There’s something irresistibly comforting about the classic pairing of chocolate cake and ice cream.
Whether it’s a decadent celebration dessert or a simple indulgence after dinner, the combination of rich, moist chocolate cake and creamy, flavorful ice cream never fails to satisfy.
From fudgy brownies paired with vanilla bean to innovative flavor twists like salted caramel and coffee-infused varieties, chocolate cake and ice cream recipes offer endless delicious possibilities.
In this article, we explore over 21 mouthwatering recipes that bring these two timeless treats together for an unforgettable dessert experience.
21+ Delicious Chocolate Cake and Ice Cream Recipes to Try
With more than 21 chocolate cake and ice cream recipes to explore, you’re sure to find the perfect dessert for every occasion and craving.
Whether you prefer the classic duo of chocolate and vanilla or enjoy experimenting with bold flavors like espresso, peanut butter, or fruit-infused ice creams, these recipes prove that chocolate cake and ice cream is a match made in heaven.
Whip up your favorite combination and enjoy a rich, satisfying treat that delights both chocolate lovers and ice cream enthusiasts alike.
Chocolate Lava Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream
This classic chocolate lava cake paired with vanilla ice cream is a crowd-pleasing dessert that combines warm, gooey chocolate with cool, creamy ice cream. The rich, molten center of the cake contrasts beautifully with the smooth vanilla, creating an indulgent and satisfying treat perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- Dark chocolate
- Butter
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Flour
- Vanilla ice cream (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
Melt dark chocolate and butter together until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and sugar until fluffy. Fold the chocolate mixture into the eggs, then gently fold in the flour. Pour the batter into greased ramekins and bake until the edges are set but the center remains soft. Let cool slightly before serving.
Plate the lava cakes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.
This chocolate lava cake and vanilla ice cream duo creates a perfect balance of temperatures and textures, delivering a rich, molten chocolate experience softened by creamy ice cream.
Chocolate Fudge Cake with Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
The deep, fudgy texture of this chocolate cake pairs wonderfully with refreshing mint chocolate chip ice cream. This combination elevates the traditional chocolate cake experience by adding a cool, minty contrast that complements the cake’s intense cocoa flavor.
Ingredients
- Cocoa powder
- Flour
- Sugar
- Butter
- Eggs
- Baking powder
- Mint chocolate chip ice cream (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
Mix cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking powder, butter, and eggs to create a rich chocolate batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean and the cake is moist and dense. Allow to cool.
Serve a generous slice of the chocolate fudge cake with a scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream.
The richness of the fudge cake paired with the cool mint and chocolate chips in the ice cream makes this dessert both decadent and refreshing—a perfect way to finish any meal.
Chocolate Sheet Cake with Cookies and Cream Ice Cream
This moist and tender chocolate sheet cake is a simple yet delicious dessert that pairs beautifully with cookies and cream ice cream. The creamy vanilla ice cream studded with chocolate cookie bits adds texture and sweetness to the chocolate cake, making each bite delightful.
Ingredients
- Cocoa powder
- Flour
- Sugar
- Butter
- Eggs
- Baking soda
- Buttermilk
- Cookies and cream ice cream (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
Combine cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking soda, eggs, butter, and buttermilk to create a smooth batter. Bake in a sheet pan until cooked through and moist. Let cool completely.
Cut the cake into squares and serve with a scoop of cookies and cream ice cream.
The combination of chocolate cake’s moist crumb with the crunchy cookie pieces and creamy ice cream offers a classic, crowd-pleasing dessert that’s perfect for casual gatherings or special celebrations.
Chocolate Bundt Cake with Salted Caramel Ice Cream
This rich chocolate bundt cake pairs perfectly with salted caramel ice cream, creating a dessert that balances deep chocolate flavors with the sweet and salty notes of caramel. The moist cake and luscious ice cream combine for an indulgent treat.
Ingredients
- Cocoa powder
- Flour
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Butter
- Baking powder
- Salted caramel ice cream (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
Mix cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking powder, eggs, butter, and a pinch of salt to form a smooth batter. Pour into a greased bundt pan and bake until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool before removing from the pan.
Serve slices of the chocolate bundt cake with scoops of salted caramel ice cream on the side.
The interplay of the dense, chocolaty cake with the creamy salted caramel ice cream makes each bite a perfect blend of flavors and textures that’s hard to resist.
