Layers of vanilla, chocolate, and cherry nice cream combine to make this fun, fruity, and healthy plant-based Neapolitan Nice Cream Cake.

‍

Summer is approaching and warm, sunny evenings and family gatherings are calling for ice cream! Good news: this Neapolitan Nice Cream Cake will satisfy all ice cream cravings. Three flavors of healthy, plant-based nice cream give everyone the opportunity to eat their favorite flavor.

A couple months ago, I got a request from a fellow Hoosier Catholic (what we call us Catholics at IU) for a plant-based ice cream cake. I'm a little slow keeping up with requests, but I finally got some inspiration and decided to create this nice cream cake.

I wanted something more fun than just a single flavor of ice cream, but with so many flavors to choose from, I was lost in ice cream flavor overload. Eventually, I decided on a classic: Neapolitan ice cream.

I'm honestly shocked by my choice because I seriously hate Neapolitan ice cream. First, I cannot stand strawberry flavored ice cream. I love strawberries but NOT in ice cream. I apologize to you strawberry ice cream lovers out there, but I respectfully disagree with your taste in ice cream. Second, I'm not a huge chocolate fan. Chocolate is okay, but I'm a vanilla girl all the way.

So why on earth did I decide to make Neapolitan Nice Cream Cake?!

‍

Neapolitan Flavors

I realized I could put a twist on the classic and create a delicious cake. While traditionally Neapolitan ice cream has a layer of strawberry, sometimes people use cherry ice cream for the pink layer instead. Chocolate and cherry go really well together (and I love cherries) so that sounded like a much better combination.

‍

‍

Layers

Now, Neapolitan cake may sound a little daunting because there are so many layers, but it's really easier than it looks. You'll just need a bit of patience to make sure each layer freezes enough that the flavors don't mix, but really, you'll be busy making the next layer, it won't even feel like waiting

There are actually 4 layers to this cake. Because this is an ice cream cake, it must have a crust. Or else it's just ice cream! So besides the 3 nice cream layers, the bottom layer is a simple crust. If you'd rather have just the nice cream, simply omit the crust -- one less step for you!

The crust is super neutral to help showcase the flavors. But it adds sweetness and new texture. Well worth the extra step.

‍

How to make Neapolitan Nice Cream Cake

Step 1. Pulse pitted dates, almonds, rolled oats, and date syrup in your food processor until they start to stick together. Then press this mixture into the bottom of a parchment-lined pan. Put the pan in the freezer while you make the first ice cream layer.

Of course, we're using bananas for all the nice cream layers. So hopefully you have tons of frozen bananas waiting in your freezer. (Pro tip: ALWAYS have frozen bananas in your freezer.)

The bottom layer is vanilla, then chocolate, and finally cherry on top. You can change the order if you prefer, but personally, I'd rather have the chocolate cherry combination and the vanilla chocolate combination.

Step 2. To make vanilla nice cream, blend frozen bananas with a bit of vanilla extract and some almond milk. Pour this over the crust, then return the pan to the freezer while you make the chocolate layer.

Step 3. For the chocolate nice cream, blend frozen bananas, cocoa powder, and almond milk. After the mixture is smooth, pour in some chocolate chips and pulse to combine. Pour the chocolate layer on top of the vanilla layer and return the pan to the freezer.

Step 4. Make the cherry layer with frozen bananas, frozen cherries, and almond milk. Blend until smooth. Pour this layer on top of the chocolate layer. Press some extra frozen cherries into the top, if desired.

Step 5. Place the pan in the freezer for several hours, until the cake is completely frozen. When you want to eat this Neapolitan Nice Cream Cake, remove the pan from the freezer and pull the cake out of the pan with the parchment paper. Wait a few minutes for the nice cream to soften, then slice and serve immediately. Store leftovers in the freezer. Enjoy!

‍

Recipe Prayer

Jesus, thank you for healthy desserts to eat. Let us remember you as we enjoy this nice cream cake. Amen.

‍

Tried this recipe?

Please leave a review in the comments section below. You can also stay in touch with me on social media by following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok or by subscribing to my newsletter.