Strain Profile: Ice Cream Cake Genetics, THC, Terpenes, Effects, Yield & More
- Breeders Collective
- 3 days ago
- 14 min read
Ice Cream Cake: The Frosted Dessert Hybrid That Set a New Standard for Modern Indicas
Ice Cream Cake is one of the most iconic dessert-forward indica hybrids of the last decade. Known for its dense frost, creamy vanilla sweetness, and heavy body-high, it became a flagship strain for the “Cake” lineage and a staple of high-end dispensary menus across the United States. Its combination of bag appeal, potency, and refined dessert terpenes set the tone for an entire wave of Cake, Frosting, and Gelato-based hybrids.
Where Gelato introduced the dessert movement and Wedding Cake delivered a rich, potent evolution, Ice Cream Cake brought everything together into a perfectly balanced package: potent, sweet, frosty, and unmistakably dessert-forward. It remains one of the most recognizable and beloved indicas in the contemporary market.
Origins and Genetic Background
Ice Cream Cake was developed by Seed Junky Genetics, a breeding group responsible for some of the most influential dessert strains of the modern era. It is a cross of:
This pairing combined two of the most important dessert strains, merging Gelato’s creamy sweetness with Wedding Cake’s potency and vanilla-frosting depth.
Gelato 33 Influence
Gelato 33 contributes sweet, creamy terpenes, smooth hybrid potency, and strong visual appeal. It provides the softer, more refined dessert notes in Ice Cream Cake’s aroma.
Wedding Cake Influence
Wedding Cake adds heavy potency, vanilla frosting character, thick resin production, and a deep, rich flavor beneath the sweetness. It is responsible for much of Ice Cream Cake’s weight and structure.
Together, these parents created a hybrid with exceptional flavor, potency, and aesthetic quality.
Terpenes and Aroma Profile
Ice Cream Cake is known for its sweet, creamy aroma layered with subtle earth and gas. Unlike fruit-heavy or candy-forward strains, Ice Cream Cake leans into dessert decadence — thick, rich, and frosted.
Common terpenes include:
Limonene
Linalool
Caryophyllene
Humulene
This terpene structure produces an aroma often described as:
Vanilla ice cream
Creamy sugar frosting
Sweet dough
Light earthy undertones
Subtle gas on the finish
The result is a dessert profile that is both sweet and full-bodied, with a smoothness that helped Ice Cream Cake stand out in early dispensary markets.
Cannabinoid Profile
Ice Cream Cake regularly tests between 20 and 28 percent THC, with minimal CBD. It is widely regarded as a potent indica-leaning hybrid, known for delivering a strong body experience without sacrificing flavor or smoothness.
Its high terpene density often enhances its perceived potency, contributing to its popularity among consumers seeking a heavy but enjoyable effect.
Effects and Experience
Ice Cream Cake is typically categorized as an indica-leaning hybrid, delivering a deeply relaxing and euphoric high.
Mental Effects
The onset is often calming, mood-lifting, and quietly euphoric. Ice Cream Cake tends to soften stress and promote mental ease without sharpness or intensity.
Physical Effects
The physical experience is heavy and full-bodied. Many consumers describe a warm relaxation that gradually deepens into a sedative calm. It is one of the more powerful couchlock-leaning strains among dessert hybrids.
The strain is known for its:
Deep relaxation
Warm physical heaviness
Smooth, calming high
Long-lasting effects
This combination made Ice Cream Cake a defining indica strain of the late 2010s.
Phenotypes and Expressions
Ice Cream Cake is known for:
Thick, uniform frost
Light green or purple coloration
Dense structure
Sweet, creamy aroma
High resin production
Some phenotypes lean sweeter, while others highlight Wedding Cake’s earthy-vanilla influence. Most expressions, however, maintain the signature frosting-heavy appearance that made the strain famous.
Descendants and Influence
Ice Cream Cake became one of the most successful parents in the modern dessert lineage, contributing flavor, resin production, and potency to a wide range of contemporary strains.
Notable descendants and related crosses include:
Confetti Cake
Angel Cake
Sugar Cane
Ice Cream Cake × Gelato hybrids
Numerous “Cake” and “Frosting” strains inspired by ICC’s profile
Its influence continues to expand as breeders incorporate its genetics into new dessert-forward hybrids.
Cultural Significance
Ice Cream Cake has played a major role in shaping the current era of cannabis genetics. Its impact includes:
Establishing the “frosted dessert” profile as a dominant commercial category.
Cementing Seed Junky as one of the most influential breeding groups of its time.
