Football Ice Cream Cake Recipe

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Getting ready to host a game day party and in need of a show-stopping centerpiece that’s both delicious and in tune with the football spirit? I’ve got just the recipe for you! I’m excited to share my all-time favorite treat that never fails to score big with friends and family: the Football Ice Cream Cake. Whether you’re tailgating or gathering around the TV at home, this dessert will bring the fun of the game right onto your table.

How to make Football Ice Cream Cake

Football Ice Cream Cake is a themed dessert often served during sports events, particularly football games. It combines the fun of ice cream with the excitement of a football game. Typically, it features layers of ice cream, cake, and various toppings, all decorated to resemble a football or a football field.

Ingredients

For the Ice Cream Layer:

• 2 quarts of vanilla ice cream (or your favorite flavor)
• 2 quarts of chocolate ice cream
• 1 cup crushed chocolate cookies (for texture and added flavor)

For the Cake Layer:

• 1 box of chocolate cake mix (and the ingredients it calls for, usually water, oil, and eggs)

For the Frosting and Decorations:

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Black icing for football laces

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Layer

1. Preheat your oven to the temperature specified on the cake mix box.
2. Mix the cake batter according to the box instructions.
3. Pour the batter into a football-shaped cake pan if you have one; if not, a standard round pan will work just fine. You’ll carve it later.
4. Bake as directed on the box. Once done, let the cake cool completely.
5. Trim the cake to give it a more football-like oval shape if you used a round pan.

Step 2: The Ice Cream Layer

1. Leave the ice cream at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to soften it. It should be manageable but not too runny.
2. Line the same cake pan used for baking (now cleaned) with plastic wrap, with extra hanging over the sides.
3. Layer the softened ice cream in the pan, starting with vanilla. Sprinkle the crushed cookies evenly over the vanilla layer, then cover with the chocolate ice cream. Use a spatula to smooth it out.
4. Freeze for at least 4 hours, or until firm.

Step 3: Assemble the Cake

1. Whip the cream with the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form, creating your frosting.
2. Remove the ice cream from the pan using the plastic wrap to lift it out.
3. Place the ice cream layer on top of the cake layer. If it doesn’t fit perfectly, trim it as needed.
4. Frost the cake with the whipped cream, using a spatula to smooth it out and cover the sides evenly.
5. Draw the football laces on top using the black icing.

Step 4: Final Touches

1. Freeze the entire cake for another 1-2 hours to set everything nicely.
2. Thaw for a few minutes before serving to make slicing easier.

Tips for Success

• Work quickly with the ice cream to prevent it from melting too much.
• If you’re not confident in your football shape carving abilities, there are football-shaped pans available that can make your life easier.
• Customize your cake by using your favorite ice cream flavors. Consider matching team colors with flavored ice creams for an extra touch of team spirit.
• For a non-dairy version, substitute the ice cream for a non-dairy frozen dessert and use coconut whipped cream for frosting.

What to serve with

When serving your Football Ice Cream Cake on game day, consider pairing it with complementary beverages and snacks that will enhance your guests’ overall experience.

Beverages

• Craft Beers: Since football and beer are classic companions, offer a selection of craft beers from local breweries. Opt for a variety that includes ipas, lagers, and stouts to cater to different tastes.
• Soda and Sparkling Water: Keep a few non-alcoholic options handy such as soda and flavored sparkling waters. These provide a refreshing cleanse of the palate, especially if you’re indulging in sweet and savory treats.
• Coffee and Hot Chocolate: A coffee station can be a wonderful addition, letting guests customize their coffee with various creams and sweeteners. Hot chocolate is another warm, comforting option, particularly for cooler game day weather, and goes beautifully with dessert.

