Ice Cream Sundae Cookies {made with Cake Mix}
Updated May 12, 2026, Published Jun 18, 2019
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Some of my favorite recipes are the ones born from simple family moments.
Years ago, one night when my kids and I were craving something sweet, we started talking about two desserts we all loved most… warm cookies and ice cream sundaes. Somewhere in that conversation came the idea to combine the two and create one seriously fun dessert.
After years spent baking professionally and creating recipes for Practically Homemade, I still love taking ideas like this and finding simple ways to make them easy enough for anyone to recreate at home.
These Ice Cream Sundae Cookies are exactly that… soft cookies topped with all of the flavors of a classic ice cream sundae and one of those recipes I already know I cannot wait to make again with my grandbabies.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love These Ice Cream Sundae Cookies
- Ingredients Needed
- How to make Ice Cream Sundae Cookies
- How to Build the Ultimate Ice Cream Sundae Cookie
- How to Create an Ice Cream Sundae Cookie Bar
- How to Package as an Ice Cream Sundae Cookie Kit
- Expert Tips
- Storage and Freezing
- Ice Cream Sundae Cookie FAQs?
- Do You LOve Bakery Style cookies? Try These…
- Ice Cream Sundae Cookies Recipe
Why You’ll Love These Ice Cream Sundae Cookies
If you love fun desserts that feel a little nostalgic, these cookies are guaranteed to become a favorite.
- They combine two classic desserts in one recipe… cookies and ice cream sundaes.
- Starting with a cake mix keeps the cookies soft, chewy and incredibly easy to make. In fact, I have over 60 cake mix cookie recipes you should take look at.
- The colorful sprinkles, chocolate sauce and cherry make them perfect for celebrations.
- They are fun to customize with your favorite ice cream sundae toppings.
- Perfect for birthday parties, family gatherings or baking with kids and grandkids.
- You get a bakery style dessert without complicated steps.
As someone who has spent years creating cake mix desserts, I love recipes like this because they prove baking can feel creative, memorable and approachable all at the same time.
Ingredients Needed
- White Cake Mix: This is the shortcut ingredient that gives these cookies their perfectly soft and chewy texture while keeping the recipe incredibly simple. I especially love using white cake mix here because it creates the ideal neutral flavor base that allows all of the classic ice cream sundae toppings to shine. If you have ever wondered about the difference, I share more about choosing the right option in my Vanilla vs White Cake Mix guide.
- Flour: Adding a bit of flour helps create a sturdier cookie base, which is especially important for a recipe like this since the cookies need to hold up under all of the toppings without becoming too soft.
- Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds extra moisture and gives the cookies a subtle caramel flavor that pairs perfectly with the chocolate sauce, whipped cream and cherry topping. I also love using it in recipes like my Raspberry Cheesecake Cookies where a little extra richness makes all the difference.
- Waffle Cone Pieces: Mixing crushed waffle cone pieces into the cookie dough brings in that classic ice cream shop flavor and adds a slight crunch that makes these cookies feel even more like a true ice cream sundae experience.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to make Ice Cream Sundae Cookies
Step 1: Make the Cookie Dough
Combine the cake mix cookie ingredients with a hand held mixer and then add the cone pieces and sprinkles. Mix until they are evenly distributed.
Step 2: Scoop Cookie Dough
Use a large cookie scoop to scoop dough onto a baking sheet and use your hands to press the dough into a disc shape. Bake the cookies in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10-13 minutes.
Step 3: Make Indentation
Use the back of a ladle to press down into the baked cookies to form an indentation for the ice cream to sit.
Step 4: Cool Cookies
Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet.
How to Build the Ultimate Ice Cream Sundae Cookie
- Place one cookie on a dessert plate.
- Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Warm the hot fudge slightly and drizzle over the top.
- Sprinkle with chopped peanuts and rainbow sprinkles.
- Top with a maraschino cherry.
- Serve immediately.
How to Create an Ice Cream Sundae Cookie Bar
Set out:
- Ice Cream Sundae Cookies
- Vanilla ice cream
- Chocolate sauce or warm hot fudge
- Rainbow sprinkles
- Chopped peanuts
- Maraschino cherries
- Whipped cream
- Additional toppings like mini chocolate chips or crushed waffle cones
Let everyone build their own cookie sundae. This is perfect for birthdays, summer cookouts, sleepovers and family movie nights.
