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Easy No-Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake: Best Summer Dessert

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This easy no-bake strawberry icebox cake is a creamy, fruity, and completely stress-free summer dessert. Layers of silky cream cheese filling, fresh macerated strawberries, and soft graham crackers come together in about 20 minutes, then the fridge does the rest.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced (about 1 pound)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice, fresh squeezed
  • 1 box (about 14 ounces) graham crackers (about 24 full sheets)
  • Extra strawberries and mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Macerate the strawberries: In a medium bowl, combine the sliced strawberries, 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, and the lemon juice. Stir gently to coat. Let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes. Do not drain.
  2. Make the cream filling: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the 1/4 cup granulated sugar and the vanilla extract, and beat until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  3. Whip the cream: In a separate bowl, pour in the cold heavy cream and the powdered sugar. Beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 3-4 minutes. Be careful not to over-whip.
  4. Fold it all together: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture using a spatula. Fold from the bottom over the top, turning the bowl as you go, until no white streaks remain.
  5. Start layering: Spread a thin layer of the cream mixture (about 1/2 cup) on the bottom of a 9×13-inch dish. Arrange a single layer of graham crackers on top, breaking them as needed to fit.
  6. Add the strawberry layer: Spread about 1/3 of the remaining cream mixture over the graham crackers. Spoon about 1/3 of the macerated strawberries (including some juice) over the cream.
  7. Repeat the layers: Add another layer of graham crackers, another 1/3 of the cream, and another 1/3 of the strawberries. Repeat one more time, ending with a final layer of graham crackers. Spread the last bit of cream mixture over the top layer of graham crackers, covering them completely.
  8. Chill: Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.
  9. Garnish and serve: Before serving, top with fresh strawberry slices and mint leaves if desired. Slice into squares and serve cold.

Notes

Don’t skip macerating the strawberries—the syrup helps soften the graham crackers. Let the cream cheese soften for at least 30 minutes. Whip cream to stiff peaks but no further. Press graham crackers down gently after each layer. Chill overnight for best results. Use a glass dish if possible to see the layers.

Nutrition

Keywords: no-bake strawberry icebox cake, easy summer dessert, strawberry dessert, no-bake dessert, icebox cake, graham cracker dessert

Find it online: https://novanosh.com/easy-no-bake-strawberry-icebox-cake-best-summer-dessert/