Ice Cream Cake: A Unique Wedding Dessert Option

Ice cream is a delightful treat to incorporate into your wedding menu, especially for a summer wedding. A unique way to include ice cream is to request an ice cream cake instead of a traditional wedding cake. Ice cream cakes can be challenging to find, but some vendors create gorgeous ice cream cakes that resemble a standard wedding cake. This article will provide tips and tricks for serving ice cream cake at your wedding, ensuring that it remains frozen and looks elegant.

Ice cream cake as a centrepiece

Ice cream cake is a unique and fun way to serve dessert at your wedding. It can be a great alternative to a traditional wedding cake, especially for summer weddings, outdoor weddings, or weddings with playful and relaxed themes. Here are some tips and ideas for making ice cream cake the centrepiece of your wedding:

Choosing the Cake

When choosing an ice cream cake, consider opting for a design that resembles a traditional wedding cake. Vendors can create gorgeous ice cream cakes that have a similar look to standard wedding cakes, but are made with ice cream instead. You can work with your baker to create a stacked round cake design or a classic rectangular ice cream cake, decorated just as beautifully as a typical wedding cake. If you want to stick to tradition, ask your baker to cover the tiers in vanilla ice cream to give the illusion of frosting.

Storage and Timing

One important consideration when choosing an ice cream cake is storage. Ensure that your venue has enough freezer space to store the cake until it is time to serve it. Additionally, think about the timing of your cake cutting. You will need to coordinate with your venue to take the cake out of the freezer in enough time for it to defrost but not so long that it starts to melt.

Flavours and Toppings

Ice cream cakes can be highly customizable, allowing you to choose flavours and toppings that reflect your personal preferences. Consider incorporating your favourite ice cream flavours or those that hold a special significance to you and your spouse. You can even name a signature flavour after your pet, hometown, or wedding locale. When it comes to toppings, think about including items such as sprinkles, crushed nuts, whipped cream, cherries, or even mini wafer cookies.

Presentation and Display

To make your ice cream cake a true centrepiece, consider its presentation and display. You can decorate the cake table to match your wedding theme or colour scheme. For example, hang a paper ice cream cone banner above the table or include flowers that match your colour scheme. You can also get creative with the cake stand itself by using a unique stand or cart, such as a vintage ice cream cart or a wooden stand for a rustic feel.

Alternatives and Variations

If you're concerned about the melting potential of a traditional ice cream cake, consider alternatives that still incorporate the essence of ice cream. For example, you could serve ice cream cookie sandwiches, which can be frozen to maintain their shape and integrity. Another option is to offer "inspired by ice cream" alternatives, such as Funfetti or champagne-flavoured cake layers, or a sundae-inspired cake with sprinkles on the outside. These options can still provide the playful and delicious experience of ice cream while being more stable for display and serving.

Ice cream sundae bar

An ice cream sundae bar is a fun, playful, and nostalgic way to serve dessert at your wedding. It's a great option for couples who want to offer their guests a variety of customisable treats. Here are some tips to help you create a delightful ice cream sundae bar:

Choose Your Ice Cream:

Select two to six ice cream flavours to offer at your sundae bar. Having a variety of flavours ensures there's something for everyone. You can opt for classic choices like chocolate and vanilla, or get creative and offer signature flavours named after your pet, hometown, or wedding locale. Consider serving ice cream in tubs or large coolers to make scooping easier.

Select Toppings:

The key to a successful sundae bar is providing a wide range of toppings. Include items such as sprinkles, syrups, crushed cookies, candy, nuts, hot fudge, cherries, and whipped cream. Vary the height of your displays by using cake stands, trays, and tiered stands to make the presentation visually appealing.

Consider Health and Dietary Concerns:

Be mindful of your guests' health and dietary needs. Provide options for those who are sensitive to dairy or nuts. Having non-dairy ice cream alternatives and clear labels can ensure that everyone can enjoy the sundae bar.

Scooping and Serving:

Decide whether guests will create their own sundaes or if you will have servers to scoop the ice cream and toppings. Having designated servers can help maintain hygiene and speed up the serving process. If you opt for self-service, provide scoops or spoons for each topping to avoid multiple hands touching the food.

Timing and Storage:

Presentation and Decor:

Enhance the visual appeal of your sundae bar with decorative touches. Use flowers, either fresh or faux, to add a touch of elegance. You can also include a cute sign with a witty phrase related to ice cream.

An ice cream sundae bar is a delightful way to treat your wedding guests and offers a fun, interactive experience. With careful planning and the right selection of flavours and toppings, you can create a memorable dessert experience for everyone to enjoy.

