Easy Strawberry Icebox Cake Recipe with Fresh Strawberries – No Bake Dessert for a Crowd
Honestly, I’ve made a lot of no bake dessert recipes over the years (mom of three here, remember?), and this one’s at the top of the list. It’s what I call an easy delicious dessert. Perfect for when you need a cold treat for a BBQ, or maybe you’re bringing a dish to church and need one of those summertime desserts for a crowd. This one checks all the boxes—strawberry no bake dessert, no bake refrigerator dessert, summer berry icebox cake, even fits in with all your icebox cake recipes or no bake party desserts.
If you’ve never tried strawberry desserts with fresh strawberries, you are in for a treat. This one’s creamy, fruity, and basically screams “summer.” It’s my go-to when I want an easy strawberry dessert that still looks kinda cute on the table but takes like… 10 minutes to make.
What You Need
This is one of those “use what you got” type desserts. But here’s the basic list:
- 1 pound of fresh strawberries (washed + sliced thin)
- 1 tub of whipped topping (like Cool Whip—yep, the store brand works too)
- 1 pack of graham crackers
- 1 block of cream cheese (8 oz, softened—this makes it creamy but you can skip it)
- 1 cup of milk (optional—just to dip the graham crackers in)
That’s it. Five ingredients. No mixing bowls piling up in the sink, promise.
How to Make Strawberry Icebox Cake
Step 1: Get your dish ready
I usually use a 9×13 inch dish for this. You can use whatever you got, but make sure it’s deep enough for a few layers. Glass dishes are nice because you can see all the pretty layers. Kinda makes it look like you tried harder than you actually did.
Step 2: Make the creamy filling
In a mixing bowl, stir together the softened cream cheese and whipped topping. I usually just use a spoon or hand mixer. You want it smooth and fluffy. If you don’t have cream cheese or just don’t feel like using it, that’s totally okay. The Cool Whip by itself will work too. I just like that extra creamy vibe.
Step 3: Layer the graham crackers
Lay down a flat layer of graham crackers at the bottom of your dish. You might have to break a few to fit. If you want them to soften up faster (and not stay all crunchy), dip them in milk for a second or two before laying them down. That’s my little mom hack.
Step 4: Add the creamy layer
Spoon on a layer of that cream cheese-whipped topping mix and spread it around. Doesn’t have to be perfect. My kids usually help and it ends up kinda lumpy but still tastes amazing.
Step 5: Add the strawberries
Layer on a handful of sliced strawberries. Try to spread them out so every bite has some berry goodness. Sometimes I let the kids make little patterns with the slices. Hearts, smiley faces… whatever keeps them busy for 3 minutes.
Step 6: Repeat those layers
Do that all over again: graham crackers, cream, strawberries. Keep going till your dish is full or you run outta stuff. Just make sure the top layer is strawberries—it looks prettier that way and makes people think you’re a dessert genius.
Step 7: Chill time
This part is the hardest—waiting. You gotta cover it and put it in the fridge for at least 4 hours. Overnight is even better. That’s when the graham crackers soften and turn into this amazing, cake-like layer. It’s actual magic.
FAQs for Strawberry Icebox Cake
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Okay, so I love fresh strawberries, but if you’re out of season or just can’t find any that look good, you can use frozen strawberries. Just make sure to thaw them first and drain any extra juice. Otherwise, your cake could get a little soggy, and nobody wants that.
Do I have to use cream cheese?
Nope! If you’re not a cream cheese fan or just want to keep things super simple, you can totally skip it. The whipped topping by itself will still make a super creamy filling. But if you do add the cream cheese, it gives the cake an extra richness and a little more structure. Totally up to you!
How long does this last in the fridge?
This will last about 3–4 days in the fridge. If your family is like mine, though, it’ll be gone way before then. But yeah, you can make it a couple days ahead, and it’ll stay good. Just be sure to keep it covered so it stays fresh.
Can I use a different kind of cookie or cracker?
You can! If graham crackers aren’t your thing, you could swap them out for vanilla wafers or even a shortbread cookie. Just keep in mind that it will change the flavor a little bit, but still delicious. It’s your cake—get creative!
What if I don’t have a 9×13 dish?
No worries! You can totally use whatever dish you’ve got. If it’s a little smaller, you’ll just end up with a thicker cake. If it’s bigger, it might be a little thinner. But the layers will still come together just fine. If you’re using a different size, just keep an eye on the layers, and you should be good.
Strawberry Icebox Cake Recipe
Strawberry Icebox Cake
Ingredients
Method
- Use a 9×13 inch baking dish or similar. Lay a flat layer of graham crackers at the bottom. If you want them to soften quickly, dip them in milk for a few seconds.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and whipped topping together until smooth. (You can skip the cream cheese for a lighter version.)
- Spread a layer of the cream mixture over the graham crackers. Then, layer sliced strawberries on top. Repeat the process until you run out of ingredients, finishing with a top layer of strawberries.
- Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (overnight for best results). This allows the graham crackers to soften and the layers to set.
Notes
- Serve chilled and enjoy a refreshing, easy treat! Add a drizzle of chocolate syrup or extra berries on top for a fancy touch.
- You can swap the strawberries for other fresh berries, like blueberries or raspberries.
- For extra flavor, add a layer of crushed cookies or a handful of chocolate chips between the layers.
So there you have it—the ultimate Strawberry Icebox Cake that’s about to become your new summer go-to. Seriously, it’s one of those easy strawberry desserts that takes almost no time to make, but looks like you’ve spent hours in the kitchen. It’s perfect for those hot days when you need cold treats but don’t want to turn on the oven. You get the best of both worlds with the fresh strawberries and the creamy goodness of the icebox cake.
This is exactly what I call an easy delicious dessert that even my kiddos can help with (bonus points for getting them involved and distracted for a bit). Plus, it’s one of those no bake dessert recipes that works for everything from a small family dinner to a big party. Whether you need a quick no bake strawberry dessert or a summertime dessert for a crowd, this strawberry icebox cake recipe is a winner.
If you’re into no bake treats and icebox cakes, you’re gonna want to keep this one in your recipe box. It’s an easy treat that’s sure to impress, and you’ll have no problem finishing it off before the day’s over. Trust me, it’s that good. And hey, when you’re short on time and craving something sweet, strawberry icebox cake is always the answer.