Flourless Chocolate Cake with Coffee Ice Cream
This dense and fudgy flourless chocolate cake offers an intense chocolate flavor and silky texture, which pairs beautifully with bold coffee ice cream. The bitterness of the coffee ice cream complements the sweetness of the cake for a sophisticated dessert experience.
Ingredients
- Dark chocolate
- Butter
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Coffee ice cream (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
Melt dark chocolate and butter together until smooth. Whisk eggs and sugar until fluffy, then fold in the chocolate mixture. Pour into a prepared pan and bake until set but still moist in the center. Cool completely.
Serve slices with a scoop of coffee ice cream.
The rich chocolate paired with the robust coffee flavor creates a decadent and balanced dessert, perfect for coffee and chocolate lovers alike.
Chocolate Sheet Cake with Peanut Butter Ice Cream
This moist chocolate sheet cake gains an exciting twist when paired with creamy peanut butter ice cream. The combination of chocolate and peanut butter is a classic favorite, offering rich, nutty, and indulgent flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
- Cocoa powder
- Flour
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Butter
- Baking soda
- Buttermilk
- Peanut butter ice cream (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
Combine cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking soda, eggs, butter, and buttermilk to make a rich chocolate batter. Bake in a sheet pan until moist and cooked through. Let cool completely.
Cut into squares and serve with peanut butter ice cream scoops.
The luscious chocolate cake paired with the creamy, nutty peanut butter ice cream creates a harmonious dessert that’s both comforting and indulgent.
Chocolate Cheesecake Brownie with Coffee Ice Cream
This decadent chocolate cheesecake brownie combines a rich brownie base with a creamy cheesecake layer, delivering a luxurious texture and intense chocolate flavor. Paired with bold coffee ice cream, this dessert is both indulgent and energizing.
Ingredients
- Dark chocolate
- Cream cheese
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Flour
- Cocoa powder
- Coffee ice cream (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
Prepare a fudgy chocolate brownie batter and spread it into a baking pan. Blend cream cheese with sugar and eggs, then pour it over the brownie layer. Swirl gently to create a marbled effect. Bake until set and cool completely.
Serve brownie squares with scoops of coffee ice cream.
The creamy cheesecake, dense chocolate brownie, and bold coffee ice cream create a multi-textured dessert with rich, complementary flavors that delight the palate.
Chocolate Bundt Cake with Cherry Ice Cream
This moist chocolate bundt cake is paired with fruity cherry ice cream for a dessert that balances deep chocolate richness with bright, tart cherry notes. The combination is elegant and perfect for special occasions.
Ingredients
- Cocoa powder
- Flour
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Butter
- Baking powder
- Cherry ice cream (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
Mix cocoa powder, flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and baking powder to create a smooth batter. Bake in a greased bundt pan until done. Cool before slicing.
Serve slices alongside generous scoops of cherry ice cream.
The fruity tang of the cherry ice cream cuts through the dense chocolate cake, making each bite refreshing and indulgent.
Chocolate Cake with Salted Peanut Butter Ice Cream
Rich chocolate cake paired with salted peanut butter ice cream creates a decadent dessert that blends sweet, salty, and nutty flavors. The creamy ice cream contrasts beautifully with the moist cake for a delightful treat.
Ingredients
- Cocoa powder
- Flour
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Butter
- Baking powder
- Salted peanut butter ice cream (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
Prepare a chocolate cake batter with cocoa powder, flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and baking powder. Bake until moist and fluffy. Allow to cool.
Serve slices with a scoop of salted peanut butter ice cream on the side.
The combination of rich chocolate and salty peanut butter makes this dessert irresistible and perfect for peanut butter and chocolate lovers.
Chocolate Fudge Cake with Coconut Ice Cream
This moist and rich chocolate fudge cake pairs wonderfully with creamy coconut ice cream, creating a tropical twist on a classic dessert. The deep chocolate flavor combined with the subtle coconut sweetness offers a delightful contrast.
Ingredients
- Cocoa powder
- Flour
- Sugar
- Butter
- Eggs
- Baking powder
- Coconut ice cream (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
Mix cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking powder, eggs, and butter to make a smooth batter. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely.
Serve slices of the chocolate fudge cake with a generous scoop of coconut ice cream.
