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Home › Recipes
49 Comments

Buster Bar Ice Cream Dessert

Stacey Pirtle

by Stacey Updated: Jun 11, 2024

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Loaded with salted peanuts and layer of vanilla ice cream on an easy homemade Oreo crust and topped with the best fudgey chocolate topping you’ve ever tasted, this homemade, family-sized take on Dairy Queen’s Buster Bar is one of those summer treats that is just knock-your-socks off good.  

An upclose photo of a slice of Buster Bar Ice Cream Dessert.


What You Need To Make A Buster Bar Dessert

  • Oreo cookies
  • vanilla ice cream
  • salted peanuts
  • chocolate chips
  • evaporated milk
  • powdered confectioner’s sugar
  • butter
The vanilla ice cream being spread on top of the Buster Bar dessert cookie crust.

I first had this dessert at a Wednesday night church potluck.  That right there is enough to tell you it’s good.  But the story doesn’t stop there.  As I went on the hunt to find out how to make it, I discovered the complete recipe in a little local cookbook, self-published by a Louisiana women’s civic group.  I knew right then the recipe was solid gold.  Those are my kind of cookbooks, written by my kind of people, full of my kind of food.

A Buster Bar Ice Cream Dessert with a square cut from it and the square served up on a plate.

The recipe is a fairly easy one.  I either crush my Oreos in a plastic zip top bag or pulse them lightly in my food processor to make the quick crust. 

Spreading the ice cream layer can be tricky, but the secret is to scoop out the ice cream onto the crust in 3-4 giant scoops (see photo) and gently push, or massage, the ice cream out to the edges of the pan and into the gaps between the scoops.  No back and forth strokes!  That’s when the cookie crumbs from the crust get caught up in the ice cream and everything gets messy.

The same technique works like a charm for that decadently smooth and dreamy chocolate fudge layer too.

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A last look at a serving of the Buster Bar Ice Cream Dessert.

The hardest thing is the waiting for this dessert to re-freeze and set up after you put it together.  My freezer gets plenty of fly-bys and nosey looks as my kids and The Engineer constantly check to see if it’s ready.  It’s ready to eat in 1-2 hours, but overnight is best if you plan to take it anywhere.

If you’re looking for a little summer nostalgia or just an unbelievably delicious and fudgey summer treat, this, my friends, is where it’s at!

IF YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE, BE SURE TO LET ME KNOW!

RATE IT, LEAVE A COMMENT OR SNAP A PHOTO.

Tag me on Instagram at #southerndiscourse

Buster Bar Ice Cream Dessert

Loaded with Oreos, salted peanuts, vanilla ice cream and topped with the best fudgey topping you've ever tasted, this family-sized spin on Dairy Queen's Buster Bar will have your mouth watering!
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chocolate, ice cream, Oreos, peanuts, potluck
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Freeze Time: 2 hours hours
Total Time: 2 hours hours 25 minutes minutes
Servings: 6
Author: Stacey | SouthernDiscourse.com

Ingredients

  • 1 14.3 oz pkg. of Oreo cookies, crushed
  • ½ C butter, melted
  • ½ gal. vanilla ice cream, softened
  • 1 lb. Spanish peanuts
  • 2 C powdered confectioner's sugar
  • 12 oz semi sweet chocolate chips
  • ½ C butter
  • 12 oz evaporated milk
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine crushed cookies and butter. Press into bottom of 9×13 dish. Spoon softened vanilla ice cream over crushed cookie crust. Cover with peanuts and place in freezer to set while making chocolate topping.
  • Using a whisk, combine powdered sugar, butter, chocolate chips and milk in a large sauce pan over medium heat until chips melt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Turn down the heat, simmer for 10 minutes, stirring often. Let cool completely.
  • Pour topping over dessert and work to edges. Freeze until firm. Soften in refrigerator for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Using a warm knife to cut the dessert works well.
Did you make my Buster Bar Ice Cream Dessert?Show me how it went! Share on Instagram, tag @southerndiscourse, and use the hashtag #SouthernDiscourse!
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Other Delicious Desserts You’ll Love

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  • No Churn Blueberry Lemon Ice Cream
  • Creamy Mocha Popsicles
  • Gooey Black Bottom Pecan Pie Brownies
  • Chocolate Buttermilk Sheet Cake

Loaded with Oreos, salted peanuts, vanilla ice cream and topped with the best fudgey topping you've ever tasted, this homemade, family-sized take on Dairy Queen's Buster Bar will have your guests begging for more! #southerndiscourse #icecream #chocolatechips #potlucks #cookout

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Filed Under: Cookouts, Desserts, Recipes Tagged With: picnic, potluck, summer treats

Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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Comments

    4.70 from 73 votes (62 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Avatar photoJan LASTRA

    July 3, 2019 at 2:58 pm

    This is such a super yummy dessert!!! A summer family favorite. I

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      July 3, 2019 at 6:27 pm

      We’ve had this together several times, haven’t we? Better than words can describe!

