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You are here: Home / Recipe Ideas / Caramel Fudge Ice Cream Cake With Pretzel Crust

By Carrie Ypma on April 4, 2020 16 Comments

Caramel Fudge Ice Cream Cake With Pretzel Crust

Recipe Ideas

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If you enjoy sweet and salty desserts, you’re going to love this recipe. Caramel Fudge Ice Cream Cake with a pretzel crust is a delicious summer treat.

Hey there! Do you love sweet and salty desserts? Then you’re really going to love today’s recipe. Caramel Fudge Ice Cream Cake is a delicious summer treat that combines layers of ice cream with hot fudge and hot caramel – all on a buttery pretzel crust!

Caramel Fudge Ice Cream Cake with Pretzel Crust

Ice Cream Cake – Summer Dessert Idea

One of my favorite summertime treats to make is an ice cream cake. You can combine different ingredients in many different ways to create unique and delicious ice cream desserts to serve your family and friends. Some have chocolate or vanilla cookie crusts while many others have graham cracker crusts. For today’s ice cream cake though, I wanted to try something new — a pretzel crust!

Caramel Fudge Ice Cream Cake with a pretzel crust

If you’re a fan of sweet and salty combos, it really doesn’t get much better than chocolate and pretzels, does it? While I love chocolate covered pretzels, I think it’s also fun to combine these two delicious ingredients in other ways. And while we’re at it, why not throw in some caramel to sweeten the deal, am I right?

A single slice of Caramel Fudge Ice Cream Cake with a pretzel crust! and a few bite-sized pretzels on the side.

I initially made this Caramel Fudge Ice Cream Cake with a pretzel crust for my Bible study group. It was a huge hit with my friends and I just know yours are going to love it too.

How to Make Ice Cream Cake

You’ll love how easy it is to make your own caramel fudge ice cream cake.

WHat You need:

Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links for products or services we think you’ll like. This means if you make a purchase from one of these links, Ideas for the Home by Kenarry® will make a small commission at no additional cost to you so we can keep the great ideas for the home coming your way. All opinions expressed are derived from personal experience.

Kitchen Tools Needed:

  • Resealable bag
  • Rolling pin
  • Mixing bowl
  • Chef’s knife
  • 9 x 13 glass baking dish

Ingredients:

Here’s what you’ll need from the store. The exact amounts are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

  • Mini pretzels
  • Butter
  • French vanilla ice cream
  • Hot caramel topping
  • Hot fudge topping

Directions

This is seriously the easiest ice cream cake you will ever make. Pin this post because you’ll want to share it with your friends!

I can't wait to try this recipe idea for Caramel Fudge Ice Cream Cake with a pretzel crust! It looks like a delicious chocolate dessert for a hot summer day or a party with friends.

1. Crush The Pretzels

You start by crushing mini pretzels and combining them with melted butter to make the crust.

I recommend putting the pretzels in a large resealable bag and breaking them into bits using a rolling pin. You may even need to pound them with the rolling pin for a bit to break them into smaller crumbs.

Crushed pretzels in a baking dish. This is the crust for the ice cream cake.

2. Harden the Crust in the Freezer

Once the pretzel crust for the Caramel Fudge Ice Cream Cake has hardened in the freezer for about 30 minutes, you’re ready to start layering the remaining three ingredients – french vanilla ice cream, hot caramel and hot fudge.

3. Layer the Ice Cream Cake Ingredients

For layered recipes like this Caramel Fudge Ice Cream Cake, I like to buy the kind of ice cream that comes in a boxed carton. You can then unfold the carton and use a knife to easily slice the ice cream to make layers.

If you only have the tub kind of ice cream, you may need to let it soften for a bit so you can divide it into thirds.

A quart of vanilla ice cream with the box taken off.

4. Layer it on top of the crust

Slice and layer the first third of vanilla ice cream on top of the pretzel crust. Then drizzle it with hot fudge topping. (Tip: Warm the hot fudge in the microwave to make it easier to drizzle.)

Caramel Fudge Ice Cream Cake with a pretzel crust - the fudge drizzled on top.

Next, place another layer of french vanilla ice cream on top of the hot fudge. You don’t need to worry about blending the slices together at this point. Drizzle hot caramel topping across the second layer of ice cream, then place the third and final layer of ice cream on top of that.

Another layer of vanilla ice cream on the homemade ice cream cake.

