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Home » Recipes » Courses » Desserts » Frozen Dessert Recipes

Buster Bar Ice Cream Cake Recipe

Published: Aug 23, 2022 by Terri Gilson · Modified: Aug 23, 2022 · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

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piece of buster bar ice cream cake on white plate with fork and whole glass pan in background

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!

piece of buster bar ice cream cake on white plate with fork and whole glass pan in background

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.

Jump to:
  • 🥘Ingredients
  • 🔪Instructions
  • 📖Variations & Substitutions
  • 🍽Equipment
  • 🌡️Storage
  • 👪 Serving Size
  • ❔ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
  • ⭐ Reviews
  • 📋 Buster Bar Ice Cream Cake Recipe
  • 📋More Summer Dessert Recipes

🥘Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients for this buster bar dessert:

ingredients in buster bar cake on blue surface
  • ice cream sandwiches
  • chocolate fudge sauce (aka hot fudge sauce) *do not use chocolate sundae sauce/syrup
  • unsalted peanuts
  • vanilla ice cream
  • chocolate magic shell

*see recipe card for quantities.

🔪Instructions

bottom of pan lined with ice cream sandwiches

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).

fudge sauce being poured over ice cream sandwiches

Pour fudge sauce over ice cream bars, spreading evenly.

peanuts sprinkled over fudge layaer

Then sprinkle half the peanuts (¾ cup) over the surface of the fudge.

ice cream layer smoothed over fudge

Scoop the ice cream on top. Smooth the ice cream into a flat layer, sealing in the fudge.

remaining peanuts spread over ice cream layer

Sprinkle peanuts (remaining ¾ cup) over the layer of vanilla ice cream.

magic shell poured over ice cream and peanuts and swirled

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.

buster bar ice cream cake frozen

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.
  • 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.
fork cutting into Buster bar ice cream cake

🍽Equipment

You'll need an 9X13 pan for this buster bar cake. I like to use a glass pan with a lid (affiliate link) because it's super versatile. I can store it in the same container I make it in or take it along to a potluck.

🌡️Storage

Store this summer treat 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 blue 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.

buster bar cake with piece missing, with turquoise spatula in pan

❔ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is in a Buster Bar?

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.

piece of buster bar ice cream cake on white plate with fork and whole glass pan in background

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 one! It's sure to become your favorite dessert.

⭐ Reviews

Did you make this buster bar dessert recipe? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!~

piece of buster bar ice cream cake on white plate with fork and whole glass pan in background
Food Meandering Logo

📋 Buster Bar Ice Cream Cake Recipe

This Buster Bar Ice Cream Cake recipe tastes just like a Dairy Queen buster bar! Quick and easy to make, with layers of ice cream sandwiches, chocolate fudge, vanilla ice cream and chocolate magic shell, this dessert will leave everyone begging for more! It's the perfect summer dessert.
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: buster bar, cake, ice cream
Special Diet: Vegetarian
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 631kcal
Author: Terri Gilson
Prep Time: 20 minutes
freezing time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
Prevent your screen from going dark

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)
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Set the ice cream out to soften. Line the bottom of a 9X13 pan with ice cream bars.
    bottom of pan lined with ice cream sandwiches
  • Pour the hot fudge chocolate sauce over the ice cream layer. Spread it out in a thin layer over the ice cream.
    fudge sauce being poured over ice cream sandwiches
  • Then sprinkle half the peanuts over the surface of the fudge.
    peanuts sprinkled over fudge layaer
  • 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.
    ice cream layer smoothed over fudge
  • Sprinkle the remaining peanuts over the ice cream layer.
    remaining peanuts spread over ice cream layer
  • Then drizzle both bottles of Magic Shell over the peanuts and ice cream.
    magic shell poured over ice cream and peanuts and swirled
  • 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.
    buster bar ice cream cake frozen

Notes

*Please see post contents for important recipe information and tips!
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Nutrition Facts
📋 Buster Bar Ice Cream Cake Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 piece)
Calories 631 Calories from Fat 288
% Daily Value*
Fat 32g49%
Saturated Fat 12g75%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g
Monounsaturated Fat 12g
Cholesterol 61mg20%
Sodium 300mg13%
Potassium 538mg15%
Carbohydrates 77g26%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 49g54%
Protein 13g26%
Vitamin A 611IU12%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 220mg22%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Serving: 1piece | Calories: 631kcal (32%) | Carbohydrates: 77g (26%) | Protein: 13g (26%) | Fat: 32g (49%) | Saturated Fat: 12g (75%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 61mg (20%) | Sodium: 300mg (13%) | Potassium: 538mg (15%) | Fiber: 4g (17%) | Sugar: 49g (54%) | Vitamin A: 611IU (12%) | Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) | Calcium: 220mg (22%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!
Rate this Recipe

📋More Summer Dessert Recipes

  • Red Velvet Ice Cream Cake Recipe
  • Neapolitan Ice Cream Cake
  • Drumstick Dessert
  • Dairy-free Orange Creamsicle

More Frozen Dessert Recipes

  • Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream (no churn)
  • Saskatoon Berry Ice Cream (no churn)
  • 21 Healthy Frozen Snacks
  • Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake (Dairy Queen Copycat)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kristen

    August 30, 2022 at 9:51 am

    My husband is in love! His favourite things altogether in one delicious summer treat. The peanuts are such a great addition!

    Reply
  2. Bernice

    August 30, 2022 at 5:08 pm

    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...

    Reply
  3. Vanessa

    September 03, 2022 at 8:14 pm

    My kids loved this - sure did make it disappear fast!

    Reply
  4. nancy

    September 05, 2022 at 12:17 pm

    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!

    Reply

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I'm Terri, a passionate home cook and baker, an award-winning recipe developer and a busy working mom that is trying to eat healthy and fit everything into not enough hours in a day! My mission is to share not only my recipes, cooking hacks and tips with you, but also my secrets to successful weight maintenance.

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