I think this is one of the most fun ice cream cakes around! Do you like neapolitan ice cream? Because if so, you are the prime candidate for my Neapolitan Brownie Ice Cream Cake.
Perfect for a celebration, this pretty cake begins with a fudgy dark chocolate brownie bottom that is then topped with three ingredient vanilla bean ice cream, homemade strawberry ice cream and a generous scattering of more chocolate brownies. Altogether, it makes for one creamy and chewy ice cream treat.
We often had neapolitan ice cream growing up. I always liked the vanilla, I remember my dad wanted the chocolate. I think strawberry was always left to last. Now I’m married to someone who would eat the strawberry ice cream first.
I can tell you that there was nothing left of this neapolitan wonder. Instead of using chocolate ice cream, the cake uses fudgy chocolate brownie, just like the one used in my Almond Joy Brownie Bars from a few weeks ago. The texture of the brownies is just perfect and makes for a lovely chewy contrast to the silky smooth ice cream.
If you want to take your dessert to the next level, you can also add chunky pieces of brownie to the top of the cake and then drizzle over a little melted chocolate, like I did. Either way, the cake looks and tastes delicious. Making the cake is super simple but it does require a little bit of patience as you wait for each layer to set.
But it’ll be worth it! I mean, what a showstopper right? You should have seen my husband’s face when I pulled this one out of the freezer. Between this and my Cookie Dough Ice Cream Layer Cake, I am in ice cream cake heaven!
Let’s Bake
Neapolitan Brownie Ice Cream Cake
Neapolitan Brownie Ice Cream Cake with a fudgy chocolate brownie base topped with vanilla and strawberry ice cream.
Ingredients
Chocolate brownie x 2*
- 115 grams (1/2 cup or 1 stick) unsalted butter, chopped
- 200 grams (1 and 1/3 cup) good quality dark chocolate, pieces
- 100 grams (1/2 cup) caster sugar or granulated sugar
- 90 grams (1/2 cup) brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 85 grams (2/3 cup) plain flour or all purpose flour
Vanilla bean ice cream
- 480ml (2 cups) thickened or heavy cream
- 240 ml (1 cup) condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract)
Strawberry ice cream
- 480ml (2 cups) thickened or heavy cream
- 240ml (1 cup) condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon strawberry extract
- A few drops of pink food colouring
Instructions
- Chocolate brownie
Grease and line the bottom of a high sided 8 inch round cake tin with baking or parchment paper. Pop the butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl and place over a medium saucepan that is filled with a bit of water, say 5cm (2 inches) high or so. You need to ensure the bottom of the bowl will not touch the water below. Place on the stove on medium heat and stir while the chocolate and butter melt. Once the mixture is lovely and smooth, remove the bowl from the heat and leave to cool slightly. - Preheat oven to 180 C (350 F) standard / 160 C (320 F) fan-forced. Next, add the sugar and vanilla to the chocolate mixture and beat with an electric beater until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time and beat again. Then sift in the flour and beat until the brownie mixture is smooth. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin. Very gently smooth over the top.
- Bake the brownie for about 35-40 minutes or until cooked through. It should have a nice cracked top and no longer wobble in the middle. Leave to cool completely – do not remove from the tin.
- Vanilla bean ice cream
In a large mixing bowl, beat your thickened or heavy cream with an electric mixer until it forms soft peaks. In a separate bowl, add your condensed milk and vanilla and then gently fold in your cream. Once everything is combined and smooth, pour over your cooled brownie, cover gently with foil or plastic wrap and pop into the freezer. You will want to leave it for at least 3-4 hours (or even overnight) before adding the strawberry ice cream on top. - Strawberry ice cream
In a large mixing bowl, beat your thickened or heavy cream with an electric mixer until it forms soft peaks. In a separate bowl, add your condensed milk and then gently fold in your cream. Add your strawberry extract and a few drop of food colouring and gently fold. Once everything is combined and smooth, pour the strawberry ice cream over your vanilla layer, cover and freeze, preferably overnight. - To decorate
To decorate your ice cream cake as I have, you will need to follow the instructions above and make an additional chocolate brownie. Once your brownie is cooled, cut into small chunks. Then remove your ice cream cake from the freezer, take out of your tin – you may need to run a small butter knife around the sides to help it pop out cleanly. Then pile your brownies on top. You could also drizzle over a little extra melted chocolate if you like. Cut and devour!