The combination of fudgy chocolate cake and tropical coconut ice cream creates a luscious dessert that’s both rich and refreshing.
Chocolate Espresso Cake with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
This chocolate espresso cake features a subtle coffee kick that enhances the chocolate’s depth, and it pairs beautifully with creamy vanilla bean ice cream. The espresso intensifies the flavors, making it a sophisticated and indulgent treat.
Ingredients
- Cocoa powder
- Flour
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Butter
- Espresso or strong coffee
- Baking powder
- Vanilla bean ice cream (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
Prepare the chocolate batter with cocoa powder, flour, sugar, eggs, butter, espresso, and baking powder. Bake until cooked through and moist. Cool completely.
Serve with scoops of vanilla bean ice cream.
The rich espresso-infused cake combined with smooth vanilla bean ice cream makes a perfectly balanced dessert full of flavor and creaminess.
Double Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Sorbet
This double chocolate cake delivers intense chocolate flavor and moist crumb, which pairs beautifully with the tart and refreshing raspberry sorbet. The contrast between creamy cake and fruity sorbet creates a balanced and vibrant dessert.
Ingredients
- Cocoa powder
- Flour
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Butter
- Baking soda
- Raspberry sorbet (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
Mix cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking soda, eggs, and butter to form a rich chocolate batter. Bake until moist and fluffy. Allow the cake to cool.
Serve with a scoop of raspberry sorbet on the side.
The rich, smooth chocolate cake paired with tangy raspberry sorbet provides a refreshing and satisfying dessert experience perfect for any occasion.
Chocolate Bundt Cake with Honey Lavender Ice Cream
This moist chocolate bundt cake pairs beautifully with honey lavender ice cream, combining rich cocoa flavors with delicate floral notes. The creamy, subtly sweet ice cream enhances the cake’s deep chocolate richness for a unique and elegant dessert.
Ingredients
- Cocoa powder
- Flour
- Sugar
- Butter
- Eggs
- Baking powder
- Honey lavender ice cream (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
Mix cocoa powder, flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and baking powder to create a smooth batter. Bake in a greased bundt pan until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool before slicing.
Serve slices with a scoop of honey lavender ice cream.
The floral sweetness of the honey lavender ice cream beautifully complements the rich chocolate cake, creating a sophisticated dessert perfect for special occasions.
Chocolate Sheet Cake with Salted Caramel Ice Cream
This rich and fudgy chocolate sheet cake pairs perfectly with salted caramel ice cream, creating a decadent dessert that balances sweet and salty flavors. The creamy ice cream softens the cake’s intense chocolate notes for an indulgent treat.
Ingredients
- Cocoa powder
- Flour
- Sugar
- Butter
- Eggs
- Baking soda
- Salted caramel ice cream (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
Combine cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking soda, eggs, and butter to form a moist batter. Bake in a sheet pan until cooked through. Cool completely.
Cut into squares and serve with salted caramel ice cream.
The combination of rich chocolate cake and sweet-salty caramel ice cream offers a perfect harmony of flavors and textures that will satisfy any sweet tooth.
Chocolate Olive Oil Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream
This moist chocolate olive oil cake is rich yet light, featuring fruity olive oil notes that enhance the chocolate flavor. Paired with classic vanilla ice cream, it’s a simple but elegant dessert that balances decadence with freshness.
Ingredients
- Cocoa powder
- Flour
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Olive oil
- Baking powder
- Vanilla ice cream (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
Whisk cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking powder, eggs, and olive oil to form a smooth batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool before serving.
Serve slices with scoops of vanilla ice cream.
The fruity richness of the olive oil cake paired with creamy vanilla ice cream creates a delightful contrast of flavors and textures for a sophisticated dairy-free dessert option.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream
This moist chocolate peanut butter cake is a rich and indulgent dessert that pairs perfectly with creamy vanilla ice cream. The combination of chocolate and peanut butter flavors creates a classic, crowd-pleasing treat.
Ingredients
- Cocoa powder
- Flour
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Butter
- Peanut butter
- Baking powder
- Vanilla ice cream (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
Prepare a chocolate cake batter using cocoa powder, flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and baking powder. Swirl peanut butter into the batter before baking. Bake until set and a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely.
