If you want a VERY easy ice cream cake recipe, that tastes just like Dairy Queen buster bars, you'll love this one! Quick and easy to make, with layers of ice cream sandwiches, chocolate fudge sauce, vanilla ice cream, and chocolate magic shell, this a great dessert that will leave everyone begging for more!
This ice cream sandwich cake recipe is especially popular on hot summer days. I recently served it at a summer BBQ and family gathering this summer and it was a HUGE hit! This recipe was inspired by my Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake (Dairy Queen Copycat) on this site but is a lot quicker and easier to make. It pairs well with so many potluck recipes. We had it for dessert with Slow Cooker Beef on a Bun, Healthy Potato Salad, Dill Deviled Eggs , to name a few.
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Why We Love This Recipe
There is nothing quite as refreshing on a hot summer day as an ice cream cake! Not only is it super easy to make with only a few ingredients, but one bite will transport you right back to those comforting buster bar days of your childhood!
🥘Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients for this buster bar dessert:
- ice cream sandwiches
- chocolate fudge sauce (aka hot fudge sauce) *do not use chocolate sundae sauce/syrup
- unsalted peanuts * I use regular unsalted peanuts
- vanilla ice cream
- chocolate magic shell
*see recipe card for quantities.
🔪Instructions
Line the bottom of a 9X13 inch pan with ice cream bars (you may have to cut some bars to make them fit, depending on what brand of ice cream bar you buy).
Pour fudge sauce over ice cream bars, spreading evenly.
Then sprinkle half the peanuts (¾ cup) over the surface of the fudge.
Scoop the ice cream on top. Smooth the ice cream into a flat layer, sealing in the fudge.
Sprinkle peanuts (remaining ¾ cup) over the layer of vanilla ice cream.
Then drizzle the Magic Shell over the peanuts to secure them into place. *You can swirl the magic shell and ice cream together a little with a butter knife.
Place the pan in the freezer for at least 3 hours before cutting. *I usually leave it in overnight, but after 1-2 hours (once the chocolate coating is set), I'll cover it with plastic wrap or a lid for the remainder of the time it's in the freezer.
Hint: Leave the vanilla ice cream out to soften for a few minutes before spreading it over the fudge layer. It makes for a creamy vanilla ice cream that's easier to spread.
📖Variations & Substitutions
- Gluten-free- There are a variety of ice cream sandwiches that are gluten-free and Smuckers hot fudge sauce and chocolate magic shell comply with a gluten-free diet.
- Peanuts - you can use regular or Spanish peanuts (aka red skin peanuts)
- Fudge sauce - you can make your own homemade fudge sauce or use store-bought
- Ice cream sandwiches - you can use any brand. I use Chapman's or Costco brand. I use ice cream sandwiches because they are easier than using layers of ice cream and graham crackers and because and chocolate graham wafers have been discontinued. You can also mix it up with different flavors of ice cream sandwiches (Chapman's has caramel and double decker (vanilla and chocolate mixed)!
- Ice cream - you could mix it up and use chocolate ice cream (or another flavor) instead of vanilla. You could also use homemade ice cream instead of store-bought.
🍽Equipment
You'll need a 9X13 pan for this buster bar cake. I like to use a glass pan with a lid because it's super versatile. I can store it in the same container I make it in or take it along to a potluck. *See recipe card for recommended equipment links and photos
🌡️Storage
Store this summer treat in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
You can make it several days or months in advance, as long as you store it in an airtight container.
👪 Serving Size
This Copycat dq buster bars cake recipe makes 12 servings. However, you can half, double or triple the recipe by clicking on the serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust. You will need additional pans if you are doubling or tripling the recipe.
🥗 Pairing
This ice cream cake is the ideal dessert for a summer BBQ or potluck! These are my favorite meals to serve with this Buster Bar Ice Cream dessert:
❔ Frequently Asked Questions
Dairy Queen's famous buster bar is an ice cream treat on a stick that has soft serve vanilla ice cream, with a layer of thick fudge and peanuts in the center and is covered in a chocolate shell coating.
What's the difference between a Dilly Bar and a Buster Bar?
Both are Dairy Queen ice cream treats on sticks, but the difference between a Dilly bar and a Buster bar is that the Dilly bar is simply soft-serve ice cream in a chocolate shell. It does not have the peanuts or hot fudge in the center like the Buster Bar does.
So if you're looking for a delicious and easy ice cream dessert that's perfect for summer parties, gatherings, or birthday celebrations, you'll love this Buster Bar dessert! It's sure to become your favorite dessert.
📋 Easy Buster Bar Ice Cream Cake Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8-10 ice cream sandwiches
- 2 litres vanilla ice cream
- 14 ounces hot fudge sauce
- 1 ½ cups unsalted peanuts
- 15 ounces -bottle Magic Shell chocolate coating (2 bottles)
Instructions
- Set the ice cream out to soften. Line the bottom of a 9X13 pan with ice cream bars.
- Pour the hot fudge chocolate sauce over the ice cream layer. Spread it out in a thin layer over the ice cream.
- Then sprinkle half the peanuts over the surface of the fudge.
- Scoop the ice cream on top. Use the scooper (or a stiff spatula) to smash the ice cream into a flat layer.vPress gently into a smooth layer, sealing in the fudge.
- Sprinkle the remaining peanuts over the ice cream layer.
- Then drizzle both bottles of Magic Shell over the peanuts and ice cream.
- Place the pan in the freezer for 1-2 hours. Then pull it out, cover with plastic wrap or lid and return to freezer for at least another hour or until frozen solid, before cutting, *I freeze overnight.
nancy
we love a buster bar growing up. This copy cat recipe is SO tasty! I can't believe that its actually really easy to make!
Vanessa
My kids loved this - sure did make it disappear fast!
Bernice
I must admit, we are huge Buster Bar fans in this house. I'll actually send Shaun to DQ to buy a box once in a while for a treat. I can only imagine how quickly this cake would disappear from our freezer...
Kristen
My husband is in love! His favourite things altogether in one delicious summer treat. The peanuts are such a great addition!