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Strawberry Icebox Cake

Strawberry icebox cake slice with creamy layers and fresh strawberry garnish.

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A no-bake dessert featuring layers of fresh strawberries, sweet vanilla cream, and graham crackers that soften into a cake-like texture after chilling. It’s a simple, make-ahead treat perfect for summer gatherings or a stress-free weeknight dessert.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1 (14.4 ounce) box honey graham crackers
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream, very cold
  • 1 (8 ounce) block full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • A pinch of fine sea salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cream Filling. In a large bowl, beat the cold heavy cream with a hand mixer or stand mixer until stiff peaks form. Set aside. In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and pinch of salt until fluffy and fully combined.
  2. Fold it All Together. Gently fold the whipped cream into the sweetened cream cheese mixture using a rubber spatula. Use broad, sweeping motions to combine without deflating the air, creating a thick, spreadable, cloud-like filling.
  3. Assemble the Layers. In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread a very thin layer of the cream mixture on the bottom. Arrange a single layer of graham crackers, breaking them to fit. Spread about one-third of the cream mixture evenly over the crackers. Top with a generous layer of sliced strawberries.
  4. Repeat the layers two more times: crackers, cream, strawberries. Finish with a final layer of the cream mixture, smoothing the top.
  5. Chill Until Set. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, but ideally overnight. The cake is ready when the graham crackers have softened completely and you can slice it cleanly.

Notes

For best results, chill overnight. Ensure cream cheese is soft and heavy cream is very cold. Pat sliced strawberries dry if very juicy. The cake stores covered in the fridge for 3-4 days. For a lighter version, reduce powdered sugar to 3/4 cup. For dairy-free, use chilled coconut cream and vegan cream cheese.

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