An ice cream cake settles the oldest party debate there is: cake or ice cream? At Ryan's, the answer has been "both" since 1988. If you've never ordered one before, here's how it works and how to make sure your cake is ready for the big day.
Why an ice cream cake?
Kids' birthdays, graduations, team parties, holidays, backyard get-togethers: a homemade ice cream cake fits just about any celebration. It's easy to serve, easy to share, and it saves you from buying a cake and a tub of ice cream separately.
Step 1: Work backwards from your party date
Every cake is made for your order, so the most important ingredient is time. Once you know your party date, count back at least two days. That's your deadline for placing the order.
Please note: Ice cream cakes need at least 48 hours' notice. Reaching out early gives the team time to plan the perfect cake for your celebration.
Step 2: Decide the fun details
- The occasion and message: a birthday name, a grad year, or a simple "Congrats!"
- Flavors: browse the homemade flavor lineup for inspiration before you call.
- How many guests: the team can steer you toward the right cake for your crowd.
- Pickup timing: plan to head straight home or to the party. It's ice cream, after all.
Step 3: Call your nearest shop
Custom details depend on timing and availability, so the easiest way to order is to contact the location most convenient for you: Tinton Falls at (732) 842-5874 or Oakhurst at (732) 517-0000. The team will walk you through options, flavors, and pickup. Prefer to skip the phone tag? You can now order your cake online any time, and the shop will call you back to confirm the details.
That's it: one phone call, a couple days' patience, and you're the hero of the party.
A few extras worth knowing
Cakes aren't the only way to sweeten a party. Party cups, tortonis, and cannolis are available to go, and if you're shopping for the host instead of the table, a Square gift card is an easy win. For a look at how our hand-decorated cakes turn out, browse the photo gallery: every picture there was taken right at our counters.
And if the celebration ends with leftovers, you're in luck. A well-wrapped ice cream cake keeps beautifully in the freezer, and our guide to how long an ice cream cake lasts covers storage, wrapping, and the trick to cutting clean slices.
Pick the right size for your crowd
Sizing is the decision people sweat the most, so here is the whole board. Six sizes, priced right on the order form:
- 7” cake — serves 6–8 — $29.99. A family dinner or a small sleepover crew.
- 8” cake — serves 8–10 — $34.99. The classic birthday size.
- 9” cake — serves 10–12 — $39.99. Room for seconds.
- 10” cake — serves 12–15 — $44.99. A full party table.
- Half sheet — serves 20–28 — $64.99. Classroom or team-sized.
- Full sheet — serves 30–45 — $89.99. The whole league, plus parents.
Rather eyeball it later? The form has a “not sure yet” option, and the crew will help you land on a size when they call to confirm.
Make it yours: flavors, colors, and borders
The fastest order is Ryan’s Way: vanilla ice cream on top, our chocolate crunchie center, chocolate ice cream on the bottom — the house build that never misses. Or design your own from the homemade lineup, from Cookies and Cream to Salted Caramel to Reese’s Blast.
- Icing colors: blue & white, pink, purple, rainbow, a pastel mix, and more — or leave it to the decorator.
- Borders: classic shell, rosettes, rainbow sprinkles, chocolate crunchies, or whipped cream swirls.
- Toppings ($3 each on 7" and 8" cakes, $4 on 9" and 10", $5 on a half sheet, $7 on a full sheet): the same board as the counter — dry toppings like Oreos, M&M’s, cookie dough, and toasted coconut; wet toppings like hot fudge, caramel, and wet walnuts; plus sugar-free chocolate chips and hot fudge.
What happens after you order
The moment you submit the online form, you get a ticket number by email — that’s your cake’s name from here on. Nothing is charged online. The shop calls you to confirm every detail and go over pricing, then the cake is built, decorated by hand, and waiting in the freezer at your pickup time.
Quick answers before you order
Can I change my order after I submit it? Yes — the confirmation call is exactly for that. Flavor swaps, a reworded message, a bigger size: just say so when the shop calls.
What about allergies or gluten-free? Gluten-free options are available — note it on the form and the team will walk through the details on the call. Our gluten-free guide covers what to watch for.
Is 48 hours always enough? It’s the minimum. For graduation weekends, holidays, and other busy stretches, order as early as you can — the calendar fills fastest exactly when everyone needs a cake.
