Peppermint Hot Cocoa Ice Cream Cakes
December 13, 2025
Rich hot cocoa cakes topped with peppermint ice cream and fudge frosting.
Peppermint Hot Cocoa Ice Cream Cakes bring together everything you love about the season in one frosty, chocolate-peppermint treat. Each mini cake starts with a rich hot cocoa base baked right inside a tin, then gets filled with creamy peppermint ice cream and finished with a layer of fudge frosting and peppermint marshmallows.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich hot cocoa cake base with a bakery-style texture
- Peppermint ice cream layers for a festive frozen twist
- Fudge frosting on top for that classic hot cocoa feel
- Made in circular tins for perfect mini ice cream cakes
- Peppermint marshmallows add color holiday flavor
- Easy make-ahead dessert for parties and celebrations
- Fun, creative winter treat that looks impressive with minimal effort
Ingredient Notes
- Hot cocoa cake mix: Gives the cakes their rich chocolate flavor.
- Whole milk: Adds moisture and creates a soft, tender crumb.
- Sour cream: Helps the cakes bake up thick, silky, and bakery-style.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the cake moist even after freezing.
- Vanilla extract: Boosts the chocolate and peppermint flavors.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the cocoa notes.
- Peppermint ice cream: Provides the creamy peppermint layer that freezes firmly in the tins.
- Fudge frosting: Creates the smooth, fudgy top that mimics hot cocoa.
- Peppermint mini marshmallows: Add a festive, candy-cane finish and fun texture.
Quick Prep Notes
Do the cakes need to cool completely before adding the ice cream?
Yes. Any warmth will melt the ice cream and create icy layers instead of a smooth, creamy finish. Make sure the cakes are fully cooled before filling.
Does the ice cream need to be softened first?
It should be soft enough to spoon and spread easily, but not melted. This helps it settle evenly over the cake base and freeze smoothly.
How long do the mini cakes need to freeze before adding the fudge frosting?
At least 8 hours, or until the ice cream layer is very firm. The frosting will only spread cleanly over a fully frozen surface.
Peppermint Hot Cocoa Ice Cream Cakes
Ingredients
- Circular tins
- Duncan Hines Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Flavored Cake Mix or chocolate cake mix. Ingredients listed on the box
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 c vegetable oil
- 3/4 c sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Ice cream half gallon- Peppermint flavored, softened
- 1 container of fudge or chocolate frosting
- Peppermint marshmallows
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line cupcake pans or grease and parchment-line 8-inch cake pans.
- Add cake mix, milk, eggs, oil, sour cream, vanilla, and salt to a large bowl. Whisk or mix on low speed just until fully blended, about 45 to 60 seconds. Scrape down the bowl once, then mix another 10 seconds only. Do not overmix. Batter should look thick and silky.
- Fill each tin 1/3 of the way with batter. Should make 6-8 cakes. Bake for 17-19 minutes to start. Start checking at 15 min. Cakes are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Do not wait for a totally clean toothpick or the cake may overbake. Let them cool completely.
- Fill each cake tin with softened ice cream reaching 2/3 of the way up. We need to leave room for the fudge. Once you have ice cream in each tin, refreeze at least 8 hours.
- Top each cake with 1/4 cup fudge frosting. Spread evenly over the top of the cake. Sprinkle a handful onto each cake. Serve right away. If you need to refreeze, be sure to take them out a few minutes before serving.
- When you refreeze them, use the lids that come with the tins to keep the cakes fresh.
FAQ
Can I use a different flavor of ice cream?
Yes. Vanilla, chocolate, or chocolate chip peppermint all work well, though peppermint gives the strongest holiday flavor.
Why are my cakes dry?
They may have been overbaked. Remove them when a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs, not completely clean.
Can I make these ahead for a party?
Absolutely. Freeze them with the lids on for up to one week. Let them sit a few minutes before serving.
Can I use homemade frosting?
Yes. Any thick chocolate frosting or ganache that spreads well over frozen surfaces is perfect.
Sprinkle of Fun
Make these as a frosty little treat on a winter movie night, especially when you’re watching Frosty the Snowman or Frozen. There’s something extra fun about eating peppermint ice cream cakes while bundled under blankets, sipping cocoa, and cheering on Olaf. Serve them straight from the freezer for a cold-on-cold moment that feels totally magical.
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