Notes
*You will need to make the brownie twice. Once for the bottom layer and then again for decoration.
Beth says
This cake is over the top and I LOVE IT!!!!
Jessica Holmes says
Thanks Beth!!!
Kelly says
I am totally swooning over this beautiful cake! Neopolitan was my favorite growing up and I ALWAYS ate the Vanilla first — so funny the strawberry ice cream was left to last too! There would be nothing leftover when it comes to this cake though. Love the brownie topping!
Jessica Holmes says
That is so funny Kelly! I was always totally into vanilla too! 😉
Beeta says
Oh my Lordy….Jess!! You never seize to amaze me with the decadent, I-want-this-now desserts you create! I would love a slice of this with a big fat chewy brownie on top….YUM!!! This is out of this world good..I just KNOW! Fantastic, love…truly fantastic! <3
Jessica Holmes says
Oh thank you SO much Beeta! You are TOO sweet!
Jane says
WOW!!!! Im speechless…. This looks decadently scrumptiously delicious!!!! It has been SO hot lately (in South Africa) so I suppose I have no excuse to not make this delicious looking thing 😉 YUM!!!!
Jessica Holmes says
Tell me about it Jane, it is hot here too and its not even summer yet! 🙂 But at least we get to have ice cream nearly all year round! 😉
Amanda says
This is the prettiest cake I’ve seen in a long time! I want this for every birthday for the rest of ever. 🙂
Jessica Holmes says
Aww thank you so much Amanda!
Clementine says
This looks outrageously decadent and delicious and like pure childhood. I was never allowed ice cream cake as a kid because my parents were bohemians with "views on sugar" so i always looked on enviously at friends birthday parties with their ice cream cakes. This looks like the perfect cake to bring me into the world of ice cream cakes. Cannot wait to make it. Thank you – Your blog is amazing x
Jessica Holmes says
Thank you so much Ruby! I don’t think I ever had an ice cream cake growing up either. Maybe that’s why they seem so special! Appreciate you stopping by! 🙂
Christin says
What a beautiful dessert! I love the tower of brownies on top! 🙂
Jessica Holmes says
Thanks Christin, that’s my favourite part too 😉
Kushi says
Wow. This cake is amazing. I love the presentation and the flavors and textures in this. 🙂
Jessica Holmes says
Thank you Kushi!
Jess @ What Jessica Baked Next says
This brownie ice cream cake is amazing, Jessica! Love the Neapolitan aspect – my favourite ice cream flavours. The brownies on top look super chewy and fudgy! Just perfect – I’ve gotta give this a try! 😀
Jessica Holmes says
Aw thanks Jess! As a neapolitan fan, you would LOVE it! 🙂
Leah says
Jess this ice cream cake looks OUTRAGEOUS! The things I would do for a big slice of that…omg. I can only imagine what your husband’s face looked like when you pulled it out of the freezer. You, my dear, are the dessert QUEEN!
Jessica Holmes says
Aww thank you Leah! That made me giggle! I think it was more like ‘oh no, what have you done!’ hahaha
Claudia says
Wow Jess this looks incredible! LOVE the brownie bottom layer AND the extra brownie on top – because you can never have too much brownie!! And good on you for making all of your own ice cream too, so impressed! 🙂
Jessica Holmes says
Thanks Claudia, I wholeheartedly agree! NEVER too much brownie! 🙂
Zainab says
WOW!! This is one gorgeous cake 🙂
Jessica Holmes says
Thank you Zainab!
Liv for cake says
Hah, the strawberry was always the last one left at our house growing up too! I always went for chocolate first. This ice cream cake looks amazing!! I love the addition of brownie AND chocolate drizzle. Ultimate decadence.
Jessica Holmes says
Hahaha isn’t that funny? Poor ol’ strawberry! Thank you Liv, it certainly was delicious!
June @ How to Philosophize with Cake says
Wow that is one insane cake! Love that all the ice cream is homemade, that makes it even better. And so many brownie chunks–yummm! 🙂
Jessica Holmes says
Thanks June! SO many brownie chunks considering I ate quite a few too! 😉
Nicole says
If only it was summer then I would be all over this cake.
Jessica Holmes says
I live in quite a warm climate Nicole which means air con all year round and ICE CREAM! 😉