Firecracker Ice Cream Cake

Firecracker Ice Cream Cake
Firecracker Ice Cream Cake
The sparks will fly…
this 4th of July!

When you make a Firecracker Ice Cream Cake for a red, white and ooh, finish on a spectacular night!

Here’s the starring cast of characters, frozen yogurt, ice cream, ice cream sandwiches, cool whip, star shaped cookies, and raspberry sorbet…AND VANILLA WAFERS! This is the first time I have used Neapolitan ice cream sandwiches. I have used Fatboys even…your choice. This time my man made all the choices!
Begin by crushing vanilla wafers and blending in milk just until mixture holds together.
Spray a 9″ spring-form pan with non-stick spray. Now work really quickly. Cutting 4 ice cream sandwiches in quarters; cut in half length wise and across. Quickly line the sides of your pan, packing them snugly together, and then do the same with the remaining sandwiches.
Spoon the crushed wafers into the middle of your pan. Press firmly over the bottom of the pan. Now cover well and freeze for 1 hour.
During your free hour, make your fire crackers! You’ll need vanilla melts, marshmallows, red and blue sugar, and wooden skewers.
Melt the vanilla melts in your microwave stirring every 15 seconds till it’s smooth.
Dip in vanilla melts coating the end of the marshmallow and a little up the sides.
Carefully dip into the red or blue sugar.
I dipped both ends…you can swirl and twirl…be creative!  After 45 minutes soften your yogurt, ice cream, or sorbet for 15 minutes….
So your cake’s been in the freezer for 1 hour, add the softened yogurt…or your choice…I’ve used everything and it turns out great!
Then add the second layer…
again…the third layer…
Cover with thawed whipped topping….
Sprinkles…

Fire crackers…

and star cookies…

After my Fire Cracker Cake spent a frigid night in my big freezer, I discovered the freezer had mysteriously been turned down. Our life was so much easier when we had 5 kids at home to blame this kinda stuff on… anyway, after a few gooey, melty pictures, it’s tucked back in for another night. However, even soft my man inhaled the missing piece and said it was a sizzling success! It’s easy to make and always turns out fantastic.

Firecracker Ice Cream Cake

Firecracker Ice Cream Cake
To make your own Firecracker Ice Cream Cake, coat the sides and bottom of a 9-inch round springform pan with non-stick cooking spray. Line side with wax paper, using spray to help adhere to pan. Finely crush the vanilla wafers in a food processor (or blender). Add milk; pulse just until mixture holds together. Set aside. (Now, another pair of hands helps for this next part if you can get them…I have done it by myself though) Unwrap 4 ice cream sandwiches. Working quickly, cut each into quarters, in half long wise and then across. Stack strips of sandwiches to form a stand up edge. Repeat with remaining sandwiches to form a stand-up edge. Spoon cookie crumbs into the center of the pan; press firmly over bottom. Freeze 1 hour.
Remove all 3 flavors of ice cream, frozen yogurt or sorbet from the freezer and let soften at room temperature for 15 minutes. When softened, (not completely) add food color if you’d like. Remove pan from the freezer. Spread 1st layer of ice cream on the bottom, top with the next one, and then the last one. Top with thawed whipped topping, swirling top decoratively. Top with sprinkles and star cookies. Cover well and return to freezer. Freeze overnight. To serve, remove the sides of pan, then waxed paper. Add fire cracker decorations. Cut into wedges.
To make decorative fire crackers: In a mug, melt white, vanilla melts in the microwave, at 15 second intervals. Using a wooden skewer, poke a marshmallow and dip it in the coating and then into red or blue sugar. Let it dry on a parchment lined jelly-roll pan. Repeat, dipping the other end. Dip 12 marshmallows to make 3 fire crackers. Refrigerate till set. Next, thread the marshmallows unto a long wood skewer. Cut the top and bottom off of a party straw with red and blue streamers. Push the pointed end of the streamer into the ice-cream cake. Insert the straw over the top of the skewer and push it into the top marshmallow to secure.

