No-Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake: A Quick and Easy Homemade Dessert

Looking for an easy and delicious homemade dessert that you can make in minutes? Look no further than this no-bake strawberry icebox cake! This recipe is simple to follow and requires minimal ingredients. Plus, it's a great way to use up any leftover strawberries that you may have.

No-Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake

There’s just something about the hottest months of the year that gets you in the mood to celebrate and dig into some delicious and light sweet treats - usually topped with in-season fruits like strawberries. And thankfully, it doesn’t take a lot to make this no-bake dessert that the whole family enjoys. 

And that's no exaggeration. There's a seriously love for this dessert in my house. We've even had it for breakfast and there's almost never any leftovers!

Icebox cakes are the way to go if you’re one of those (like me) who don’t like to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. They’re versatile and super easy to make. And this no-bake strawberry icebox cake, in particular, is chock full of flavor and deliciousness while also being SUPER simple. 

And if you want something just a bit different, check out this great no-bake eclair cake recipe that is absolutely decadent!

What Goes into Making No-Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake?

You’ll need just 4 simple ingredients to put this decadent cake together. How cool is that?!

• 2 cups (464g) sweetened whipped cream
• 1 cup (250ml) milk
• 1 14oz box graham crackers
• 3 cups (498g) chopped strawberries

Below, I've gone through some variations that you can make to this simple recipe to make it vegan, add a chocolate twist or even take it tropical. So keep reading to get the full recipe and the variations. You won't be sorry you did!

Kitchen Tools Needed

You'll only need a handful of tools to get your no-bake cake ready to go. You might have these in your kitchen already, but in case you don't, I provided some links to help you out.

• Mixing bowl
• Measuring cups
• Hand mixer
• 9x9 baking dish

How to Make No-Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake

In a large bowl, mix the whipped cream with milk. Whip until it reaches a consistent thickness.

Remove the strawberry leaves and cut each of the strawberries into thin pieces.

Line a cake pan with cling wrap. Add a thin layer of the whipped cream mixture to the bottom of the lined cake pan.

Add a single layer of graham crackers across the whipped cream layer, followed by another thin layer of whipped cream.

Top this layer of whipped cream with strawberries, then add another layer of graham crackers followed by a layer of whipped cream. Repeat the same procedure until the ingredients are exhausted.

Place your strawberry icebox pie in the fridge to chill for at least 3 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called "icebox" cake or "icebox" pie?

The name "icebox cake" or "icebox pie" comes from the fact that this dessert was traditionally made by layering cake or cookies with a creamy filling, then refrigerating it until the flavors have had a chance to meld together. This process is also what gives the cake its signature dense and moist texture.

Can you make this no-bake strawberry icebox cake vegan?

Yes, this recipe can easily be made vegan by substituting the whipped cream for a vegan variety and using vegan graham crackers.

Personally, I like using coconut cream for the whipped cream as it whips up nicely, but I do find that you have to add quite a bit of sugar to get it nicely stiff.

Can I Use Cool Whip Instead of the Whipped Cream?

Absolutely! I have used Cool Whip instead of the whipped cream before and I had wonderful success. However, Cool Whip does seem to be a little thinner to me than whipped cream, so only work in the milk in ¼ cup increments, so you don't make it runny. You still want the Cool Whip to be stiff.

What are some variations on on icebox cake?

There are many variations of icebox cake, but some of the most popular include adding different fruits or using different kinds of graham crackers. Some of the variations I have tried that tasted fantastic were:

• Strawberry Chocolate: Swapping the graham crackers for chocolate graham crackers gives you that chocolate-covered strawberry fix you crave. Top with shreds of chocolate for even more of a treat.
• Pineapple Cherry: Instead of strawberries, use canned pineapple rings and in the center of each ring, add a maraschino cherry! This is going to give you a super tropical and lovely flavor experience.
• Peach Cobbler: Swap strawberries for canned peaches sliced thinly and top with crushed graham cracker crumbs for a delicious twist on a southern specialty!

Get creative and experiment with your favorite flavors to create a dessert that's uniquely yours!

Tips for Storing No-Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake

To be honest, this no-bake cake is really best if you eat it same-day. But, if you have some leftovers, put them in an airtight container and refrigerate them. They will be fresh for 3 days. If you wait longer than that, the cake will become wet and soggy. If the cake slices are too delicate to move, leave them in the same container. Just make sure to cover it well so the cake doesn't get any additional moisture added.

Looking for More No-Bake Desserts?

If you love the idea of a no-bake dessert so your kitchen doesn't heat up unnecessarily, join the club! We will be adding more delicious ideas here soon, but for now, check out these favorites that are often on our dessert menu. Make sure you bookmark the recipes or print them out so you will have them on hand when you need an easy treat!

• No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake Recipe
• Vegan Engery Bites Recipe
• No-Bake Chocolate Oreo Lasagna Recipe