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    Home » Dessert

    Strawberry Icebox Cake

    Jun 1, 2022 · Modified: Nov 15, 2022 by Emma · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Strawberry icebox cake is a classic summertime easy dessert. The addition of strawberry preserves is my favorite way to boost the flavor of this no-bake strawberry dessert. Chilled layers of graham crackers, a creamy filling, and strawberry slices make it the perfect dessert to enjoy on hot summer days.

    Looking for more no-bake strawberry desserts? Try our Red White and Blue Strawberry Icebox Cake!

    A piece of strawberry icebox cake with strawberry syrup drizzled on top on a white scalloped plate
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients & Kitchen Supplies
    • How to create the layers for icebox cake
    • Variations
    • How to serve this dessert
    • How to Store
    • Strawberry Icebox Cake

    Ingredients & Kitchen Supplies

    Ingredients to make strawberry icebox cake
    • Graham Crackers
    • Strawberry Preserves
    • Whipped Topping - I suggest using cool whip because it’s already made and ready to be used! You’ll need a 16-ounce tub. However, you can substitute it with homemade whipped cream - yum!
    • Strawberries - You can use fresh or frozen strawberry slices here. Frozen strawberries may leak a little into the cool whip, but because everything settles into each other in this icebox cake, you won’t notice!

    Please see the full list of ingredients and measurements at the bottom of the post. 

    This recipe is for an icebox cake made in a 9 x 13 baking dish. In addition to the baking dish, you'll need a rubber or offset spatula for smoothing out the cool whip and a knife for spreading the strawberry jam. That's it!

    How to create the layers for icebox cake

    One of the best parts of making an icebox cake is that all you do is create a few layers of cookies, whipped cream, and a layer of additional flavor (in this case strawberries, but it could be something like chocolate pudding!) Then, the cake is chilled in the refrigerator and you're done!

    a layer of graham crackers in a 9 x 13 dish
    Add a layer of graham crackers to a 9 x 13 baking dish
    Graham crackers covered in strawberry preserves in a 9 x 13 baking dish
    Top the graham crackers with strawberry preserves
    Layer of cool whip in a 9 x 13 baking dish
    Top with about 2 cups of cool whip or whipped cream
    sliced strawberries layered on top of cool whip in a 9 x 13 baking dish
    Add a layer of strawberry slices

    When you use a baking dish with curved edges, the layers of graham crackers won't always fit as neatly. Break the graham crackers into smaller pieces to best fill the space available, like I did in the picture below.

    repeated layers of graham crackers covered in strawberry preserves on top of cool whip and strawberry slices
    Break the graham crackers into smaller pieces to best fill the space available

    Repeat the layers two more times for a total of three layers of graham crackers, strawberry jam, whipped cream and strawberries.

    TOP TIP: I wait to add the last layer of strawberries until I'm about to serve the cake. The top layer of berries can lose some of their freshness during the chilling period (especially if it's overnight). What I'll do is cover the cake in plastic wrap after the third layer of cool whip and place it in the refrigerator. Then, before I'm about to serve it I'll slice fresh strawberries to place on top!

    strawberry icebox cake in a 9 x 13 baking dish

    Variations

    Can I make strawberry icebox cake in an 8 x 8 baking dish? 

    Yes! Reduce the ingredients to: 
    - 13 graham crackers
    - 3 tablespoons of strawberry presevers
    - 4 ½  cups cool whip
    - 5 cups sliced fresh strawberries

    And follow the instructions as written in the recipe card below!

    Making this for a holiday? Make our Red, White and Blue Strawberry Icebox Cake for the Fourth of July or Memorial Day!

    Stripes of strawberry slices and fresh blueberries create a flag design on top of a strawberry icebox cake

    How to serve this dessert

    • Decorate the top layer with a variety of strawberry slices: whole, halved, quartered and thinly sliced or keep it simple with a clean layer of strawberries!
    • Drizzle strawberry syrup on top of each slice for an extra delicious boost of strawberry flavor.
    Strawberry syrup pouring onto a piece of strawberry icebox cake

    Love a fruit-filled dessert? Try this apricot danish from our friend Molly at Vanilla Bean Cuisine!