BOOM…Get ready for the sparks to fly…enjoy and happy 4th all!
5 from 1 reviews
Firecracker Ice Cream Cake
 
Prep time
Total time
 
Refreshingly fun, Firecracker Ice Cream Cake is a yummy treat all summer long. Spark some patriotism by adding marshmallow firecrackers to celebrate the 4th of July!
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12-16
Ingredients
  • 20 Vanilla Wafer cookies
  • 2 Tbsp. milk
  • 8 to 10 ice cream sandwiches, depending on size
  • 1 pint blueberry ice cream or sorbet
  • 1 pint vanilla ice cream
  • 1 pint raspberry sorbet
  • 1 (8 oz.) container frozen whipped topping
  • sprinkles (optional)
  • red and blue star shaped sugar cookies (optional)
Instructions
  1. Coat sides and bottom of a 9-inch round springform pan with non-stick cooking spray. Line side with wax paper, using spray to help adhere to pan.
  2. Finely crush the vanilla wafers in a food processor (or blender).
  3. Add milk; pulse just until mixture holds together. Set aside.
  4. Unwrap 4 ice cream sandwiches. Working quickly, cut each into quarters, in half long wise and then across. Stack strips of sandwiches to form a stand up edge. Repeat with remaining sandwiches to form a stand-up edge.
  5. Spoon cookie crumbs into the center of the pan; press firmly over bottom. Freeze 1 hour.
  6. Remove all 3 flavors of ice cream, frozen yogurt or sorbet from the freezer and let soften at room temperature for 15 minutes.
  7. When softened, (not completely) add food color if you'd like. Remove pan from the freezer. Spread 1st layer of ice cream on the bottom, top with the next one, and then the last one.
  8. Top with thawed whipped topping, swirling top decoratively.
  9. Top with sprinkles and star cookies.
  10. Cover well and return to freezer.
  11. Freeze overnight.
  12. To serve, remove the sides of pan, then waxed paper. Add fire cracker decorations. Cut into wedges.
  13. To make decorative fire crackers: In a mug, melt white, vanilla melts in the microwave, at 15 second intervals. Using a wooden skewer, poke a marshmallow and dip it in the coating and then into red or blue sugar. Let it dry on a parchment lined jelly-roll pan. Repeat, dipping the other end. Dip 12 marshmallows to make 3 fire crackers. Refrigerate till set. Next, thread the marshmallows unto a long wood skewer. Cut the top and bottom off of a party straw with red and blue streamers. Push the pointed end of the streamer into the ice-cream cake. Insert the straw over the top of the skewer and push it into the top marshmallow to secure.
Notes
It's nice to have another pair of hands when it's time to open, cut, and place the ice cream sandwiches around the base of your pan.

About The Author

Renée

Renée is passionate about making and sharing ALL things delicious! Her happy place really is her kitchen where she loves whipping up memories with her family and friends. Raised in sunny Southern California she's spent her adulthood in Idaho, both sides of her great state. She's married to an amazing man, and together they have 5 children, who gave them five more, and now they have 28 grandchildren. So there’s always a reason to cook and celebrate around their place!

42 Comments

  1. Pam

    Thanks for sharing! I’ll be trying this recipe this weekend. Happy 4th of July!

    Reply
  2. Happier Than a Pig in Mud

    Looks like a cute idea! I know what you mean about not being able to blame it on the kids anymore, the cashier only has me to look at as she rings up the opened bag of potato chips… Happy 4th!

    Reply
  3. Debbie

    Could this possibly be any cuter? No, it couldn’t. I think the firecrackers are my favorite part.

    I’m such a sucker for a creative dessert, especially around the holidays.

    Reply
  4. sydney @ memorable minutes

    okay. oh my gosh! you had me at the pan lined with ice cream sandwiches. i can hear my mom, who is a diabetic, saying now “why do we need this?” umm because it looks pretty?! hello. sometimes she doesn’t understand having stuff for the fun of it. i need some kids!!! can’t wait to make this one day! i thought your first pic was a trick too, i was searching and searching, going where are the vanilla wafers?, wonder how it would be with graham crackers?

    Reply
  5. Emily {Frilly Details}

    What a cute cake! And it look so yummy with those ice cream sandwiches. Mmmm…

    Reply
  6. Debbie~

    That looks and sounds like it would be a crowd pleaser too! Fabulous 4th.of July dessert, thank you so much for sharing this with us! Debbie @ Cottage Hann~Me~Downs

    Reply
  7. CornWarmerz

    Now that’s what I call a celebration!
    Following from New Friend Fridays. 🙂

    Reply
  8. Staci J

    What!! Are you kidding me, that looks soooo yummy! Visiting from Friday Favorites
    justsewsassy.com

    Reply
  9. Sweet Bee Cottage

    Holy guacamole! What a fun post and what a funtastic (and yes I do mean FUNtastic) cake! Have a spectacular Fourth!