Influencing countless Cake, Frosting, and Gelato-descendant hybrids.
Defining the visual and aromatic standards for high-end indica exotics.
Remaining one of the top-selling dessert strains across multiple legal markets.
Ice Cream Cake is a modern classic — a strain that combined flavor, frost, and potency in a way that helped shape the direction of the exotic cannabis market.
Below are some stand out Ice Cream Cake cannabis seed varieties at Breeders Collective: Ice Cream Cake Feminised by Barneys Farm
Ice Cream Cake by Barney’s Farm Seeds is a feminised photoperiod hybrid with a 70/30 indica-to-sativa ratio, created by crossing Gelato #33 with Wedding Cake to deliver rich dessert flavours and deeply soothing effects. Flowering in approximately 55–65 days and finishing outdoors in September, it produces dense, resin-coated buds with THC levels ranging from 20–25%, offering a calming and happy high that begins with a gentle cerebral lift before settling into full-body relaxation. The aroma is layered and indulgent, combining creamy cheese notes with earthy and nutty undertones, while the flavour is sweet and smooth, blending vanilla cream with hints of earthy pine. Indoors, plants typically reach 90–110 cm and yield up to 600 g/m², while outdoor cultivation allows them to stretch to 150–200 cm and produce exceptionally large harvests of up to 1500–2000 g per plant under optimal conditions. Reliable, versatile and visually appealing, Ice Cream Cake thrives across a range of growing environments and consistently rewards growers with sticky, flavour-rich flowers, making it a strong choice for those seeking indulgent taste, solid potency and comforting, end-of-day effects.
Ice Cream Cake by Straightforward Genetics is a feminised photoperiod hybrid created from Wedding Cake and Gelato, offering a refined balance of flavour, potency and productivity. Flowering in approximately 8–10 weeks, it grows to a medium height and delivers high yields of dense, frosty buds heavily coated in trichomes, making it visually striking and rewarding to cultivate. The effects are smooth and full-bodied, combining deep physical relaxation with a happy, mellow mental uplift that suits evening use or relaxed downtime. Flavour and aroma are distinctly dessert-like, led by creamy vanilla frosting and buttery sweetness, supported by subtle herbal notes and a light peppery spice on the exhale, while the scent remains sweet, earthy and softly herbal. Structurally robust and adaptable to both indoor and outdoor environments, Ice Cream Cake performs reliably with strong resistance to common stressors, making it suitable for growers of all experience levels who are seeking a high-yielding, flavour-rich hybrid with comforting, long-lasting effects.
Ice Cream Cake Feminised Photoperiod is a refined hybrid created by crossing Wedding Cake with Gelato #33, offering a balanced combination of flavour, potency and calming effects. With THC levels typically ranging from 21–24%, it delivers a soothing experience centred on deep physical relaxation, making it particularly well suited to unwinding after a long day, easing appetite loss or supporting restful sleep. The flavour profile is rich and indulgent, defined by smooth vanilla sweetness and creamy dessert tones that remain consistent from aroma to exhale. Its terpene composition, led by caryophyllene, limonene and linalool, underpins both its distinctive taste and its calming, anti-inflammatory and anxiolytic qualities. As a feminised photoperiod strain, Ice Cream Cake combines reliable genetics with an inviting sensory profile and gentle, restorative effects, making it a satisfying choice for growers and consumers seeking comfort, flavour and tranquillity in equal measure.
Ice Cream Cake Fast Flowering by Humboldt Seed Organization is a feminised photoperiod hybrid with a strong indica lean, created by crossing Ice Cream Cake with an uncirculated Elite OG Auto to significantly reduce flowering time while preserving flavour, resin production and calming effects. With a genetic balance of approximately 70% indica, 20% ruderalis and 10% sativa, it flowers in just 7–8 weeks indoors and is ready for outdoor harvest by late September, making it well suited to regions with shorter seasons. Plants remain compact indoors at around 80–120 cm but can stretch to 2–3 metres outdoors, producing dense, resin-heavy buds and yields of roughly 400–450 g/m² indoors or 450–650 g per plant outdoors. The aroma and flavour are distinctly dessert-like, dominated by sweet, creamy notes of vanilla and sugary cake dough that translate smoothly from nose to palate. Effects are relaxing and soothing, ideal for unwinding at the end of the day without excessive stimulation. Resilient, adaptable and easy to grow, Ice Cream Cake Fast Flowering offers a fast turnaround with consistent quality, combining indulgent flavour, solid production and dependable performance in a refined, time-efficient format.
