My favorite dessert of all time? No-bake icebox cake using chocolate wafers and whipped cream.
icebox cake
I just adore icebox cake. I know I’m a cookie gal, but I can’t resist. Given a choice for dessert? Icebox cake will always win. Always.
what is icebox cake?
To make ice box cake, layer crispy cookies (such as the crispy chocolate wafers shown here) with whipped cream. As the combination refrigerates overnight, the cookies absorb the cream and become cake-like in texture with a decadent, magical result.
One of the most recognized icebox cake is the one printed on the back of Nabisco’s Famous Chocolate Wafers, which debuted in 1924.
more ice box cake recipes
Something about the combination of chocolate cookies, whipped cream and the refrigerator makes for the best desserts ever. Need more?
- Try vodka icebox cake in a jar!
- Or, use Oreos instead of the chocolate wafers to make Oreo icebox cake in a jar.
- In the winter, this snow globe icebox cake is gorgeous.
- You can make icebox cake cupcakes, too.
- Next on my list to try is this Chocolate Lasagna by Amanda’s Cookin’, made with Oreos and Cool Whip.
how to make icebox cake
ingredients*
- 1 package Nabisco’s Famous Chocolate Wafers
- 1 pint heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon sugar
*Find the wafers in the cookie or baking aisle of the supermarket. If your store doesn’t carry them, beg and plead for them to. And please please use real whipping cream (not dessert topping).
what to do
In a standing mixer fitted with the wire whip, or in a large bowl with an electric hand mixer, whip the cream very well until it’s fluffy and stiff peaks form.
Blend in the vanilla and sugar.
Choose a flat tray or plate to assemble the ice box cake. Spoon 1 to 2 tablespoons of whipped cream on a wafer. Top with another wafer. Continue, assembling the cake as shown below.
Use the remaining whipped cream to cover the cake.
Refrigerate for at least six hours or overnight.
Slice at an angle when serving!
icebox cake
How to make the classic icebox cake with Nabisco's famous chocolate wafers.
Ingredients
- 1 package Nabisco's Famous Chocolate Wafers
- 1 pint heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Instructions
In a standing mixer fitted with the wire whip, or in a large bowl with an electric hand mixer, whip the cream very well until it's fluffy and stiff peaks form.
Blend in the vanilla and sugar.
Choose a flat tray or plate to assemble the ice box cake. Spoon 1 to 2 tablespoons of whipped cream on a wafer. Top with another wafer. Continue, assembling the cake as shown below.
Use the remaining whipped cream to cover the cake.
Refrigerate for at least six hours or overnight.
Slice at an angle when serving!
Notes
See blog post for chart on how to assemble.
This post was originally published in February 2010 and updated in July 2020.
Chic Cookies says
Oh, I like the idea of graham crackers! I might try that. And of course add rum. Adding rum to anything is a good idea.
【ツ】 ⒶⓃⓃⒺ 【ツ】 says
This has always been my brother's birthday cake request since he was a little boy. Seems a shame we eat it only once a year…because it really is that good!!!
Leah says
How long can it sit in the fridge? I'd like to make it tonight but dont want it to be soggy tomorrow evening.
Chic Cookies says
The Nabisco recipe suggests 4 to 6 hours ahead of time make it, which is ideal, but I always make mine the night before serving and it works great. Then, the day after the party, I'll eat the leftovers, but definitely past its prime by then. The meaning behind the "ice box cake" is that the time in the fridge encourages the moisture from the cream to seep into the cookies, turning them into cake (or turning them soggy, in essence). So the moisture is a good thing. Just don't want too much of a good thing. But the night before should be fine 🙂
Leah says
Your awesome! Thanks!