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    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake

    July 28, 2022 | Updated July 28, 2022 | Heather Warburton

    JUMP TO RECIPE
    Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake slice and whole cake with sliced strawberries layered in rows.

    This Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake is the perfect no bake summer dessert. A layered dessert that is so easy to make and sure to impress all your friends and family.

    Close side view of Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake slice on white round plate with fork on the side.

    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Click HERE to read my policies.

    Why We Love Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake

    • So simple to make.
    • Only requires 5 ingredients.
    • A great make ahead dessert.
    • Perfect dessert to share at summer potlucks or parties.

    Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake Ingredients

    • Strawberries
    • Heavy Whipping Cream
    • Powdered Sugar
    • Pure Vanilla Extract
    • Graham Crackers
    Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake ingredients.

    Substitution Suggestions:

    • Strawberries: Fresh strawberries work best for this recipe. Frozen will have too much moisture and can make the cream filling weepy and soggy.
    • Heavy Whipping Cream: You can replace the cream, powdered sugar and vanilla with a tub of thawed whipped topping.
    • Graham Crackers: You could also use vanilla wafer cookies, golden Oreo cookies, lady fingers, chewy sugar cookies, lemon sandwich cookies or even chocolate Oreos or chocolate graham crackers for a fun chocolate addition.
    Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake slices on white round plates in front of whole cake.

    This icebox cake is a fun twist on a traditional strawberry shortcake with fresh strawberries and sweet cream. The perfect dessert recipe during the strawberry season.

    How to Make Strawberry Icebox Cake

    1. First step is to clean and slice the strawberries. Once they are sliced, set them aside.
    2. In a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, or with hand beaters and large bowl, whisk the heavy cream until it reaches soft peaks.
    3. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Whisk until it reaches stiff peaks.
    4. To a 10x6 or 8x8 baking dish, cover the bottom with a single layer of graham crackers. This will take about 4-5 graham cracker sheets depending on the dish you use.
    Graham crackers on bottom of baking dish with whipped cream in the middle being spread out with offset spatula.
    1. On top of the graham crackers spread ⅓ of the cream evenly over the graham crackers.
    2. Next place about 1 cup of the sliced strawberries in a single layer on top of the cream.
    Sliced strawberries added on top of cream.
    1. Now repeat the layers two more times: graham crackers, cream, strawberries.
    2. Tightly cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and chill for 4-8 hours or overnight.
    3. Slice, serve and enjoy!
    Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake on board.

    Storing Icebox Cake

    Store the cake in the fridge tightly covered with plastic wrap. This icebox cake will last in the fridge for 2-3 days.

    You can also freeze the icebox cake. Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw cake in fridge for a few hours before slicing and serving.

    Tips for the Best Strawberry Icebox Cake

    • To avoid strawberries weeping on the top layer of cream, decorate the top with sliced strawberries after the cake has chilled.
    • When making the whipped cream use a chilled bowl and cold cream. This helps the cream come together quickly.
    • Let the cake set and become firm for at least 4 hours before serving it. Chilling the cake overnight is best, but can be served nicely after 4 hours.
    • To serve the icebox cake out of the dish, line the dish with plastic wrap. Once the cake is firm or frozen, lift the cake out of the dish and place on a cake board or stand and gently pull the plastic wrap out from under the cake. This works great if the cake is frozen. If the cake is just chilled, you might have to use a spatula to help lift the cake off the plastic wrap.
    Close up view of Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake slice.

    FAQs About Icebox Cake

    Why is it called an icebox cake?

    In the early 20th century, an icebox was a form of refrigeration that was non mechanical. Housewives would make desserts and chill them in their icebox, which became known as icebox cakes.

    Does icebox cake need to be refrigerated?

    Yes, the cake is made out of whipped cream which needs to stay cold for safety reasons. It also needs to be refrigerated so the cake stays firm.

    How long will icebox cake keep?

    Store the cake in the fridge tightly covered with plastic wrap, and it will last in the fridge for 2-3 days.
    You can also freeze the cake. Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw cake in fridge for a few hours before slicing and serving.

    When did icebox cakes become popular?

    The icebox cake became popular in the 1930s when more processed ingredients became available and companies were printing recipes on the boxes.

    Two slices of Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake on white round plates with forks.

    Other Delicious No Bake Desserts:

    • Lemon Cheesecake Bars
    • Scotch-a-roos
    • S'mores Bars
    • Cheesecake Bars
    • Peanut Butter Bars
    • Cookies and Cream Cheesecake Bars
    • Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
    Close side view of Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake slice on white round plate with fork on the side.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake

    This Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake is the perfect no bake summer dessert. A layered dessert that is so easy to make and sure to impress all your friends and family.
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: strawberry icebox cake, strawberry shortcake icebox cake
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
    Plus Chilling: 4 hours hours
    Servings: 10
    Author: Heather

    Ingredients

    • 14 graham cracker sheets
    • 3 cups heavy whipping cream
    • ¾ cup powdered sugar
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 3 cups sliced strawberries

    Instructions

    • Clean and slice the strawberries. Once they are sliced, set them aside.
    • In a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, whisk the heavy cream until it reaches soft peaks. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Whisk until it reaches stiff peaks.
    • To a 10x6 or 8x8 baking dish, cover the bottom with a single layer of graham crackers. This will take about 4-5 graham cracker sheets.
    • On top of the graham crackers spread ⅓ of the cream evenly over the graham crackers.
    • Next place about 1 cup of the sliced strawberries in a single layer on top of the cream.
    • Now repeat the layers two more times: graham crackers, cream, strawberries.
    • Tightly cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and chill for 4-8 hours or overnight. Slice, serve and enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1slice | Calories: 376kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 149mg | Potassium: 169mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 1055IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 1mg
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    Hi, I'm Heather! A wife and mom of 3. I like to create and share homemade recipes from breakfast to dessert that the whole family will enjoy. Thank you for stopping by!

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