You know those iconic DQ ice cream cakes we all grew up with? This is that—but in a jar. These Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake Jars are layered with rich fudge sauce, a chocolate cookie crunch, and creamy ice cream. They’re perfectly portioned, freezer-friendly, and (bonus) ridiculously cute.
These special treats are ideal for birthday parties, BBQs, or anytime you need a frozen treat that hits all the nostalgic notes.
What Is in a Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake?
The classic Dairy Queen ice cream cake is made with just a few delicious elements:
- Chocolate cookie crunch layer
- Rich chocolate fudge sauce
- Chocolate soft serve
- Vanilla soft serve
- Whipped topping
We kept that nostalgic structure but made it even more fun (and freezer-friendly) by layering everything into individual jars.
Jump to RecipeHow to Make Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake Jars
Making your own ice cream cake jars is simple and surprisingly quick. Here’s a high-level look at the process:
- Prepare the cookie crunch layer.
Mix crushed cookies with melted butter (and optional chocolate chips) and set aside. - Make the fudge sauce. Note: Totally swap this for store-bought if you’d like!
Combine the sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, butter, espresso powder, vanilla, and salt in a saucepan. Heat until smooth and glossy. - Assemble in jars.
Layer chocolate ice cream, fudge, crunch layer, and vanilla ice cream into individual jars (250 mL was the size I used). - Freeze.
Cover and freeze the jars for at least 4 hours, or overnight. - Top and serve.
Add whipped cream, sprinkles, or a cherry just before serving.
Why We Love This Recipe
- No baking required
- Easy to prep ahead
- Freezer-friendly for weeks
- Customizable for any occasion
- Perfect portion size every time
More Frozen Treats to Treats
Looking for more crowd-pleasing summer desserts? Try one of these next my friends:
Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake Jars
Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake Jars
You know those iconic DQ ice cream cakes we all grew up with? This is that—but in a jar. These Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake Jars are layered with rich fudge sauce, a chocolate cookie crunch, and creamy ice cream. They're perfectly portioned, freezer-friendly, and (bonus) ridiculously cute.
Ingredients
For the Crunchy Layer:
- 1 cup chocolate oreo crumbs or cookie crumbs
- ¼ cup melted butter
For the Fudge Layer (If using Homemade)*
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon espresso powder (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For the Ice Cream Layers:
- 6 scoops vanilla ice cream slightly softened
- 6 scoops chocolate ice cream slightly softened
Optional Toppings:
- whipped cream
- sprinkles
- maraschino cherries
Instructions
Make the Crunch Layer:
-
Mix crushed chocolate cookies with melted butter (and chocolate chips if using) until combined. Set aside.
Assemble each jar in the following order:
-
1 Scoop of softened Chocolate Ice Cream
-
Fudge Sauce: about 1½ tablespoons
-
Crunch Layer: 2-3 tablespoons
-
1 Scoop of softened Vanilla Ice Cream
-
Note: Leave a little space for whipped topping later!
Freeze the Jars:
-
Cover each jar with a lid or plastic wrap and freeze for until firm, at least a couple hours.
-
Before Serving: Top with a dollop of whipped cream, sprinkles, and a cherry if desired right before serving.
Recipe Notes
* Can use store bought fudge instead of making your own! Note that this makes extra but freezes well.
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