    How to Store

    Keep this icebox cake stored and covered in the refrigerator. Seal with plastic wrap to keep the fruit topping as fresh as possible. It’s best enjoyed after chilling for about 8 hours - that’s when the graham crackers will still have a little crunch to them, and all the layers will have settled together!

    Can I make icebox cake ahead of time? 

    Because the ingredients won’t hold for more than a day or two with icebox cakes, I would suggest making it the night before so it can chill overnight, or preparing it in the morning to serve later in the afternoon or evening.

    A piece of strawberry icebox cake on a white scalloped plate
    A piece of strawberry icebox cake with strawberry syrup drizzled on top on a white scalloped plate

    Strawberry Icebox Cake

    Strawberry icebox cake is a classic summertime easy dessert. The addition of strawberry preserves is my favorite way to boost the flavor of this no-bake strawberry dessert. Chilled layers of graham crackers, a creamy filling, and strawberry slices make it the perfect dessert to enjoy on hot summer days.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course Dessert
    American
    Keyword Fourth of July Desserts, Fourth of July Recipes, No Bake Dessert, Red White and Blue Strawberry Icebox Cake
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Chill Time: 8 hours
    Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
    Servings: 12

    Ingredients

    • 20 graham crackers
    • 12 tablespoon strawberry preserves
    • 6 cups cool whip
    • 6 cups sliced fresh strawberries

    Instructions

    • Create a layer of graham crackers along the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish. You’ll need 6-7 graham crackers for each layer.
    • Cover the graham crackers with a thin layer of strawberry preserves (about 4 tablespoons per layer).
    • Then, top the strawberry preserves with a layer of cool whip. Spread 2 cups of whipped topping into as even a layer as possible using a rubber or offset spatula.
    • Create a layer of strawberry slices on top of the cool whip. Make sure to not overlap the strawberries.
    • Repeat a second and third layer of graham crackers, strawberry preserves, cool whip and strawberry slices. For the second and third layer of graham crackers, you may need to break the graham crackers into smaller pieces to fill the entire layer.
    • Refrigerate overnight, or at least 8 hours. Keep chilled until ready to serve.

    Notes

    • For the first and bottom layer of graham crackers, I used 6 full graham crackers. For the second and third layers, I used 6 full graham crackers plus ¾'s of one additional cracker broken into quarters. 
    • The top layer of strawberries will cause the cool whip to “crack” a little as it chills. For the best-looking top layer, wait to decorate the top layer of strawberries until you’re about to serve the cake. 
     
    HOW TO SERVE
    • Decorate the top layer with a variety of strawberry slices: whole, halved, quartered and thinly sliced or keep it simple with a clean layer of strawberries!
    • Drizzle strawberry syrup on top of each slice for an extra delicious boost of strawberry flavor.
    HOW TO STORE
    Keep this dessert stored and covered in the refrigerator. Seal with plastic wrap to keep the fruit topping as fresh as possible. It’s best enjoyed after chilling for about 8 hours - that’s when the graham crackers will still have a little crunch to them, but everything will have settled together!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 173mg | Potassium: 203mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 74IU | Vitamin C: 44mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 1mg

    Please note, Holiday Sweets N Treats isn't a professional nutritionist. Any and all nutritional information shared is an estimate. If you're following a specific diet or counting calories, we suggest you use the nutrition calculator of your choice. Calories can vary depending on the brands and products used.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @holidaysweetsntreats or tag #holidaysweetsntreats!
    « Red White and Blue Strawberry Icebox Cake
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jess

      June 03, 2022 at 2:19 pm

      5 stars
      I had no idea ice box cakes were so simple to make! I love your idea about adding the preserves to up the flavor. Will definitely be trying this one!

      Reply
      • Emma

        June 04, 2022 at 1:27 pm

        They're SO easy to make! I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply

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