How to Package as an Ice Cream Sundae Cookie Kit
Package together in a basket or jar:
- A dozen sundae cookies
- Jar of hot fudge or chocolate sauce
- Container of sprinkles
- Maraschino cherries
- Printed assembly instructions
Tie everything together with a ribbon and tag that says: “Everything you need to build your own Ice Cream Sundae Cookies!”
This is perfect for teacher gifts, birthday surprises, new neighbor gifts and college care packages.
Expert Tips
- Do not over bake the cookies. Cake mix cookies continue baking as they cool on the hot cookie sheet, so removing them from the oven when the edges are just set will give you the perfect soft and chewy texture.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely before adding toppings. If the cookies are still warm, the whipped cream can melt and cause the toppings to slide instead of holding their shape.
- Warm the hot fudge before drizzling. Microwave the hot fudge for 10-15 seconds so it drizzles smoothly over the top without clumping or pulling the whipped cream.
- Add toppings right before serving. For the best presentation, wait to add the whipped cream, cherry and chocolate drizzle until right before serving so the cookies stay fresh and the toppings look their best.
- Don’t skip the waffle cone pieces. After years of recipe testing, I have learned that small texture differences make a huge impact. The waffle cone pieces add the perfect crunch and are what really make these taste like an ice cream sundae.
Storage and Freezing
Store: Because these sundae cookies are topped with ice cream, they are best assembled and enjoyed immediately. If you would like to prep ahead, store the baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Freeze: The baked cookies (without ice cream or toppings) freeze beautifully. Place the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, about 1-2 hours. Transfer to a freezer safe container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
Ice Cream Sundae Cookie FAQs?
A classic ice cream sundae typically starts with one or more scoops of ice cream topped with a sauce like chocolate, caramel or strawberry syrup. From there, additional toppings like whipped cream, sprinkles, chopped nuts and maraschino cherries are what transform it into the fun dessert we all know and love.
One of my favorite things about sundaes is that there really are no strict rules. While traditional toppings are always delicious, part of the fun is making them your own and getting creative with flavors, textures and combinations.
When I think of an ice cream sundae however, I think of chocolate sauce, peanuts and cherry. When I asked my girls, they thought they had sprinkles. Who knows, all I can tell you is that either way is pure bliss.
Yes. The cookies can be baked up to 3-4 days in advance and stored in an airtight container. I recommend waiting to add the ice cream and toppings until just before serving for the best texture and presentation.
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how customizable it is. Try crushed cookies, caramel sauce, chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, sprinkles or even a drizzle of peanut butter for a fun twist.
For best results, make sure the cookies are completely cool before assembling. I also recommend scooping the ice cream just before serving so the cookies hold their shape and the toppings stay neat.
Do You LOve Bakery Style cookies? Try These…
Did you try this recipe? Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below and tag @practicallyhomemade on Pinterest!
Ice Cream Sundae Cookies
Ingredients
Cookies
- 1 box white cake mix, {13.25 ounces}
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar, {packed}
- ½ cup butter , {melted}
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup waffle cone pieces
- ⅓ cup rainbow sprinkles
Toppings
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- ½ cup chocolate syrup , {I used Smuckers}
- ¼ cup peanuts , {chopped}
- ½ cup whipped cream
- 14 jarred maraschino cherries with the stem
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°.
- In a medium bowl combine the white cake mix, flour and brown sugar. Whisk to combine the dry ingredients. Add the melted butter and eggs to the dry ingredients and mix using an electric mixer until you have a thick dough. Finally, add the waffle cone pieces and rainbow sprinkles and gently fold them into the cookie dough until they are evenly distributed.
- Use a large cookie scoop to measure out dough and form each dough mound into a disc that is about ½-¾” thick. Place 6 onto a silicone mat {or parchment} lined baking sheet. Bake for 10-13 minutes or until set. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet. Continue until all of the dough is baked.
- To Serve: Top each cookie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, chopped peanuts, whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Look so yummy! Going to make these for the 4th. You have the best recipes! Thank you for sharing with us!
Thank you! I am so glad that you are enjoying the recipes. 🙂
This recipe looks amazing. Can’t wait to try some of them. Will let you know how mine turns out.
They are so much fun! I can’t wait to hear all about it.