A strawberry icebox cake is a delightful, no-bake dessert that’s perfect for warm weather. To make it, you’ll need layers of graham crackers or vanilla wafer cookies, which are alternated with a creamy mixture of whipped cream and fresh strawberries.
Start by whipping heavy cream until stiff peaks form and gently fold in some sugar and vanilla extract. Fold in finely chopped strawberries, then layer this mixture with the cookies in a serving dish.
Refrigerate for several hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the cookies to soften, creating a cake-like texture.
Top with fresh strawberry slices before serving for a burst of color and flavor. This strawberry icebox cake easy, chilled dessert is both refreshing and indulgent, making it a favorite for gatherings and special occasions.
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Icebox Cake
Strawberry Icebox Cake is the perfect balance of light, creamy, and fruity goodness. The beauty of this dessert lies in its simplicity. Here’s why you’ll love it:
✔ No-Bake: This cake requires no oven, making it ideal for hot summer days or when you want to avoid heating up your kitchen.
✔ Light and Refreshing: The combination of fresh strawberries and whipped topping makes it a cool treat that’s perfect for any warm-weather celebration.
✔ Easy to Make: With minimal ingredients and a simple layering process, you can create a show-stopping dessert in no time.
✔ Perfect for Prepping Ahead: You can make this icebox cake a day ahead, giving the flavors time to meld and the dessert to set perfectly.
How To Prepare Strawberry Icebox Cake?
Recipe Overview
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: None
Total time: 30 minutes + chilling time
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 400
Yield: 10 servings
Needed Equipment:
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer (or hand whisk)
- Whisk
- Knife (for slicing strawberries)
- 9×13 inch baking dish or similar-sized dish
- Spatula
- Plastic wrap or aluminum foil (for covering)
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream (divided)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 box (about 14 oz) graham crackers
- 2 pounds fresh strawberries
- 2 ounces dark chocolate, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons sugar (for macerating the strawberries)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Strawberries:
Wash and slice the fresh strawberries. Place them in a bowl and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of sugar. Stir to coat the berries and set them aside for 10-15 minutes to macerate, releasing their juices.
2. Make the Cream Cheese Mixture:
In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with 1 cup of powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
3. Whip the Cream:
In another bowl, beat the 2 cups of heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, creating a fluffy, smooth filling.
4. Assemble the Cake:
In a 9×13 inch baking dish, lay down a layer of graham crackers to cover the bottom. Spread a portion of the cream mixture on top of the graham crackers, then add a layer of macerated strawberries. Repeat these layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of cream on top.
5. Chill and Set:
Cover the dish with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible, to allow the cake to set and the flavors to meld.
6. Garnish and Serve:
Before serving, sprinkle finely chopped dark chocolate over the top and add any extra sliced strawberries for decoration. Slice and enjoy your chilled strawberry icebox cake!
Special Note
This Strawberry Icebox Cake is a perfect treat for any occasion, but it’s especially great for warm summer days when you don’t want to turn on the oven.
The dessert gets better with time, so it’s a wonderful make-ahead option for busy days. You can also customize the recipe by adding other fruits like blueberries or raspberries for a mixed berry icebox cake.
For a lighter version, you can substitute the heavy cream with whipped topping or use reduced-fat cream cheese.
Tips For Making The Perfect Strawberry Icebox Cake
- Use fresh strawberries: The star of this dessert is the fresh fruit, so be sure to use ripe and sweet strawberries for the best flavor.
- Adjust sweetness: Depending on how sweet your strawberries are, you may want to adjust the amount of sugar in the whipped cream layer.
- Add variety: Feel free to experiment by adding other berries, such as raspberries or blueberries, for a mixed-berry icebox cake.
- For a firmer texture: If you prefer a firmer texture, let the cake chill for 8 hours or overnight.
Why Is It Called An Icebox Cake?
The term “icebox cake” originates from the days before modern refrigerators, when people used iceboxes to keep their food cold.
The cake gets its name because it is assembled and then chilled in the icebox (or refrigerator) to set. The no-bake nature of the cake, combined with the need for refrigeration to firm up the layers and flavors, led to this distinctive name.
What Does Icebox Mean In Baking?
In baking, “icebox” refers to a type of dessert that is prepared and then chilled or frozen to achieve its final texture. Unlike baked cakes, icebox cakes typically require no oven and rely on refrigeration to set.
The term underscores the use of a cold storage method to solidify the cake, often involving layers of cookies or crackers alternated with creamy fillings, which absorb moisture and become soft and cake-like.
How To Top A Cake With Strawberries
To top a cake with strawberries, start by washing and hulling the strawberries, then slice them if desired. Arrange the sliced strawberries decoratively on the cake’s surface, either in a pattern or scattered evenly.
For a glossy finish, you can brush the strawberries with a light layer of warmed apricot jam or a simple syrup.
This not only adds a beautiful shine but also helps the strawberries stay in place and enhances their flavor.
Conclusion
A strawberry icebox cake is a wonderfully simple yet elegant dessert that combines creamy, fruity flavors with the ease of no-bake preparation.
Its refreshing taste and light texture make it a perfect choice for summer gatherings or any occasion when you want a sweet treat without the hassle of baking.
With just a few ingredients and some chilling time, you can create a dessert that’s not only visually appealing but also delightfully satisfying.
Serving it at a family dinner or a festive celebration, this strawberry icebox cake is sure to impress and please everyone at the table.
More Amazing Strawberry Cake Recipes
Angel Food Cake Recipe with Strawberry
Strawberry Icebox Cake
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or hand whisk
- Whisk
- Knife (for slicing strawberries)
- 9×13 inch baking dish or similar-sized dish
- Spatula
- Plastic wrap or aluminum foil (for covering)
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream divided
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
- 1 box about 14 oz graham crackers
- 2 pounds fresh strawberries
- 2 ounces dark chocolate finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons sugar for macerating the strawberries
Instructions
Prepare the Strawberries:
- Wash and slice the fresh strawberries. Place them in a bowl and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of sugar. Stir to coat the berries and set them aside for 10-15 minutes to macerate, releasing their juices.
Make the Cream Cheese Mixture:
- In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with 1 cup of powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
Whip the Cream:
- In another bowl, beat the 2 cups of heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, creating a fluffy, smooth filling.
Assemble the Cake:
- In a 9×13 inch baking dish, lay down a layer of graham crackers to cover the bottom. Spread a portion of the cream mixture on top of the graham crackers, then add a layer of macerated strawberries. Repeat these layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of cream on top.
Chill and Set:
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible, to allow the cake to set and the flavors to meld.
Garnish and Serve:
- Before serving, sprinkle finely chopped dark chocolate over the top and add any extra sliced strawberries for decoration. Slice and enjoy your chilled strawberry icebox cake!