How to Make the Creamiest Oreo Icebox Cake
Updated: Aug. 16, 2023
This 3-ingredient Oreo icebox cake will hit the spot on a hot summer day. Plus, it's a "piece of cake" to make!
Although icebox cakes have always been easy, creamy and elegant desserts, icebox cake recipes have changed quite a bit since their invention almost a century ago. Now, they sit in the fridge (instead of the icebox) to chill, and you can really get creative with what you put between the layers of whipped cream.
Traditional recipes call for chocolate wafer cookies, but now you can experiment with anything from chocolate chip cookies to my personal favorite, Oreos. We guide you though the steps of making an Oreo icebox cake that will quickly become your favorite kind of no-bake dessert this summer.
How to Make an Oreo Icebox Cake
Ingredients
- 3 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2 packages (20 oz. each) Double Stuf Oreos
Directions
Step 1: Start with the homemade whipped cream
Add the heavy whipping cream to a large bowl and beat until it thickens.
Test Kitchen Tip: Starting with a cold bowl and cold beaters will help the cream thicken more quickly. Popping them in the fridge for 10 minutes before you start should do the trick.
Step 2: Whip it up
Add the confectioners’ sugar to the thickened heavy whipping cream and beat until stiff peaks form. “Stiff peaks” means that the cream will stand up straight when you lift up the beaters.
Step 3: Put down the first layer of Oreos
Grab your favorite 13-by-9-inch dish and break open a package of Oreos. You should be able to fit 24 whole cookies in the bottom of the dish, plus cookies broken in half to go along the top and side.
Step 4: Top the Oreos with half of the whipped cream
Spread the whipped cream to the edges of the dish so the cookies are totally covered and you can’t see them anymore.
Step 5: Arrange the second layer of Oreos
Put down 24 more Oreos on top of the whipped cream, again, fitting in broken cookies along the gaps between the edge of the dish and the rows of whole cookies.
Step 6: Spread out the rest of the whipped cream
Use up the rest of the whipped cream and fully cover the second layer of Oreos.
Step 7: Crush the remaining cookies and sprinkle them on top
Break up the Oreos into much smaller pieces, and sprinkle them over the second layer of whipped cream.
Editor’s Tip: My favorite way to crush Oreos is to put them in a double-bagged, gallon-sized zip top plastic bag. Then, take a rolling pin and simply roll over the bag to crush the cookies. The double bag guarantees that you won’t have crushed cookies all over the counter if one of the bags tears.
Step 8: Pop the icebox cake into the fridge to set
Cover and put your assembled Oreo icebox cake into the fridge to chill for 6 hours or overnight. You can’t skip this step, as this time spent chilling truly transforms this dessert. The Oreos go from crunchy to creamy, and the whipped cream goes from soft to set!
Tips for Making an Oreo Icebox Cake
Can you make Oreo icebox cake with frozen whipped topping instead of homemade whipped cream?
If you don’t have the time (or the ingredients) to whip up your own whipped cream, you can definitely use frozen whipped topping—AKA Cool Whip—in your Oreo icebox cake. Just make sure to thaw it first, or you’ll have a hard time spreading it over the Oreos during assembly.
How should you store Oreo icebox cake?
Store Oreo icebox cake in the fridge for up to 2 to 3 days. After that, the Oreo cookies will start to get mushy. If you want it to last longer, you can toss it in the freezer. Just make sure you let it thaw in the fridge before serving, because Oreo icebox cake served straight from the freezer will be very stiff.
How can you make Oreo icebox cake your own?
Most icebox cake recipes are pretty versatile, and this Oreo icebox cake recipe is no different.
- Swap out the double Stuf Oreos by picking up your favorite flavor of the sandwich cookies, whether it’s chocolate, peanut butter, mint or even golden Oreos. Otherwise, this recipe would work well with cookies like Nutter Butters, too.
- Flavor the whipped cream by adding a tablespoon or two of your favorite kind of jelly or Nutella as you whip it up. If you ask me, Oreo icebox cake with peanut butter whipped cream sounds like a dream! Here’s more about how to make whipped cream from scratch if you want to get more creative.
- Add more between each layer by drizzling hot fudge or chocolate syrup on top of the whipped cream each time.
- Add toppings like mini M&Ms or your favorite candy to go along with the crushed Oreos. Take inspiration from this pina colada icebox cake or toffee icebox cake that are topped with toasted coconut and crushed Heath candy bars, respectively.
Originally Published: August 15, 2022
