir said 6 years ago
The cake looks delicious!
Deb Vasbinder from BabyCuteBaby said 6 years ago
Yummm! Love Ice Cream Cakes Thanks for sharing.
Jessica from CreativeDollCrafts said 6 years ago
Oh my, This looks so good!!! Thank you for sharing!!
Cristy Ramos from ArtisanBathandBody said 6 years ago
Delicious and amazing tutorial!! I'm going to share this whit my FB friends!!! So yummy!! Thank you so much for sharing it <3
Susan and Scott from oakstudiosofdesign said 6 years ago
That looks amazingly delicious! We have a birthday coming up in our house...I think I will have to make this cake!
Nancy and Frances Bukovsky from ObscureGems said 6 years ago
This looks so summery! I might have to try this for a summertime get together. Thank you for sharing!
Amelia from EmeraldHollow said 6 years ago
Oooh yummy! This actually looks easier than I thought, I will definitely be attempting this one :) Thanks for sharing!
Nancy DeGidio from dogjems said 6 years ago
it looks really good
Charmaine Pace from RusticFolkWeddings said 6 years ago
Cake looks delicious thanks for the tutorial!
Linda O'Neill from AbbyCreek said 6 years ago
Dang it, Heather...now I have to have a piece of cake! ;) Great pics by the way.
Marta DQ from tribomo said 6 years ago
So perfect for a birthday cake! It looks delicious!
ClassicMemories from ClassicMemories said 6 years ago
Yummy and I am ready for my slice.
iammie from iammie said 6 years ago
Yummy. :)
LivingVintage from LivingVintage said 6 years ago
I may have to celebrate my birthday all over again! Yummy.
Rhonda Griffin from Showbelles said 6 years ago
Learned something new today. I've been making and decorating BDcakes for years. Was never able to locate the icing comb until today. Thanks for the leads. Thanks for the BD cake tutorial.
Amy from fieldtrip said 6 years ago
oh wow this looks amazing!
Karen Boone said 6 years ago
Thank you!! So going to make this for a friend who adores sprinkles!!
patty mora from PattyMoraVintage said 6 years ago
yum!
Ellen from OttavaDesigns said 6 years ago
Can't wait to try this!! Yummy.
VelvetRevived from VelvetRevived said 6 years ago
What a very fun birthday idea!!
Julie Tarampi from JulemiJewelry said 6 years ago
Haha, my hubby loves ice cream cake! I may have to make this every weekend during the summer LOL
R. Anne from LnRworks said 6 years ago
That looks so good, I'm going to have to make this soon!
AGORAA from AGORAA said 6 years ago
Oh my! Yummy :) This looks amazing!
Lisa from ChicagoGirlVintage said 6 years ago
I will definitely have to try that :)
Genuique from Genuique said 6 years ago
oh yum - this looks delicious and fairly easy to make. I can't wait to try it
Mo and Ki from MokiMinis said 6 years ago
Yummy!
thevintagejunkie from thevintagejunkie said 6 years ago
Sweeeeet!
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 6 years ago
Lovely to look at and delicious to eat! Thanks!
Amanda Gynther from CafePrimrose said 6 years ago
This cake is lovely but can we just not talk about birthdays??? Mine is in 1 month and I will be turning 29 for the 6th year in a row.... Oh it is just soooo depressing.......... But a cake like this would make me feel much better.....
Katie from efflorescentmetals said 6 years ago
Looks yummy and worth the effort!
kelly hickey from edieandglo said 6 years ago
Love the sprinkle tips and I am definitely making this cake- whether there is a birthday or not :) Great accessory finds too!
Carole Fox from foxpots said 6 years ago
Looks great - wish I had some!
BRADA Jewelry from BRADAjewelry said 6 years ago
YUMMY!
TheSewingGin from TheSewingGin said 6 years ago
This cake is awesome.
Olivia Moore from PoofyDove said 6 years ago
yuuuuum!
Natalie Fanell from LittleMissDressUp said 6 years ago
I am soooooo making this!!!
Ingrid Ames from IngridsCreations said 6 years ago
YUM! Ice cream cake was my favorite cake when I was growing up. I am definitely going to have to make this soon!
Sandrine from SMboutique said 6 years ago
Yummmmmm :) Thank you ♡
Leda Design from LedaDesign said 6 years ago
This looks amazing!
HappiFeet from HappiFeet said 6 years ago
great for summer parties...gonna have to try this one! xoxo HappiFeet
Anne from KitschyVintage said 6 years ago
What a great cake! Your instructions make it look completely do-able...
Rebecca Devitt from MagickalEarth said 6 years ago
Wow, awesome instructions. Looks yum!
Weeping Grove from WeepingGrove said 6 years ago
It looks so yummy! thanks
kim rhodes-thomas from pinksnakejewelry said 6 years ago
Amazing Cake!! Great instructions!
Lana Manis from SimpleJoysPaperie said 6 years ago
Definitely one to try during this hot weather!
Bybee Vintage from BYBEEVINTAGE said 6 years ago
I wish I could reach into the screen and take a slice......