Ice Cream Haze by Dutch Passion Seeds is a sativa-dominant photoperiod hybrid bred from Crockett’s Haze and Ice Cream Cake, itself a Gelato × Wedding Cake cross, combining classic Haze vigour with modern dessert-style potency and flavour. Flowering in approximately 8–10 weeks, it produces tall, fast-growing plants with strong vertical stretch, thick branches and long, spear-shaped colas heavily coated in trichomes, delivering indoor yields of around 600–700 g/m² and outdoor harvests ranging from 0.5 to 1 kg per plant in warm, sunny climates. THC levels commonly exceed 25%, producing a powerful, long-lasting effect that begins with an energetic, euphoric and creatively stimulating cerebral high before settling into mild, comfortable physical relaxation without heavy sedation. The aroma blends spicy Haze notes with sweet, creamy and tropical fruit undertones, while the flavour combines fruity citrus haze with smooth Gelato-like creaminess and a subtle vanilla finish. Ice Cream Haze thrives in both SOG and SCROG setups indoors, benefits from early training to manage height, and may require support late in flowering due to heavy resin production. Available in feminised and regular seed formats, it stands out as a high-yielding, flavour-rich and visually striking hybrid that balances old-school Haze intensity with refined American dessert genetics.
Pancakes N Ice-Cream by Holy Smoke Seeds is a regular photoperiod hybrid created from Pancakes and Ice Cream Cake, designed to deliver exceptional flavour depth, heavy resin production and deeply satisfying effects. Flowering in approximately 9 weeks indoors or outdoors, it grows to a medium-to-tall height with strong lateral branching and produces high yields of dense, trichome-heavy colas marked by swollen calyxes, deep green tones and vibrant orange pistils. The aroma is rich and indulgent, blending buttery biscuit notes with creamy vanilla and subtle gassy undertones, while the flavour layers warm pancake batter, caramelised sugar and smooth ice cream sweetness over a lightly earthy Kush finish. Effects begin with a euphoric, mood-enhancing cerebral uplift before settling into a deeply relaxing, full-bodied state that promotes comfort and stress relief, making it ideal for unwinding later in the day. Vigorous and well suited to training methods such as SCROG, Pancakes N Ice-Cream thrives in controlled environments and is especially appealing for extraction thanks to its heavy resin output, offering a luxurious dessert-style profile paired with strong performance, standout bag appeal and a balanced yet indulgent experience.
Purple Parfait by Green Bodhi is a regular photoperiod hybrid developed in collaboration with Bodhi Seeds, combining Ice Cream Cake with Larry OG Purple Unicorn F3 to merge modern dessert richness with classic kush fuel and spice. Expected to flower in approximately 8–10 weeks based on its lineage, it produces medium to high yields of dense, resinous buds on medium-sized plants with a stable, vigorous hybrid structure suitable for both indoor and outdoor cultivation. The aroma is layered and expressive, blending sweet cream and vanilla-like dessert notes with pungent fuel and earthy spice, while the flavour follows with cake-batter sweetness balanced by kushy gas and a lingering, complex finish. Effects are well rounded, delivering an initial euphoric uplift that settles into a calm, full-bodied relaxation, making it versatile for both daytime and evening use. Drawing density and sweetness from Ice Cream Cake and resilience, trichome coverage and gassy depth from Larry OG Purple Unicorn F3, Purple Parfait offers a balanced yet bold profile that appeals to flavour-focused growers, connoisseurs and breeders seeking distinctive terpene expression paired with reliable performance.
Gelato Cake by T.H. Seeds is a mostly indica feminised photoperiod hybrid created from Gelato 33 and Birthday Cake, bred to deliver heavy resin production, rich dessert flavour and balanced potency. Flowering in approximately 8–9 weeks, it develops medium-sized plants with a strong structure and abundant side branching, producing dense, colourful buds completely coated in trichomes and yielding around 500–600 g/m² under optimal conditions. THC levels can reach up to 26%, producing a relaxed yet uplifting effect that eases stress, supports appetite and remains versatile enough for both daytime and evening use. The aroma and flavour are sweet, creamy and dessert-like, reminiscent of ice cream cake with subtle vanilla and fruity undertones that linger smoothly. Adaptable to soil, coco or hydroponic systems, Gelato Cake responds well to techniques such as topping or SCROG and is particularly valued by extractors for its exceptional trichome output, making it a reliable, flavour-forward choice for growers and consumers seeking resin-heavy flowers with a refined, balanced high.
