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Creamy No-Bake Lemon Icebox Cake

creamy no-bake lemon icebox cake - featured image
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A quick and easy no-bake lemon icebox cake that is light, refreshing, and perfect for summer. It features a creamy lemon-flavored filling layered with crunchy vanilla wafers or graham crackers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (480 ml) cold heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup (60 g) powdered sugar
  • 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract (optional)
  • 40–45 vanilla wafer cookies or graham crackers
  • Fresh lemon slices or candied lemon peel (optional, for garnish)
  • Fresh mint leaves (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, beat the cold heavy cream using an electric mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form (about 3-4 minutes).
  2. In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth and creamy (about 2 minutes).
  3. Add lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and lemon extract (if using) to the cream cheese mixture and beat until combined.
  4. Gently fold the whipped cream into the lemon cream cheese mixture using a spatula, being careful not to deflate the mixture.
  5. In a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish, spread a thin layer of the cream mixture on the bottom.
  6. Add a single layer of vanilla wafers or graham crackers over the cream layer.
  7. Repeat layering cream and cookies, ending with a cream layer on top (3-4 layers total).
  8. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
  9. Before serving, garnish with fresh lemon slices or candied lemon peel and mint leaves.
  10. Slice into squares and serve chilled.

Notes

Use cold heavy cream for best whipping results. Fold whipped cream gently to keep the mixture light and airy. Chilling overnight is ideal for best texture. Lemon extract is optional but enhances flavor. For dairy-free, substitute coconut cream and dairy-free cream cheese. For gluten-free, use gluten-free vanilla wafers or almond flour cookies. Let cake sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before slicing if cookies are too hard.

Nutrition

Keywords: no-bake, lemon, icebox cake, summer dessert, easy dessert, creamy, refreshing, lemon dessert

Find it online: https://novanosh.com/creamy-no-bake-lemon-icebox-cake-recipe-easy-refreshing-summer-dessert/