The Coolest Ina Garten Mocha Chocolate Icebox Cake Recipe

Mocha Chocolate Icebox Cake transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dessert experience that tantalizes taste buds with rich, velvety layers.

Cold and creamy textures mingle in this decadent treat that requires zero baking skills.

Luxurious mocha flavors dance between crisp cookie edges, creating a sophisticated dessert profile.

Sweet and bold notes intertwine seamlessly, promising an elegant indulgence for any gathering.

Minimal effort yields maximum satisfaction with this cool, show-stopping confection.

Elegant yet approachable, this dessert elevates simple ingredients into a memorable culinary moment.

Prepare to impress friends and family with a dessert that looks professionally crafted: dive in!

Why Icebox Cake Is the Coolest No-Bake Dessert

• Indulge in Decadent Mocha Magic: This icebox cake transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious dessert that delivers rich, intense coffee and chocolate flavors in every single bite.
• No-Bake Bliss with Minimal Effort: Skip the complicated baking process and create an impressive dessert that requires just mixing, layering, and chilling – perfect for home cooks who want maximum impact with minimal kitchen work.
• Chill and Forget Dessert Strategy: The overnight refrigeration technique allows cookies to soften perfectly and flavors to develop deeply, turning basic ingredients into a sophisticated, restaurant-worthy treat that requires zero last-minute preparation.
• Irresistible Texture Contrast: Experience the dreamy combination of soft, creamy mocha layers alternating with crisp chocolate cookies, creating a melt-in-your-mouth sensation that keeps every spoonful exciting and delightful.

All You Need to Chill and Wow Guests

• Mascarpone Cheese: Rich, smooth Italian cream cheese that adds luxurious texture and depth to the mocha cream.
• Heavy Cream: Provides structure and creates a light, airy whipped component for the cake's base.

• Kahlúa, Cocoa Powder, Espresso Powder: Coffee liqueur and coffee powders deliver intense mocha flavor and richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings warm, sweet background notes that complement the coffee elements.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cream mixture and balances the bitter coffee notes.

• Chocolate Chip Cookies: Crisp cookies that soften and create delicious layers when combined with mocha cream.
• Semisweet Chocolate: Shaved chocolate topping adds elegant finish and extra chocolate intensity.

How to Stack Your Way to Mocha Bliss

Step 1: Whip Up the Mocha Magic

• Heavy cream
• Mascarpone cheese
• Granulated sugar
• Kahlúa liqueur
• Cocoa powder
• Espresso powder
• Vanilla extract

Start mixing on low speed, then crank it up until you see firm, dreamy peaks forming.

Step 2: Create Delicious Layers

Grab an 8-inch springform pan. Arrange chocolate cookies across the bottom, breaking them to fill any gaps. Spread a generous layer of mocha cream over the cookies. Repeat this cookie-cream dance five times, ending with a luscious cream topping.

Step 3: Patience is Sweet

Smooth out the top layer, cover with plastic wrap, and send it to the refrigerator for an overnight flavor party. This resting time lets all the delicious flavors mingle and merge.

Step 4: Unveil and Serve

Remove the cake from the refrigerator. Run a sharp knife around the edges to loosen. Carefully remove the springform pan sides. Sprinkle shaved semisweet chocolate over the top for a show-stopping finish. Slice into wedges and serve chilled.

Tips for a Clean Slice Every Time

• Pick Premium Cookies: Select high-quality, crisp chocolate chip cookies like Tate's Bake Shop for superior taste and texture that will hold up perfectly in the dessert.
• Master the Overnight Chill: Let the cake rest in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours, allowing cookies to soften and flavors to blend into a heavenly, cake-like consistency.
• Whip Cream with Precision: Beat the cream mixture until stiff peaks form, watching carefully to avoid over-beating, which can create an undesirable grainy texture.
• Create Flawless Layers: Spread cream meticulously between cookie layers, ensuring complete cookie coverage for a balanced, delectable bite every single time.
• Add Final Chocolate Flourish: Sprinkle fresh chocolate shavings moments before serving to elevate the presentation and maintain the garnish's crisp, elegant appearance.

Freeze and Store Without Losing the Layers

• Freezer Magic: Slice the entire cake before freezing for easy individual servings. Wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen slices stay delicious for up to 2 months, giving you a make-ahead dessert option that's perfect for unexpected sweet cravings.
• Container Strategy: Choose a deep, wide container with a tight-fitting lid to protect the cake's delicate layers. Nestle the cake carefully to prevent crushing the whipped cream and cookie structure. Stack carefully with parchment paper between layers if storing multiple slices.
• Moisture Control: Keep the cake away from strong-smelling foods in the refrigerator. Place it on a bottom shelf to maintain consistent temperature and prevent flavor absorption. Check the cake daily and consume within 3 days for the best taste and texture.