5. Add Marbling to the top layer

Once the final layer of ice cream is in place, drizzle the remaining hot fudge and hot caramel across the top of the Caramel Fudge Ice Cream Cake. The hot toppings will melt into the top layer of ice cream giving the cake a beautiful marbled appearance.

I can't wait to try this recipe idea for Caramel Fudge Ice Cream Cake with a pretzel crust! It looks like a delicious chocolate dessert for a hot summer day or a party with friends.

6. Put in the freezer overnight

Put it in your freezer overnight so the layers can blend together.

Before you serve it let the Caramel Fudge Ice Cream Cake stand on the counter for 5-10 minutes to make it easier to cut through the cake. As you can see in the photo below, once you slice into the ice cream cake, you no longer see the separate layers.

A slice of Caramel Fudge Ice Cream Cake with a pretzel crust
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
4.17 from 6 votes

Caramel Fudge Ice Cream Cake With Pretzel Crust

If you enjoy sweet and salty desserts, you're going to love this recipe. Caramel Fudge Ice Cream Cake with a pretzel crust is a delicious summer treat.
Prep Time30 mins
Cook Time0 mins
Total Time30 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Dessert
Keyword: ice cream, ice cream cake, kid friendly
Servings: 12
Calories: 625kcal
Author: Carrie Ypma

Ingredients

  • 4 cups mini pretzels
  • 1/2 cup Butter
  • 1.75 quart french vanilla ice cream
  • 12 oz jar hot caramel topping
  • 12 oz jar hot fudge topping

Instructions

  • In a large resealable bag, crush pretzels with a rolling pin.
  • Melt butter in the microwave.
  • In a bowl combine the crushed pretzels and melted butter. Spread the pretzel mixture on the bottom of a lightly greased 9 x 13″ glass baking dish and gently press down to form a crust. Put the pretzel crust in the freezer for 30 minutes.
  • Now mentally divide the french vanilla ice cream into thirds. Layer the first 1/3 of ice cream on top of the pretzel crust.
  • Put the hot fudge in the microwave for 45 seconds. Drizzle half of it on top of the first ice cream layer.
  • Next, place another layer of ice cream on top of the hot fudge.
  • Put the hot caramel in the microwave for 45 seconds. Drizzle half of it on top of the second ice cream layer.
  • Spread the rest of the ice cream on top of the caramel layer and lightly smooth with a spoon.
  • Drizzle the remaining caramel and hot fudge across the top of the ice cream cake. NOTE: You may need to reheat the caramel and hot fudge in the microwave for an additional 30 seconds to make it easier to drizzle.
  • Freeze the Caramel Fudge Ice Cream Cake overnight. Let it sit on the counter for 5-10 minutes to soften a little before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 625kcal | Carbohydrates: 90g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 713mg | Potassium: 415mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 40g | Vitamin A: 843IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 213mg | Iron: 2mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag us on Instagram at @kenarryideas or leave us a comment rating below.
A close up of Caramel Fudge Ice Cream Cake with a pretzel crust

Serving Suggestions for Caramel Fudge Ice Cream Cake

As with any ice cream cake, there are many ways you can enhance this Caramel Fudge Ice Cream Cake to make it special for your parties and potlucks. Here are a few suggestions:

  • Add chopped nuts, toffee bits or mini chocolate chips between the layers to give a little added crunch to each bite.
  • If you like a creamier ice cream cake, you can add a layer of frozen whipped topping after the hot fudge and then again after the hot caramel. Or you could just use the whipped topping on the very top like a frosting.
  • Not a fan of caramel? Substitute it with peanut butter instead for a delicious twist on this ice cream cake recipe. You would heat the peanut butter in the microwave before you drizzle it, just like you do with the hot caramel topping.
  • Instead of french vanilla ice cream, you could use almost any other ice cream flavor available at your local grocery store. I think cookies and cream ice cream or chocolate chip ice cream would both be great alternatives.
Unsliced Caramel Fudge Ice Cream Cake with a pretzel crust

What’s your favorite way to make an ice cream cake? Please comment below and share. We’re always looking for new ideas.