Ice cream sandwiches

You can make your ice cream sandwiches as simple or as creative as you like. For a more casual wedding, you could make your own ice cream sandwiches with cookies, bite-sized waffles, or other sweet baked goods filled with your favourite ice cream flavour. You could even add sprinkles to the outside for a pop of colour. If you want to offer your guests a variety of options, you could set up an ice cream sandwich bar, where guests can choose their ice cream and sandwich it between different types of cookies.

If you want to keep things simple, you could opt for classic chocolate-vanilla ice cream sandwiches, or you could get creative with unique cookie choices and plenty of flavours. You could even offer a couple of different ice cream flavours and let your guests build their own sandwiches.

To keep your ice cream sandwiches from melting, you'll need to store them properly before serving. You can keep them in coolers until it's time to serve them, or ask your caterer to store them for you. If you want to keep them frozen, you may need to rent a freezer or get some dry ice.

Ice cream during cocktail hour

Cocktail hour is likely to be the hottest part of the day for your guests, so why not cool them down with an ice-cold treat? Here are some ideas for serving ice cream during cocktail hour at your wedding.

Passed Bites

Don't limit passed bites to appetizers—get some dessert in on the action! Not only is it convenient for guests to grab a treat while servers are making rounds, but it will also keep energy levels up, even towards the end of the night. Offer a beautiful tray of passable mini cones or small cups of pre-scooped ice cream. Your guests will be pleasantly surprised when servers come around to offer them a bite, and even more delighted to be greeted with a sweet mini dessert!

Ice Cream Cart

If you're having an intimate celebration and an ice cream truck is a little too big, consider renting an ice cream cart. These adorable carts will bring a sweet aesthetic to your reception and are a great way to ensure everyone still gets something they enjoy. Fill the cart with whatever you and your guests like, from ice cream cups and popsicles to freeze pops and everything in between. You could even have a "signature treat" option for each member of the happy couple, a fun and silly take on the signature cocktail.

Ice Cream in Drinks

There are myriad ways to incorporate ice cream into your wedding beverage options. For a super hot day, include root beer floats on the drink menu for an awesome surprise and a great way for non-drinkers to have a fun drink. You could even offer milkshakes as either a beverage or a dessert option. It might be a little complicated to pull off, but having someone create and serve milkshakes would be a detail your friends would not soon forget.

Boozy Milkshakes

Speaking of milkshakes, why not make them boozy? This could be the perfect pairing for late-night food on the dance floor or a unique option for cocktail hour.

Self-serve ice cream cart

A self-serve ice cream cart is a great way to add a relaxed and playful element to your wedding. It's a perfect choice if you're looking for something a little different from the traditional wedding cake, and it's sure to be a hit with your guests. Here are some tips to help you create a memorable self-serve ice cream cart experience:

Choose the Right Cart

First, you'll need to select a suitable ice cream cart for your wedding. Consider the size of your venue and the number of guests when making your choice. If you have a small, intimate wedding, a mini ice cream cart or wagon can add a charming touch. For larger weddings, a full-size cart or even a mobile ice cream truck will ensure you have enough ice cream to go around.

Select Your Ice Cream

Offer a variety of ice cream flavours to cater to different tastes. Classic options like chocolate and vanilla are always popular, but you can also include some unique or signature flavours. If you're honouring a loved one with a favourite flavour, be sure to include that as well. Consider providing 3-6 flavours to give your guests a good range of options.

Toppings and Extras

Take your ice cream cart to the next level with a selection of tasty toppings and extras. Sprinkles, crushed nuts, whipped cream, and cherries are all excellent choices. You could also offer cookies, brownies, or waffles to accompany the ice cream. For a more interactive experience, set up a sundae bar with various toppings, sauces, and treats, allowing guests to create their own unique dessert.

Keep It Cool

One of the challenges of serving ice cream at a wedding is keeping it from melting. To maintain the right temperature, use dry ice or regular ice to keep your ice cream cold. You can also pre-scoop the ice cream and package it in cups with lids, making it easier for guests to serve themselves while keeping the ice cream fresh.

Presentation and Timing

Presentation is essential, so decorate your ice cream cart to match your wedding's aesthetic. Consider adding flowers, a witty sign, or other creative touches. Think about the timing of your ice cream service as well. It can be a great treat during cocktail hour, especially for outdoor summer weddings, or as a late-night snack for guests on the dance floor.

With these tips, you can create a delightful self-serve ice cream cart experience that your wedding guests will surely enjoy!

Frequently asked questions