BROWNIE OREO ICE CREAM BARS!! Brownie-bottomed, oreo-topped, hot-fudge smothered, ice cream-covered dessert bars. So easy to make, perfect for a hot summer day, and absolutely delicious! chelseasmessyapron.com

These Brownie Oreo Ice Cream Bars are one for the books! Fudge-y rich brownies are topped with chopped Oreo® cookies that have been smothered in hot fudge. Then they get topped with Cookies & Cream ice cream and we add a layer of whipped topping with a few more crushed Oreos for good measure — more is more with this dessert! 

Try some of our other popular ice cream cakes — this Oreo Ice Cream Cake (no brownies), or these Brownie Ice Cream Bars (with Samoa Cookies).

Image of a piece of Brownie Oreo Ice Cream Cake on a plate

Brownie Oreo Ice Cream Cake

In an attempt to make the ultimate ice cream cake for my husband’s birthday, I combined all his favorite desserts into one show-stopping treat. It was so memorable that he now requests it every year!

Brownies, Oreos, hot fudge, ice cream, and whipped cream — who can resist?!

Process shots-- images of the brownies being baked and the Oreos being chopped and added on top of the brownies.

Brownie Oreo Ice Cream Cake Layers

Start by making fudge brownies: 

We begin with a boxed mix for this recipe. Brownie mixes are tasty and convenient, especially since the goal is for this dessert to be quick and easy. If you want to make your brownies from scratch, use your favorite brownie recipe in place of the mix in this recipe. (Just make sure it fills a 9×13-inch pan.)

My personal favorite mix for this Brownie Oreo Ice Cream Cake: Betty Crocker’s Fudge Brownie Mix®. There are different versions of this mix, so make sure to get the mix that will fit a 9×13-inch pan. Any brownie mix will work, as long as it’s intended for the larger pan (not an 8×8 or 9×9 pan). As far as homemade goes, I do have this delicious Gluten-Free Brownie recipe on my site that can be used in place of the boxed mix (just leave off the frosting).

Oreo Cookies:

While the brownies are baking, coarsely chop the Oreos. The brownies are ever so slightly under-baked so the chopped Oreos can be pressed in and adhere nicely to the brownies. To ensure Oreos end up in every bite, be sure to press the cookies in one even layer (as opposed to just scattering them on top).

Hot Fudge:

Once the cookies are in place, we spread a jar of hot fudge on top. This takes a bit of patience! I recommend warming the fudge first in the microwave and then adding large dollops all over the top of the Oreos. Use the back of a large spoon to gently coax the fudge into one even layer.

Cookies & Cream Ice Cream:

The next layer on this Brownie Oreo Ice Cream Cake is the actual ice cream! Use your favorite cookies and cream ice cream for this layer. Not sure where to start? The Washington Post has taken care of the testing for you. Tillamook® is a favorite of ours (not sponsored).

Whipped topping:

Finally, we top this Brownie Oreo Ice Cream Cake with whipped topping. You can certainly make your own (how to make whipped cream) or just use a container of thawed, frozen whipped topping. Once everything is set, feel free to add some leftover crushed Oreos.

Process shots-- images of the hot fudge being added on the top, ice cream being spread over that, whipped cream going on top of that, and Oreo crumbs being sprinkled on top.

Brownie Oreo Ice Cream Cake Tips

  • Make sure to keep the bars in the freezer as much as possible while making them. If the ice cream gets too soft and melty, it tends to turn icy when re-frozen.
  • Under-bake the brownies ever so slightly. Since they’ll be frozen, they firm up and get quite hard; I’ve found if the brownies bake the full time indicated on the package, they’re too hard in these bars (especially contrasting with the soft ice cream and hot fudge toppings).
  • Try some fun flavor variations. Get creative with the ice cream you add to this Brownie Oreo Ice Cream Cake — instead of cookies and cream, try vanilla bean, cookie dough, or even chocolate!

Up-close image of a slice of the Brownie Oreo Ice Cream Cake, ready to be eaten.

Quick Tips For Serving

  • Line the pan with parchment paper for easy cake removal and serving. Leave a parchment paper overhang to pull the bars from the pan and then cut them into bars.
  • For cleaner and easier slicing, run the knife under hot water and then wipe off with a towel between slices.
  • Use a very sharp knife — they cut so much easier!
  • Allow Brownie Oreo Ice Cream Cake to stand for 5-10 minutes at room temperature before cutting, so it’s slightly easier to cut into. 

Storage

  • Store leftovers in the freezer in an air tight container for up to 2 months.

