Sweet layers of creamy goodness and fresh strawberry icebox cake recipe nestle together in a dessert that whispers summer memories.
No baking required makes this treat a breeze to assemble.
Cool kitchen magic happens when graham crackers soften between luscious cream cheese and whipped topping.
Ripe strawberries add bursts of vibrant color and natural sweetness to every delightful bite.
Chilled perfection awaits with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
This no-fuss dessert promises to become your go-to summer crowd-pleaser.
Let’s find out a slice of pure, refreshing bliss that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Instructions for No-Bake Cake
Strawberry Preparation Fresh strawberries get sliced into delicate thin pieces, creating a juicy and vibrant layer for our delightful dessert.
Graham Cracker Foundation Carefully arrange graham crackers along the bottom of a spacious rectangular dish, forming a delicious base that will support the creamy layers.
Dreamy Cream Mixture In a mixing bowl, combine soft cream cheese with sweet condensed milk, then introduce pudding mix and milk, whisking until the texture becomes luxuriously thick. Gently fold in airy Cool Whip to create a cloud-like filling.
Layered Deliciousness Begin building your cake by spreading half the cream cheese mixture, then sprinkle sliced strawberries and add a layer of graham crackers. Repeat with remaining cream cheese and strawberries, creating a stunning stratified masterpiece.
Chilling Time Cover the dessert and let it rest in the refrigerator for 6-8 hours, allowing flavors to meld and the cake to set perfectly.
Final Flourish Before serving, crown your icebox cake with a generous layer of Cool Whip and a delicate shower of graham cracker crumbs, transforming it into a show-stopping dessert.
Tips for Freshness, Flavor & Variations
Swap strawberries with raspberries, blueberries, or a mixed berry combination for a vibrant twist on the classic recipe.
Use chocolate or cinnamon graham crackers to add extra depth and richness to the dessert's base layer.
Toast graham cracker crumbs lightly in a skillet before sprinkling on top for a nutty, caramelized crunch that elevates the entire dessert.
Replace Cool Whip with homemade whipped cream for a fresher, more authentic dairy flavor that brings restaurant-quality elegance to your icebox cake.
This dessert can be prepared up to two days in advance, allowing flavors to meld and making party planning stress-free while ensuring maximum deliciousness.
Serving Ideas for Sweet Chilled Layers
Sweet Strawberry Swirl: Drizzle melted chocolate over the top for a decadent touch that adds rich contrast to the creamy dessert.
Fruity Fancy Finish: Garnish with fresh whole strawberries and mint leaves around the edges to create a beautiful, restaurant-style presentation that wows guests.
Texture Twist: Sprinkle toasted almond slivers or crushed graham cracker crumbs on top for an extra crunch that complements the smooth cream cheese layer.
Seasonal Celebration: Serve this chilled dessert at summer picnics, family gatherings, or birthday parties where its light and refreshing flavor will be a crowd-pleaser.
Icebox Cake Storage Advice for Long-Lasting Flavor
Chilling Strategy: Refrigerate the icebox cake for a minimum of 6-8 hours, allowing flavors to meld and graham crackers to soften into a delightful cake-like texture.
Advance Preparation: Make this dessert a day before your event, giving you stress-free party planning and ensuring maximum flavor development.
Freezing Option: Wrap the completed cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing in the freezer for up to 2 weeks – perfect for unexpected sweet cravings or last-minute gatherings.
Leftover Love: Store remaining slices in an airtight container within the refrigerator for 3-4 days, keeping the dessert fresh and preventing moisture loss or unwanted flavor absorption.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Calories: 210 kcal
Servings: 13
Strawberry Cream Cheese Icebox Cake Ingredients
For Base and Crunch:
Graham Crackers: Provides delightful crispy layers that add texture and subtle sweetness to the dessert, selecting classic honey or original flavor works best.