    Reply
  10. Lora

    Looks great~very festive! I love ice cream sandwiches:)

    Reply
  11. Haden News

    LOVE your cake, very festive! Have a safe and Happy 4th of July.

    Reply
  12. mle

    That looks delish!! I think I just licked the screen 😛 happy 4th! NFF

    Reply
  13. Cathy~Mille Fleur

    I am coming to your house;)! Save me a piece!

    Enjoy!
    Cathy

    Reply
  14. Kenzie

    The cake is adorable and it looks so good! Happy 4th!

    Reply
  15. Cathy

    What a fun dessert and perfect for a holiday weekend. Love the ice cream sandwiches and the festive marshmallows. Can’t wait to try it.

    Reply
  16. Doro

    Wow. That is very creative, visually interesting, and unique. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  17. Rene'

    That looks so yummy!! You always have such awesome recipes and great pics!!

    Rene’
    @bargainhoot

    Reply
  18. JDaniel4's Mom

    This post has been selected as one of my great posts of the week. Here is the link to my post.

    Reply
  19. Grace

    I love the marshmallow “fire crackers”!

    Reply
  20. My Carolina Kitchen

    What a crowd pleaser. I wish I lived closer to my little nieces. They would love these. Happy 4th of July.
    Sam

    Reply
  21. Jami

    Such a fun cake!! I’m saving this to try next year (if I can wait that long!!!)
    Smiles!

    Reply
  22. Micro Preemie Mom

    Wow! Do I ever need to follow your blog!! This stuff looks amazing! I’ve always wanted to cook like this. I just need the ideas and inspiration. Awesome work!

    Reply
  23. Heather

    Wow!!! Looks amazing! TFS!

    Reply
  24. Staci J

    This looks amazingly delish! And so pretty too! Just letting ya know I’m visiting from Anything Related
    Justsewsassy.com

    Reply
  25. Jerri

    Wow!—Wow! What a wonderful treat! This looks fantastic! And so festive!

    Thanks for linking up with me!

    Reply
  26. Lisa@BlessedwithGrace

    That is AWESOMSE! Thanks for sharing your recipe and linking to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday.

    Reply
  27. Traci Michele

    oh my goodness, how spectacular!!!!!!!!!!! thanks!

    Reply
  28. Its So Very Cheri

    Congrats on being featured at Under the Table and Dreaming, I was also featured. I have to copy this recipe, my kids would love it.

    Cheri from Its So Very Cheri.com

    Reply
  29. Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming

    This looks amazing! I love the ice cream sandwiches! So creative and looks yummy! I’ll be featuring this today. Stop by and grab a featured button if you like. Thanks again for joining the Sunday Showcase. Hope you have a fabulous week! ~ Stephanie Lynn

    Reply
  30. Michelle L.

    No way! Love it to the max! I’m gonna serve this at a party and be all, “Yes, I MADE that!”

    Reply
  31. Red Couch Recipes

    Gnee, how fun is that cake! I KNOW my family would love that! Joni

    Reply
  32. Julie

    Beautiful cake! Happy Belated Fourth of July!!

    Reply
  33. ★All Thingz Related★

    How fun is that! (Im hungry now!) Thanks for joining us for Anything Related #14! ~Bridgette

    Reply
  34. Nanna

    now that is just too cute !
    Helen

    Reply
  35. Avril Miller

    Holy Smokes!!! What an amazing cake! – do I have to wait until next 4th of July to make it????….maybe I can sneak it in for Labor Day….yah I like that idea! 🙂

    Reply
  36. amieggs

    wow… I wish my country’s national holliday were that much fun… =)

    Reply

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We're Alison and Renée, and we're so glad you've joined us! Our kitchens are our happy place, where we're whipping up memories. Get comfy and check things out. We hope you find inspiring dishes and ways to better your life. Feeling optimistic, trying new things and sharing with those we love brings joy in all we do. It's time to cook, create and celebrate. CHEERS! Read More…

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