Strawberry Icebox Cake
- By Amy Dong
- Updated Aug. 15, 2024
This Strawberry Icebox Cake is a total winner: it’s no-bake, incredibly delicious, and great for summer gatherings. Plus, it can be made completely in advance using only 6 ingredients!
In This Article
This post may contain affiliate links, at no additional cost to you.
1-Minute Video: Strawberry Icebox Cake
Why This Recipe Stands Out
We love a good cake, and we love it even more when it’s a no-bake recipe! Here’s why it stands out:
- No-Bake: This cake is bake-free, keeping the kitchen cool on those warm summer days, like our No-Bake 5-Ingredient Protein Bars.
- Amazing Flavors: Like our Lemon Icebox Cake, it has incredible flavor. Not too sweet nor heavy, and perfectly refreshing!
- Simple Ingredients: Six ingredients. That’s all it takes to wow your family and friends with this light, refreshing cake!
- Easy Assembly: We love how easy this cake is to pull off. Even beginners can make this foolproof easy dessert recipe!
- Ideal for Summer Gatherings: Like our Fresh Strawberry Cake, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t instantly fall in love with this dessert. It’s a total crowd-pleaser!
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Fresh, Sweet Strawberries – These are the star of our recipe. When thinly sliced, they provide a juicy, sweet, and slightly tart layer that pairs perfectly with the creamy filling.
- Heavy Whipping Cream – We use this to make a light and fluffy whipped cream that holds the cake layers together. Make sure it’s very cold for the best results.
- Graham Crackers – Graham crackers are the base of our cake. They soften as the cake chills, taking on a cake-like texture that’s absolutely delicious.
Substitutions and variations
Take a look at some of our favorite variations and substitutions:
- Use Other Fruits: We love the idea of mixing different types of berries like blueberries or raspberries in this cake. You could also try using sliced peaches. For citrus flavors, try our Lemon Icebox Cake.
- Flavored Graham Crackers: To add even more flavor to this cake, try using flavored graham crackers. We think a touch of cinnamon or chocolate would be delicious.
- Different Topping: This cake is delicious with a simple chocolate ganache, but you can also try topping it with caramel sauce or fruit preserves.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Combine heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a large metal bowl. Chill the bowl and beaters in the fridge for 10 minutes. Beat the mixture until stiff peaks form.
- Spread a thin layer of the whipped cream in a 9×13″ baking pan. Evenly distribute the graham crackers over the cream.
- Add a layer of whipped cream, followed by a layer of strawberries. Repeat this process three more times.
- Heat the heavy whipping cream in a small, heavy saucepan over medium-low heat. Once it bubbles, turn off the heat and add chocolate.
- Let the mixture stand for 3 minutes, then whisk it until it’s thick and glossy. Drizzle the ganache over the dessert.
- Cover the dessert loosely with foil and chill it in the fridge overnight. Keep it chilled until ready to serve.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Here are some of our favorite prep-ahead tips:
- Prep the Strawberries: You can hull and slice the strawberries a day in advance. Keep them covered and chilled.
- Make the Whipped Cream: The whipped cream can be made ahead of time. Simply store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Give it a quick whisk before using it in the recipe.
- Entirely Make-Ahead: You can also make the entire cake a day in advance. Just keep it covered in the fridge and add the ganache and extra strawberries before serving.
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?
We recommend using fresh strawberries for the best results. Frozen strawberries tend to release more liquid as they thaw, which can make the cake too soggy.
Why do I need to chill the metal bowl and beaters?
Chilling the bowl and beaters helps the heavy whipping cream to stay cold while you’re whipping it. This makes it easier to achieve stiff peaks and results in a fluffier, more stable whipped cream.
Can I use pre-made whipped cream instead of making my own?
While you can use pre-made whipped cream, we highly recommend making your own. The homemade whipped cream is the star of this dessert and really takes it to the next level in terms of flavor and texture.
How long does the strawberry icebox cake keep?
This strawberry icebox cake can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. However, it’s best to consume it within 24 hours for the freshest flavor and texture.
Did you make this?
Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!
Strawberry Icebox Cake
This Strawberry Icebox Cake requires only 6 ingredients and can be made completely in advance. It’s a no-bake, simple, incredibly delicious treat for all your summer gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs fresh sweet strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced
- 3 cups heavy whipping cream
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 20 oz graham crackers, about 24-28 whole crackers or 4 sleeves
Simple Ganache
- 2 oz semi sweet chocolate morsels
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- In a large metal bowl, combine 3 cups heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Place entire bowl, plus beaters of electric mixer, into fridge for 10 minutes to chill. On medium-high, beat heavy cream mixture until stiff peaks appear.
- Spread a thin layer of the whipped cream on bottom of a 9×13" baking pan. Lay six graham crackers down evenly. Spread a thin layer of whipped cream over the graham crackers, followed by a single layer of closely-placed strawberries.
- Repeat layers 3 more times. You will have 4 layers total of graham crackers when finished. Spread the remaining whipped cream over the top of entire dessert, and add rest of strawberries for garnish.
- Heat 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream in a small, heavy saucepan over medium-low heat. Once it bubbles, turn off the heat.
- Add chocolate and let stand for 3 minutes. Whisk mixture until it's thick and glossy. Let it cool to lukewarm and drizzle ganache over dessert (I use a plastic baggie with tiny bit of tip cut off.)
- Cover loosely with tented foil and chill in fridge overnight, for crackers to soften. Keep cold until ready to serve.
Notes
- Chill your metal bowl and beaters in the fridge before whipping the cream. This helps the cream to hold stiff peaks.
- Spread a thin layer of whipped cream on the bottom of the pan before laying down the graham crackers. This acts as a barrier and keeps the crackers from getting too soggy.
- Be generous with the strawberries. The juicy sweetness of the strawberries will infuse into the graham crackers and make them irresistibly delicious.
- Don’t skip the ganache. It adds a beautiful, professional touch and a decadently rich chocolate flavor.
- Cover the cake loosely with foil. This prevents the top layer of graham crackers from drying out and keeps the cake moist.
- Chill the cake overnight. This allows the graham crackers to soften to a cake-like texture, making it easier to cut and giving it the perfect icebox cake consistency.
- Keep the cake cold until you’re ready to serve. This dessert is best enjoyed chilled, and the flavors and textures are at their prime when it’s cold.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 473kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 330mg | Potassium: 288mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 959IU | Vitamin C: 45mg | Calcium: 95mg | Iron: 3mg
More to Bake and Eat
- Fresh Strawberry Pie – This Fresh Strawberry Pie is even better than our favorite restaurant pie. It’s fresh as can be, juicy, luscious, and stunningly delicious with just 3 simple ingredients in the filling.
- Strawberry Ice Cream – This Strawberry Ice Cream uses only 5 natural ingredients. There’s no artificial food color, no egg tempering, and no fuss – just good, old fashioned rich and creamy ice cream.
- Fresh Strawberry Cake – This Fresh Strawberry Cake is moist, tender, and layered simply with a strawberry cream cheese frosting that’s jaw-dropping delicious.
- Strawberry Crumb Cake – This Strawberry Crumb Cake is tender, tasty, and ridiculously flavorful. It’s a beautifully simple dessert that’s perfect for both breakfast and dessert.