Drumstick Cake Pop Ice Cream Recipe

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What if I told you that you could combine that chocolate-dipped, crunchy Drumstick goodness with the delightful sweetness of cake pops? Yup, that’s right! We’re making Drumstick Cake Pop Ice Cream right in your kitchen, and trust me, it’s easier than you think.

How to make Drumstick Cake Pop Ice Cream

Drumstick Cake Pop Ice Cream is a dessert-style ice cream that’s inspired by the classic Drumstick ice cream cone and the fun, bite-sized vibe of cake pops.

Ingredients

For the Cake Pop Pieces:

• 1 box of cake mix (vanilla, funfetti, or chocolate – your choice!)
• Eggs, oil, and water (as required by the cake mix instructions)
• 1/2 cup frosting (store-bought or homemade)

For the Ice Cream Base:

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream (cold)
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup fudge sauce (optional) (for swirls)

For the Chocolate Crunch Coating:

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup coconut oil (or vegetable oil, for a thinner coating)
• 1/2 cup crushed waffle cones or sugar cones (Crush them into small crumbs for that signature crunch!)
• Optional toppings: Sprinkles, chopped nuts, or mini chocolate chips.

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Cake Pop Pieces

1. Bake the cake: Prepare your cake following the instructions on the box. Allow it to cool completely.
2. Crumble the cake: Once cooled, crumble the cake into fine pieces in a large mixing bowl.
3. Mix with frosting: Add the frosting a little at a time and mix until the cake holds together when pressed. (Don’t overdo the frosting—you want a dough-like texture, not sticky!)
4. Form into small pieces: Roll the mixture into tiny “pop” pieces or simply crumble into irregular chunks for a rustic look. Freeze these for at least 30 minutes to firm up.

Step 2: Prepare the Ice Cream Base

1. Whip the cream: In a large bowl, beat the heavy cream with a hand or stand mixer until stiff peaks form (about 3-4 minutes).
2. Add the condensed milk: Gently fold the sweetened condensed milk into the whipped cream, being careful not to deflate the mixture. Add the vanilla extract for flavor.
3. Layer the mix-ins: Pour about half the ice cream base into a freezer-safe container. Add some of the frozen cake pop pieces, and drizzle with fudge sauce, if using. Repeat with another layer of ice cream base and additional cake pop pieces. Use a knife to gently swirl the fudge, but avoid over-mixing. Freeze for 4-6 hours or until firm.

Step 3: Make the Chocolate Crunch Coating

1. Melt the chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the chocolate chips and coconut oil in 15-second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted and smooth.
2. Prepare the crunch: Stir in the crushed waffle cone pieces to the melted chocolate mixture. Set aside to cool slightly.

Step 4: Assemble the Ice Cream

1. Top with chocolate: Once your ice cream is fully set, remove it from the freezer. Pour or drizzle the chocolate crunch coating over the top, spreading it into an even layer using a spatula. The chocolate will harden quickly, creating the signature “snap” coating.
2. Add extra toppings: While the chocolate is still slightly soft, sprinkle on additional waffle cone pieces, chopped nuts, or sprinkles for extra pizzazz.

Tips for the Perfect Drumstick Cake Pop Ice Cream

• Chill your tools: Ensure your mixing bowl and whisk are chilled before whipping the heavy cream; this creates more volume and makes it easier to whip.
• Custom cake flavors: Experiment with fun flavors like red velvet, lemon, or chocolate cake pops to tailor the recipe to your taste!
• Chocolate alternatives: Use white chocolate or milk chocolate chips for a twist on the classic chocolate crunch.
• Layer creatively: Instead of just mixing the cake pieces in, you could layer them like a parfait for a fancy presentation.
• Serving suggestion: Scoop the ice cream into sugar cones for a true Drumstick experience, or serve in bowls topped with extra chocolate sauce!

What to serve with

Drumstick Cake Pop Ice Cream is already an indulgent, crowd-pleasing dessert on its own, but pairing it with complementary treats or toppings can elevate the experience even further.

