If you're looking for a dessert that delivers maximum nostalgia with almost zero effort, this No Bake Drumstick Dessert is the answer! I'm a huge fan of the classic ice cream cone, but during a summer heatwave, the last thing I want to do is turn on the oven or wrestle with melting ice cream. This no-bake treat captures every delicious layer of the original - the crunchy waffle cone, the rich chocolate, and the salty peanuts - in a simple, sliceable format that stays perfectly firm in the fridge.
Ready in just 20 minutes, it's my favorite "The Lazy Way" rescue for last-minute potlucks or when a crowd of the kids' friends shows up unannounced. It's rich, indulgent, and uses simple pantry staples to create a professional-looking dessert that will leave everyone begging for more! If you love a good kitchen shortcut that doesn't sacrifice flavor, you are going to fall in love with this deconstructed classic. It does NOT need to be frozen.
🍒Reader Review
"This drumstick dessert was a huge hit . Everyone liked it ! Yum ! Will make it again for sure . It will be my go to dessert recipe ❤️!" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
LOVE no bake desserts? Be sure to give my Skor Bar Dessert, my No Bake Cream Puff Dessert, and my EASY Buster Bar Ice Cream Cake Recipe a try!
Recipe Overview: Drumstick Dessert
- Ready In: 20 Minutes (plus 2 hours chilling)
- Serves: 16 people
- Calories: 353 kcal (per serving)
- Main Ingredients: Chocolate baking crumbs, waffle ice cream bowls, peanut butter, cream cheese, whipped cream.
- Dietary Info: Vegetarian.
- Difficulty: Easy.
- Why You'll Love It: It's a deconstructed version of the iconic ice cream cone! This no-bake treat captures the perfect layers of crunchy chocolate, peanuts, and velvety cream. It's an incredible crowd-pleaser for potlucks and summer BBQs because it feeds 16 people with only 20 minutes of work.
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- 🍒Reader Review
- Recipe Overview: Drumstick Dessert
- Summarize and Save this Content on:
- 🥘 Ingredient Notes
- 📖Variations & Substitutions
- 🔪Step-by-Step: How to Make Drumstick Dessert
- Expert Recipe Tips
- 👪 Serving size
- 🎥 Video
- 🥗 What to Serve with No Bake Drumstick Dessert
- 🌡️Storage
- ❔ Recipe FAQ's
- Didn't find the answer you're looking for?
- 🍰 More NO BAKE Desserts
- 📋 Drumstick Dessert Recipe
🥘 Ingredient Notes
To get that authentic "Drumstick" flavor and texture, the specific combination of these ingredients is key:
- Waffle Ice Cream Bowls: This is the "The Lazy Way" secret! By breaking up waffle bowls into the base, you get that unmistakable cone flavor and crunch in every bite. Alternatively, you could use waffle cones.
- Chocolate Baking Crumbs: These provide the rich chocolate foundation. You can buy the pre-crushed chocolate baking crumbs or pulse Oreo Thins or whole regular Oreos in your food processor. * Unfortunately, Oreo baking crumbs have been discontinued.
- Chunky Peanut Butter: I use chunky for the base and the filling to add extra texture and that signature nutty profile found in the heart of a Drumstick.
- Cream Cheese: Ensure this is at room temperature before you start. It's the key to a velvety, lump-free filling.
- Liquid Whipping Cream: Using real whipped cream gives this a much cleaner, premium flavor than artificial whipped toppings.
- Chocolate Sundae Syrup: Any standard chocolate syrup works, but look for a "thick" version for the best drizzling effect.
- Chopped Peanuts: Use unsalted peanuts to keep the saltiness in check.
*Please see recipe card for full list of ingredients and quantities
📖Variations & Substitutions
- Nut-Free Option: To make this safe for school potlucks, substitute the peanut butter with Sunflower Seed Butter (SunButter) or SoyNut butter. Instead of chopped peanuts on top, use crushed pretzels-you still get that spectacular salty crunch without the allergens!
- Lighter "Healthy Balance" Version: To bring down the Weight Watchers points, use light cream cheese (Neufchâtel) and substitute the real whipped cream for a tub of light/low-fat whipped topping (like Cool Whip). You can also use a reduced-sugar chocolate syrup.
- Gluten-Free: This recipe is easy to convert! Simply use certified gluten-free chocolate sandwich cookies for the crumbs and look for gluten-free waffle cones or bowls (many specialty brands now carry them).
- The "Salted Caramel" Twist: If you want to change up the flavor profile, swap the chocolate sundae syrup for a thick salted caramel sauce. The combination of caramel, peanut butter, and waffle cone is spectacular!
