Strawberry desserts abound in the summertime, but any recipe that requires an oven on a hot day—even ones full of ruby red berries—is not ideal. That’s where this strawberry icebox cake shines. No-bake, chilled and filled with one of June’s best fruits, it’s a sheer delight during the summer. Pierce a fork through the layers of soft graham crackers, fresh strawberries and cool whipped cream, and enjoy.
What is icebox cake?
An icebox cake is a no-bake dessert that is built into a pan. It is made of layers of whipped cream, fresh fruit and graham crackers or cookies. It’s then stored in the refrigerator for at least a few hours so the graham crackers can soften up for easier cutting and eating.
The icebox cake was invented before modern refrigeration was commonplace in every household. So, to keep this chilled cake cool, it was stored in something called an icebox: a cupboard or hutch that was lined with large blocks of ice to keep foods cold. This sweet treat was popular back then for the same reasons as it is today. It’s easy to throw together and you don’t have to turn on the oven.
Ingredients for Strawberry Icebox Cake
- Heavy whipping cream: We’ll be making our very own whipped cream for this recipe, which always starts with heavy whipping cream.
- Confectioners’ sugar: We sweeten the homemade whipped cream with confectioners’ sugar. It’s very fine and powdery which dissolves easily in no-cook recipes.
- Vanilla extract: You can use the vanilla brand that fits your budget or is already in your pantry. If you have vanilla bean paste, use it! We love the specks of vanilla beans in the whipped cream.
- Graham crackers: Graham crackers are usually deemed the best for icebox cakes because of their size and how well they fit in a pan. To make this recipe a gluten-free no-bake strawberry icebox cake, simply use certified gluten-free graham crackers.
- Fresh strawberries: Before getting started, make sure those strawberries are cleaned really well. Here are a few different ways to effectively clean strawberries.
Directions
Step 1: Make the whipped cream
In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the heavy whipping cream until it begins to thicken, but is not yet at soft peaks. Add in the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla extract, and beat until soft peaks form.
Editor’s Tip: If you’ve beaten the whipped cream to stiff peaks, you’ve gone too far! If you’re unsure what those two stages look like, check out our visual guide on soft peaks vs. stiff peaks.
Step 2: Build the icebox cake
Spread 1/2 cup cream mixture on the bottom of an ungreased 8×8-inch dish. Top with a single layer of graham crackers, snapping off any pieces to fit them in properly. Spread the top of the graham crackers with 1 cup cream mixture and 1 cup strawberries.
Repeat the layers twice with the remaining cream, graham crackers and strawberries, starting with the graham cracker layer.
Step 3: Chill and serve
Refrigerate the icebox cake for at least four hours or overnight.
Editor’s Tip: To prevent your whipped cream from soaking up any and all fridge smells, cover the strawberry icebox cake tightly with storage wrap before you chill it.
Strawberry Icebox Cake Variations
- Use your favorite fruit: Try using fresh blueberries or raspberries in place of strawberries. Or use a combination of the three for a red-white-and-blue dessert! You could also use sliced bananas or stone fruits like peaches and apricots.
- Swap graham crackers for cookies: You can really use any cookie or wafer here. Nilla wafers, lady fingers, an Oreo cookie crumb, super thin and crisp cookies, and even chocolate graham crackers work here. For a salty addition, try the pretzel mixture from our freezer strawberry shortbread dessert.
- Finish with a topping: This no-bake strawberry icebox cake is very easy to decorate. Drizzle on a chocolate sauce, garnish with your favorite sprinkles, decorate with any leftover strawberries, or crush up any leftover graham crackers and sprinkle a little bit on top.
How to Store Strawberry Icebox Cake
You can keep leftovers of strawberry icebox cake in the fridge for up to four days. You can freeze it if you’re out of fridge space, but you’ll need to pull it out of the freezer early to let it thaw a bit before serving. Either way, prepare this strawberry dessert the night before so everything comes together the way it should.
Strawberry Icebox Cake Tips
Can I use frozen whipped topping instead of homemade whipped cream in strawberry icebox cake?
It’s common for icebox cake recipes to say that you can swap store-bought frozen whipped topping for homemade whipped cream, and this recipe is no different. Just make sure to thaw it beforehand.
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries. Just make sure to thaw them, drain the excess liquid and gently pat them dry with a paper towel before using.
