Old Fashioned Strawberry Icebox Cake

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! 

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Print Recipe

Old Fashioned Strawberry Icebox Cake

Layers of whipped cream, fresh strawberries and graham crackers will have your taste buds going crazy! This no bake summertime dessert may be old fashioned — but it’s completely fabulous!

Prep Time15 minutes mins

chill time3 hours hrs

Total Time3 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course: Desserts

Cuisine: American

Keyword: icebox, no bake desserts, Old Fashioned Strawberry Icebox Cake, strawberry

Servings: 12 servings

Calories: 314kcal

Author: Michaela Kenkel

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

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! 😉 )

Notes

Add blueberries to make this into a perfectly patriotic dessert!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 314kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 53mg | Potassium: 200mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1168IU | Vitamin C: 45mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 1mg