Ice Cream Cake is an indica-dominant hybrid cannabis strain bred from Wedding Cake and Gelato 33, known for a creamy vanilla aroma and a heavy, sleepy high. It is usually credited to Seed Junky Genetics in California and became popular in the late 2010s. THC typically tests between about 20% and 25%.
Ice Cream Cake Strain at a Glance
| Type | Indica-dominant hybrid |
|---|---|
| Also known as | ICC |
| Lineage | Wedding Cake × Gelato 33 |
| Breeder / origin | Commonly credited to Seed Junky Genetics (California) |
| THC | 20–25% (typical lab range) |
| CBD | Under 1% |
| Dominant terpenes | Beta-caryophyllene, Limonene, Myrcene, Linalool |
| Aroma and flavor | sweet cream, vanilla, sugary dough, earthy, sugar cookie, light spice |
| Reported effects | relaxed, sleepy, euphoric, happy |
| Best for | bedtime, evening unwinding, appetite, stress relief |
| Flowering time | 8–9 weeks |
Where Ice Cream Cake Comes From
Ice Cream Cake is a cross of two dessert-style heavyweights: Wedding Cake, which brought thick, frosty flowers and a doughy flavor, and Gelato 33, which added creamy sweetness and a vivid purple-green look. Most sources credit Seed Junky Genetics, the California breeder behind Wedding Cake, though breeder attributions on dispensary pages are not always consistent.
The strain took off in the late 2010s as the Cake and Gelato families dominated California and then every legal market. It became a staple of flower, pre-rolls, vape cartridges and concentrates, and menus in Washington and Oregon often carry it. Its name is also borrowed by other cuts and crosses, so quality and effects vary by grower.
Because the strain is mostly sold as products like live resin and cartridges, you will see THC numbers from 20% in flower to 75% or more in concentrates. Those are different products, not different strains.
Ice Cream Cake Effects: What It Feels Like
Ice Cream Cake starts with a gentle rise in mood and a calm, happy head, then settles into a deep body relaxation. Tension slides out of the shoulders and back, and the mind slows down. It is a smooth, easy high that feels more cozy than racy.
As it deepens it turns sleepy, so most people use it in the evening or at bedtime. It also tends to bring on hunger. Because it is strong, a small first dose is wise, and it is not a good pick before driving or work.
Ice Cream Cake Terpenes, Aroma and Flavor
The smell is sweet and creamy, like vanilla ice cream and sugar cookies, with a mild earthy spice underneath. When ground, it gives off more doughy sweetness.
The taste is vanilla and cream on the inhale, with a light peppery finish on the exhale. Terpene reports usually list beta-caryophyllene, limonene and myrcene, and some also name linalool or ocimene. Caryophyllene adds a bit of spice, limonene a faint citrus brightness and linalool a soft floral note. Exact ratios change from batch to batch.
- Beta-caryophyllene: peppery and spicy, also found in black pepper and cloves
- Limonene: bright citrus, also found in lemon and orange peel
- Myrcene: earthy, musky and herbal, also found in mango and hops
- Linalool: floral and lavender-like
Terpene levels vary from grower to grower and batch to batch, so check the lab label on the package. Learn more in our guide to cannabis terpenes.
Side Effects and How to Use Ice Cream Cake
Dry mouth and dry eyes are the common side effects. Dizziness and heavy drowsiness can happen at higher doses, and people who are sensitive to THC may feel groggy or uneasy. Start low, drink water and plan to stay in.
How strong Ice Cream Cake feels depends on the batch, your tolerance and how you consume it. Start low, go slow, and read our guide to dosing cannabis.
Do People Use Ice Cream Cake for Medical Reasons?
People often say they use Ice Cream Cake for trouble sleeping, stress, aches and low appetite. These are consumer reports and not medical advice.
These are user reports, not clinical findings. For what research actually supports, see our cannabis health and research section, and talk to your doctor before using cannabis for a health condition.
Growing Ice Cream Cake
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Flowering: 8–9 weeks
- Yield: Medium
- Height: Short to medium
- Environment: Indoor preferred
Ice Cream Cake grows as a fairly compact plant that responds well to topping and training. The flowers are dense, so humidity control and airflow are important, and in wet Pacific Northwest autumns it is better kept indoors or in a greenhouse because of bud rot risk. Reports about its grow traits come mostly from seed banks and vary by cut.
Home-grow rules depend on the state: adults can grow at home in states such as California (six plants per residence), Michigan (12 per residence) and Oregon (four per household), while Washington and Illinois allow home growing only for registered medical patients. Check your state in our cannabis laws by state guide before you plant anything.
Strains Like Ice Cream Cake
- Wedding Cake: a parent with a doughy, vanilla profile
- Gelato: related through Gelato 33, with a creamier, fruitier edge
- Cookies and Cream: another cream-and-cookie flavor profile with a relaxing finish
- Girl Scout Cookies: a Cookies-family classic that sits in the same family tree
- Gelato Cookies: a related cross with a similar sweet and heavy profile
Browse more indica strains, the full strain directory, or our guide to cannabis strains.
More Indica Strains to Explore
Ice Cream Cookies · Ice Cream Gelato · Ice Cream · Huckleberry Soda · Holy Grail Kush · Hippie Crasher · All indica strains
Where to Buy Ice Cream Cake
Dispensary menus change every week, and Ice Cream Cake may be sold under its own name, as a cross or as a pre-roll or vape. The fastest way to find it is to check store menus online before you go. In Spokane, browse Spokane dispensaries and check the menus at stores like Lucky Leaf Co. and Cannabliss. In Chicago, browse Chicago dispensaries and check the menus at stores like BLOC Dispensary Kedzie and Prairie Cannabis – South Loop. You can also browse licensed dispensaries in every state we cover. Adults 21 and older can buy with a valid photo ID; see cannabis laws by state for purchase limits.
Ice Cream Cake FAQ
Is Ice Cream Cake indica or sativa?
It is an indica-dominant hybrid. Expect a relaxing, sleepy effect.
What is Ice Cream Cake a cross of?
Wedding Cake and Gelato 33.
How strong is Ice Cream Cake?
Flower usually tests around 20% to 25% THC. Concentrates labeled Ice Cream Cake test far higher.
What does Ice Cream Cake taste like?
Sweet vanilla cream and sugar cookie, with a light spicy finish.
Who bred Ice Cream Cake?
Most sources credit Seed Junky Genetics. Some listings differ.
Is Ice Cream Cake good for sleep?
Many people use it at night because it is sedating and relaxing. Responses vary.
For adults 21+ in legal states. Strain information reflects breeder descriptions, lab data and user reports; effects vary by person and batch. Not medical advice.
