Strawberry 🍓 Icebox Cake
This Strawberry Icebox Cake is the perfect no-bake dessert for warm days, busy schedules, or anytime you’re craving something cool, creamy, and bursting with fresh strawberries. Made with fluffy whipped cream, softened graham crackers, and real strawberries, it’s like a strawberry shortcake met a chilled tiramisu—and it’s completely oven-free.
Great for cookouts, dinner parties, or weekend treats, this cake is as easy to make as it is to love. Just layer, chill, and enjoy!
🌟 Why I Love This Recipe
This dessert is:
- No-bake and fuss-free
- Made with simple ingredients
- Light, creamy, and fruity
- Ideal for make-ahead entertaining
It’s one of those “looks fancy, takes no effort” desserts that’s great to bring to parties or stash in the fridge for a refreshing treat all week.
🛒 Ingredients
- 3 cups cold heavy whipping cream
- 2 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ cups fresh strawberries, chopped
- 12–14 full graham cracker sheets (plain or honey)
- 10–12 whole strawberries, for garnish
⏱️ Total Time: 20 minutes prep + 8 hours chill
🍰 Yield: 9–12 servings
🔁 Substitutions & Variations
- Use chocolate graham crackers or vanilla wafers for a twist.
- Fold in blueberries or raspberries for a berry blend.
- Make it dairy-free with coconut cream and dairy-free cream cheese.
- Add a layer of lemon curd for extra zing.
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Make the Strawberry Cream
In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
Add:
- Heavy whipping cream
- Confectioners’ sugar
- Vanilla extract
Whip until stiff peaks form (about 3–5 minutes).
Gently fold in chopped strawberries.
2. Layer the Cake
In an 8×8-inch pan, layer:
- A base of graham crackers (break them to fit if needed)
- ⅓ of the strawberry cream mixture
- Repeat the layers two more times, ending with cream on top
👉 Optional: Add extra sliced strawberries between the cream layers for bold flavor and color.
3. Chill
Cover the pan with foil or plastic wrap.
Refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight to let the graham crackers soften and absorb the cream.
4. Serve
Top with sliced or whole strawberries.
Cut into squares and serve cold.
💡 Tips for Icebox Cake Success
- Use cold cream for best whipping results.
- Don’t skip the chill time—this is key to the layers setting.
- Wipe the knife between slices for clean edges.
- Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
This chilled dessert is perfect for:
- Summer BBQs
- Mother’s Day brunch
- No-fuss dinner parties
- Fourth of July dessert tables
Pair it with:
- Blueberry Lemonade
- Peanut Butter Brownies for contrast
- Ice Cream Sandwich Cake if you want more cool dessert options
🍓 More No-Bake Favorites
🥄 Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Icebox Cake is one of those easy desserts that always gets rave reviews. It’s sweet but light, simple but special—and thanks to the fridge, you don’t even need to turn on the oven.
Try it once and you’ll want to make it on repeat. If you do, tag @chefmaniac on Instagram and show off your chilled layers! Subscribe for more crowd-pleasing, make-ahead dessert recipes all summer long.
