No Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake
This No Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake layers a fluffy cream cheese and whipped cream filling with fresh strawberries and graham crackers that turn into soft cake layers after chilling overnight. Zero oven time, perfect for summer, and always a crowd favorite.
Servings: 12
Calories: 490kcal
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 16 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 pounds fresh strawberries sliced (about 6 cups)
- 1 box graham crackers about 14 to 16 full sheets
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat 2 cups heavy cream, ½ cup powdered sugar, and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
- In another bowl, beat 16 ounces softened cream cheese with ½ cup granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully combined and smooth.
- In a 9 by 13 inch dish, spread a thin layer of the cream mixture on the bottom. Add a single layer of graham crackers, breaking them as needed to fit.
- Spread about ⅓ of the cream mixture over the graham crackers. Top with a layer of the sliced strawberries, using about 2 cups.
- Repeat the layers two more times: graham crackers, cream mixture, strawberries. Finish with a final layer of cream mixture and top with the remaining strawberries.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight, until the graham crackers have softened.
- Slice and serve cold.
Notes
- Heavy cream: Whip to stiff peaks, not soft peaks. Stiff peaks hold their shape and give the filling structure so the layers don't collapse.
- Cream cheese: Make sure it's properly softened to room temperature before mixing. Cold cream cheese leaves lumps in the filling.
- Strawberries: Use fresh, ripe, sweet strawberries for the best flavor. Frozen strawberries release too much liquid and can make the layers soggy.
- Graham crackers: Don't worry about breaking them perfectly to fit. Gaps and overlaps are fine, they soften and meld together as the cake chills.
- Chill time: The minimum is 6 hours but overnight is best. This is what allows the graham crackers to soften into cakey layers.
- Make ahead: This is a great make ahead dessert. Build it the night before and let the fridge do all the work.
- Storage: Keeps covered in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
- Don't freeze: The texture of the cream and strawberries doesn't hold up well after freezing and thawing.
- Variations: Try mixed berries instead of strawberries, or add a drizzle of melted chocolate or caramel between the layers for extra flavor.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 490kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 354mg | Potassium: 265mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 1100IU | Vitamin C: 45mg | Calcium: 102mg | Iron: 2mg
