This spectacular Snickers & Reese’s Cookie Dough Ice Cream Parfait transforms simple store-bought ingredients into an extraordinary dessert experience. Layers of creamy vanilla ice cream are ribboned with rich caramel sauce and studded with chunks of chocolate candy bars, peanut butter cups, and cookie dough pieces for an irresistible combination of flavors and textures. Served in a clear glass to showcase the beautiful layers, this indulgent treat strikes the perfect balance between impressive presentation and surprisingly easy preparation. Perfect for special occasions, dinner parties, or whenever you need a show-stopping dessert that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum wow-factor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Visually stunning: Creates an impressive dessert with minimal effort
No baking required: Simple assembly of ready-made components
Customizable: Easily adapt with your favorite ice cream flavors and mix-ins
Perfect texture contrast: Creamy, crunchy, chewy, and smooth elements in every bite
Make-ahead friendly: Can be assembled in advance and frozen until serving time
Crowd-pleaser: Appeals to both children and adults
Restaurant quality: Creates a dessert that rivals fancy ice cream parlors

Ingredients

For the Ice Cream Base

Premium vanilla ice cream – Provides the creamy foundation and neutral flavor base
Caramel sauce – Creates beautiful amber ribbons throughout and adds rich sweetness
Chocolate sauce (optional) – Adds an additional layer of chocolatey flavor

For the Mix-ins

Snickers bars – Contribute caramel, nougat, and peanut elements in one ingredient
Reese’s peanut butter cups – Add distinctive peanut butter flavor and chocolate coating
Cookie dough pieces – Provide sweet, doughy texture and buttery flavor
Graham cracker crumbs – Offer a honey-sweet crunch similar to cookie crust
Roasted peanuts – Enhance the nutty flavor and add extra crunch
Chocolate chunks – Deliver pockets of rich chocolate throughout

For Garnish

Whipped cream (optional) – Adds lightness and additional creamy texture
Extra caramel sauce – For dramatic drizzling over the finished parfait
Reserved candy pieces – Create an appetizing and colorful top presentation

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Components

Begin by gathering all ingredients and allowing the ice cream to soften slightly at room temperature, about 10-15 minutes. This makes it easier to scoop and layer without becoming too melted. Keep the parfait glasses in the freezer until ready to use for best results.

Prepare all the mix-ins ahead of time so the assembly process goes quickly. Chop 4 full-sized Snickers bars into approximately ½-inch chunks. Each bar should yield about 6-8 pieces. The irregular shapes add visual interest to the parfait.

Chop 4-6 Reese’s peanut butter cups into quarters or smaller pieces depending on their size. If using mini cups, you can leave them whole or halve them.

If using homemade cookie dough, prepare it without eggs for food safety, or use store-bought edible cookie dough. Break or cut into small, rustic pieces about the size of a small marble. Alternatively, you can use broken pieces of chocolate chip cookies.

Roughly chop ¼ cup of roasted peanuts, leaving some whole for texture variation. The peanuts enhance the flavor profiles of both the Snickers and Reese’s components.

Crush 2-3 graham crackers into a mixture of fine crumbs and small pieces to create a texture similar to a deconstructed cookie crust. This adds a honey-sweet element that complements the other flavors.

Have the caramel sauce and optional chocolate sauce ready in squeeze bottles or small pitchers for easy drizzling. Warming them slightly (about 10 seconds in the microwave) makes them easier to drizzle in thin ribbons.

Assembling the Parfait

Remove chilled parfait glasses from the freezer. Clear glasses work best to showcase the beautiful layers you’ll be creating.

Begin with a small drizzle of caramel sauce at the bottom of each glass. This creates a sweet foundation and prevents the first ice cream layer from sticking to the glass.

Add a small scoop of vanilla ice cream (about 2 tablespoons) to each glass and press it down gently to create an even layer. The ice cream should still be firm enough to hold its shape but soft enough to spread easily.

Sprinkle a layer of mixed candy pieces over the ice cream, using about 1 tablespoon each of chopped Snickers and Reese’s pieces. Add a few pieces of cookie dough and a light dusting of graham cracker crumbs.

Drizzle a thin stream of caramel sauce over the candy layer. If using chocolate sauce, add a small amount in a separate drizzle pattern.

Add another layer of vanilla ice cream (about ¼ cup), pressing down lightly to remove any air pockets.

Repeat the layering process: candy pieces, cookie dough, graham cracker crumbs, and sauce drizzles. Continue layering until the glass is about three-quarters full. The number of layers will depend on the size of your glasses.

For the final layer, add a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, allowing it to create a dome above the rim of the glass for a dramatic presentation.

Final Touches and Presentation

Drizzle caramel sauce over the top ice cream scoop in a decorative pattern. Allow some to drip down the sides of the scoop for visual appeal.

Arrange the most attractive pieces of chopped Snickers, Reese’s cups, and cookie dough on top of the parfait. Place them strategically to showcase each element.

Sprinkle a few graham cracker crumbs and chopped peanuts over the top for added texture and color contrast.

If desired, add a dollop of whipped cream off-center on the top scoop of ice cream.

For the most impressive presentation, serve immediately while the drizzled caramel is still glossy and before the ice cream begins to melt significantly.

If serving later, place the completed parfaits in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm up before serving. This helps maintain the distinct layers when served.

Serving Suggestions

These indulgent parfaits are satisfying on their own, but can be complemented with:

A cup of hot coffee or espresso for temperature and flavor contrast
A small glass of milk for the classic cookies and milk combination
A shot of Baileys or Kahlúa on the side for an adults-only dessert experience
A few extra cookies on the side for additional dipping and texture

For a dessert party, consider creating a parfait bar where guests can assemble their own creations with pre-chopped ingredients and various ice cream flavors.

