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Black Forest Ice Cream Cake

Black Forest ice cream cake with a dark chocolate Oreo crust, cherry-compote ribbons, and a whipped cream top—chilled into a sliceable frozen dessert. This German ice cream cake layers softened chocolate ice cream with cherry preserves swirls, then finishes with whole cherries and chocolate shavings.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
freezing 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: German-American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Oreo crust base
  • 24 count chocolate Oreo cookies Crushed into fine crumbs for a tight crust.
  • 6 tbsp butter Melted and used to bind the Oreo crumbs.
Cherry chocolate ice cream layer
  • 0.5 gallon chocolate ice cream Softened until spreadable.
  • 1 cup dark cherry preserves or cherry pie filling Swirl half into the ice cream and drizzle the rest on top.
  • 2 tbsp cherry brandy or kirsch Optional; used only mixed with preserves.
Whipped cream topping
  • 2 cup whipped cream For covering the top and sides.
  • 0.5 cup chocolate shavings For topping and garnish.
  • count maraschino cherries Whole cherries for a ring on top and extra garnish.

Equipment

  • 1 springform pan

Method
 

Make and freeze the Oreo crust
  1. Combine crushed chocolate Oreo cookies and melted butter, then press firmly into a 9-inch springform pan to form an even crust. Freeze for 15 minutes to set.
Swirl in cherry preserves
  1. Mix dark cherry preserves with cherry brandy or kirsch if using, then reserve half for later. Swirl the mixed half into softened chocolate ice cream until streaks form.
Layer and freeze the cake
  1. Spread the chocolate-cherry ice cream over the frozen Oreo crust in an even layer. Freeze for 3 hours until firm.
  2. Drizzle the remaining cherry preserves over the frozen ice cream layer, then allow it to set for 30 minutes. This creates ribbon-like streaks that won’t fully sink.
Top and decorate
  1. Cover the top and sides with whipped cream, smoothing it so the cake is fully coated. Chill-freeze again immediately after coating.
  2. Decorate with chocolate shavings and whole maraschino cherries on top to match the Black Forest look. Add cherries in a ring if desired for a clean presentation.
Final freeze and serve
  1. Freeze for 2 more hours before releasing from the springform pan and serving. Keep frozen until ready to slice for the cleanest cuts.

Notes

For the cleanest slices, line the springform pan edges carefully and freeze fully between each layer so the cherry ribbons stay distinct. Store covered in the freezer up to 2 weeks; freezer yes—best texture within that window. For a lighter option, use reduced-fat whipped cream and a lower-fat chocolate ice cream (the swirl and toppings still work the same).