Description
Strawberry Cream Cheese Icebox Cake is a delightful no-bake dessert featuring layers of creamy, tangy cream cheese filling and fresh strawberries sandwiched between crispy graham crackers. This chilled treat is perfect for summer gatherings, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and freshness with a smooth, luscious texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for a slight tang)
Assembly
- 1 box graham crackers (about 14-16 crackers)
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- Additional whole strawberries for garnish (optional)
- Whipped cream (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a hand mixer or stand mixer until smooth and creamy. This ensures the base of your filling will be silky and free of lumps.
- Add Sweeteners and Flavor: Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon juice (if using) to the cream cheese and continue to beat until all ingredients are fully incorporated into a uniform mixture, enhancing the flavor and sweetness.
- Whip the Heavy Cream: In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream using a hand mixer or stand mixer until soft peaks form. This lightens the filling and adds a fluffy texture.
- Combine Mixtures: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until smooth and well combined, taking care not to deflate the whipped cream. Set this filling aside for assembling the cake layers.
- Assemble the Cake: On a serving dish, layer graham crackers in the bottom, spread a layer of cream cheese filling over the crackers, then add a layer of sliced strawberries. Repeat these layers until all components are used, finishing with a layer of cream cheese filling on top.
- Chill: Refrigerate the assembled cake for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the graham crackers to soften and the flavors to meld together, creating a cake-like texture.
- Serve: Garnish the top with additional whole strawberries and whipped cream if desired. Slice carefully and serve chilled for the best experience.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh, ripe strawberries for maximum flavor and sweetness.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature to avoid lumps in the filling.
- If you prefer a tarter flavor, do not omit the lemon juice in the cream cheese filling.
- The chilling time is crucial for the crackers to absorb moisture and become soft like cake layers, so do not skip chilling or the texture will be too crunchy.
- This recipe can be doubled easily for larger gatherings.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and consume within 3 days for optimal freshness.
