Fake Ice Cream Sundae Cupcake Recipe

In this inventive ice cream sundae cupcake recipe, we combine two of our favorite desserts: an ice cream hot fudge sundae and a cupcake with frosting. When you combine the two, magic happens.

This recipe could not be easier if we tried! We start with a boxed cake mix and use canned frosting and dare I say, everyone loved it.

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Ice cream Sundae Cupcakes

Here at Ruffles and Rain Boots, we are known throughout the internet for our cupcake recipes. But, what may be a little-known fact is how much we love an ice cream sundae.

Think back when you were a kid – did you ever get a special ice cream sundae piled high with all the toppings? I loved them all (except the maraschino cherry – I’d barter that away to my sister).

If you are just in ‘party prep’ mode or need to gather ingredients, bookmark this page to make it easier when you are ready to create your cupcakes.

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This Cupcake is Easy But Looks Like You Bought It

This is one of our easiest recipes to replicate. Thought it might not look like, it, anyone can make this recipe, even if you are new to home baking.

All you need are a few kitchen essentials and store-bought ingredients and you can re-create this truly imaginative and mouth-watering dessert. The “wow” factor is strong in this recipe.

People will be dropping their jaws and reaching for these faux sundaes. And when they learn the “ice cream” on the cupcake is actually canned frosting, their reactions are everything!

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Tips for Making Ice Cream Sundae Cupcakes

• Use handle release cookie scoops for a clean and consistent scoop every time.
• Rinse the scoop in between each color but do all the cupcakes with the same color at the same time. Dip the scoop in warm water but dry thoroughly before using.
• In order to keep the maraschino cherries from bleeding their red syrup, rinse and pat dry each cherry before topping them on each cupcake.
• If you do not have heavy cream for the ganache, you can substitute half and half or even powdered sugar added to melted chocolate chips.
• If you don’t want to make a ganache, use chocolate syrup.

Ingredients for Ice Cream Sundae Cupcakes

Listed below are the ingredients we used to make these cupcakes. Before heading to the store, check your pantry and fridge. For information on using cookie scoops for the frosting, please read the tips section above.

• Chocolate Funfetti cake mix or Easy Chocolate Cupcakes from Scratch
• Whole milk
• Unsalted sweet cream butter
• Eggs
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Heavy whipping cream
• Vanilla, Chocolate Fudge, and Strawberry Frosting (canned)
• Funfetti Sprinkles
• Maraschino Cherries
• Small and Medium cookie or ice cream scoops
• Disposable piping bags and a large star tip

How to Make Ice Cream Cupcakes

Each step for this recipe is detailed below to make it easier to follow. Keep this page open while you are creating your cupcakes. If you prefer a printable recipe, scroll down and select the print button below.

Using an electric stand or hand mixer, add the cake mix, butter, milk, and eggs. Beat until combined. Using a medium ice cream scoop, add batter to the cupcake tins, filling ¾ way full. Bake per the box instructions for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Allow them to cool completely.

Optional Chocolate Ganache Recipe: Using a small pot, bring the heavy whipping cream to a simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips in a small bowl. Allow the mixture to cool for 2 minutes and then whisk until smooth.

Once the mixture has cooled to room temperature, add it to a piping bag. You will use the remaining amount to coat the cupcakes. Remember, you can just use chocolate syrup in the bottle, too. :)

Use the reserved ganache and coat the top of the cupcake in a thin layer. Use the small scooper to gather up chocolate frosting to place on the center of the cupcake. Look at how cute these “ice cream scoops” look!

Repeat with the vanilla and strawberry frosting scoops. Just tuck them all in together.

Cut the tip off the bag of chocolate ganache and pipe it onto the top of the frosting so it looks like fudge on top of ice cream. Again, you can just use the bottled chocolate sauce / chocolate syrup here, as well.

Make it rain sprinkles to decorate the cupcakes.

Optional “whipped cream” or “whipped topping:” Fit a piping bag with a large star tip and place 16 ounces of vanilla frosting into the bag. Pipe the frosting in the middle of the chocolate ganache so it looks like whipped cream. Place a maraschino cherry (see tip above) and serve.

Notes for Making Ice Cream Sundae Cupcakes

• If you prefer homemade frosting, we suggest using our favorite Delicious Easy Buttercream Frosting recipe. We do recommend you put it in the fridge until it becomes firm before scooping onto the cupcakes.
• If you would rather make vanilla cupcakes rather than use a boxed cake mix, the Internet loves my Lazy Girl’s Easy Chocolate Cupcake recipe (add sprinkles to the mix before baking). It’s just as quick as the boxed mix and tastes SO good.
• If you have trouble releasing the scoops of frosting, try running the scoop under warm water first and wiping it dry. The frosting should slide right out.

More Cupcake Recipes You May Like

• Pineapple Cupcake Recipe: You get a true pineapple flavor when you use crushed pineapple in the recipe. Add the free printable crown topper and you are ready for a tropical-themed party!
• Cereal Cupcakes: These easy-to-make cereal cupcakes are a rainbow of cereal goodness you won’t believe. With a colorful swirled cupcake and fruity-flavored frosting, you are in for a real treat.
• Butter Rum Cupcakes Recipe with a Surprise: These cupcakes have a surprise little pipette of rum to give them a truly spectacular flavor (with or without alcohol).

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