I ordered ice-cream cakes from Dairy Queen, Baskin-Robbins, and Cold Stone Creamery. The best dominated in all but one category.

• Dairy Queen’s cake was solid, but the one I got at Baskin-Robbins felt like a better value.
• Cold Stone Creamery’s was the priciest, but it was the best for flavor and customization.

Cold Stone Creamery’s cake had a perfect mix of textures.

Price-wise, Baskin-Robbins’ cake felt like the best deal.

Although I wished for more cookie bits, the fudge made up for it. And if I were in a time crunch, Baskin-Robbins had plenty of premade options, too.

… but between the three chains, Cold Stone Creamery stole the show.

It may have been the priciest per inch, but if I’m paying at least $35 for a custom ice-cream cake, I’d rather spend on something unique and made-to-order.

The Cold Stone Creamery dessert had actual cake, the most velvety ice cream, and endless customizable features, including more than 35 mix-in options and a dozen ice-cream flavors.

Above all else, this chain’s ice cream tasted the best, in my opinion.

And, although I was skeptical at first, the springy devil’s food cake made this dessert feel complete.

Plus, it could reasonably be left out for a bit if needed, thanks to the substantial bottom layer. I couldn’t say the same about the Dairy Queen or Baskin-Robbins cakes, which began melting the minute they hit the plate.

Practicality-wise, the small size option was another perk. Because of its impressive height, the 6-inch cake felt like more than enough for a typical group of eight or so.

All of the chains had tasty cakes, but for a truly personalized experience and a chocolate-fudge-crunch-vanilla situation done right, I’d pick Cold Stone every time. I can forgive the price tag.