Mocha Remix Ideas for Sweet Experimenting

• Coffee Liqueur Remix: Swap Kahlúa with Tia Maria or Bailey's Irish Cream for a different coffee-infused flavor profile that adds depth and complexity to the mocha cream.
• Dark Chocolate Decadence: Replace semisweet chocolate shavings with dark chocolate curls or cocoa nibs for an intense, rich chocolate experience that elevates the dessert's sophistication.
• Nutty Crunch Upgrade: Sprinkle chopped toasted almonds or hazelnut pieces between cookie layers to introduce a delightful textural contrast and nutty undertone that complements the mocha cream.
• Seasonal Berry Blast: Add a layer of fresh raspberries or sliced strawberries between cream and cookie layers to create a fruity counterpoint that brightens the dessert's deep chocolate and coffee notes.

Close the Freezer on a Truly Cool Treat

Mocha Chocolate Icebox Cake emerges as pure chocolate elegance from Ina Garten’s repertoire, blending rich mascarpone cream with crisp chocolate cookies in luxurious layers.

Kahlúa-infused mocha cream creates sophisticated depth, transforming simple ingredients into a sensational dessert experience.

Chocolate lovers discover pure indulgence through this no-bake marvel that balances intense coffee and chocolate notes.

Chilling overnight allows magical flavor melding, making each slice a harmonious symphony of textures and tastes.

Shaved chocolate garnish adds elegant finishing touches to this irresistible treat.

Readers, explore this delightful recipe – snap a photo, share your culinary adventure, and spread delicious inspiration across your social networks.

Ina Garten Mocha Chocolate Icebox Cake Recipe

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4.9 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s mocha chocolate icebox cake delivers rich espresso-infused layers of chocolate wafers and whipped cream. Each chilled slice promises a dreamy dessert experience that whisks you to a cozy Italian cafe with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Components:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) Italian mascarpone cheese
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) cold heavy cream
• 3 (8-ounce/226 grams) packages Tate’s Bake Shop chocolate chip cookies

Sweeteners and Flavorings:

• ½ cup (100 grams) sugar
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) Kahlúa liqueur
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, such as Pernigotti
• 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder

Garnish:

• Shaved semisweet chocolate

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Instructions

1. Craft the luscious mocha cream foundation by combining heavy cream (236 milliliters or 8 fluid ounces), mascarpone cheese, granulated sugar, Kahlúa liqueur, unsweetened cocoa powder, instant espresso powder, and pure vanilla extract in an electric mixer’s bowl with the whisk attachment.
2. Gradually blend the ingredients on low speed, then incrementally increase to medium-high until the mixture develops luxurious, stable peaks with a voluptuous texture.
3. Select an 8-inch (20 centimeters) springform pan and meticulously arrange chocolate wafer cookies across the bottom, strategically breaking cookies to eliminate any vacant spaces and create a seamless base.
4. Delicately spread an even, approximately 1/5 portion of the mocha cream over the initial cookie layer, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.
5. Alternate between precise layers of crisp chocolate cookies and velvety mocha cream, repeating the process until achieving five distinctive strata, culminating with a luxuriant cream layer crowning the dessert.
6. Smooth the topmost cream layer with gentle, deliberate strokes to create an impeccably level surface.
7. Envelop the assembled dessert securely with plastic wrap, then transfer to the refrigerator for a minimum of 8-12 hours, allowing flavors to harmonize and texture to sophisticate.
8. Prior to serving, carefully liberate the cake’s edges using a slender, sharp knife to prevent adherence to the pan’s sides.
9. Gently release the springform pan’s mechanism, lifting away the metal collar to reveal the elegant dessert.
10. Embellish the surface with delicate shavings of semisweet chocolate, scattering them elegantly across the creamy landscape.
11. Slice into precise wedges and present chilled, celebrating the harmonious blend of textures and rich mocha essence.

Notes

• Garnish with finesse:: Sprinkle delicate chocolate shavings moments before presenting the dessert, creating a last-minute visual sparkle that elevates the entire presentation.
• Chill strategically:: Allow the icebox cake to rest in the refrigerator overnight, transforming crisp cookies into a dreamy, soft layers that meld with luscious cream.
• Select premium cookies:: Opt for high-quality, crisp butter cookies like Tate’s that maintain structural integrity and deliver rich, buttery notes throughout the dessert.
• Whip cream with precision:: Create stiff, billowy peaks by carefully whisking the cream mixture, stopping just before it turns grainy to ensure a silky, luxurious texture.
• Layer with intentional care:: Spread cream generously and evenly between cookie layers, guaranteeing each heavenly bite delivers a perfect balance of creamy and crisp elements.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 848
• Sugar: 19 g
• Sodium: 441 mg
• Fat: 60 g
• Saturated Fat: 34 g
• Carbohydrates: 71 g
• Fiber: Data not available
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 170 mg