Jun 05, 2023, Updated Jul 16, 2023 A strawberry refrigerator cake is the perfect, easy alternative to classic strawberry shortcake, strawberry cobbler, puff pastry strawberry tart, or actual baking of any variety. (Although when you have a chance, you really must try these delicious strawberry brownies!)
Strawberry Cream Cheese Icebox Cake – You’re gonna LOVE this No Bake Strawberry Dessert
There are so many reasons to love this Strawberry Icebox Cake. Here are just a few:
It’s easy to make and requires no baking, making it the perfect dessert for hot summer months or when you’re short on time. The flavors are fresh and delicious thanks to the combination of sweet, juicy strawberries and tangy whipped cream cheese filling. I adore the cool, lighter-but-still-creamy cheesecake filling. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s sure to impress at any BBQ or potluck. Kids love it and it’s the perfect treat for when strawberry season is in full swing. It’s customizable and versatile – you can switch up the fruit, add different toppings, or even experiment with different types of cake or cookie layers. Plus, it can easily be adjusted to fit different dietary needs or preferences. It’s nostalgic and brings back memories of childhood summer days spent enjoying cool, refreshing treats.
Gather Your Ingredients for No Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake
Before you start baking, make sure you have all the ingredients for this Strawberry Refrigerator Cake with Cream Cheese! Here’s a list of what you’ll need:
Cream cheese: Adds a tangy and rich flavor to the no bake cheesecake filling and helps to set the cake’s texture. Heavy cream: The main ingredient of the cake, whipping cream creates a light and fluffy texture in this easy dessert. Confectioners’ sugar: Provides a touch of sweetness to balance out the tartness of the strawberries. Vanilla extract: A classic dessert flavor that pairs perfectly with strawberries. Graham crackers: One sleeve of graham crackers forms the layers of the cake, adding a slightly crunchy texture to the creamy filling. Fresh strawberries: The star ingredient of the cake. In-season ripe strawberries are the best.
How make Strawberry Icebox Cake: Step-by-Step Directions for Preparing this Easy No Bake Recipe
To make it, simply layer spoonfuls of whipped filling with graham crackers and strawberries in a basic loaf pan using a spoon or offset spatula. Start with filling and graham crackers and end with strawberries, don’t give too much thought to how many layers and what comes next. Go with the flow. It’s an easy, forgiving dessert recipe you will want to repeat all strawberry season.
Grab these Tools
No need to be a kitchen wizard to make this Strawberry Icebox Cake – all you need are some basic kitchen tools! Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
A loaf pan to create the perfect shape for your cake. Parchment paper for easy removal of the cake from the pan. A large bowl and electric hand mixer (or standing mixer) to whip up the cream cheese and cream into a fluffy and sweet filling. Measuring cups and spoons to ensure accurate measurements of your ingredients. A spatula to spread the layers of whipped cream and strawberries evenly. A sharp knife to slice the fresh strawberries to perfection.
Make Ahead and Storage Tips
Looking to get ahead of the game and prepare your Strawberry Icebox Cake ahead of time? No problem – just follow these tips to make sure your dessert stays fresh and delicious right up until it’s time to serve!
Make it ahead by refrigerating the cake for up to 24 hours before serving. The flavors will have a chance to meld together, and the cake will be beautifully set. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Trust us, you’ll want to save some for later! Freeze any extra slices individually for an on-demand dessert option. Simply let them thaw for 10 minutes at room temperature before serving.
Variations and Substitutions
Looking to switch things up with your Strawberry Icebox Cake? Here are a few variations and substitutions to try out:
Switch up the fruit and use raspberries, blueberries, sliced cherries, or thinly-sliced peaches instead of strawberries for a fun twist on this classic dessert. Add some crunch by layering in toasted coconut, or chopped nuts between the whipped cream cheese and fruit layers. Crush up some more graham crackers and sprinkle crumbs on top for presentation, if you like. Use a different type of cake such as angel food cake or pound cake instead of graham crackers for a more decadent dessert experience. Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free graham crackers or a gluten-free cake alternative. Use Cool Whip: Shortcut enthusiasts and 90s nostalgia fans can swap in Cool Whip for the whipping cream and omit the confectioners’ sugar.
Vegan Strawberry Icebox Cake: Serving a vegan, someone who can’t have dairy, or simply don’t have whipping cream? Stick a couple of 14-oz cans of coconut milk in the fridge for a few hours and then scoop out and whip only the solid portion at the top for coconut whipped cream instead.
Healthy Strawberry Icebox Cake: You can totally lighten this up by replacing up to 1 cup of the cream with Greek-style plain yogurt (because it won’t gain as much volume, use a bit less on each layer).
Chocolate Strawberry Icebox Cake: substitute chocolate wafer cookies for the graham crackers and/or add a spoonful of cocoa powder to the whipped cream filling.
More Favourite Foodess strawberry recipes:
Strawberry Brownies Strawberry Buttermilk Pie Strawberry Cobbler Strawberry-Rhubarb Yogurt Cake
