Strawberry Icebox Cake
on Jun 27, 2018, Updated Jan 30, 2024
If you are needing a quick summer dessert, this Strawberry Icebox Cake is the simplest dessert with no baking involved. With just 3 ingredients, you can whip this up for your next summer bbq or potluck!
Strawberry Icebox Cake
Simple quick no fuss desserts can be a lifesaver during the summer months. I can not count how many times I have needed to make a easy dessert for a summer bbq. This Strawberry Icebox Cake is the simplest and quickest dessert I have ever made. I can even have my kiddos throw it together and have it in the fridge in just a few minutes time.
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What is an icebox you ask? I can tell you that they are basic layers of simple products that require no baking. They can be tossed in your fridge or freezer in just a few minutes. For our Strawberry Icebox Cake, we used graham crackers, Cool-Whip, and strawberries. It is amazing how such a simple dessert can taste so good.
I usually make simple desserts when pressed for time. This is one of those recipes that I have made over and over again because my hubby requests it so often. I had a strawberry sale a couple weeks ago at my grocer. I made a delicious Easy Strawberry Crisp that my family LOVED. But the next day, my hubby was requesting my Strawberry Icebox Cake. Since it is so simple and quick, I whipped one up and decided I should share it here on the blog.
When making this one for a large potluck, I grab one of the bigger disposable sheet pans with a lid and double up the recipe to feed a crowd. It is always one of the first desserts to disappear. Each time, I think maybe I should move to a larger disposable pan ha ha!
You will need some graham crackers, strawberries, and Cool-Whip for this recipe. You are free to use your own fresh whipped cream if you prefer. I like to use the Cool-Whip to keep it so simple and absolutely no clean up. Yes… I hate making dirty dishes.
INGREDIENTS TO MAKE A STRAWBERRY ICEBOX CAKE
2 8 oz containers Cool Whip, thawed
1 1/2 lbs Strawberries, hulled and sliced
1 1/2 packs Graham Crackers
HOW TO MAKE A STRAWBERRY ICEBOX CAKE
Spread a 1/2 container of whipped topping in a layer on the bottom of an 8×8″ pan.
Add a layer of graham crackers, breaking as necessary to cover whipped topping.
Top with another 1/2 container of whipped topping and smooth with a spatula.
Add 1/3 of the strawberries in an even layer.
Then graham crackers, whipped topping, strawberries, graham crackers, whipped topping and strawberries.
Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.
Do you have a favorite Strawberry dessert?
Strawberry Icebox Cake
Ingredients
- 16 oz Cool Whip, thawed
- 1 1/2 lb Strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1 1/2 packs Graham Crackers
Instructions
- Spread a 1/2 container of whipped topping in a layer on the bottom of an 8x8" pan.
- Add a layer of graham crackers, breaking as necessary to cover whipped topping.
- Top with another 1/2 container of whipped topping and smooth with a spatula.
- Add 1/3 of the strawberries in an even layer.
- Then graham crackers, whipped topping, strawberries, graham crackers, whipped topping and strawberries.
- Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.
This looks so good! And, I love that I don’t have to turn on the oven. I will be featuring this post at Thursday Favorite Things tomorrow. :)
Actually with the layer of whipped topping on the top of the cake and an extra thick looking layer at that, there are 5 layers of whipped topping. So this still does not add up to what is in the recipe or to Pam’s response to Jean’s question above.
I drew out the layers according to the directions and only got 4 layers of Cool Whip – see below. I also looked closely at the pictures and it matches. Good thing I did because I was going to add an extra layer of graham crackers, strawberries and cool whip – using less cool whip between the layers with strawberries.. I think I will make it both ways and decide which I prefer better.
Layer 10. – remaining strawberries
Layer 9. – Cool Whip
Layer 8. – 1 row of graham crackers
Layer 7. – 1/3 of the strawberries
Layer 6. – Cool Whip
Layer 5. – 1 row of graham crackers
Layer 4. – 1/3 of the strawberries
Layer 3. – 4oz. Cool Whip
Layer 2. – 1 row of graham crackers
Layer 1. – 4oz. Cool Whip
Could you use real whipped cream instead of the processed stuff?
Have you tried it with other fruits? I have a 25 lb box of peaches coming and want to try maybe peaches and raspberries.
If I don’t care for graham crackers…… What else could I use in place of them?
Vanilla waffers
I’m going to try it with angel food cake…my son doesn’t care for Graham crackers…
I see whipped topping layered four times, yet you put 1/2 of the container on each time. That equals TWO containers of whipped topping. Something is wrong here!
At the very top of the article she lists 2, 8 ounce containers of whipped topping. So you would use 4 ounces for each layer which equals 16 ounces (the two containers). But in the print out of the recipe it just says 16 ounces of whipped topping. She just combined the two containers (of 8 ounces each) to equal the 16 ounces but erred then in saying that you put 1/2 of container in the layers (which would only leave you with 2 layers and not the 4 layers needed).
So just make sure each of the 4 layers only uses 1/4 of a 16 ounce container or 1/2 of an 8 ounce container ( of which you would need 2 containers).
Your recipe looks delicious, I am going to try it tomorrow!
Will the graham frackers be soft or crunchy? Going to make this tomorrow Thank you.
I’ve made this cake many times, but we add chocolate syrup too. So easy and delicious!
Hello, Jen,
I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your posting your recipes; they are usually easy and economical to make, which is exactly the type of recipe I love! Thank you!! I hope you and your family have a wonderful summer :)
Oh thank you so much Roberta. I am glad you are finding recipes that you like. I hope your summer is a good one as well.