Ice Cream Pie Recipe: 5 Tips for Making Ice Cream Pie

Ice cream pie is a frozen dessert and variation on an open-faced pie or cheesecake, featuring a soft bottom layer of pie crust (often made from crushed graham crackers or cookies), a layer or two of ice cream filling, and a set whipped cream topping. Like ice cream cake, ice cream pie is a popular summer dessert that is customizable. The crust of an ice cream pie can feature many different flavors or textures, from the chewiness of a slightly underbaked brownie to the crumbly tenderness of a graham cracker crust.

You can even pair your ice cream filling flavor to the style of crust. Popular combinations include mint chocolate chip ice cream or peanut butter ice cream atop a deep, chocolatey base; chocolate ice cream and coffee ice cream on a crushed vanilla wafer crumb; or strawberry ice cream on a classic cheesecake-style crust.

Ice cream pie comprises three simple elements: the crust, the filling, and the whipped topping. While you can purchase these ready-made elements at the grocery store, it’s just as easy to customize the dessert to your own tastes with a little extra preparation.

1. 1. Use homemade ice cream. Though ice cream pie is a perfect vehicle for one or two (or three) of your favorite ice cream flavors—including sorbet or gelato—it’s also a way to showcase your own experimental flavors or homespun dairy-free alternatives.
2. 2. A soft cookie crust will be easier to slice. Unlike a standard pie crust, which will turn hard in the freezer, a cookie crust stays crumbly and soft, making serving and eating more enjoyable. Adjust the thickness of the crust to your preference.
3. 3. Let the ice cream partially thaw before spreading. For easier, smoother spreading, allow the ice cream to thaw on the countertop for 15 minutes at room temperature before scooping it onto the pie crust. (It should be thick like soft serve, but not runny.) After assembling the layers, return the pie to the freezer so it can properly set.
4. 4. Try multi-flavored fillings. For a more dynamic ice cream center, alternate scoops of complementary ice cream flavors (like chocolate ice cream nestled up against caramel ice cream) before swirling together in the style of a marble cake.
5. 5. Add mix-ins. Customize your ice cream filling with crunchy toffee pieces, roughly chopped candy bars, chocolate chips, cookie dough, or cookie crumbs (in the style of cookies and cream). Sprinkle your preferred mix-in over the scoops of ice cream, and swirl together before smoothing into an even layer.