Drumstick Layered Dessert

This lush Drumstick Layered Dessert captures everything we love about classic Drumstick ice cream cones in an easy, no-bake form. It starts with a golden crust of vanilla wafers and chopped peanuts, then layers on a creamy white chocolate cheesecake mousse. The dessert is finished with crushed waffle cones, more peanuts and a drizzle of rich chocolate ganache. No freezing required, just chill until set, then slice and serve.

Ingredients to Make Drumstick Layered Dessert Recipe

This easy layered dessert is perfect for potlucks, holidays, picnics and parties of every kind. Inspired by the classic Drumstick ice cream cone, it combines all the familiar flavors we love into one irresistible crowd-pleasing treat. While it’s delicious served chilled, you can freeze it for a firmer frozen dessert if preferred.

This Drumstick torte dessert features layers of chocolate, waffle cones, peanuts and creamy vanilla filling for a nostalgic dessert everyone will devour.

Key ingredients you’ll need to Drumstick Layered Dessert: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card and quanitites.)

• Crushed Vanilla Wafers – These form the crust for the first layer. You can also use crushed sugar cones.
• Peanuts – Salted party peanuts add crunch.
• Granulated Sugar – This melts while baking and binds the crust together.
• Butter – Melted butter for the crust you can use salted or unsalted butter.
• Instant Pudding Mix – Two 3.4 oz boxes of instant white chocolate instant pudding (i.e. Hershey’s) forms the second layer.
• Liquid – Half and half will add richness to the filling.
• Flavoring – Two teaspoons vanilla extract to amp up the flavor.
• Cream Cheese – The cream cheese mixture adds bulk and stabilizes the filling.
• Whipped Cream – You can use fresh whipped cream or one 8-ounce container of frozen whipped topping like Cool Whip.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips – 2 cups mini semi-sweet chocolate chips. Some are melted with heavy cream the rest are sprinkled on top.
• Heavy Cream – To make the chocolate drizzle for the top.
• Sugar Cones – Five sugar cones roughly crushed for the topping.

How to Make Drumstick Layered Dessert Recipe

• Heat Oven and Prepare Dish – Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spritz the bottom of a 13×9-inch baking dish (or cake pan) with cooking spray.
• Make the Crust – In a small mixing bowl toss together the vanilla wafer crumbs, 1/2 cup chopped peanuts, melted butter and granulated sugar. Press onto the bottom of the baking dish.
• Oven – Bake per the cook time in the recipe until lightly golden and set. Cool completely.
• Make the Drumstick Filling – Whip instant pudding with half and half plus vanilla until it’s beginning to thicken. Add the whipped cream cheese and whipping until smooth. Fold in the fresh whipped cream by hand.
• Assemble – Spread the pudding layer over the cooled crust. Sprinkle the filling with 1/2 of the reserved mini chocolate chips, 1/2 of the chopped peanuts and 1/2 of the crushed sugar cones. Set aside the remaining to garnish the top.
• Melt the Chocolate Topping – Melt mini chocolate chips and heavy cream in the microwave in 20 second increments, stopping to stir each time. Repeat this process until smooth. Drizzle over the first layer of chocolate chips, sugar cone pieces and peanuts.
• Double the Topping – While the chocolate is soft, garnish the top with reserved peanuts, chocolate chips and waffle cone pieces.
• Refrigerate – Chill the drumstick cake for at least 4 hours in the refrigerator or overnight before slicing.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Drumstick Layered Dessert

• 13×9-inch pan or baking dish.
• Electric mixer, either a hand mixer or a stand mixer.
• Large bowl, microwave safe medium bowl.
• Measuring cups and measuring spoons.
• Large silicone spatula.
• Food processor, nut chopped or chopping board and knife to chop the peanuts.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Cream Cheese Substitution – You can use two 8-ounce blocks cream cheese (packages of cream cheese) in place of whipped cream cheese. When substituting, whip it prior to combining with the rest of the pudding ingredients.
• Pudding – You could use instant chocolate pudding mix for a chocolate variation.
• Caramel – You may opt to drizzle the top with 1/4 cup peanut butter melted in the microwave or top it with a caramel sauce.
• Alternate Crust for the Base – If you prefer, you can use crushed sugar cones for the crust instead of vanilla wafers in the same amount. It takes an entire box of sugar cones just for the crust, hence the reason I went with vanilla wafers. I’ve made it both ways and either way, it’s delish!
• Instant Pudding Choices – In this recipe, I opted to use white chocolate instant pudding for the base of the mousse filling. This is usually found quite easily at my local grocery store including places like Walmart. However, if you’re unable to find that flavor cheesecake flavored instant pudding mix is a terrific substitute. I would choose that first over vanilla.
• Double the Fudge Topping – Do you like lots of hot fudge? Double the amount and you’ll be good to go! There’s no such thing as too much chocolate.
• Alternate Serving Option – The waffle cones on top will naturally soften a bit when chilled. If you’re all about the crunch, assemble the Drumstick Layered Dessert and chill it in the refrigerator overnight. Add the waffle cones, peanuts and melted chocolate just before serving.

Storage and Leftovers

• Serve Chilled or Frozen – You can enjoy this drumstick treat chilled or as a frozen ice cream cake dessert.
• Leftovers – Store leftover Drumstick dessert covered with plastic wrap or foil chilled in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freezer – Store in the freezer covered with plastic wrap and heavy duty foil for up to 3 months.

More Southern Style Layered Desserts to Make

Add these luscious desserts to your specials occasion dessert menu ASAP.

• Banana Split Lush is another fan favorite that goes viral every summer. It’s popular at the holidays, too.
• Coconut Cream Lush is like a coconut cream pie on steroids.
• Banana Pudding Lush is a fusion of two desserts in one.
• Pumpkin Spice Layered Lush is a terrific alternative to pumpkin pie.
• Blueberry Yum Yum recipe is always a winner.
• Strawberry Cheesecake Lush from Butter with a Side of Bread.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• 13×9-inch Dish
• Mixer
• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring Set