Old Fashioned Strawberry Icebox Cake
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Layers of graham crackers, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream make this Old Fashioned Strawberry Icebox Cake a simple, no-bake dessert that tastes like summer in every bite! Whether you’re serving it for a holiday weekend, a potluck, or just because you snagged a few too many ripe strawberries at the farmer’s market, this is one of those vintage recipes that stands the test of time.

My Grandma always called her refrigerator “the icebox.” It’s a word I will forever link to her, and this refrigerator cake recipe came straight from a church cookbook she gave me many years ago. Just like those old electric refrigerators replaced large blocks of ice, this classic icebox cake has stuck around because it works and it’s just plain delicious.

Strawberry Icebox Cake Recipe
Lately, I’ve been loving all of the old-fashioned, nostalgic recipes that are making a comeback. Some things don’t need to be improved. This easy strawberry icebox cake is made with simple ingredients, takes just a few steps, and is the perfect way to use up those juicy, fresh berries during strawberry season.

If you love no-bake recipes, be sure to check out my No-Bake Nanaimo Bars and these No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars, too!

What Is an Icebox Cake?
An icebox cake is a no-bake dessert that’s layered with cookies or crackers and a creamy filling, usually made with whipped cream, pudding, or even cream cheese, and then chilled until set. The name comes from the early days of electric refrigerators, which were once called iceboxes. As the dessert chills, the layers of cookies or graham crackers absorb moisture from the cream mixture, softening into a cake-like texture. It’s a vintage dessert that has been passed down through generations, and for good reason. It’s easy to make, uses simple ingredients, and is absolutely delicious, especially when made with fresh fruit like ripe strawberries.

Ingredients In Old Fashioned Strawberry Icebox Cake
No pudding mix, no cream cheese mixture, no cool whip, just good old-fashioned flavor made with real whipped cream.
- heavy whipping cream
- powdered sugar
- vanilla extract
- fresh strawberries, sliced
- graham crackers
How to Make Strawberry Icebox Cake
This recipe comes together quickly and easily, and your refrigerator does the rest!

In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Use the whisk attachment on medium speed until stiff peaks form. This is your cream layer.

Rinse, dry, and slice your fresh strawberries into smaller pieces. Divide into 3 equal portions.

Using a rubber spatula, spread a very thin layer of the cream mixture onto the bottom of your pan to help the crackers stick. Lay down a single layer of graham crackers, breaking them as needed to fully cover the base.

Add 1/3 of the cream layer, then top with 1/3 of the strawberries.

Repeat this layering two more times, ending with strawberries on the top of the cake.

Cover with plastic wrap, saran wrap, or aluminum foil, and place the cake in the fridge for at least 2-3 hours. For the best cake-like texture in the crackers, let it sit overnight.

Love it? Pin it!
If you love this easy no-bake icebox cake recipe, be sure to keep it where you can find it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go.

Tips & Tricks
- For the best way to slice, use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts.
- This dessert is best enjoyed the next day, within 2 days of making. (Trust me, leftovers are rarely an issue!)
- If using whipped topping or Cool Whip instead of homemade whipped cream, skip the powdered sugar and vanilla.
- Too much liquid from the strawberries? Pat them dry before layering to avoid a soggy cake.
- For a festive patriotic dessert, toss on a handful of blueberries on top of the crackers for a red, white, and blue look!

FAQs About this Icebox Cake Recipe
- Can I use frozen strawberries? Fresh is best for this recipe, but you can use frozen berries in a pinch. Make sure to drain them really well so that your icebox dessert isn’t soggy.
- Can I make this in a loaf pan or a square pan? Absolutely! For smaller gatherings or a more compact dessert, a loaf pan or square pan works well. Just reduce the ingredient quantities as needed.
- Do I have to use Graham crackers? Nope! Try vanilla wafers for a slightly different flavor, or even ladyfingers for a strawberry shortcake icebox cake variation.

More Recipes to Love
What brought you here today? If it was the simplicity of a no bake dessert, then I have several for you, including that gorgeous No Bake Fruit Tart pictured above. Also, this Peanut Butter Pie, Marshmallow Cheesecake, and Banana Cheesecake are amazing no-bake favorites around here.

If it’s the intrigue of an icebox dessert, be sure to check out my Lemon Icebox Pie, above, as well as my Mocha Chocolate Chip Icebox Cake, this Banana Icebox Cake as well as this Toasted Coconut Icebox Cake.

