Brownie Mountain Ice Cream Cake is a fun dessert with fudgy brownies pressed into a bowl, packed with ice cream, then flipped out onto a plate. Top with whipped topping and warm milk-chocolate ganache! It’s a showstopping summer dessert!
Looking for more ice cream recipes? Grab Coffee Ice Cream, Rocky Road Ice Cream, and Butter Pecan Ice Cream next and keep the party going!
Brownie Mountain Ice Cream Cake is a combination of my two favorite desserts in one, fudgy homemade brownies and ice cream, stacked together into a giant sliceable mountain.
It’s easy to make and a fun one to get the kids involved with! You tear and press brownie pieces into the bowl, pack in ice cream (I love alternating flavors for a swirled middle), then flip it out and decorate like a sundae!
My kids love this one because they can pick the ice cream flavors and go wild with sprinkles, chocolate sauce, and cherries when it’s time to serve!
Brownie Mountain Ice Cream Cake ingredients:
- Brownies: I use my homemade brownie recipe posted below, but you can use a boxed mix in a pinch!
- Ice cream: Any flavor works! Mixing two flavors makes a fun marbled look.
- Whipped topping or whipped cream: Whipped topping holds up well in the freezer. Whipped cream is great if you’re serving soon!
- Milk chocolate bar: Dark chocolate also works if that’s what you keep around.
How to make a Brownie Mountain Ice Cream Cake:
This is such a fun dessert to make and is always a hit with the kids! Scroll down to the recipe card for complete instructions.
- Line a bowl with plastic wrap.
- Press the brownies into the bowl.
- Scoop ice cream into the brownie shell.
- Smooth it out.
- Top with more brownie pieces.
- Freeze completely. Flip over onto a plate and decorate.
Tips for the best Brownie Mountain Ice Cream Cake:
- Cool brownies fully: Warm brownies melt ice cream fast and make building messy.
- Press firmly: Pack the brownie pieces tightly so the shell holds together when sliced.
- Soften ice cream briefly: Slightly softened ice cream spreads smoothly without leaving gaps.
- Freeze overnight if you can: A fully firm mountain slices cleaner and stays tall.
How to store leftovers:
Keep leftovers covered in the freezer for up to 2 months. For easier slicing, let the ice cream cake sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before serving!
Brownie Mountain Ice Cream Cake
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
For the brownies:
- 2½ cups sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the brownie ice cream cake:
- 2 litres ice cream, any flavor, (8 cups)
- 2 cups whipped topping or whipped cream
- 100 grams milk chocolate bar, (about ¾ cup, chopped)
- ¼ cup whipping cream
- chocolate sauce, sprinkles, and cherries for garnish as desired
Instructions
Brownies
- Preheat oven to 350℉ and line a 10×15" rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and spray with non-stick spray.
- In a large mixing bowl whisk butter and sugar until combined. Whisk in eggs, one at a time. Stir in vanilla.
- Add the flour, cocoa, and salt and whisk just until combined.
- Spread into prepared pan and bake for 15-18 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean or with moist crumbs. Cool completely.
Make the brownie ice cream cake
- Line a 2.5-3 quart bowl with plastic wrap, letting some hang over the sides. Cut brownies into pieces and press brownies into the bowl, cutting and squishing to fit (see photos).
- Scoop ice cream into the brownie-lined bowl and spread to fill completely. I use two different flavors and alternate scoops for a marbled effect.
- Place remaining brownies on the top of your ice cream filled bowl (which will end up being the bottom of your mountain). Freeze overnight or until firm.
To decorate
- Remove from the freezer and let sit for 10-15 minutes or until loose. Unmold your brownie mountain onto a plate and cover almost completely with whipped topping. Set in the freezer to refreeze.
- In a small pot melt together chocolate bar and ¼ cup whipping cream over low heat until smooth. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
- Drizzle ganache over mountain. Set in the freezer for 15-30 minutes until firm. Decorate as desired and serve. Freeze leftovers until ready to serve, removing about 15 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Tag @thereciperebelVariations and Substitutions
- Gluten-free option: Use your favorite gluten-free brownies, then build the ice cream cake the same way!
