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You’ll love this no-bake graham cracker icebox cake! Made with layers of graham crackers, fluffy whipped cream, and fresh berries, this easy dessert is creamy, refreshing, and full of fresh flavor. It comes together in minutes with simple ingredients, then chills in the fridge until perfectly soft and sliceable. This healthy icebox cake is the perfect dessert for 4th of July, summer gatherings, BBQs, and warm-weather celebrations. Try our chocolate strawberry icebox cake next!
🔍 Quick Look: Graham Cracker Icebox Cake Recipe
- ⏱️ Prep Time: 10 minutes
- ⏱️ Cook Time: 0 minutes
- 🕒 Total Time: 10 minutes + chilling time
- 🍽 Calories: ~159 kcal per serving (based on nutrition panel)
- 👥 Servings: 6 servings
- 🥣 Key Ingredients: Graham crackers, fresh berries, whipped topping (such as Cool Whip or CocoWhip)
- 📖 Dietary Information: Vegan & dairy-free if using plant-based whipped topping, and can be made gluten-free with gluten-free graham crackers
- 👩🍳 Cook Method: No-Bake Recipe
- ⭐ Difficulty: Easy, it’s a delicious no-bake dessert.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- No-Bake: There is no baking required! Just assemble the icebox cake and chill it in the fridge.
- Delicious Layers: It’s layered with graham crackers, fresh fruit, and whipped cream. The sweet and juicy fresh fruit pairs wonderfully with the fluffy whipped topping.
- Quick & Easy: This icebox cake is easy to make and comes together quickly in about 10 minutes! Also, no hand mixer or stand mixer is required.
- Simple Ingredients: All you need is five simple ingredients!
“Delicious!!! Total hit!! My husband has already asked me to make it again! Thank you!”
– lindi
Key Ingredients
- Whipped Cream: Use your whipped cream of choice or a non-dairy whipped cream. Some great options are Coco Whip, TruWhip, fat-free Cool Whip, or your favorite.
- Vanilla: Add a splash of vanilla extract to the whipped cream for another layer of flavor.
- Graham Crackers: Use six full graham crackers, which is twelve individual graham cracker squares. Try our graham cracker crust without butter next!
- Strawberries: Hull and slice the fresh strawberries. Use one pound of strawberries.
- Blueberries: Wash and dry the fresh blueberries. Use half a pint of blueberries.
Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Gluten-Free Option: To make this icebox cake gluten-free, use gluten-free graham crackers.
- Swap the Fruit: We made this icebox cake with fresh strawberries and blueberries. You can swap them for raspberries, blackberries, sliced peaches, banana slices, or your favorite fruit.
- Add-Ins: You can top with or add a layer of unsweetened coconut flakes or chopped nuts for crunch and flavor.
- Chocolate Flavor: To add chocolate flavor to this icebox cake, use chocolate graham crackers or add layers of chocolate pudding in addition to the whipped cream.
- Add Pudding: If you want, you can add a few layers of vanilla pudding in addition to the whipped cream for even more indulgence. Use vanilla instant pudding mix and your milk of choice. To keep this recipe vegan and dairy-free, use non-dairy milk.
How To Make Graham Cracker Icebox Cake
- Wash and dry the fresh strawberries and blueberries. Hull the strawberries and then slice them lengthwise.
- Add the vanilla extract to the whipped cream of choice. Then, thoroughly mix.
- Assemble this icebox cake in a 9-inch loaf pan. Break each graham cracker in half so you have twelve individual graham cracker squares. Add three graham cracker squares to the bottom of the loaf pan. Add some whipped cream to the bottom of each graham cracker to help keep them in place.
- For the next layer, add whipped cream. Spread the whipped cream over the graham crackers.
- Add a layer of sliced strawberries on top of the whipped cream.
- Repeat another layer of graham crackers and whipped cream. Then, add the fresh blueberries.
- Continue layering graham crackers, whipped cream, and sliced strawberries for the final layer.
- Once assembled, place the lid on the loaf pan or cover it with foil and place it in the refrigerator. Chill the icebox cake for a few hours.
