Strawberry Icebox Cake
Strawberry icebox cake is a refreshing summer dessert made from scratch in under 30 minutes with layers of juicy strawberries, fluffy whipped cream, and graham crackers. It's perfect for BBQs, potlucks, and Fourth of July parties!
Amy's Notes
I can’t get enough of fresh strawberries when they’re in season, especially paired with heavy cream!
This easy strawberry icebox cake has layers of strawberries, whipped cream, and graham crackers. Make it quick with store-bought graham crackers and whipped cream, or go all out from scratch using our homemade versions!
Chill the icebox cake for a few hours and serve the same day, or make it up to 2 days ahead for a stress-free dessert!
The recipe fills an 8" x 8" dish but can easily be doubled for a crowd.
Enjoy!
Ingredients Needed
- Strawberries: Choose bright red, ripe strawberries for the best berries and cream experience!
- Whipped Cream: Our whipped cream recipe uses heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and cream of tartar. If you don’t have powdered sugar, you can blend regular white sugar until it turns powdery. Cream of tartar helps stabilize the whipped cream, but if you leave it out, the recipe will still work; your whipped cream won't stay as stiff over time.
- Graham Crackers: Use store-bought graham crackers or make your own with your sourdough starter. We have an easy sourdough graham cracker that you can use with this ice box cake, or to make graham cracker crusts, s'mores, and more!
How to Make Strawberry Icebox Cake from Scratch
Step 1
Bake the graham crackers. Follow our recipe for sourdough graham crackers if you would like to make them from scratch. If you are using store-bought graham crackers you may skip this step.
Step 2
Make the whipped cream. Beat the heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract and cream of tartar in a mixing bowl until stiff peaks form. Pop the bowl in the fridge to chill until you are ready to assemble the dessert.
Step 3
Prepare the strawberries. Wash the strawberries and remove the stems. Cut them into thin even slices.
Step 4
Assemble. Place a very thin layer of whipped cream on the bottom of the dish. Layer the ingredients, starting with the graham crackers, whipped cream, and strawberries. Repeat for a second layer.
Cover the dish and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours, overnight is better.
How to Store
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the dessert up to 2 days ahead of time and keep it covered in the fridge until you are ready to serve it.
- How to Store: Any leftover strawberry icebox cake can be stored in the fridge, covered, for up to 2 days.
- How to Freeze: If you'd like to freeze the icebox cake, ensure it is in a freezer-safe container and keep it frozen for up to 30 days. When you're ready to eat it, remove it from the freezer and allow it to thaw until it's easy to slice.
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Strawberry Icebox Cake
Before You Begin
INGREDIENTS
- 1 lb. (454 g) strawberries
- 7 oz. (200 g) graham crackers (1 ½ sleeves) (or 1 batch of sourdough graham crackers)
Whipped Cream (Makes 3 cups)
- 1 cup (240 g) heavy cream
- ¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon (2 g) cream of tartar
INSTRUCTIONS
- If you make homemade sourdough graham crackers, let them cool completely before assembling the cake. Skip this step if you are using store-bought graham crackers.
- Place the whipped cream ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Place the whipped cream in the fridge until ready to assemble the dessert.
- Wash the strawberries, remove the stems, and cut into thin slices.
- Place a very thin layer of whipped cream on the bottom of an 8" x 8" dish. Next, layer graham crackers, followed by half of the whipped cream and half of the sliced strawberries. Repeat with a second layer. Cover the dish and allow it to chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
NOTES
- Powdered Sugar: Make your own by blending granulated sugar in a high-speed blender until it is a powder.
- Whipped Cream: You can swap the homemade whipped cream with 3 cups of thawed frozen whipped topping for a quick and easy shortcut.
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the dessert up to 2 days ahead of time and keep it covered in the fridge until you are ready to serve it.
- How to Store: The icebox cake can be stored in the fridge, covered, for up to 2 days.
- How to Freeze: If you'd like to freeze the icebox cake, ensure it is in a freezer-safe container and keep it frozen for up to 30 days. When you're ready to eat it, remove it from the freezer and allow it to thaw until it's easy to slice.
I made this in a loaf pan. perfect, delicious. It is 112 here! This not only was creamy and cool it was essential to cool down! lol I never put cream of tarter in the whipped cream. I loved the rich results. thank you 😊
My 10 yr old granddaughter made this under my direction. So easy and so delicious. I like it better than with shortcake.
Made this for my grand children's party, and they all loved it.
Wow! Made this last night after notice of an unexpected guest/dinner this evening. Had 3/4 lb of fresh berries, cream and pantry grahams on hand, so I took a shot at redemption and tossed it together beforehand. This came together in a snap! I was so concerned since the berries are not totally in season yet and still a bit tart. Also not sure how the grahams would soften up (or not?) Used an oval-ish clay dish about 5 .1/2" x 8" .
Do not hesitate to make this! It was absolute bliss - kind of like a cheesecake type treat! The whipped cream brought the berries to life, and grahams anchored the whole thing in total yummy bliss. Forget about pretty square portions, lol! I started that way and I think it would be more successful with a true square pan, but my choice of smaller dish to fit the available ingredients made a large spoon necessary. Honestly, when you are serving a homemade treat like this, it just doesn't matter! The deserves a zillion stars, and can easily be made with blueberries, raspberries, etc! Great for a riff, but superior on it's own!
Held perfectly for 30 hrs before serving with zero seeping/weeping or whatever.
I think this would even go up to the sophisticated notch by rough-breaking the grahams and layering it nice goblet glasses for special guest desserts. A few dark chocolate shaves on top and you are the queen!
Can I make it with raspberries?
Hi De, we haven't tested this recipe with raspberries but I don't see why not! Sounds delicious 🙂
Very good
Thanks Amy. I can’t wait to make this tonight
So excited to try! Looks delicious!