Julia from MASHUGANA said 6 years ago
This looks phenomenal! I need to try this :)
mazedasastoat from mazedasastoat said 6 years ago
Ye Gods, I can feel my arteries furring up just reading about this!
Autumn's Echo Shoppe from AutumnsEchoShoppe said 6 years ago
i now am thinking of making this for Someone's ....Anyone's Birthday !!!! :) Grandson's will love this i am sure...
stacey from TessCloset said 6 years ago
Looks so Yummy! thanks for the instructions. Will have to give it a try. You made is look so simple to do.
glitterandstones from glitterandstones said 6 years ago
The cake looks yummy! Thanks for sharing the recipe. I am definitely going to try it.
Design by Pris from DesignByPris said 6 years ago
Wow! That is really great. Thank you for a HOW-TO and idea to make for my DD in July. YUM :-) Thank you
monazaky1 said 6 years ago
so simple and nice decoration... well done :)
virginie lykins from anordicrose said 6 years ago
Yum ! Must try ! My kids would love it !
Lisa from MeghanandJulie said 6 years ago
Oh Jesus! I want this cake for breakfast..... Like right now... Forget the eggs and toast.
Lisa Haley from LovinTheGoodOleDays said 6 years ago
Awe, where was this a month ago when I was looking for the perfect recipe to make my son's ice cream b-day cake? Ah well, next year.
TheGlowingSkin from TheGlowingSkin said 6 years ago
Decadence in a forklift. Yum!
Denise Vining from kadydesigns said 6 years ago
This cake looks so yummy and professional!! Thank you for sharing the recipe, might just try this for my birthday!!
Rich and Dona from TheCottageMouse said 6 years ago
Perfect treat for the upcoming heat here in N.Y. Thanks
Sharon from YearsAfter said 6 years ago
Beautiful and Yummy! I'll make it for my birthday next month!
Jennifer Presler from IlluminativeHarvest said 6 years ago
Great tutorial and the cake is so beautiful!
S Watson from SewSheMadeIt said 6 years ago
Can't wait to try this for my Husband's birthday next month! tutorial is so great. Thank you.
Megan from ThimbleAndTag said 6 years ago
Yum! You made this look so easy! I fear mine will not come out this pretty. :)
Ursula Koenig from CasaBlahBlah said 6 years ago
This is awesome. Beautiful photos. And you made wonderful instructions. You're an inspiration. You and the cake!
veronica geller from Merrymissbetty said 6 years ago
Wow yummmyyyyy.... Just salivating
hubinshow from hubinshow said 6 years ago
Thank you for sharing!!
Gülkent Biçkin from Rosestyle said 6 years ago
Thanks for sharing
Chelsea Fisher from littleredchairshop said 6 years ago
@etsyadmin You don't have the sugar measurement for the cake in the ingredients. I'm trying it anyway and I'm going to guess :) It's my birthday today!
Vector Vintage from vectorvintageshop said 6 years ago
Eatsy always makes me hungry.... thanks for the awesome tutorial - you make it look so easy!!
Samantha from Emariecreations said 6 years ago
YUM!
Ashley Sarkisian from JohnnieBlueBowTie said 6 years ago
Oh wow, I'm not that big of a cake person but that actually looks delicious!
karin zeng from karinsicocsc said 6 years ago
Lovely ~!
metroretrovintage from MetroRetroVintage said 6 years ago
That cake looks wonderful! And so much better than a Carvel ice cream cake any day, I'm sure.
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 6 years ago
Yummy! Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Sarah B from TheSaltyJellyfish said 6 years ago
I'm going to have to try this! It reminds me of cupcake bath bombs :)
Natalie from 916trends said 6 years ago
very cool
dorothy charles said 6 years ago
This looks like a royal treat yummy
Charlotte Renata from HenrietteRenee said 6 years ago
I love it!!
Logan Worsley from TuffTyke said 6 years ago
This looks so fantastic. Thank you!
Katrina Dzerkale from Dominna said 6 years ago
This looks so oldchool :)
ApronsByVittoria from AquamarCouture said 6 years ago
This looks delicious! Thank you for a wonderful recipe!
OREOCOINS from oreocoinsandtreasure said 6 years ago
I book marked this one:) love and will bake soon....
Kimberlee Bartelt said 6 years ago
I am a very disgruntled baker because I was about to begin making this (this ice cream is in the spring pan in the freezer) and just realized the recipe doesn't specify the amount of sugar to add for the cake. Help!
DOUDOU HU from BoreParkDoll said 6 years ago
great!
Ada from YesSirYesSir said 6 years ago
I used 1 3/4 cups sugar for the cake (the amount used in her sand castle cake from last year) and it worked well.
Jan from LittleRedWagonShop said 6 years ago
Fun, fun, fun!
Marc Stevens from MarcStevensJewelry said 6 years ago
Looks sooo yummy!! Nothing beats a great ice cream cake with sprinkles!!
Amy from Misty801 said 6 years ago
Yummy!!
5erg from 5erg said 6 years ago
This made me want to make a cake for my friends! The sprinkles make it look so good!
Oh in the shop CR from OhInTheShop said 6 years ago
Miammmm !!!
liz from Giftbyliz said 6 years ago
thanks for sharing, gotta go and make some:)