Monday, July 13, 2026

S'mores Ice Cream Cake #recipe #giveaway Kim Davis

 




KIM DAVIS: Summer seems to call for desserts that cool you off, although there's something nostalgic about roasting marshmallows over a bonfire and making s'mores with family and friends. Growing up we always had homemade ice cream so I thought it would be fun to combine the two desserts and thus I set to work to create a S'mores Ice Cream Cake. 

First off, I knew I didn't want to take the time to make homemade ice cream. That special treat is best eaten all on it's own (at least in my opinion), but if you have the time, by all means use your favorite ice cream recipes. Also, it was right around Father's Day that I got to work on creating this recipe so I wanted to make it dairy-free so my husband could indulge. Thankfully, there are a lot of great dairy-free ice creams on the market now that are every bit as good as regular ice cream (okay, almost as good, lol). I couldn't find plain vanilla or plain chocolate dairy-free ice cream, so ended up with "extras" mixed in. It definitely added some extra texture and flavor and everyone enjoyed it. 

Next I didn't want to have to toast individual marshmallows for the topping and found that jarred marshmallow fluff toasts just fine. If you don't have a kitchen torch, no worries, the untoasted fluff tastes yummy! And while everyone raved over this sweet treat, I was happy that I could make it a few days in advance, even toasting it and returning to the freezer on the serving platter until ready to serve. 


Be sure to scroll all the way down to find out how to enter for a chance to win a copy of
Framed and Frosted! Contest is open to everyone.


S’mores Ice Cream Cake

 

Ingredients
 
1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (plus additional 1/3 cup for garnishing if desired)
1 tablespoon sugar
Pinch of salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (or substitute with dairy-free margarine)
1 pint chocolate-based ice cream, slightly softened (or substitute with dairy-free ice cream)
1 pint vanilla-based ice cream, slightly softened (or substitute with dairy-free ice cream)
1/4 cup chocolate fudge syrup
1 jar marshmallow fluff




 
Instructions

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Place parchment paper on a baking sheet and set aside.

Line a 9-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang (or sling) to help remove the ice cream cake for serving.

Add the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and salt to the prepared baking sheet and stir to combine.




Drizzle the melted butter over the crumbs and stir. 




Spread the crumbs evenly over the parchment paper and bake 8 to 10 minutes until the crumbs are golden brown. Immediately remove the pan from the oven, place on a wire rack, and allow the crumbs to cool completely.




1) Press 1 cup of the cooled graham cracker crumbs into the bottom of the loaf pan. 

2) Top with the chocolate ice cream, spreading it in an even layer. 

3) Sprinkle the remaining crumbs over the ice cream. 

4) Top with the vanilla ice cream. 

5) Spread the chocolate fudge syrup evenly over the top. Place the filled loaf pan in the freezer for at least 6 hours or overnight before topping with marshmallow fluff.




Use the parchment overhang to remove the ice cream cake from the loaf pan. Working quickly, remove the parchment paper and place the ice cream cake on a serving platter. Scatter extra graham cracker crumbs on the platter if desired. 




Swirl the marshmallow fluff over the top of the ice cream cake. 




Using a kitchen blowtorch, toast the marshmallow fluff. Keep a close watch since it can quickly burn. 




Slice the cake and serve immediately. If you want to make the ice cream cake ahead of time, once you toast the marshmallow fluff, return the cake to the freezer for 30 minutes. Remove and cover loosely with plastic wrap, then return to the freezer. Once ready to serve, remove the plastic wrap and allow to sit for about 10 minutes to soften before slicing and serving. 

Note

An oven broiler won’t work to toast the fluff since the ice cream will melt too quickly. It will still taste delicious without toasting the fluff if you don’t have a blowtorch.





 ðŸ’• Click here for a free printable PDF of the recipe!💕






I'm celebrating my new release today!





While this isn't a cozy mystery, I'm celebrating the release today for my middle grade fantasy book, The Secret of Cherry Hill Orchard, the second book in The Board Game Chronicles! Suitable for ages 7 to 11. If you have kids or grandkids who needs to do some reading over the summer, please check it out. It's free on Kindle Unlimited, and ebook and print versions available on Amazon. Print is available on Barnes and Noble as well.

