Description
This Strawberry Cream Cheese Icebox Cake is a delightful no-bake dessert featuring layers of fresh sliced strawberries, creamy sweetened cream cheese mixture, and crunchy graham crackers. Chilled for several hours, this cake melds the flavors and softens the crackers to create a luscious, refreshing summer treat that’s easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, washed, hulled, and sliced
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
Other
- 24 graham cracker sheets
Instructions
- Prepare the Strawberries: Wash the strawberries thoroughly under cold water, remove the stems, and slice them thinly. Set aside for layering.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then beat until well combined and smooth to create a sweet, flavorful filling.
- Whip the Heavy Cream: In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form, ensuring it holds shape for folding.
- Fold in the Whipped Cream: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully incorporated, being careful not to deflate the whipped cream, to maintain a light texture.
- Assemble the Icebox Cake: Line the bottom of an 8×8 inch square baking dish with a layer of graham crackers, breaking them as needed to fit. Spread a layer of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the crackers, then arrange a layer of sliced strawberries on top. Repeat the layering process—graham crackers, cream cheese mixture, and strawberries—until all ingredients are used, finishing with a final layer of cream cheese mixture.
- Chill the Cake: Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. This chilling allows the graham crackers to soften and the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Serve: Before serving, optionally garnish the top with additional sliced strawberries for a fresh presentation. Cut into squares and serve chilled for a refreshing dessert experience.
Notes
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor and sweetness.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the filling.
- Whip the cream until stiff peaks form to ensure a light and airy texture in the cake.
- For easier slicing and serving, chill the cake overnight.
- This dessert can be made a day ahead, making it perfect for entertaining.
- Alternative biscuits like digestive biscuits can be used instead of graham crackers if preferred.