Black Cherry Cake by Holy Smoke Seeds is an indica-dominant feminised photoperiod hybrid bred from Cherry Garseeya and Ice Cream Cake, developed to deliver exceptional flavour, heavy resin production and deeply relaxing effects. Flowering in approximately 8–9 weeks indoors or outdoors, it produces very high yields of dense, trichome-coated colas on medium-height plants with strong lateral branching, often displaying striking purple, red and green hues beneath a thick frost. The aroma is rich and indulgent, combining sweet black cherries and ripe berries with creamy vanilla ice cream notes and subtle earthy spice, while the flavour follows through with bold cherry sweetness, vanilla cake smoothness and a light gassy finish. Effects begin with a gentle, mood-lifting euphoria before settling into a powerful, body-melting relaxation with sedative qualities, making it particularly well suited to evening use, stress relief, pain management and sleep support. Easy to grow and responsive to techniques such as topping and SCROG, Black Cherry Cake pairs the fruity intensity and bag appeal of Cherry Garseeya with the creamy depth, density and calming influence of Ice Cream Cake, resulting in a visually striking, flavour-rich strain with strong therapeutic potential and consistent top-tier performance.
Kush Creams by Holy Smoke Seeds is an indica-dominant regular photoperiod hybrid bred from Kush Mints Ice Cream and Ice Cream Cake, designed to deliver dense structure, heavy resin production and a richly creamy kush terpene profile. Flowering in approximately 8–9 weeks indoors or outdoors, it grows to a medium height with strong lateral branching and produces high yields of thick, rock-solid colas heavily coated in trichomes, often showing deep green tones with frosty coverage and occasional purple accents under the right conditions. The aroma is bold and indulgent, blending rich creamy kush, vanilla ice cream and subtle gassy funk, while the flavour offers a smooth, buttery ice cream sweetness layered with earthy kush depth and a faint fuel finish. Effects develop gradually, beginning with a gentle wave of euphoria and mental calm before melting into a deeply relaxing, body-focused stone with sedative qualities that make it especially well suited to evening use, stress relief and physical relaxation. Vigorous and resilient, Kush Creams thrives in both indoor and outdoor environments, rewards controlled conditions with standout bag appeal, and is particularly attractive for extraction thanks to its exceptional resin output, offering a refined balance of flavour intensity, potency and consistent performance.
Gorilla Ice Cream by Expert Seeds is a feminised photoperiod hybrid with a 70/30 indica-to-sativa ratio, created by crossing Gorilla Glue #4 with Ice Cream to combine heavy resin production, dessert-like flavour and balanced effects. Flowering in approximately 55–60 days indoors and finishing outdoors in October, it grows to a compact height of around 100–130 cm and produces dense, sticky, trichome-rich buds with yields of up to 450 g/m² indoors and around 550 g per plant outdoors. THC levels sit at roughly 20% with about 1% CBD, delivering a focused, uplifting and energising cerebral effect that gradually blends into a mild, soothing body calm without heavy sedation, making it suitable for both daytime productivity and relaxed evenings. The aroma is sweet and creamy with earthy and diesel undertones, while the flavour offers smooth vanilla cream layered with fuel notes and a subtle sugary finish. Adaptable and moderately easy to grow, Gorilla Ice Cream responds well to pruning and training, benefits from good airflow and light penetration, and offers reliable performance for growers seeking a manageable plant with strong bag appeal, balanced potency and a versatile, flavour-rich experience.
Jelly Cake by Holy Smoke Seeds is an indica-dominant regular photoperiod hybrid bred from Forbidden Jelly and Ice Cream Cake, developed to deliver an exotic terpene profile, heavy resin production and powerful, long-lasting effects. Flowering in approximately 9 weeks indoors or outdoors, it grows to a medium height with strong lateral branching and produces high yields of dense, trichome-drenched colas that often display deep green and purple hues accented by bright orange pistils. The aroma is intensely sweet and tropical, combining candied kiwi and watermelon notes with a rich, creamy vanilla undertone, while the flavour opens with bold tropical fruit sweetness before finishing with smooth cream and a subtle gassy edge. Effects are heavy-hitting and euphoric, arriving quickly and settling into deep, full-body relaxation that can last for hours, making it especially well suited to evening use, stress relief and unwinding. Highly resinous and responsive to techniques such as topping, low-stress training and SCROG, Jelly Cake thrives in both indoor and outdoor environments and is particularly appealing for hash and concentrate production, offering a standout combination of unique flavour expression, visual appeal and potent, deeply calming effects.
