Welcome to the delightful simplicity of no-bake desserts with this Strawberry Cream Cheese Icebox Cake. It layers smooth cream cheese, whipped cream, and fresh strawberries between graham crackers, which soften into a lush, cake-like texture as they chill. Perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, or a sweet end to any meal, this icebox cake offers a refreshing and creamy dessert option that’s as easy to make as it is delicious.
Refreshing, Creamy, and Bursting with Berry Flavor
This recipe captures the essence of summer with its fresh strawberries and light, airy cream filling. The convenience of no-bake preparation makes it a great choice for those warm days when you’d rather not turn on the oven. Plus, it’s a beautiful dish to present at gatherings, with its colorful layers of fruit and cream.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Icebox Cake
- Creamy Base: Ensure the cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing to avoid lumps. Beat it with powdered sugar and vanilla until perfectly smooth for the best texture in your cream layers.
- Stiff Peaks: When whipping the heavy cream, make sure it forms stiff peaks. This helps maintain the structure of the cake as the graham crackers soften.
- Layering Technique: Spread each layer evenly and gently press down the graham crackers to ensure they are fully contacting the cream. This helps them absorb moisture evenly, softening into the perfect cake-like texture.
- Chilling Time: Allow the cake to chill for at least 4 hours, though overnight is best. This gives the graham crackers enough time to soften completely and the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Icebox Cake Recipe:
- Preparation time: 20 minutes
- Chilling time: 4 hours or overnight
- Serving: 12 servings
- Equipment: 9×13 inch baking dish
This dessert is as visually appealing as it is scrumptious, ideal for a variety of occasions.
Ingredients:
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 (12 oz) box graham crackers
- 4 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- Additional strawberries for garnish
Directions:
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Whip Cream: In another bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- Combine Creams: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, then fold in the sweetened condensed milk until combined.
- Layer the Cake: In a 9×13 inch dish, spread a thin layer of the cream mixture. Cover with a layer of graham crackers, breaking as needed to fit. Spread another layer of cream, then a layer of sliced strawberries. Repeat the layers, ending with cream.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, garnish with additional fresh strawberries.
Ideal for Any Gathering
This Strawberry Cream Cheese Icebox Cake is a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for any gathering, from casual barbecues to elegant dinners. Its combination of creamy, fruity, and sweet flavors, all layered together in an easy-to-make format, ensures it’s a dessert that will be requested time and again. Enjoy the ease of preparation and the bliss of consumption with this fabulous summer treat.