- Chocolate swap: Use dark chocolate for the ganache if you want it less sweet.
- Toppings: Crushed cookies, chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, or extra chocolate sauce all work!
Laura @ laura's Culinary Adventures says
Whoa! I don’t hear the words brownie mountain enough in my life!
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, we definitely need to change that!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
This is the ice cream cake of my dreams! Haha totally not ugly or unpretty – I think it’s gorgeous! Love it!
Zainab says
No idea where u get ugly from man. This cake is just WOW!! I’m not going back to school but I think I deserve a slice of this amazing mess
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, I kept adding stuff on top trying to make it less ugly — maybe I succeeded a little bit!
Katalina @ Peas and Peonies says
Please, please, PLESE ship this to me now, right this moment, OMG I am losing over it, as a brownie and ice cream addict, seeing this too combined so perfectly together, I am crying tears of happiness, joy and actually disbelief that I can’t taste it from my computer screen.
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, I’m not sure it would survive transportation very well! I’ll have to invite you for the taste test next time 🙂
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Ashley, this is nothing short of amazing!!!!! and this is not ugly at all! what are you talking about?! brilliant . . and were your kids waiting with baited breath to dive into this thing?! LOVE!
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, thanks Alice! I tried reeeeeally hard to make it pretty! 🙂
Ana | Espresso My Kitchen says
This is such an amazing masterpiece Ashley! Yummy!!!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Ana!
June @ How to Philosophize with Cake says
Wow what an incredible ice cream cake! The dome idea is brilliant, I may have to try that with an ice cream cake sometime… 🙂
Stacey @ Bake Eat Repeat says
What a fun dessert! I love this, it’s such a different dessert, and would be so fun to make with the kids! I’m not into back to school mode yet either, I am still firmly in vacation mode and intend to stay there for as long as possible! 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
I like the way you think! Lol. How long do you think we can stay in vacation mode before anyone misses us? 😉
Michelle { A Latte Food } says
Oh my gosh, I have got to make this, like, right now! Brownies and ice cream might be all time favorite comfort food dessert–and when the dessert is labeled “mountain,” I’m totally in. Love!
Beth @ bethcakes says
Omg, I am so in love with this thing. Also I really like the name Hot Mess Cake, haha. I MUST make this. Too cool! 🙂
Sam @ SugarSpunRun says
Oh my gosh… this is INCREDIBLE! Seriously in love… Pinning!
Jessica @ Sweetest Menu says
I am in LOVE! This is amazing Ashley! I make a similar ice cream ‘bombe’ as we call it at Christmas using panettonne bread but I just love this brownie version – its sheer brilliance!!!
Ashley Fehr says
Your version sounds so good! I’ll have to try some other variations!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
WOW! All I can say- the inside show is AWESOME!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
I LOVE this!!! So cool. I totally have to try making an ice cream cake like this. Pinned!
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Ashley! As I mentioned to you in another post, I just made brownies and I have a pint of really good strawberry ice cream in the freezer! Since some of the brownies are gone 🙂 I’ll just make a smaller version! Which is probably a good idea considering I’d probably eat the entire mountain myself!
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, smaller portions are necessary sometimes!
Izzy says
Haha, this is awesome! I’ve never heard of a brownie mountain before, but I think it just might be my favorite mo untain ever! Forget the granola bars, kids totally need this cake in celebration of being back in school for a week 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, absolutely! I know I would 🙂
Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron says
This is seriously UNREAL!!! Best ice cream dessert idea EVER!! Love this mountain ice cream cake!
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, thanks Chelsea! Totally stolen! 😉
Marsha @ Marsha's Baking Addiction says
Wow, this looks insanely delicious!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Marsha!
Johlene@FlavoursandFrosting says
Ashley this brownie ice c ream cake looks delish!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Wow does this look amazing, Ashley! I am totally craving this brownie mountain for breakfast! Love the gorgeous layers! And your pictures are just perfect!
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, I think it’s a perfectly acceptable breakfast! Thanks Gayle!