If desserts made with fresh strawberries are your thing, be sure to check out Grandmother’s Strawberry Cake, pictured above, my Strawberry Rhubarb Dessert, Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars, and this Fresh Strawberry Pie Recipe before you go! You can find my entire collection of dessert recipes here on my website.

This strawberry ice box cake is the easiest dessert to throw together on a hot summer day, and one of those great recipes you’ll find yourself making again and again. Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, there’s no wrong way to fall in love with this sweet, cool slice of summer.
Let’s (no)bake a cake!

LIKE THIS RECIPE?
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Old Fashioned Strawberry Icebox Cake
Ingredients
- 1 quart (32 ounces) heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 heaping cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 pounds strawberries sliced
- 4 sleeves graham crackers, about 30 graham cracker squares
Instructions
- Combine whipping cream, vanilla and powdered sugar with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Divide cream into 3 equal portions.
- Divide strawberries into 3 equal portions.
- With a rubber spatula, smear a small portion of whipped cream to the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish to hold the first layer of graham crackers to the bottom. Line the bottom with graham crackers, breaking into pieces so that the bottom is completely covered. Top with 1/3 of whipped cream, top with strawberries.
- Repeat with another layer of graham crackers, whipped cream and strawberries.
- Top with a final layer of graham crackers, whipped cream and strawberries.
- Cover with plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2-3 hours. Better overnight.
- Cut and serve. Best when eaten within 2 days. (trust me, that’s never a problem! 😉 )
I must make this! Looks amazing!!!
It was!
Thanks, Mary!
I adore vintage recipes! Your Strawberry Icebox Cake looks wonderful, Michaela! Love your new fridge as well – it’s gorgeous!
Thanks, April!! π
This is my kind of dessert and congrats on your new fridge. What a fantastic piece of technology and I’m sure will make a lot of people envious, including me π
Aw, thanks, Janette! β€οΈ
I saw the commercial for this the other day. I thought…must have this in the future. Amazing. Oh, and your strawberry dessert recipe. Sounds incredible.
Thank you Kc!
I saw a commercial for this fridge — I think it had Dax Shepherd and Kristin Bell in it. So funny, and after that and reading your experience, I want this fridge!
Yes! Love them!! Makes it even MORE fun to have! π
I love vintage recipes and your icebox cake looks loaded with deliciousness! And, yes, I want a fridge like that, too! That’s awesome!!!
Thank you so much!
That cake looks so yummy! And that refrigerator looks AMAZING!
Thanks, Erin!
I love this no bake dessert. It looks amazing and only 5 ingredients? Count me IN!
Thanks, Aunt Bee!
A pretty summertime treat! I love that it’s easy and looks so delicious! Strawberry season is here! Ours are just coming ripe. Great Timing!
We love strawberry season!
Great post, love your new fridge and of course the Old Fashioned Strawberry Ice Box Cake is the Best Summer Dessert ever! I do love no bake desserts, and nothing is better than strawberries and cream.
Agreed! Thanks, Joanne!
My family would gobble this up! I love that little strawberry slicer you have too, it is so adorable.
Thanks! I use it all of the time!
Congrats on your new fridge Michaela! It’s awesome! And I adore your strawberry cake…what a perfect dessert for Memorial Day!
Thank you , my friend!
So happy for you! It’s just beautiful, just like that strawberry icebox cake! Yum!
Thanks, Julie!
The icebox cake looks great, but what I’m really drooling over is your “finger print resistant” fridge….not that’s just dreamy!!!
Right? Moms UNITE! π
I just saw the commercial, fantastic fridge, i have been wanting to make this dessert.
I hope you try it! π
I want a new refrigerator now! That’s awesome!
Seriously need to get some strawberries now, and make this dessert. Yum!
Thanks, Kris!! I know you will love it!
Oh wow, this looks wonderful! I really need to try, it has everything I love!! π
It’s really yummy!
Both the fridge and the recipe look amazing!
Thank you, Gretchen!
The fridge is amazing!!! The icebox cake looks pretty tasty as well!
Thanks, Lisa!! <3
Oh, Michaela!
You are such a pro at baking! – Can’t wait to try this recipe. Your new fridge is beautiful!! Enjoy it! Looking forward to reading about your adventures at the grocery store using your ‘Cold-Cam!’
Hugs,
Teresa
Love you my sister!! YOU need to come and visit me and the new fridge, and your new fur-nephew! π I will MAKE this for you when you come! xxoo
Thanks, my sweet, awesome sister!!
I’m IN!! βΊοΈ
SO looking forward to meeting your new Fur-Baby…and to consuming ANYthing created by you!! Where is the 25-star button on the website?
Miss you!!
xoxoxo!