Turtle Ice Cream Sandwich Cake
This decadent no-bake summer dessert has layers of ice cream sandwiches, chocolate, caramel, and pecans. Turtle Ice Cream Sandwich Cake is quick to prep, perfectly sweet, and cold.
I typically associate anything with Turtles with the Christmas holidays. However, with this turtle dessert, you can enjoy it long before the snow ever hits the ground!
It’s an easy ice cream cake that even the kids can help make. My family loves this delicious dessert.
You only need a handful of ingredients and about 4 hours to make it. It’s everything you love about Turtles in an ice cream form. Yum!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Made with the favorite flavors of caramel, chocolate, and vanilla
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- One of the kids’ favorite summer recipes
- Can be whipped together last minute and ready in a few hours
- Impressive to serve to guests
- Serves a large group of people
Ingredients
The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.
- Ice cream sandwiches – I use vanilla ice cream sandwiches.
- Cool Whip – Make your homemade Cool Whip if you can’t get the store-bought version.
- Chocolate sauce – Use chocolate sundae sauce or try my homemade hot fudge sauce.
- Caramel sauce – Use caramel sundae sauce or try my homemade caramel sauce.
- Pecans
- Mini chocolate chips
How to Make Turtle Ice Cream Sandwich Cake
- Step One: Line the bottom of a 9×13-inch pan with 12 ice cream sandwiches. You may need to slice one or two sandwiches to fit all into the pan.
- Step Two: Spread half of the Cool Whip over the ice cream sandwich layer.
- Step Three: Drizzle about ¼ cup of the chocolate sauce over top of the Cool Whip followed by ¼ cup of the caramel sauce. Sprinkle half of the pecans and half the chocolate chips over the top.
- Step Four: Repeat the same steps with the remaining ingredients.
- Step Five: Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and place in the freeze for 3 to 4 hours before serving. Slice into squares and enjoy.
What to Serve With It
Variations and Substitutions
- Add ¼ cup of brown sugar with the pecan layer for a richer sweetness.
- Add a chopped candy bar with the pecan layer.
- Use brownie ice cream sandwiches for a rich chocolate flavor.
- Homemade whipped cream can be used as a substitute for Cool Whip, but it will not set up as nicely.
- Try butterscotch sauce instead of caramel syrup.
- Substitute chopped peanuts or walnuts for the pecans, or omit the nuts altogether.
- Use regular chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, or dark), butterscotch chips, or even white chocolate chips.
Storage Instructions
Store any leftover ice cream cake in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 week.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- You might need to cut up a couple of the ice cream sandwiches to fit them all in the pan.
- Ensure the Cool Whip is thawed before using it in the recipe. It will be much easier to spread.
- Prepare up to one day ahead and store, covered, in the freezer.
- Run a knife under hot water before slicing to make it cut more easily. Make sure to wipe the knife off between cuts.
Ice Cream Desserts
- Blueberry Pie Ice Cream
- Ice Cream Pie
- Maple Walnut Ice Cream
- Jelly Donut Ice Cream Bowl
- Oreo Ice Cream Sandwich Cake
You’ll also like this Coconut Icebox Cake.
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Turtle Ice Cream Sandwich Cake
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Ingredients
- 24 ice cream sandwiches
- 16 oz Cool Whip thawed
- ½ cup chocolate sauce
- ½ cup caramel sauce
- ½ cup pecans chopped
- ⅓ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Line the bottom of a 9×13 inch pan with 12 ice cream sandwiches. You may need to slice one or two sandwiches to fit all into the pan.
- Spread half of the Cool Whip over the ice cream sandwich layer.
- Drizzle about ¼ cup of the chocolate sauce over top of the Cool Whip followed by ¼ cup of the caramel sauce. Sprinkle half of the pecans and half the chocolate chips over the top.
- Repeat the same steps with the remaining ingredients.
- Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and place in the freeze for 3 to 4 hours before serving. Slice into squares and enjoy.
Notes
- Make Ahead: This dessert is perfect to prep the night before. Just keep it covered in the freezer until you’re ready to serve.
- Slice Neatly: Run a sharp knife under hot water before slicing for clean, even squares.
- Switch It Up: Try different flavored ice cream sandwiches (like chocolate or Neapolitan) for a fun twist.
- Nut-Free Version: Leave out the pecans for a nut-free treat, or swap them with crushed pretzels for crunch.
- Topping Ideas: Add a drizzle of hot fudge or extra caramel just before serving for an extra decadent finish.
- Storage: Store leftovers tightly covered in the freezer for up to 7 days.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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