      Reply
    • Avatar photoJanet

      May 19, 2020 at 7:32 am

      I made a similar recipe years ago – it’s time to make it again! I used a “box” of ice cream. I just opened the box, cut the ice cream into slices, and layed them on the crust. This made spreading the ice cream quick and easy.

      Reply
      • Stacey Pirtlestacey

        May 19, 2020 at 1:14 pm

        Hi, Janet! That’s a great idea! Love it!

        Reply
        • Avatar photoLinda

          July 11, 2020 at 3:54 pm

          Or you can soften the ice cream and spread it into a wax paper lined 9×13 pan and freeze it. Then just remove it from the “mold” and layer it on the cookie crumbs.

          Reply
  2. Avatar photoSuzanne

    August 26, 2019 at 2:02 pm

    This looks so good! What a great dessert to make when you don’t want to heat up the house in the summer!

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      August 26, 2019 at 2:36 pm

      Suzanne, you are exactly right! Cool and refreshing all the way around!

      Reply
  3. Avatar photoVanessa

    August 26, 2019 at 2:03 pm

    THanks for sharing! Does it keep long?

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      August 26, 2019 at 2:37 pm

      Hi, Vanessa! It does! At least 2 weeks if you keep it covered well in the freezer.

      Reply
  4. Avatar photoLeanne

    March 12, 2020 at 12:02 pm

    Looks so good! The fudgy topping looks divine! But you make it in a 9×13 pan, but it’s only 6 servings?

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      March 12, 2020 at 5:17 pm

      Hi, Leanne! I agree, the fudgy topping is the best part!! The dessert serves about 6 people. You could definitely serve more with it, but it easily serves 6 with leftovers.

      Reply
      • Avatar photoKimberly

        April 21, 2020 at 3:13 am

        Because of the skins, Spanish peanuts hurt my stomach. Can I use regular salted peanuts? Or even honey roasted?

        Reply
        • Stacey Pirtlestacey

          April 21, 2020 at 2:08 pm

          Kimberly, you sure can! Regular salted would work great!

          Reply
  5. Avatar photoDonna

    March 17, 2020 at 3:19 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve had this recipe since around 1980. One of our favorites in the summer! Tastes just like a Dairy Queen Buster Bar parfait — yum yum!!

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      March 19, 2020 at 9:59 am

      Hi, Donna! Yes, this is an oldie, but goodie for sure! It is just delish!

      Reply
  6. Avatar photoKaren

    March 18, 2020 at 8:41 am

    5 stars
    I have made this for years. It is very, very good!

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      March 19, 2020 at 10:03 am

      Thanks, Karen! These classic recipes are always the best, aren’t they?

      Reply
  7. Avatar photoMary Anne

    April 25, 2020 at 8:33 am

    You don’t need to bake the crust for a few minutes? I’m going to make this today!

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      April 26, 2020 at 3:13 pm

      Hi, Mary Anne! No, you don’t bake the crust. This is one of the best desserts ever!

      Reply
  8. Avatar photoMeg

    May 18, 2020 at 12:21 pm

    Interested in knowing what cookbook you got this out of !! Looks delicious !!

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      May 19, 2020 at 1:13 pm

      Hi, Meg! I came across this recipe in a Webster Parish Republican Women’s cookbook published probably close to 40 years ago where I am from in Webster Parish, Louisiana. It is a great little book the ladies there put together, filled with all of the local favorites we enjoyed at potlucks, holidays and all sorts of gatherings. The recipe as shown here is how I make this dessert for my family today. I hope you try it. It’s a classic treasure, for sure!

      Reply
      • Avatar photoRichard

        May 10, 2025 at 9:07 am

        can you add 1 teaspoon of vanilla to the fudge at the end?

        Reply
        • Stacey PirtleStacey

          May 10, 2025 at 12:34 pm

          Hi, Richard! You could, but I wouldn’t recommend. Each layer- salty peanuts, vanilla ice cream and chocolate are balanced to work together!

          Reply
  9. Avatar photoGail

    June 17, 2020 at 4:40 pm

    5 stars
    We have people in our family who cannot eat nuts and/or coconut. Any suggestions of what else I could use instead that would also be tasty?

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      June 18, 2020 at 3:31 pm

      Hi, Gail! Have you thought about pretzels?

