Strawberry Cream Cheese Icebox Cake is a delightful no-bake dessert that’s perfect for warm weather or when you want a simple yet impressive treat. With layers of creamy, tangy filling, sweet strawberries, and crunchy graham crackers, this cake is both refreshing and indulgent. Here’s how you can make this delicious dessert at home.
Ingredients
- Heavy cream: 2 cups
- Cream cheese: 1 package (8 oz), softened
- Powdered sugar: 1 cup
- Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
- Fresh strawberries: 2-3 cups, sliced
- Graham crackers: 1 box
- Additional strawberries: for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling:
- Beat the Cream Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it’s smooth and creamy. This step ensures that the filling is free of lumps and has a silky texture.
- Add the Powdered Sugar and Vanilla: Gradually add the powdered sugar to the cream cheese, beating continuously until fully incorporated. Mix in the vanilla extract, ensuring that it’s evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
2. Whip the Heavy Cream:
- Chill Your Equipment: Before you begin whipping the cream, it’s a good idea to chill your mixing bowl and beaters in the fridge for about 10-15 minutes. Cold equipment helps the cream whip faster and hold its shape better.
- Whip the Cream: Pour the heavy cream into the chilled bowl and beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. The cream should be fluffy and hold its shape when you lift the beaters out of the bowl.
- Combine the Cream and Cream Cheese Mixture: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture using a spatula. Fold carefully to maintain the airy texture of the whipped cream while fully incorporating the cream cheese mixture. This combination creates the luscious, creamy filling for your icebox cake.
3. Assemble the Cake:
- Layer the Graham Crackers: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, arrange a single layer of graham crackers, covering the bottom of the dish as much as possible. You may need to break some crackers to fit the dish.
- Add a Layer of Cream: Spread a third of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the graham crackers. Use a spatula to smooth it out.
- Add a Layer of Strawberries: Arrange a layer of sliced strawberries over the cream cheese mixture, ensuring even coverage.
- Repeat the Layers: Continue layering the graham crackers, cream cheese mixture, and strawberries until you’ve used up all the ingredients. The top layer should be the cream cheese mixture.
4. Garnish and Chill:
- Add Garnishes (Optional): For an extra touch of elegance, garnish the top layer with additional sliced strawberries. You can also sprinkle some graham cracker crumbs over the top for added texture.
- Chill the Cake: Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. This chilling time allows the graham crackers to soften and absorb the flavors of the cream and strawberries, creating a cake-like texture.
5. Serve:
- Slice and Enjoy: Once the cake has chilled and set, slice it into squares and serve. The layers should be beautifully defined, with the cream cheese mixture, strawberries, and softened graham crackers creating a delightful combination of textures and flavors.
Tips for Perfect Strawberry Cream Cheese Icebox Cake
- Use Fresh Strawberries: Fresh, ripe strawberries add the best flavor and texture to this cake. Make sure to slice them evenly for consistent layers.
- Chill Time: Don’t rush the chilling process. The longer the cake sits in the fridge, the better the flavors meld together, and the graham crackers soften to the perfect cake-like consistency.
- Substitutions: You can use other berries like blueberries, raspberries, or a mix of different fruits for a variation on this classic dessert.
Variations
- Chocolate Lovers: For a chocolate twist, add a layer of chocolate ganache between the cream layers or drizzle melted chocolate over the top before serving.
- Lemon Zest: For a refreshing citrus note, add some lemon zest to the cream cheese mixture. The bright flavor pairs beautifully with the strawberries.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Icebox Cake is a crowd-pleasing dessert that’s easy to make and perfect for any occasion. The combination of creamy layers, juicy strawberries, and soft graham crackers is simply irresistible. Whether you’re making it for a family gathering, a potluck, or just because, this no-bake dessert is sure to impress. Enjoy every delicious bite!