More Dessert Ideas

While you’re here be sure to check out other dessert ideas on Ideas for the Home by Kenarry® –

  • Peanut Butter Fudge Cake
  • Caramel Apple Pudding Cups
  • Easy S’mores Cake: Cake Mix Solutions

If you enjoyed this Caramel Fudge Ice Cream Cake with a Pretzel Crust, please share it with your friends or pin it for later:

I can't wait to try this recipe idea for Caramel Fudge Ice Cream Cake with a pretzel crust! It looks like a delicious chocolate dessert for a hot summer day or a party with friends.

Originally published August 2016. Updated August 2018 and again April 2020.

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Recipe Ideas

About Carrie Ypma

Carrie is the chief writer, crafter and creator here at Ideas for the Home by Kenarry®. She's an optimist by nature and enjoys sharing recipes, trying new craft ideas, planning for parties and events as well as organizing and decorating. She and her husband, Kent live in Michigan. She also loves to hide away in a castle under the stairs reading to her two young boys and help guests plan vacations at Sunshine Villa at Glenbrook Resort, their short term vacation rental home in Orlando near Walt Disney World.

Whether you’re cooking, crafting or creating for your family, follow Carrie on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get inspiring ideas for your home. For home organization tips and ideas, check out her other website, Clutter Keeper or follow her on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

In this ultimate guide, you'll learn how to make a burlap wreath with ribbon for your home. The FREE eBook includes easy step-by-step instructions plus inspiring craft and decor ideas to make wreaths for fall, Christmas, Easter and other holidays.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mindy says

    September 16, 2016 at 7:37 pm

    This looks AMAZING! The sad part…I’m going to attempt to make this with low fat ice cream and rationalize it is GOOD for me!!,..LOL!

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      September 16, 2016 at 8:44 pm

      Thanks, Mindy! I bet low fat ice cream will work just fine for this. Use dark chocolate fudge – those antioxidants are good for you too!

      Reply
  2. Pam says

    September 21, 2016 at 5:39 am

    All my favorite ingredients! Can’t wait to give this a try!

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      September 26, 2016 at 8:34 pm

      Hope you love it, Pam!

      Reply
  3. Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says

    October 25, 2016 at 1:53 pm

    I’ve been craving some ice cream – I need this now!! Thanks for sharing on the What’s for Dinner link up and don’t forget to leave a comment at the party – Next week’s features that also leave a comment get pinned, yummed and tweeted!

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      October 25, 2016 at 8:42 pm

      Hi Helen, thanks for letting us know how your party works. We’re thrilled you came by to check out our recipe.

      Reply
  4. Mari says

    October 25, 2016 at 2:22 pm

    Carrie great share I just pinned look forward to trying this out. Appreciate you sharing this with us at Turn It Up 🙂

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      October 25, 2016 at 8:38 pm

      Thank you so much for pinning our recipe, Mari! So glad you stopped by.

      Reply
  5. Melissa says

    October 25, 2016 at 8:22 pm

    Yum. This will be perfect when the grandkids are here! Thanks for sharing at the Family Joy Blog Link Party this week!

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      October 25, 2016 at 8:37 pm

      I hope your grandkids love it, Melissa! They can help crush the pretzels.

      Reply
  6. Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood says

    October 29, 2016 at 3:27 pm

    Ice cream cake is my FAVORITE. I’m a december baby and still request it for my birthday! Also, slicing the icecream like that is GENIUS!

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      October 30, 2016 at 9:28 pm

      Thanks Morgan! Hope our ice cream cake becomes one of your new faves.

      Reply
  7. sahana says

    October 31, 2016 at 11:27 am

    Interesting combo! Looks scrumptious. Thank you for linking with us at #HomeMattersParty . We would love to see you again next week.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Happy Halloween From Turn It Up Tuesday! | TheMrsTee says:
    October 31, 2016 at 8:01 pm

    […] chose Caramel Fudge Ice Cream Cake with Pretzel Crust from Kenarry. “This looks wonderful. I love desserts that have a pretzel crust, which gives […]

    Reply
  2. Turn It Up Tuesday #163 • Bliss & Faith says:
    November 1, 2016 at 1:44 am

    […] chose Caramel Fudge Ice Cream Cake with Pretzel Crust from Kenarry. “This looks wonderful. I love desserts that have a pretzel crust, which gives […]

    Reply
  3. 11 Crave-Worthy Ice Cream Cake Recipes Perfect for Summer says:
    May 17, 2018 at 6:39 am

    […] Caramel Fudge Ice Cream Cake with a Pretzel Crust at Kenarry […]

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