Pro Tips

For the cleanest layers, freeze the parfait glass between layers for about 5 minutes
Slightly soften the ice cream but don’t let it melt completely for easier scooping and layering
Use an ice cream scoop with a release mechanism for more uniform scoops
Warm your ice cream scoop in hot water between scoops for smoother serving
For extra flavor, toast the graham cracker crumbs and peanuts in a dry skillet before using
Chill the caramel and chocolate sauces slightly for thicker drizzles that don’t immediately sink into the ice cream
Use a squeeze bottle for sauces to create more precise and attractive drizzle patterns
For a cleaner presentation, wipe the inside rim of the glass between layers
If making ahead, wrap each assembled parfait in plastic wrap before freezing to prevent freezer burn

Variations and Creative Ideas

Flavor Variations

Chocolate Lover’s Parfait: Substitute chocolate ice cream for vanilla, use chocolate cookie dough, and add brownies instead of graham crackers. Top with chocolate sauce and chocolate shavings.

Salted Caramel Edition: Use salted caramel ice cream, add pretzel pieces for saltiness, and drizzle with extra salted caramel sauce. Top with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for contrast.

Peanut Butter Explosion: Layer peanut butter ice cream with extra Reese’s cups, peanut butter cookie dough, and a swirl of melted peanut butter. Top with honey-roasted peanuts.

S’mores Inspired: Use vanilla and chocolate ice creams layered with graham crackers, add mini marshmallows and chocolate chunks. For an authentic touch, lightly toast the top marshmallows with a kitchen torch.

Dietary Adaptations

Dairy-Free Version: Use high-quality non-dairy ice cream and dairy-free candy alternatives. Many brands now make dairy-free cookie dough and chocolate cups that work well.

Gluten-Free Option: Ensure all components are gluten-free by using gluten-free cookie dough and replacing graham cracker crumbs with gluten-free cookie crumbs or toasted gluten-free granola.

Lower-Sugar Alternative: Use sugar-free ice cream, dark chocolate with higher cocoa content, and natural peanut butter cups with less added sugar. Make your own reduced-sugar caramel sauce using alternatives like monk fruit sweetener.

Nut-Free Adaptation: Substitute Snickers and Reese’s with nut-free chocolate candies, use sunflower seed butter cups instead of peanut butter cups, and replace peanuts with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower for crunch.

Presentation Variations

Parfait Shots: Create mini versions in shot glasses for elegant bite-sized desserts at parties. Use a single layer of each component for simplified assembly.

Deconstructed Parfait: Serve scoops of vanilla ice cream surrounded by individual bowls of each topping, allowing guests to build their own custom parfait experience.

Ice Cream Cake Inspiration: Layer the ingredients in a springform pan, freeze until solid, then slice like a cake for a unique presentation that feeds a crowd.

Milkshake Conversion: Blend all components together for a loaded milkshake version, served with the same garnishes on top for visual appeal.

Storage and Make-Ahead Advice

Freezer Storage: Assembled parfaits can be frozen for up to 3 days. Cover each glass tightly with plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn and ice crystal formation.

Component Prep: All mix-ins can be chopped and stored separately in airtight containers:

Chopped candy bars: up to 2 weeks at room temperature in a cool place
Cookie dough pieces: up to 1 week in the refrigerator
Graham cracker crumbs: up to 2 weeks in an airtight container at room temperature
Sauces: up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator

Make-Ahead Strategy:

For best results, assemble parfaits no more than 24 hours before serving
If making further ahead, layer all components except the final ice cream scoop and garnishes
Add the final scoop and toppings just before serving for the freshest appearance

Serving from Frozen: Remove parfaits from the freezer about 5-10 minutes before serving to allow them to soften slightly for the best texture and flavor.

Not Recommended: Preparing more than 3 days ahead, as ice crystals will form and textures will deteriorate. Also avoid refreezing a parfait that has started to melt significantly.

Kid-Friendly Involvement

This dessert offers several fun and safe ways for children to participate:

Candy Crushing: Kids can help break candy bars into pieces (using hands or a wooden spoon for safety) and arrange them in bowls.

Layer Creation: Let children create their own parfait by adding layers of ice cream and choosing their favorite mix-ins from prepared options.

Drizzle Design: Older children can drizzle sauces over layers with supervision, creating their own patterns.

Topping Artists: Children of all ages can add final toppings and decorations, encouraging creativity in presentation.

Taste Testing: Kids can help adjust the ratio of ingredients by sampling combinations before assembly.

Learning Opportunity: Use this activity to discuss states of matter (freezing and melting) and the importance of temperature in dessert preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my ice cream melting too quickly during assembly? Working in a warm kitchen can cause rapid melting. Chill your bowls, utensils, and glasses beforehand and work quickly. Return partially assembled parfaits to the freezer for 5-10 minutes between layers if needed.

Can I use different flavors of ice cream? Absolutely! While vanilla provides a neutral base that allows the mix-ins to shine, chocolate, caramel, or coffee ice cream would all work wonderfully. Consider how the flavor will complement the candy and cookie dough components.

How far in advance can I make these parfaits? For the best presentation and texture, prepare them no more than 24 hours in advance. Cover tightly with plastic wrap if storing in the freezer, and add the final garnishes just before serving.

Can I use homemade cookie dough? Yes, but for food safety, use an eggless cookie dough recipe or heat-treat the flour in store-bought or homemade cookie dough that contains raw flour.

What can I substitute for Snickers and Reese’s if I can’t find them? Any combination of chocolate bars with caramel, nougat, or peanut butter would work well. Consider Milky Way, Baby Ruth, Butterfinger, or generic equivalents.