What it's about: 

Eleven-year-old Amber Addison is supposed to be in charge. But babysitting her little sister, Ava, and Ava’s cranky best friend, Harper, is hard enough before a board game magically comes to life. One minute, the girls are playing Cherry Hill Orchard. The next, a tiny cherry token swells to an impossible size, scoops them up, spins them silly, and drops them into a real orchard bursting with ripe cherries and plenty of trouble.

There, a family of enormous talking cats begs for their help. Sneaky dogs are stealing the harvest and trying to drive the cats from their home. The cats promise to lead Amber, Ava, and Harper to their queen, who may know how to send them back, but only if the girls can save the orchard first.

To get home, Amber will have to outsmart the dogs, keep her sister safe, and figure out whether Harper is really as impossible as she seems. Because in Cherry Hill Orchard, friendship may be the best magic of all.

A fun recipe is included

Purchase print, ebook, or read for free on Kindle Unlimited: HERE

Purchase Barnes & Noble print: HERE







Books available at most online retailers

 

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo * Apple

 





Cupcake Catering Mysteries * Essentials of Murder* Essentials of Death

 


About the Author:

Kim Davis writes the Aromatherapy Apothecary cozy mystery series, and the award-winning Cupcake Catering cozy mystery series. She has also written several children’s nature articles published in a variety of magazines. Kim Davis is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

She lives in Southern California with her husband and rambunctious mini Goldendoodle, Missy, who has become an inspiration for several plotlines. When she’s not spending time with her granddaughters or chasing Missy around, she can be found either writing on her next book, working on blogs, or in the kitchen baking up yummy treats to share.

Click here to sign up here for Kim’s newsletter: Newsletter

Connect with Kim: Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Bluesky, Bookbub, Goodreads, TikTok, and website

 


G I V E A W A Y   T I M E !!!




I'm giving away a copy of Framed and Frosted!

Comment below and include your email (yourname at yourserver dot com) for a chance to win a copy of Framed and Frosted. (Contest ends 11:59pm on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Print is limited to US residents and all others will receive an ebook copy.)

Readers, do you have a favorite summer dessert you make every year?





56 comments:

  1. YES, I do have a favorite Summer Dessert and it is the Cookie Dough Frosty from Wendy's Restaurant in Size Medium
    The book Framed and Frosted looks and sounds like a fantastic read
    don.stewart@zoominternet.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A Wendy's Frosty is SO refreshing on a hot summer day. Such a delicious treat!

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  2. Happy release day Kim, and congrats on the new book! I know it's anathema, but I might skip the marshmallows in this dessert:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Roberta! I'm usually not a fan of marshmallows but once they're toasted, it's like they're a whole new sweet. But leaving it off works well too, especially if you add extra chocolate sauce to drizzle down the sides of the ice cream cake!

      Delete
  3. Yes! Lemon Ice Box Pie from the Whistlestop Cafe cookbook. One trick I've learned over the years - instead of making a graham cracker crust place the whole graham cracker in the bottom of the pan - they soften during the setting phase and pieces come out looking good. The filling is sweetened condensed milk, cream cheese, frozen lemonade concentrate and whipped topping. So light and refreshing!!! Thank you for the chance to win. madamhawk at gmail dot com.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, that sounds like a yummy and easy dessert! Lemonade is such an iconic summer flavor too. Thanks for sharing your graham cracker crust shortcut... I'll bet it would work for other desserts that need to refrigerate for a long period of time to set.

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  4. Looks delectable. During the summer I make light and yummy lemon blueberry bars. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Those bars sound so delicious! Blueberries and lemon are such a yummy combination of flavors!

      Delete
  5. that cake looks delicious. the blueberry lemon bars someone mentioned above sound good. also a soft serve dipped in chocolate is always good.
    fruitcrmble AT comcast DOT net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love visiting ice cream shops during the summer months! It's been ages since I've had a chocolate dipped soft serve cone, but now I'm craving one :)

      Delete
  6. Yes, I make a pineapple cake that is super easy!
    Thanks for the chance.
    jlrich7@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anything with pineapple sounds super summery! Yum!

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  7. I don't cook,but most anything cool works for me!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love to make peach cobbler

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My mom's favorite was apricot cobbler but I imagine peaches would be equally tasty! The white peaches I've been getting at the store this season have been super sweet and juicy!

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  9. I haven't made it for a few years. But my favorite summer time treat is, Hot Fudge Sundae Cake. Also Chocolate Eclair Cake.johnlong83@rocketmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Both cakes sound equally delish! And chocolate is a favorite flavor year round!