More Ice Cream Treats:

4.82 from 11 votes

Brownie Oreo Ice Cream Bars

This Brownie Oreo Ice Cream Cake is a treat! Fudgy brownies, hot fudge-covered Oreos, and Ice Cream, topped with whipped cream and crushed Oreosโ€”delicious!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Chilling Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 24 bars

Equipment

  • Baking pan 9 x 13-inch

Ingredients 
 

  • 1 (18.4-ounce) package fudge brownie mix fully prepared, see note 1
  • 27 regular Oreos divided
  • 1 (11.75-ounce) container hot fudge topping
  • 1 (48-ounce) container cookies and cream ice cream
  • 1 (8-ounce) container frozen whipped topping completely thawed

Instructions 

  • Line a 9 x 13-inch pan with parchment paper leaving an overhang for easy removal. Set aside. Preheat the oven according to brownie package directions.
  • Prepare the brownies according to the package directions. Bake the brownies according to package directions, but slightly under-bake the brownies by 3 minutes. The brownies should be set, but soft, so they'll cut nicely when frozen. Remove brownies from the oven and allow them to cool for about 20 minutes.
  • Coarsely chop all but 3 Oreos. I cut each cookie into 4 even pieces. Gently press the chopped cookies in one even layer on top of the brownies.
  • Warm the hot fudge for 30 seconds, then drizzle dollops over the cookies. Gently use the back of a spoon to spread the fudge into an even layer. Freeze for 10 minutes.
  • Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the freezer and scoop large portions of ice cream over the hot fudge layer. Use a spatula to gently press and smooth the ice cream into an even layer.
  • Freeze for at least 2 hours but preferably overnight.
  • Spread completely thawed whipped topping evenly over the ice cream and, if desired, garnish with the 3 remaining Oreos. Cover bars and return to the freezer for 30 minutes.
  • Allow the bars to sit for about 5 minutes to soften slightly before cutting. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift them from the pan. Run a sharp knife under hot water and wipe it dry between slices. Cover and return any leftovers to the freezer right away.

Video

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Make sure that whatever brownie mix or recipe you use is intended for a 9 x 13-inch pan. We love Betty Crocker's Fudge Brownie Mix.
Storage: You can store leftovers in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 346kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 219mg | Potassium: 217mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 243IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Meet Chelsea


Hello, and welcome to Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron! Iโ€™m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. Iโ€™m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping byโ€”I hope you find something delicious to make!

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4.82 from 11 votes (1 rating without comment)

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54 Comments

  1. Michelle I says:

    This looks amazing! Wish I had found this in the summer. But still want to make now!!! Question – do you think if I added a layer of caramel instead of (or in addition to ๐Ÿ˜‰) the fudge layer that it would set okay? Or better to just drizzle on the top at serving? Thanks!!!

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      I’d drizzle it on top at serving! Hope you love these bars ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Christine says:

    I havenโ€™t made this yet, but I want to. I just donโ€™t know what and where I buy hot fudge sauce? Can I possibly use chocolate syrup instead?

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      Chocolate syrup won’t work; this is what you need! It’s usually near ice cream toppings and ice cream cones in the grocery store

  3. Amber says:

    Hey Again!

    So, these were absolutely amazing but I have one more question. I had a little trouble getting the brownie to come up from the pan when I cut them. Do you think it ended up too thin? or froze too long? Just curious.

    Either way they were great!!

    I made them for my husband’s birthday! and he loved them.

    1. chelseamessyapron says:

      I’m so happy your husband enjoyed them! It seems like maybe the brownies were a little over-baked; if you make these again pull them out 2-4 minutes earlier and they should be great!

  4. Amber says:

    You say in the recipe to chop the cookies but in the picture you just lay them whole! Is one or the other better?

    1. chelseamessyapron says:

      Yes, after making these so many times, I’ve found it’s best (cuts easier and more cookie per bite) with the cookies chopped! Thanks for the question!

  5. Remi says:

    4 stars
    This didn’t work out so well for me. The brownies and oreo cookies were hard has rocks once frozen and the ice-cream never refroze enough to cut properly–so it was an oozing mess. Tasty, but messy. Once the brownies and cookies thawed, it was a good base to add more ice cream…I just wished I had made brownie cookie sundaes instead!

    1. chelseamessyapron says:

      I’m so sorry to hear that Remi! It sounds like the ice cream might have gotten too melty or didn’t refreeze for long enough. Did you use a lower calorie or fat free ice cream?

  6. Laurie says:

    4 stars
    I agree with Kergie. It was very difficult to cut, but we loved it anyway. I am making this for my grandson’s birthday (he requested it – he’s going to be 7!) but this time I am going to use mini oreos so it will be easier to cut. I will let you know how that goes!

    1. chelseamessyapron says:

      I think the mini oreos are a great idea! Or even chopping up regular sized ones could help and make it easier to cut ๐Ÿ™‚ So happy you enjoyed it and are making it again for your grandson! Happy birthday to him!

  7. Briana says:

    So excited to make this! My brownie box says to use two boxes of brownie mix for a 9x 13 pan. Did you use one so its makes for a thinner layer?

    1. chelseamessyapron says:

      As long as the mix is around 18.4 ounces it will be great in a 9 x 13 ๐Ÿ™‚ And yes, you’re correct, its supposed to be thinner for all the other layers ๐Ÿ™‚

  8. Kergie says:

    5 stars
    Made this for the 4th of July and it got rave reviews! Only change I would make the next time is to cut up the Oreos before layering them on top of the brownie, because after frozen, they were difficult to cut through. Didn’t stop us from devouring the whole pan but would certainly allow us to shovel it in our mouths more quickly next time! ๐Ÿ˜‰

    1. chelseamessyapron says:

      Thanks so much for the comment Kergie! ๐Ÿ™‚ I’m so thrilled it got rave reviews!! And that is a great idea to cut up the oreos! ๐Ÿ™‚