Strawberries: Fresh, ripe berries create vibrant color and bright fruity flavor, choose deeply red berries with glossy skin and firm texture without bruises.
For Creamy Filling:
Cream Cheese: Delivers rich, tangy base for smooth filling, ensure completely softened at room temperature for perfect blending.
Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds luxurious sweetness and silky consistency, opt for high-quality brand with pure ingredients.
Instant Cheesecake Pudding Mix: Enhances creamy texture and deepens dessert's cheesecake-like profile, select name-brand mix for reliable results.
Milk: Activates pudding mix and contributes to overall creamy structure, whole milk recommended for maximum richness.
For Topping and Finishing:
Cool Whip: Creates light, airy crown that adds elegant finish, choose full-fat version for best volume and texture.
Tools to Chill & Layer It Just Right
13×9-inch baking dish: Essential for layering and chilling the dessert.
Electric mixer: Perfect for beating cream cheese, condensed milk, and creating smooth mixture.
Mixing bowl: Needed for combining ingredients and folding in Cool Whip.
Knife: Great for slicing strawberries into ¼-inch pieces.
Spatula: Helps fold ingredients and spread layers evenly.
Measuring cups: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
Cutting board: Provides surface for slicing strawberries.
Rich layers of creamy strawberry icebox cake combine classic dessert comfort with summer freshness. Refrigerated overnight, this no-bake treat delivers sweet strawberry elegance you’ll savor to the last delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
2 lbs (907 g) strawberries (rinsed, dried, and sliced)
2 sleeves graham crackers
1 package (8 oz/226 g) cream cheese (softened)
1 can (14 oz/397 g) sweetened condensed milk
3 cups (710 ml) milk
2 packages (3.4 oz/96 g each) instant cheesecake pudding mix
1 carton (12 oz/340 g) Cool Whip (divided)
Instructions
Strawberry Preparation: Slice fresh strawberries into uniform quarter-inch thick pieces, creating precise and consistent cuts for optimal texture and visual presentation.
Base Layer Construction: Arrange graham crackers in a neat, overlapping pattern to cover the entire bottom of a 13×9-inch baking dish, establishing a solid foundation for the dessert.
Cream Mixture Creation: Combine softened cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk using an electric mixer, then integrate instant vanilla pudding mix and whole milk, whipping until the mixture transforms into a velvety, rich blend with a luxurious consistency.
Filling Enhancement: Incorporate whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture, gently folding to create a light, airy filling that adds depth and smoothness to the dessert.
Layering Process: Spread half of the cream cheese mixture over the graham cracker base, strategically distributing sliced strawberries across the surface, then add another layer of graham crackers topped with the remaining cream cheese mixture and additional strawberry slices.
Chilling and Setting: Wrap the baking dish in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 6-8 hours, allowing the flavors to intermingle and the dessert to develop a perfect, firm texture.
Final Presentation: Adorn the chilled icebox cake with extra whipped topping and a sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs, creating a visually appealing and textured finish before serving directly from the refrigerated dish.
Notes
Slice Strawberries Precisely: Cut strawberries uniformly to 1/4-inch thickness for consistent texture and even flavor distribution in every bite.
Layer Graham Crackers Carefully: Create a tight, overlapping base to prevent gaps and ensure structural integrity of the dessert.
Mix Cream Cheese Thoroughly: Beat ingredients until completely smooth to eliminate lumps and create a silky, uniform filling that enhances overall taste and mouthfeel.
Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate for at least 6-8 hours to allow ingredients to set and develop a perfect creamy consistency, with strawberries infusing their sweet essence throughout the dessert.
Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist
Expertise
Recipe Development and Testing, Modern American and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and global cuisines.
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Program: Diploma in Pastry Arts
Focus: Specialized education in baking and pastry, emphasizing artisanal bread, confections, and plated desserts.
Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.
Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.
At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.
Michael Reynolds
Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist
Expertise
Recipe Development and Testing, Modern American and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.
Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.
At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.