Expert Tips
- Let it Chill: Make sure to let this icebox cake chill in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving. This allows the graham crackers to soften and absorb the flavors.
- Use Ripe Fruit: Use ripe, fresh fruit for the best flavor.
- Evenly Slice: Thinly and evenly slice the fresh strawberries for layering.
- Add Whipped Cream to the Bottom: Add some whipped cream to the bottom of the graham cracker squares before placing them in the loaf pan. This helps so they don’t move around when you add a layer of whipped cream.
Serving Suggestions
After chilling this icebox cake, when ready to serve, cut it in the loaf pan and serve it on a plate. As an option, top with more fresh berries, chopped nuts, crushed graham crackers, or a drizzle of chocolate syrup. Keep leftovers stored in the refrigerator. This dessert is perfect for summer gatherings, BBQs, potlucks, and a festive red, white, and blue treat for the 4th of July!
Graham Cracker Icebox Cake FAQs
Why Do They Call it an Icebox Cake?
It is called an icebox cake because, in the 1920s, iceboxes were used before the modern refrigerator. The cake is layered and then chilled in an icebox, or refrigerator, before serving, not baked. This caused the dessert to be known as an icebox cake.
Do You Freeze or Refrigerate an Icebox Cake?
You should refrigerate an icebox cake rather than freeze it. Refrigerating allows the layers of graham crackers and whipped cream to set and meld together, which creates a creamy and delicious dessert.
Is Icebox Cake Vegan?
To ensure this icebox cake is vegan and dairy-free use a vegan whipped cream, such as Coco Whip. Also, use vegan graham crackers. Not all graham crackers are vegan as some contain honey.
More No-Bake Desserts to Try!
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Delicious and Easy S’mores Bark
If you try this recipe please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating, ★★★★★, letting us know how it turns out for you.
Graham Cracker Icebox Cake
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups TruWhip, Coco Whip, fat-free Cool Whip, or whipped cream of choice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 full graham crackers
- 1 pound fresh strawberries
- 1/2 pint fresh blueberries
Instructions
- Wash and dry the fresh strawberries and blueberries. Hull the strawberries and then slice them lengthwise.
- Add the vanilla extract to the whipped cream of choice and thoroughly mix.
- Assemble this icebox cake in a 9-inch loaf pan. Break each graham cracker in half so you have twelve individual graham cracker squares for layering. Add three graham cracker squares to the bottom of the loaf pan, adding a bit of whipped cream to the bottom of each graham cracker to keep them in place.
- Spread a layer of whipped cream over the graham crackers.
- Add a layer of sliced strawberries on top of the whipped cream.
- Repeat another layer of graham crackers, whipped cream, and fresh blueberries.
- Continue layering graham crackers, whipped cream, and sliced strawberries for the final layer.
- Once assembled, place the lid on the loaf pan or cover it with foil and place it in the refrigerator. Chill the icebox cake for a few hours. As an option, add more fresh strawberries and crushed graham crackers on top.
Video
Notes
- Let it Chill: Make sure to let this icebox cake chill in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving. This allows the graham crackers to soften and absorb the flavors.
- Fruit: We made this icebox cake with fresh strawberries and blueberries. You can swap them for raspberries, blackberries, sliced peaches, banana slices, or your favorite fruit.
- Storage: This icebox cake is best enjoyed the day you make it after it has been chilled for a few hours.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Fabulous recipe! I add quite a bit more Cool Whip to make it taste even better. I cut it into pieces and freeze them. I then thaw them in the evening for desert. It’s easy to make and you can trust me because……..I HATE TO COOK!
Hi Tim, I’m so glad this icebox cake turned out well! I like your idea to add even more Cool Whip, I’m glad you made it your own. That sounds delicious as an evening dessert! Thanks for letting me know that it was easy to make, that makes me so happy to hear!
Delicious!!! Total hit!! My husband has already asked me to make it again! Thank you!
Hi Lindi, thank you so much for letting us know that you and your husband enjoyed the icebox cake! It makes us so happy to hear!!