      Reply
  10. Avatar photoChrista Zellar

    June 21, 2020 at 11:53 am

    Just omit the peanuts! It’s excellent without!

    Reply
  11. Avatar photoKaren M

    July 3, 2020 at 2:40 pm

    Can you make individual servings in a lined muffin pan?

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      July 6, 2020 at 11:56 am

      Hi, Karen! I don’t see why not. Sounds like a great idea! Let me know how it works out.

      Reply
  12. Avatar photoDonna

    July 9, 2020 at 11:01 am

    Thank you so much for posting this! My mother (also Louisiana) made this all the time! I had the recipe but I couldn’t tell how much powdered sugar to use! Years ago when she made it there was no such thing as Bluebell can’t wait to try it using our favorite brand!

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      July 9, 2020 at 12:48 pm

      Hi, Donna! I am so glad this recipe helped. This dessert really is the best… And yes, Homemade Vanilla from Bluebell is divine in this! Our favorite!

      Reply
  13. Avatar photoIrene

    July 13, 2020 at 10:45 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve loved this recipe since I first had it when I bought a small cookbook at the store and it was in there. It became a family favorite and we’ve been making it for years now. You definitely won’t go wrong making it. It’ll receive rave reviews and requests for MORE!!!

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      July 22, 2020 at 12:25 pm

      Thanks, Irene! I completely agree!

      Reply
  14. Avatar photoCarol Raabe

    September 30, 2020 at 10:16 am

    5 stars
    This recipe was in my recipe box for years, then disappeared, and seemed to be published nowhere. My favorite thing about it was that the chocolate stayed soft even though the ice cream was frozen. It was just perfect!

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      October 3, 2020 at 11:39 am

      Hi, Carol! There’s nothing better than coming across a long lost recipe. I just love it when that happens! I am so glad that this was here for you to find. The chocolate is my favorite part too!

      Reply
  15. Avatar photoMojoblogs

    April 10, 2021 at 2:06 am

    5 stars
    I love ice cream dessert and this looks super good. I can’t wait to try them. Thank you for sharing this 🙂

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      April 12, 2021 at 5:00 pm

      Hi, there!

      I am a huge ice cream fan too! Can’t wait to hear about your dessert; it’s one of our very favorites!

      Reply
  16. Avatar photoMary

    October 11, 2021 at 3:01 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve made this for years and everyone loves it. You can always just use the fudge for sundaes as well.

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      October 12, 2021 at 11:28 am

      Hi, Mary! I am so glad you make and love this classic! It really is one of the best desserts! But for me, it truly is the homemade fudge topping that makes it so incredibly delicious.

      Reply
  17. Avatar photoNancy

    August 12, 2022 at 1:33 pm

    Can I use fudge sauce instead

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      August 15, 2022 at 12:30 pm

      Hi, Nancy! You sure can! But I have to be honest, it’s the recipe’s chocolate sauce that makes the dish!

      Reply
  18. Avatar photoChloe Wallace

    May 25, 2023 at 12:38 pm

    5 stars
    This was great. Thinking of making it again but putting caramel on top of peanuts before the chocolate topping. Thoughts???

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      May 25, 2023 at 1:03 pm

      Hi, Chloe! Sounds like it would be a great combo. I would try it!

      Reply
  19. Avatar photoMimi

    August 7, 2023 at 11:09 am

    5 stars
    Just like the Dairy Queen, loved it!! Thank you..

    Reply
    • Stacey PirtleStacey

      August 7, 2023 at 11:11 am

      Hi, Mimi! I am tickled you loved it!!

      Reply
  20. Avatar photoMimi

    August 10, 2023 at 12:33 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious

    Reply
  21. Avatar photoItsnan

    August 11, 2023 at 12:59 pm

    5 stars
    I first ate this when my daughter made it. It’s possibly one of the best desserts I’ve ever eaten, so I’m now making it for a church potluck. Can’t go wrong with this one. Huge hit!!!

    Reply
  22. Avatar photoEmily Way

    August 12, 2023 at 12:17 pm

    About how long do you need to freeze after pouring on the chocolate?

    Reply
  23. Avatar photoEricka

    December 3, 2023 at 4:33 pm

    Am I missing where you add the second 1/2 cup of butter? I added the first in with the Oreos but not seeing when you add the other 1/2 cup?

    Reply
    • Stacey PirtleStacey

      December 12, 2023 at 6:42 pm

      Hi, Ericka! See Step 2 of the recipe card. It is added when making the chocolate topping. The how-to video is helpful too! Can’t wait to hear how you love this classic!

      Reply

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Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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