      Delete
  10. I love a good fruit crisp or cobbler, but ice creams, sorbets and fresh summer fruits always top the list in summer. Lemon sorbet is so refreshing. This does sound like a fun change though. Thanks! makennedyinaz at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome, Marcia! I love fruit sorbet too, and it's especially refreshing during the summer!

      Delete
  11. One fun summertime dessert is angel food cake topped with fresh strawberries or fresh peaches.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is one of my husband's favorite desserts! We could always count on his mom making it for him when we'd visit. It was especially delicious with their homegrown peaches!

      Delete
  12. Tillamook ice cream. Peach. pmr3956 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yum! My sister lives fairly close to Tillamook and whenever I'd visit, we'd go buy ice cream directly from their shop.

      Delete
  13. I like eating banana splits. Alam22@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds like a delicious way to use up extra bananas!

      Delete
  14. I normally eat Keto/Mediterranean food, so my desserts are usually fresh berries and Greek yogurt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good for you, Mya! I must enjoy eating dessert for breakfast since I've been known to eat yogurt and berries as a meal :) And if the berries are sweet enough, no sweetener is needed for the yogurt.

      Delete
  15. Replies
    1. Thanks, Molly! I'm sad that there isn't any left in the freezer now... it was devoured way too quickly :)

      Delete
  16. What a great idea and I'm sure it tastes terrific.
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Libby! I like how versatile the recipe can be by swapping out different flavors of ice cream and ice cream sauce.

      Delete
  17. Raspberry chiffon pie

    Bmijrkd@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That sounds so light and refreshing, Kristie! Perfect for summer!

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  18. Usually home made ice cream! I love it during the summer.. but I had some apples and blueberries to use up last week and made and apple blueberry cobbler. OMG..I think I have a new summer recipe to go with the home made ice cream!! Jill Nelson nelsonjj304@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Homemade ice cream is the BEST! And served along with a fresh-baked cobbler... pure deliciousness! I love your combination of apples and blueberries in the cobbler, too. I'll have to try it :)

      Delete
  19. Key lime pie
    Wskwared(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Key lime pie sounds so refreshing on a hot summer day! I've seen a few no-bake versions (which would be even better during the summer) but haven't tried any of them yet.

      Delete
  20. Love all creme pies... lafabq at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cream pies are pure deliciousness! My sister makes the BEST chocolate cream pie and I've never been able to replicate it to taste just like hers :)

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  21. We don't use our ice cream maker very often, but homemade strawberry ice cream in the summer is the best! cwsullivan53 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That does sound so yummy! Especially with extra sliced fresh strawberries served over the ice cream too.

      Delete
  22. We make homemade ice cream a lot in the summer. My favorite is peach ice cream. Yum!

    jarjm1980(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Homemade ice cream is the BEST! And peach sounds especially delicious during the summer! My in-laws had a few peach trees and our favorite quick dessert was dishing up vanilla ice cream and slicing fresh-picked peaches over the top.

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  23. I enjoy ice cream. dlpyle@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  24. I enjoy ice cream from Bridgemans a local restaurant 😋 cruhnke70@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I love to make a root ber float in the Summer. It brings back memories of riding my bike to the local A & W and meeting up with friends on a warm evening. suemngirl at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Congratulations on the new release! I don't have a favorite summer dessert. Javabeagle (at) gmail (dot) com .

    ReplyDelete
  27. I like to make a Jello dessert every summer. Very cool and refreshing. Happy New Release! dl(dot)mandmlover(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I like strawberry ice cream cake. Thank you Deborah deborahortega229@yahoo.com

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  29. Thank you for the recipe looks delicious. Deborah deborahortega229@yahoo.com

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  30. That looks yummy. I usually try to make a cheesecake each year. I also make a 3 ingredient Chocolate Mousse. zweigenbaum@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  31. I don't have a favorite Summer dessert.

    Rose Ward

    mcadamsrose388@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Dixie Neitzel Dix3733@hotmail.comJuly 13, 2026 at 5:47 PM

    I make a rhubarb custard cake every year.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I love Strawberry Shortcake< using angel food cake. My Mom would take some of the cake out(like a rectangle) fill with whip cream and strawberries, even used frozen berries. End result looked like the strawberry filling in the middle. hard to describe, sorry. terrie Faria, tmf5552004@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete