Salted Caramel Pretzel Ice Cream Cake
Delight your taste buds with this indulgent Salted Caramel Pretzel Ice Cream Cake, a perfect fusion of sweet and salty flavors that will leave everyone craving more. Inspired by the classic combination of pretzels and ice cream, this layered cake features a crunchy pretzel crust, rich chocolate fudge, creamy vanilla ice cream, and a drizzle of luscious caramel. It’s an easy make-ahead dessert that just needs to be pulled from the freezer, making it a fantastic choice for parties, family gatherings, or a special treat on a warm day.
16
Servings
200
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
crushed pretzels
1 1/4 cups (crushed)
cold butter
6 tablespoons (cut into small pieces)
chocolate fudge topping
3/4 cup (warmed)
miniature chocolate-covered pretzels
2 (7.5 ounce) packages (set aside for garnishing and processing)
vanilla ice cream
1/2 gallon (softened)
caramel ice cream topping
1/4 cup (to drizzle)
Instructions
1
In a small bowl, combine the crushed pretzels and cold butter. Mix until the mixture is crumbly and well combined.
2
Press the pretzel mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 9-inch springform pan to form the crust.
3
Cover the crust with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 30 minutes to set.
4
Once the crust is set, pour the warmed chocolate fudge topping over the crust, spreading it evenly. Cover and freeze again.
5
While the fudge layer is freezing, set aside 16 of the miniature chocolate-covered pretzels for garnish.
6
Place the remaining chocolate-covered pretzels in a food processor and pulse until the pretzels are coarse crumbs.
7
In a large bowl, gently fold the crumbled pretzels into the softened vanilla ice cream until well combined.
8
Spread the ice cream mixture evenly over the fudge layer in the springform pan.
9
Drizzle the caramel topping over the ice cream evenly.
10
Decorate with the reserved chocolate-covered pretzels on top.
11
Cover the pan and freeze for at least 8 hours, or overnight, to ensure the cake is completely firm before serving.
Nutrition Information
10g
Fat
25g
Carbs
2g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main flavor profile of the Salted Caramel Pretzel Ice Cream Cake?
The cake features a perfect fusion of sweet and salty flavors, combining a crunchy pretzel crust with rich chocolate fudge, creamy vanilla ice cream, and luscious caramel.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 16 servings.
How many calories are in one serving of this ice cream cake?
Each serving contains approximately 200 calories.
What type of pan is required for this recipe?
A greased 9-inch springform pan is used to ensure the cake can be easily removed and served.
What are the ingredients for the pretzel crust?
The crust consists of 1 1/4 cups of crushed pretzels mixed with 6 tablespoons of cold butter cut into small pieces.
How long should the pretzel crust freeze before adding the next layer?
The crust should be covered and frozen for at least 30 minutes to set properly.
How is the chocolate fudge layer prepared?
The chocolate fudge topping should be warmed and then spread evenly over the set pretzel crust before freezing again.
What type of ice cream is used in this cake?
The recipe calls for 1/2 gallon of softened vanilla ice cream.
How are the chocolate-covered pretzels incorporated into the cake?
Most of the chocolate-covered pretzels are pulsed in a food processor into coarse crumbs and then folded into the softened vanilla ice cream.
How many chocolate-covered pretzels should be reserved for garnish?
You should set aside 16 miniature chocolate-covered pretzels to decorate the top of the cake.
How much caramel topping is needed for the drizzle?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of caramel ice cream topping to drizzle over the ice cream layer.
What is the total freezing time required before serving?
The cake needs to freeze for at least 8 hours, or overnight, to ensure it is completely firm.
Is this a good dessert for parties?
Yes, it is a fantastic make-ahead dessert that is perfect for parties, family gatherings, or warm-weather treats.
How much fat is in one serving of the cake?
There are 10 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a single serving?
Each serving contains 25 grams of carbohydrates.
What is the protein content per serving?
There are 2 grams of protein per serving.
Can I use a different ice cream flavor?
While vanilla is suggested to balance the salt and caramel, you could experiment with other flavors like caramel or chocolate ice cream.
Do I need any special equipment for the pretzels?
A food processor is recommended to pulse the chocolate-covered pretzels into coarse crumbs.
How many ingredients are in this recipe in total?
There are 6 total ingredients: pretzels, butter, fudge, chocolate-covered pretzels, vanilla ice cream, and caramel topping.
What category of dessert does this fall into?
This is classified as a Frozen Dessert or an Ice Cream Cake.
How do I make the pretzel mixture crumbly?
Combine the crushed pretzels and cold butter in a small bowl until the mixture is crumbly and well combined.
Should the butter be melted for the crust?
No, the recipe specifies using cold butter cut into small pieces for the crust.
When should I take the cake out of the freezer?
Pull the cake from the freezer just before serving to ensure it stays firm and cold.
What is the texture of the pretzel crumbs in the ice cream?
The chocolate-covered pretzels should be pulsed into coarse crumbs to provide a nice texture within the creamy ice cream.
How much chocolate fudge topping is used?
The recipe uses 3/4 cup of warmed chocolate fudge topping.
Can I substitute the chocolate-covered pretzels?
You can use regular pretzels, though chocolate-covered ones add extra sweetness and richness.
Is the caramel topping mixed in or drizzled?
The caramel topping is drizzled over the top of the ice cream layer.
Should I grease the springform pan?
Yes, the pan should be greased to prevent the crust from sticking.
Is this a quick recipe to prepare?
While the assembly is relatively easy, it requires several hours of freezing time, making it better for advance preparation.
What size of chocolate-covered pretzels packages are needed?
The recipe requires two 7.5 ounce packages of miniature chocolate-covered pretzels.