Zesty Summer Bliss: Ina Garten’s Lemon Icebox Cake Recipe

Summers call for refreshing desserts that cool you down instantly, and this lemon icebox cake by Ina Garten delivers pure bliss with its zesty charm.

Light, creamy layers melt softly on your tongue, promising a delightful escape from sweltering heat.

The recipe combines tangy citrus notes with smooth, silky textures that dance across your palate.

Each bite whispers of sweet comfort and elegant simplicity.

Fresh lemons infuse the cake with bright, vibrant flavors that sing of sunshine and relaxation.

Chilled and elegant, this dessert stands ready to become your new warm-weather favorite.

Grab your ingredients and let’s whip up a slice of lemony paradise that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Helpful Tools to Prep Lemon Icebox Cake by Ina

• Stand Mixer with Whisk Attachment: Perfect for whipping cream to fluffy perfection.
• 9×13 Inch Baking Pan: Ideal for layering cookies and cream.
• Plastic Wrap: Helps seal and chill the cake.
• Zester or Grater: Essential for creating fresh lemon zest.
• Spatula: Helps spread whipped cream evenly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.

Step-by-Step: How Ina Garten Puts Together Her Lemon Icebox Cake

• Whipped Cream Cloud

Create a dreamy, fluffy mixture by blending rich cream with sweet sugar, tangy lemon essence, and smooth pudding powder until peaks form majestically.

• Cake Pan Foundation

Gently spread a silky layer of cream across the bottom of a spacious rectangular dish, preparing a delectable canvas for deliciousness.

• Cookie Layer Magic

Arrange crisp shortbread cookies in a tempting pattern, generously covering them with pillowy cream, creating delightful texture and flavor harmony.

• Layering Symphony

Repeat the cookie and cream dance two more times, building a luscious landscape of taste and texture that promises pure indulgence.

• Chilling Transformation

Protect your culinary masterpiece with a protective wrap, allowing it to rest and meld flavors in the cool embrace of the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. Serve chilled and watch faces light up with pure joy.

Clever Swaps for Ina’s Lemon Icebox Cake You Should Try

• Grate fresh lemon zest using a microplane for the most vibrant citrus flavor and delicate texture without bitter white pith.
• Replace shortbread with graham crackers or vanilla wafers for different flavor profiles and texture variations that complement the creamy lemon filling.
• Prepare this dessert up to 24 hours in advance, allowing flavors to meld and develop a dreamy, soft consistency that melts in your mouth.
• Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes, crushed pistachios, or fresh mint leaves on top for an unexpected crunch and visual appeal that elevates the dessert.

Serving Ideas for Lemon Icebox Cake from Ina’s Cookbook

• Pair with Zesty Citrus Garnish: Sprinkle extra fresh lemon zest on top right before serving to boost the bright, tangy flavor and add a pop of color.
• Create Elegant Dessert Plating: Use a sharp knife to cut clean, precise squares and transfer each slice onto delicate white dessert plates for a sophisticated presentation.
• Complement with Refreshing Beverage: Serve alongside chilled white wine, sparkling water with lemon, or a light herbal tea to enhance the cake's delicate lemon profile.
• Add Textural Crunch Topping: Scatter some finely chopped toasted almonds or candied lemon peel over each slice to introduce a delightful crispy element that contrasts with the creamy cake texture.

Store Ina Garten’s Icebox Cake the Smart Way

• Maximize Freshness: Store the lemon icebox cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain its creamy texture and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Plan Ahead: Prepare this dessert up to 2 days in advance, allowing the cookies to soften perfectly and flavors to meld beautifully.
• Quick Serving Tip: Remove the cake from the refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving to slightly soften the texture and enhance the lemony flavor profile.
• Smart Storage Strategy: Keep leftover cake covered tightly with plastic wrap, consuming within 3-4 days for optimal taste and quality.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes

Calories: 384 kcal

Servings: 8

Everything for Ina Garten’s Lemon Icebox Cake Recipe

• Heavy Cream: Provides luxurious, airy texture and rich foundation for the dessert's structure.
• Powdered Sugar: Softens sweetness and helps stabilize the whipped cream for smooth consistency.
• Pudding Powder: Creates silky thickness and enhances overall cream stability.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, subtle depth to balance the bright lemon flavors.

• Lemon Juice: Delivers tangy, vibrant citrus punch and helps cut through the cream's richness.
• Lemon Zest: Brings intense, aromatic citrus oils that elevate the entire dessert's flavor profile.

• Shortbread Cookies: Provides delicate, buttery crunch and acts as the cake's structural base layer.

Tangy Lemon Icebox Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s lemon icebox cake blends creamy mascarpone, tangy lemon, and delicate whipped cream into a refreshing summer dessert. Cool flavors meld perfectly, offering a light and elegant treat that delights palates with its subtle complexity.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cups (720 ml) heavy cream
• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
• 2 ½ boxes Lorna Doone shortbread cookies or other shortbread cookies
• ¼ cup (60 ml) fresh lemon juice
• 3 tbsps lemon zest
• ¼ cup (40 g) instant lemon pudding powder
• ¾ tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Whip Preparation: In a stand mixer, blend heavy cream, powdered sugar, instant vanilla pudding powder, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice until stiff, glossy peaks form, approximately 3-4 minutes.
2. Base Layer: Spread a thin, even layer of whipped cream mixture across the bottom of a 9×13 inch rectangular baking dish.
3. Cookie Layering: Create alternating layers of shortbread cookies and whipped cream mixture, ensuring complete coverage and even distribution. Repeat the layering process three times total.
4. Final Touch: Sprinkle additional lemon zest over the top layer for enhanced aroma and visual appeal.
5. Chilling Process: Cover the dessert tightly with plastic wrap, eliminating air pockets, and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld and cookies to soften.
6. Serving: Remove from refrigerator, slice into individual portions, and serve chilled for the most refreshing experience.

Notes

• Whip Cream Precisely: Achieve stiff, glossy peaks by whipping exactly 3-4 minutes for the perfect texture and stability.
• Cookie Coverage Matters: Ensure complete, even cookie layer to create uniform texture and flavor distribution throughout the dessert.
• Chill for Optimal Flavor: Refrigerate minimum 4 hours or overnight to allow cookies to soften and flavors to blend beautifully.
• Zest Boosts Brightness: Fresh lemon zest adds vibrant citrus notes and enhances the overall aromatic profile of the dessert.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Desserts
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 384
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 54 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 21 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 104 mg