Ice Cream Caper by Purple Caper Seeds is a feminised photoperiod hybrid developed to showcase a rich dessert-style flavour profile alongside smooth, well-balanced effects. Flowering in approximately 8–9 weeks indoors and finishing outdoors in early October, it grows to a medium height and produces dense, frost-coated buds with strong bag appeal and yields of up to 500 g/m² indoors or around 650 g per plant outdoors. The aroma is sweet and inviting, dominated by creamy vanilla and dessert notes with subtle earthy undertones, while the flavour delivers ice cream and vanilla bean tones accented by hints of cookie dough and a light gassy finish. Effects are relaxed and euphoric, offering a gentle cerebral lift that feels socially uplifting before easing into a mild, calming body melt, making it suitable for both social settings and evening relaxation. Easy to manage and adaptable to soil or hydro systems, Ice Cream Caper responds well to training methods such as topping or low-stress training, rewarding growers with heavy trichome production, dense colas and a polished, flavour-forward hybrid experience built for enjoyment as much as visual impact.
Cream Cheese Frosting by Ultra Genetics is a regular photoperiod, slightly indica-dominant hybrid bred from Brightside Cheese and Sunday Walk, the latter combining Super Silver Haze, Ice Cream Cake and Terpatron 3000 to add depth and complexity. Flowering in approximately 9 weeks indoors or outdoors, it grows to a medium-to-tall height depending on conditions and delivers high yields of dense, resin-coated buds with strong lateral branching. The aroma is bold and unmistakable, dominated by pungent skunky and cheesy notes softened by a creamy sweetness, while the flavour mirrors this profile with a rich, smooth taste reminiscent of soft, sweetened cheese that lingers on the palate. Effects are potent yet balanced, offering a combination of physical relaxation and uplifting mental stimulation that makes it versatile for both daytime and evening use. Vigorous, adaptable and forgiving across soil and hydroponic systems, Cream Cheese Frosting rewards growers of all experience levels with strong resin production, reliable performance and a distinctive terpene profile that modernises the classic Cheese character with a creamy, dessert-like twist.
Smorez by Frosteez Farmz Seeds is a feminised, indica-dominant hybrid created by crossing Ice Cream Cake with White Runtz, resulting in a flavour-rich cultivar that combines dessert sweetness with balanced, soothing effects. Flowering in approximately 55 days indoors and finishing outdoors in late September, it grows to a medium height and produces medium to high yields of resin-heavy, aromatic buds coated in thick trichomes and displaying light green tones, purple accents, and bright orange pistils. With THC levels around 24%, Smorez delivers a strong full-body relaxation paired with cerebral calm and gentle creative clarity, making it well suited to evening use or relaxed daytime enjoyment without heavy sedation. The aroma is complex and indulgent, blending sweet vanilla, creamy candy, citrus, cinnamon, pine, and floral notes, while the flavour profile leans toward cookie dough, marshmallow, and vanilla frosting with subtle spice and citrus on the finish. Easy to cultivate and suitable for growers of all experience levels, Smorez develops strong lateral branching, compact flower structure, and intensifying terpene output late in bloom, making it an excellent choice for both flower production and extraction, as well as for those seeking stress relief, mood enhancement, and physical relaxation in a polished, dessert-forward hybrid.
L.A. Vanilla Cake by Silent Seeds is a luxurious, mostly Indica feminised photoperiod hybrid created from the elite pairing of Ice Cream Cake and Wedding Cake, delivering robust growth, heavy resin production, and an indulgent dessert-style profile. Flowering indoors in 60–65 days, it offers impressive yields of 550–600 g/m², while outdoor plants can stretch up to 300 cm and produce an exceptional 1300–1500 g per plant when harvested in late October. With THC levels ranging from 20–25%, the effects are long-lasting and well balanced, beginning with gentle cerebral stimulation before settling into deep, soothing physical relaxation, making it suitable for both recreational enjoyment and therapeutic use. The flavour and aroma are rich and complex, combining sweet, fruity notes with creamy, vanilla pastry richness and subtle earthy undertones, filling the space with a pronounced dessert-like scent. Structurally, the plant is tall, vigorous, and stable, with medium internodal spacing, vibrant green foliage, and dense, purple-tinged, stone-hard buds coated in thick trichomes that extend onto surrounding leaves, making it particularly appealing for high-quality resin and concentrate production. Adaptable to soil, coco, or hydroponic systems and highly resistant to pests and disease, L.A. Vanilla Cake responds well to techniques such as SCROG, LST, topping, and pruning, rewarding growers of all experience levels with premium flowers that combine standout flavour, potency, and yield.
Browse all Ice Cream Cake cannabis seeds available at Breeders Collective cannabis seed bank here.
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