Serve slices of the cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
The creamy peanut butter and rich chocolate combined with cool vanilla ice cream make this dessert an irresistible favorite for all ages.
Chocolate Stout Cake with Chocolate Ice Cream
This decadent chocolate stout cake boasts a deep, rich flavor enhanced by the addition of stout beer. Paired with luscious chocolate ice cream, it’s a dessert for true chocolate lovers looking for a sophisticated treat.
Ingredients
- Cocoa powder
- Flour
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Butter
- Stout beer
- Baking soda
- Chocolate ice cream (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
Mix cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking soda, eggs, butter, and stout beer to create a rich batter. Bake until moist and set. Cool completely before serving.
Plate slices of cake with generous scoops of chocolate ice cream.
The combination of stout-infused chocolate cake and creamy chocolate ice cream offers an intense, indulgent experience perfect for special occasions.
Chocolate Raspberry Cake with Raspberry Sorbet
This moist chocolate raspberry cake is bursting with fruity flavor, thanks to fresh raspberries baked right into the batter. Served alongside tart raspberry sorbet, it’s a refreshing and flavorful dessert pairing.
Ingredients
- Cocoa powder
- Flour
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Butter
- Fresh raspberries
- Baking powder
- Raspberry sorbet (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
Combine cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking powder, eggs, butter, and fresh raspberries to form a batter. Bake until cooked through and moist. Cool completely.
Serve with a scoop of raspberry sorbet.
The rich chocolate cake combined with bright raspberry sorbet creates a perfectly balanced dessert full of contrasting textures and flavors.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Layer Cake with Salted Caramel Ice Cream
This indulgent chocolate peanut butter layer cake features moist chocolate cake layers filled and frosted with creamy peanut butter frosting. Paired with salted caramel ice cream, it offers a perfect blend of sweet, salty, and nutty flavors that elevate any dessert occasion.
Ingredients
- Cocoa powder
- Flour
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Butter
- Peanut butter
- Baking powder
- Salted caramel ice cream (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
Prepare chocolate cake layers by mixing cocoa powder, flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and baking powder. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean.
Make a peanut butter frosting by combining creamy peanut butter with powdered sugar and butter. Assemble the cake by layering the cake with frosting between each layer.
Serve slices with a scoop of salted caramel ice cream.
The rich chocolate and peanut butter flavors combined with the creamy salted caramel ice cream create a decadent dessert that’s sure to impress.
Chocolate Espresso Torte with Vanilla Ice Cream
This rich chocolate espresso torte has an intense chocolate flavor with a subtle coffee kick. The dense texture pairs beautifully with smooth vanilla ice cream, making it a sophisticated dessert for coffee and chocolate lovers.
Ingredients
- Dark chocolate
- Eggs
- Sugar
- Butter
- Espresso or strong coffee
- Vanilla ice cream (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
Melt dark chocolate and butter together. Whisk eggs and sugar until fluffy, then fold in the chocolate mixture and espresso. Bake until set but still moist inside. Cool completely.
Serve slices with vanilla ice cream.
The bittersweet espresso and chocolate flavors are softened perfectly by creamy vanilla ice cream, creating a luxurious and balanced dessert.
Chocolate Cherry Cake with Black Cherry Ice Cream
This moist chocolate cherry cake incorporates fresh or preserved cherries in the batter for a juicy, fruity twist. Paired with black cherry ice cream, it offers a rich and refreshing dessert experience.
Ingredients
- Cocoa powder
- Flour
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Butter
- Fresh or preserved cherries
- Baking powder
- Black cherry ice cream (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
Mix cocoa powder, flour, sugar, eggs, butter, baking powder, and cherries to create a batter. Bake until moist and cooked through. Let cool completely.
Serve with scoops of black cherry ice cream.
The combination of rich chocolate cake with bursts of cherry flavor and the fruity ice cream makes this a vibrant and indulgent dessert perfect for any celebration.
Conclusion
Exploring these 21+ chocolate cake and ice cream recipes reveals the versatility and sheer joy of pairing moist, rich chocolate cakes with a variety of creamy ice creams. From elegant layer cakes to simple sheet cakes, and from classic vanilla to inventive flavors like salted caramel and raspberry sorbet, this collection offers something for everyone. Whether you’re hosting a party or treating yourself to a special dessert, these recipes make it easy to create stunning, flavorful combinations that everyone will love.