- Cookie Base Swaps: If you can't find Oreo crumbs, you can use graham cracker crumbs or even crushed chocolate chip cookies. For a deeper flavor, try using chocolate wafers.
- Individual Servings: Instead of a 9x13 pan, press the crust into the bottom of muffin tin liners. Follow the layering steps to create "Drumstick Cupcakes"-they are the perfect portion-controlled treat for kids' parties!
💡 Terri's "Lazy Way" Substitution Tip:
If you are in a massive hurry and don't want to use the food processor for the base, just put your waffle bowls and cookies in a large Ziploc bag and give them a few good whacks with a rolling pin. It's a great way to relieve stress, and you'll have your 'cone crumbs' ready in seconds!"
🔪Step-by-Step: How to Make Drumstick Dessert
PREP: Spray 9x13 pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Step 1: Melt butter, then mix with chocolate baking crumbs, waffle bowls, and 4 tbsps peanut butter in the food processor. Mix until it clings together.
- Step 2: Press the base firmly into a 9X13 pan.
- Step 3: Beat whipping cream to soft peaks and add 2 tablespoons white granulated sugar, then beat to stiff peaks.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and peanut butter together.
- Step 5: Fold whipping cream into cream cheese mixture.
- Step 6: Spread the mixture over the base. To ensure the layers stay separate, start by dropping heaping spoonfuls across the surface before using your offset spatula to level it out.
- Step 7: Then spread outward towards the edges of the pan.
- Continue to spread the mixture smoothly across the entire base.
- Step 9: Drizzle with chocolate syrup. When you are adding the chocolate syrup, drizzle it quickly back and forth in a quick motion, by flicking your wrist. Video - how to drizzle chocolate *She uses a fork in the video, but you don't need one; I simply use the same motion with the chocolate sundae syrup bottle.
- Step 10: Sprinkle with ½ cup chopped peanuts. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Expert Recipe Tips
- Avoid the "Soggy Base": Make sure your melted butter has cooled slightly before mixing it with the crumbs. If it's too hot, it can make the waffle bowl pieces lose their crunch.
- The "Clean Cut" Secret: For professional-looking squares, freeze the dessert for 20 minutes before slicing. Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water (and wiped dry) between every single cut.
- Syrup Control: If your chocolate syrup is straight from the fridge, it might be too thick to drizzle. Pop the bottle in a bowl of warm water for 1 minute to make it perfectly pourable.
- Room Temperature is Mandatory: If your cream cheese is even slightly cold, it won't incorporate with the peanut butter correctly, and you'll end up with tiny white lumps in your filling.
👪 Serving size
This recipe is made for a crowd! It serves 16 people, and although the servings aren't large, because it's a rich and indulgent dessert, it's enough. And it's totally satisfying!
🎥 Video
TIP: When you are adding the chocolate syrup, drizzle it back and forth in a quick motion.
Video - how to drizzle chocolate *She uses a fork, but you don't need one; I simply use the same motion with the chocolate sundae syrup bottle
🥗 What to Serve with No Bake Drumstick Dessert
This No Bake Drumstick Dessert is a great potluck dessert, and pairs well with just about any spring or summer meal, BBQ, or cookout meal. I love to serve it with my Creamy Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta Salad and my Beef on a Bun (shown)!
🌡️Storage
You can make this recipe a day or two in advance and store it in the fridge. Store any remaining squares in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
While it doesn't need to be frozen, you can freeze it for up to 3 months and eat it like an actual ice cream cake!
❔ Recipe FAQ's
No! That is the best part of this recipe. Because of the cream cheese and the whipped cream technique, it stays perfectly firm and sliceable in the refrigerator.
You can substitute one 8 oz tub of light whipped topping for the whipped cream. Just omit the granulated sugar, as the topping is already very sweet.
Yes! Simply use gluten-free chocolate sandwich cookies and ensure your waffle bowls are a certified gluten-free brand.
Keep any remaining squares in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It also freezes beautifully if you want to eat it like an actual ice cream cake!
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If you're looking for a dessert that delivers maximum nostalgia with minimum effort, this No-Bake Drumstick Dessert is the one. It looks like a professional bakery creation but uses simple pantry staples and zero oven time. Give it a try at your next family gathering and watch it disappear in minutes-it's the ultimate "Healthy Balance" reward after a long week!