1. Waffle Cone Bowls or Cones

Stay true to the “Drumstick” vibe by serving your homemade Drumstick Cake Pop Ice Cream in waffle cone bowls or sugar cones. The waffle cone adds that extra crunchy texture and nostalgic dessert charm. Here are some ideas to wow your guests:

• Chocolate-dipped cones: Coat the edges of cones or bowls with melted chocolate and sprinkle crushed nuts or sprinkles on top.
• Waffle cone crumble: Crush leftover waffle cones and serve them on the side as an extra topping.

2. Warm Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Pair the creamy, cake-inspired ice cream with warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies for the ultimate treat. The warmth of the cookies compliments the cold ice cream beautifully.
• Try making ice cream cookie sandwiches by spooning a dollop of Drumstick Cake Pop Ice Cream between two cookies. Roll the sides in sprinkles or crushed nuts for extra fun!
• Alternately, serve scoops of ice cream on top of freshly baked cookies straight out of the oven.

Ingredients Substitutes

Craving the deliciousness of Drumstick Cake Pop Ice Cream, but missing some key ingredients? Don’t let that stop you! This recipe is versatile and can be adjusted with ingredient substitutes you may already have in your pantry.

Substitutes for Cake Pop Ingredients

The cake pop chunks add a chewy texture and bursts of cake flavor to the ice cream. If you don’t have the exact ingredients to make cake pops, here are some options:

1. Cake Mix

• Substitute with homemade cake: If you don’t have a boxed cake mix, you can make a quick and simple cake from scratch using 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/3 cup sugar, one egg, 1/3 cup milk, and 1/4 cup melted butter. Mix, bake, and crumble once cooled!
• Cookies instead of cake: Crumbled cookies (such as chocolate chip, sugar cookies, or shortbread) can mimic the texture of cake pops in this recipe.

2. Pre-Made Cake or Pastries

• Use store-bought options like pound cake, angel food cake, or leftover cupcakes. Just crumble them into chunks to use as cake pop substitutes.
• Pastries like brownies, muffins, or even croissants can work if you’re feeling adventurous!

3. Frosting

• Substitute with cream cheese: Blend softened cream cheese (plain or slightly sweetened) in place of frosting to bind your cake crumbs. The slight tang adds a unique flavor.
• Sweetened condensed milk: A small amount (2-3 tablespoons) of sweetened condensed milk can be used to bind cake crumbs for a smooth cake pop texture.
• Nut butters or spreads: Peanut butter, almond butter, or hazelnut spread (like Nutella) can also work as a binder while adding extra flavor.

Substitutes for the Ice Cream Base

The ice cream base provides the creamy, frozen foundation of this dessert. Here are some swaps to make it work for your diet or available ingredients:

1. Heavy Whipping Cream

• Coconut cream: Use chilled coconut cream (from a can) as a non-dairy swap. Whip it the same way as heavy whipping cream for a similar texture.
• Evaporated milk: If you’re not aiming for a dairy-free version but don’t have heavy cream, keep a can of evaporated milk on hand. Whipping it won’t achieve the same thickness, but it adds creaminess.
• Half-and-half or whole milk: These are less rich than heavy cream but will work. Note that ice crystals may form unless you’re careful to fold gently and freeze in small batches.

2. Sweetened Condensed Milk

• Sweetened cream with powdered sugar: Replace condensed milk with 1 cup of whole milk or cream mixed with 1/2 cup powdered sugar. Cook it down until slightly thickened for a homemade version.
• Coconut condensed milk: A dairy-free option that works beautifully to replicate the sweetness and creamy consistency.
• Maple syrup or honey: Substitute in smaller amounts as a sweetener, but be aware that the texture won’t be as thickened.

3. Vanilla Extract

• Use vanilla bean paste for a richer, aromatic vanilla flavor.
• Skip vanilla entirely and experiment with other extracts such as almond extract, coconut extract, or even lemon for a twist.

4. Fudge Swirls

• Chocolate syrup: Drizzle regular chocolate syrup between layers for a quicker option.
• Caramel, peanut butter, or fruit jam: These make fun, unique substitutes for the fudgy element.

Final Thoughts

There you have it—the ultimate homemade Drumstick Cake Pop Ice Cream! From the chewy cake pop chunks to the creamy base and crunchy chocolate shell, this dessert is a symphony of textures and flavors.