Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Pie

This vanilla ice cream pie starts with a homemade Oreo cookie crust, followed by a layer of hot fudge, plenty of creamy vanilla ice cream, and cherry pie filling spooned over the top. It reminds me of an old-fashioned hot fudge sundae, only made into a frozen pie with the cookie crust and vanilla ice cream, but we decided to go a little overboard and add the hot fudge and cherries too. Sometimes a simple dessert needs one more layer, or in this case, perhaps two.

An Easy Layered Ice Cream Pie

I like this pie for summer because most of the work can be finished ahead of time. Once the crust has cooled and the layers are assembled, the freezer takes care of the rest.

You can make the vanilla ice cream from scratch or use your favorite store-bought ice cream. I don’t mind taking a shortcut when it still gives me a good dessert, especially when the weather is hot and there are already plenty of other things waiting around the ranch.

I think you’ll love this frozen pie because:

• It has all the flavors of a hot fudge sundae in one dessert.  
• The Oreo crust is firm enough to hold the ice cream and fudge.
• It can be assembled ahead of time.
• Homemade or store-bought vanilla ice cream both work well.
• The cherry topping is added to each slice, so the pie stays neat in the freezer.

Store bought ice cream can be used but it is also easy to make home-made ice cream.   Plus no worries about the ice cream melting in this heat before you get home from the market.   We finished this masterpiece with canned cherry pie filling as a topping

Main Ingredients I Use

Chocolate sandwich cookies: I use regular Oreo cookies, including the cream filling. The filling helps bind the cookie crumbs and gives the crust a rich chocolate flavor.

Melted butter: Butter holds the crumbs together so the crust can be sliced without falling apart. I make sure all the crumbs are evenly moistened before pressing them into the pie plate.

Hot fudge topping: I let the fudge come to room temperature before spreading it over the crust. Cold fudge can be too stiff, while warm fudge may soften the crust.

Vanilla ice cream: Homemade vanilla ice cream gives this pie a simple, creamy center, but store-bought ice cream is a perfectly good shortcut. Let it soften slightly before spreading, but do not let it melt.

Cherry pie filling: I spoon the cherries over individual slices just before serving. This keeps the topping from freezing solid and makes the remaining pie easier to store.

How to Make Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Pie

The complete recipe card is below, but these are the steps I use to keep the layers neat and easy to slice.

The homemade ice cream recipe makes approximately two quarts. You may not need the entire batch for a standard 9-inch pie plate, so serve the extra on its own or store it in a separate freezer container.

Step 1: Make The Vanilla Ice Cream

Add the half-and-half, whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla extract to a large mixing bowl. Stir until the sugar has dissolved.

Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Every machine is a little different, so I use the consistency rather than the clock as my guide.

The ice cream should be thick and softly frozen when it comes out of the machine. If it is very soft, place it in the freezer until it is firm enough to spread without running into the fudge layer.

Step 2: Make the Oreo Cookie Crumbs

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Place the Oreo cookies in a food processor and process for 10 to 15 seconds, or until they are finely crushed.

Pour in the melted butter and process for another 5 to 10 seconds. The crumbs should look evenly moistened, without dry patches.

Step 3: Form and Bake the Oreo Crust

Transfer the cookie mixture to a 9-inch pie plate. Press the crumbs firmly across the bottom and up the sides of the plate.

I like to use the bottom of a measuring cup to press the crumbs into an even layer. A firmly packed crust holds together much better once the frozen pie is sliced.

Bake the crust for 8 to 10 minutes, or until it looks set. Allow it to cool completely before adding the fudge. Do not rush this part. Even a slightly warm crust can begin melting the next layer.

Step 4: Add the Hot Fudge Layer

Stir the room-temperature hot fudge topping until smooth. Carefully spread it over the bottom of the cooled Oreo crust.

Place the crust in the freezer for about 30 minutes, or until the fudge feels firm. Freezing this layer before adding the ice cream keeps the two from blending together.

Step 5: Add the Vanilla Ice Cream

Let the vanilla ice cream sit at room temperature for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, just until it is soft enough to spread.

Spoon enough ice cream into the crust to fill it without overflowing. Depending on the depth of your pie plate, you will probably use between 1 and 1½ quarts.

Spread the top evenly, cover the pie, and freeze for at least 2 hours. For cleaner slices, I prefer to freeze it for 4 hours or overnight.

Step 6: Slice and Add the Cherry Topping

Remove the pie from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.

Dip a sharp knife in hot water, wipe it dry, and cut the pie. Repeat between slices as needed.

Place each slice on a serving plate and spoon cherry pie filling over the top. Serve immediately.

Simple Variations

I like vanilla with the chocolate crust and cherries, but you can make a few easy changes without changing the method.

• Use chocolate, cherry, or cookies-and-cream ice cream in place of vanilla.
• Replace the cherry filling with strawberry or blueberry pie filling.
• Use caramel topping in place of the hot fudge.
• Add a spoonful of whipped cream to each slice before serving.

Make Ahead and Storage

This is a good dessert to make the day before serving. Assemble the crust, fudge, and ice cream layers, cover the pie tightly, and leave it in the freezer overnight.

Keep the cherry pie filling refrigerated in a separate covered container and add it when serving.

The pie can be stored in the freezer for up to one week. After that, the crust may begin to soften and the ice cream can develop ice crystals. Pressing a piece of plastic wrap close to the surface of the ice cream helps protect it.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Summer Desserts

For another cool summer dessert, try my Summer Berry Trifle in a Mason Jar. The Watermelon Cake and Whale Watermelon Fruit Bowl are fun choices when you want to serve fresh fruit, and my Cinnamon Ice Cream with Pecans is another homemade frozen treat we enjoy when the Texas weather heats up.

I hope you enjoy this vanilla ice cream pie with its chocolate cookie crust, hot fudge, and cherry topping. If you make it, leave a comment and recipe rating below, or tag me on Instagram so I can see how you served yours.

Printable Recipe

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