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📋 Drumstick Dessert Recipe
Ingredients
Base
- 3 small waffle ice cream bowls broken
- 4 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
- 4 tablespoon chunky peanut butter * can substitute smooth
- 2 cups chocolate baking crumbs
Filling
- 1 cup cream cheese
- ½ cup powdered sugar (aka icing sugar or confectioner's sugar)
- ½ cup chunky peanut butter smooth or chunky
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping
- 2 ½ cups cups whipping cream * will almost double in volume when whipped to make 4 cups
- 2 tablespoon white granulated sugar
- ½ cup chopped peanuts (unsalted)
- ¼ cup chocolate sundae syrup approximately
Instructions
- PREP: Spray 9x13 pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Melt butter, then mix with chocolate baking crumbs, waffle bowls, and 4 tbsps peanut butter in the food processor. Mix until it clings together.3 small waffle ice cream bowls, 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 4 tbsp chunky peanut butter, 2 cups chocolate baking crumbs
- Press the base firmly into a 9X13 pan.
- Beat whipping cream to soft peaks and add 2 tablespoon white granulated sugar, then beat to stiff peaks.2 ½ cups cups whipping cream, 2 tbsp white granulated sugar
- Beat cream cheese, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar together.1 cup cream cheese, ½ cup powdered sugar, ½ cup chunky peanut butter, 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Fold whipping cream into cream cheese mixture. Spread mixture over base.
- Drizzle with chocolate syrup. Sprinkle with ½ cup chopped peanuts. Refrigerate until ready to serve.¼ cup chocolate sundae syrup, ½ cup chopped peanuts (unsalted)
Notes
- The "Clean Cut" Secret: For professional-looking squares, freeze the dessert for 20 minutes before slicing. Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water (and wiped dry) between every single cut.
- Syrup Control: If your chocolate syrup is straight from the fridge, it might be too thick to drizzle. Pop the bottle in a bowl of warm water for 1 minute to make it perfectly pourable.
- Room Temperature is Mandatory: If your cream cheese is even slightly cold, it won't incorporate with the peanut butter correctly, and you'll end up with tiny white lumps in your filling.
Mich says
Genius - you're awesome, Terri! Wowee zowee does this sound scrumptious. Believe it or not, I'm 59 and have never eaten a Drumstick - but I know what they are (and now I don't need to, lol). Can't wait to make this for our July 4 BBQ! Thank you for this recipe. I think I'm gonna need to add both chocolate AND caramel syrup...
Terri Gilson says
Hi Mich,
I think adding both caramel and chocolate is a fabulous idea!! I hope everyone enjoys it at your BBQ and I really hope you get to try a drumstick soon 🙂
Elizabeth says
This drumstick dessert was a huge hit . Everyone liked it ! Yum ! Will make it again for sure . It will be my go to dessert recipe ❤️
Terri Gilson says
Hi Elizabeth,
I'm so glad to hear that everyone loved it! It's definitely a favorite around here too 🙂
Terri
Colleen says
I love drumsticks, too and this is a perfect summer dessert. I think it will make a great dessert for a kid's birthday party.
Terri Gilson says
I agree, Colleen, especially a summer birthday!
Vanessa says
What a fantastic idea! This will be such a great dessert option for summer BBQs this year:)
Terri Gilson says
Thanks, Vanessa! Yes, I love bringing it to summer BBQ's and potlucks 🙂
amyg says
I love this version of a de-constructed icecream drumstick - way to go, so unique. Can't wait to try this for my kids party!
Terri Gilson says
Thanks, Amy- enjoy!
Betty says
Can I make ahead and freeze this for a BBQ?
Terri Gilson says
Hi Betty,
You could, but only part up to the whipped cream. Do NOT put the whipped cream on it, as well as the peanuts and sundae sauce.
Freeze it, then defrost it completely and put that stuff on just prior to serving.
Enjoy!
Terri
nancy says
at first I thought this was a chicken drumstick recipe but when I looked at the photos I was like this can't be righT!! then i realized it was ICE CREAM!!! and so much yes for oreo crumbs!!
Terri Gilson says
haha! Yes, it tastes exactly like the drumstick ice cream, but without the ice cream 🙂
G says
Use graham wafer crumbs instead of Oreo crumbs for a more authentic drumstick taste
Sharon says
Omgsh a thousand times yes!! Drumsticks were definitely a childhood fave and this did not disappoint. It is even better honestly! Perfect for summer. YUM!
Terri Gilson says
I agree, Sharon! They never disappointed!
Bernice says
Such a fun idea to add crushed up sugar cones in the crust. I make something very similar and it's always popular during the summer when it's too hot to bake.