Savory Snacks

• Chili: A hearty bowl of chili is not only a crowd-pleaser, but it also complements the creaminess of a Football Ice Cream Cake. Its robust flavors are a warm respite, enhancing the cold sweetness of the ice cream.
• Buffalo Wings and Dips: Offer a platter of spicy buffalo wings; their heat will be a perfect contrast to the cold dessert. Pair them with cool, creamy dips like ranch or blue cheese for a balanced flavor experience.
• Loaded Nachos: A mountain of nachos loaded with cheese, jalapeños, beans, salsa, and guacamole is almost mandatory for any football gathering. They’re shareable and utterly addictive, driving up the appetite for a sweet follow-up.
• Football-Themed Appetizers: Think about items like deviled eggs dyed to resemble footballs or football-shaped cheese balls. These playful elements can enliven the theme and add a touch of whimsy to the table.

Lighter Fare

• Vegetable Platter and Dip: Offer a healthy alternative with a vibrant vegetable platter. To appeal to health-conscious guests, include a selection of dips, such as hummus or a yogurt-based dip.
• Fruit Skewers: A platter of fresh fruit skewers can provide a refreshing counterbalance to both the savory flavors and the richness of the Football Ice Cream Cake. Opt for fruits like pineapple, melon, grapes, and berries for a variety of colors and tastes.
• Salads: A large, tossed green salad or a pasta salad can be a refreshing addition to your game day menu. It’s light and refreshing and helps balance the heavier snacks.

Ingredients Substitutes

Making a Football Ice Cream Cake is a fun way to get into the spirit of a football event, but sometimes you may not have all the ingredients on hand or need to make substitutions based on dietary restrictions.

Ice Cream

• Dairy-Free Ice Cream: For those with lactose intolerance or a dairy allergy, you can substitute regular ice cream with dairy-free alternatives made from almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, or oat milk. These alternatives come in various flavors, just like traditional ice cream.
• Frozen Yogurt: If you prefer something lighter, frozen yogurt can be used instead of ice cream. Be mindful of the texture difference, as it may freeze harder.
• Sorbet: For a non-dairy, lower-fat option, choose a sorbet. Remember that sorbets are fruit-flavored and will bring a different, more sorbet-forward flavor profile to the cake.

Cake Base

• Gluten-Free Cake Mix: For those who are gluten-sensitive or have celiac disease, you can use a gluten-free cake mix or create your own mix using almond flour, coconut flour, or a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
• Allergy-Friendly Cake Mix: If you’re catering to someone with egg or nut allergies, look for a cake mix that is free from these allergens, or choose a vegan cake mix that doesn’t require added eggs.

Chocolate Frosting

• Dairy-Free Chocolate Frosting: To keep your frosting dairy-free, substitute regular butter with vegan butter and use dairy-free milk alternatives. Store-bought dairy-free frostings are also available.
• Sugar-Free Chocolate Frosting: For those reducing sugar intake, use a sugar substitute that is designed for baking, such as stevia or sucralose-based sweeteners. They often come with conversion charts to replace sugar.

Decorative Icing

• Natural Food Coloring: Instead of traditional food coloring, you can use natural dyes made from beet juice (for red/pink), spirulina powder (for green), or turmeric (for yellow) mixed with your icing.
• Dairy-Free Decorative Icing: If necessary, look for dairy-free or vegan decorative icing options. These are available both in pre-made tubes and as recipes you can make at home using alternative ingredients.

Whipped Topping

• Coconut Whipped Cream: A great non-dairy alternative to whipped cream is coconut whipped cream, made from chilled coconut cream. It’s rich and creamy, with a subtle coconut flavor.
• Vegan Whipped Topping: There are also store-bought vegan whipped toppings available, made from plant-based ingredients.

Chocolate and Candy Decorations

• Vegan Chocolate: Use vegan or dairy-free chocolate for decorations if catering to vegans or dairy-free diets.
• Natural or Allergy-Friendly Candies: For those with food sensitivities, look for candies that meet these requirements and can be used as additional decorations.

Final Thoughts

With this heartfelt and victorious Football Ice Cream Cake, you’ll capture the essence of the game in one of the most delicious ways possible. Enjoy the cheers, the game, and, most importantly, the cake!

More Ice Cream Cake Recipes:

• Copycat Haagen Dazs Ice Cream Cake Recipe