A delicious dessert to bring to any Summer BBQ that everyone will love! The graham crackers get soft and cake-like and are stuffed between layers of sweetened whipped cream and juicy strawberries. Perfection!
*Originally posted on 6/24/14. Updated on 6/30/16 with new photos + homemade whipped cream recipe for those who dislike Cool Whip!*
This strawberry ice box cake is by far my favorite summer dessert! You guys love it too apparently because it has remained a reader favorite for over two years now!! I have had lot of feedback from this recipe. Many of you don’t like to use Cool Whip and I understand that – call me crazy but I actually like the flavor of it. When you want a super quick and easy dessert, it comes in handy. If you have time to make homemade whipped cream (which really only takes about two minutes and is so much tastier so DO it!), I have updated the recipe with a homemade whipped cream option.
This is my go-to when I have company or am going to a BBQ where there are lots of people. I love how refreshing it is since it is chilled until ready to serve. There’s something about strawberries and fresh whipped cream together that just screams summer! The graham crackers layered between get nice and soft, almost like a thin cake layer. All of the flavors together are so delicious! It reminds me of strawberry shortcake.
This dessert is always always a hit and is especially great for feeding large crowds! Everyone always goes crazy for it. It’s no-bake too, so no turning on your oven on those really hot summer days! The combination of the melt-in-your-mouth graham crackers layered between the crisp strawberries and creamy whipped cream is truly amazing.
If you want a delicious, SUPER easy and simple dessert to make, you’ve got to try this! I promise it will not disappoint.
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Ingredients:
Instructions:
*Each Cool Whip layer uses one whole tub (besides the first thin layer).
*Each strawberry layer uses about 1 lb of sliced strawberries.
*If you are using homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip, you will use 3-3 1/2 cups per layer that calls for Cool Whip.
To make homemade whipped cream (if desired), beat heavy cream to stiff peaks. Beat in confectioner's sugar and vanilla until smooth.
Spread a thin layer of cool whip in a 9x13 pan just to coat the bottom. Layer 5 graham crackers across the center of pan, then 2 more breaking them as needed to fit around the top and bottom edges. Spread a thick layer of cool whip (just use the remaining cool whip from the first step) over grahams and top with a hearty layer of sliced strawberries. Place graham crackers on top of strawberries, then cool whip, then strawberries. Repeat the layers 1 more time (3 times total) and you should reach the top of the pan. I used 3 layers of each + the first thin layer of cool whip. You will finish with a layer of sliced strawberries.
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until the graham crackers have softened completely. Serve chilled.
https://www.sprinklesomesugar.com/strawberry-icebox-cake/
How refreshing it looks! I want a slice now.
It is very nice. If I cant have the same biscuits what other alternatives can I use. I dont we sell this in Australia.
Digestive biscuits should work or Rich Tea biscuits…maybe a layer of each.
Try lady fingers or shortbread
do you have ready whip or any whipping cream , you must have some type of topping that looks white and creamy
To give real whipping a little extra firmness, just add a tablespoon of instant vanilla pudding. Would probably work well for this recipe. Going to try this for this weekend! I have another recipe that uses Cool Whip in the recipe but I like the real thing and put the vanilla pudding in it so the whipping cream doesn’t get watery in the recipe.
You can also add 1/4 cup of powdered (also called castor or icing) sugar to the cream before whipping it. Powdered sugar has cornstarch in it to prevent caking. The cornstarch will stabilize the whipped cream
Thank you for the great tip!!!
Any cookie that has a little cinnamon.
I use Sara Lee pound cake
Milk Arrowroots might work instead of Graham Crackers … I’m from Canada but I live in Perth , Western Australia … not sure what we can use instead of Cool Whip either … which is so delicious you could eat a whole tub by itself … … maybe just regular cream whipped up with a bit of sugar and vanilla or the stuff you can buy in a can here isn’t too bad and is nice and sweet and would do the job if you’re making a small batch …
how about some cream cheese and butter with a little powdered sugar added
Yum!
You may not need the butter but cream cheese and powdered sugar would taste great!
I think condensed milk mixed with dream whip or real whipping cream would be good…. soft ice cream would be good….I think fresh peaches would be good…. Bananas with strawberries and chocolate syrup as in a banana split would also be good…
I just HAD to comment that it should be a crime to not sell Cool Whip in Australia!!!!!!
LOL it’s like having a fluffy piece of heaven in a bowl!
Do they have Pepperidge Farm Chessman cookies. Will do great
Pepperidge Farm chessman cookies are the best. Although any wafer cookies will work
you could also break up angel food cake in bite size pieces
I use digestive biscuits and it tastes really good,,
My husband does not like graham crackers so I often substitute shortbread or vanilla wafer crumbs. Haven’t tried this recipe but look forward to making it this summer! Hope this helps!
Those two would be yummy too!
Actually, you can even use white bread. Just butter it thinly and sprinkle it with a little bit of sugar. I usually let my sliced strawberries sit with some sugar on them so they make syrup, and then I drizzle the bread with the syrup as I build the layers.
Vanilla wafers… I add blue berries or black berries also!
Yum!
Does this taste better with nilla wafers?
I have never tried using them in this but I’ve seen other recipes for Icebox Cakes using them and they seem like they would taste great! Let me know if you try.
I will do this, but mix instant pudding and fold that with a portion of the whip cream instead. Don’t limit your fruit, this could be done just like the amazing brownie pizza; kiwi, blueberries, strawberry etc.
Yes, definitely. I think cheesecake flavored pudding would be awesome! Or even banana cream to give it a strawberry banana flavor. The possibilities are endless!
You could also do a chocolate version with cool whip, instant chocolate pudding mix and milk and chocolate graham crackers! Yummy.
chocolate graham crackers would be another alternative
One word yummy!!….;)
I never use cool whip. Would whip cream work as well?
Definitely! You could use heavy cream and whip it up yourself. I have a recipe for homemade whipped cream here (triple the recipe): http://www.sprinklesomesugar.com/creamy-frozen-hot-chocolate-with-homemade-whipped-cream/
Yes but cool whip is less fattening and lighter. But whip cream is more natural. Either would work, personal preference.
actually, whip cream redi whip is less fattening than cool whip. check the ingredients.
That is the same thing . Whipping cream just comes in a box .
I used the whip cream it work just like the cool whip
Try adding cream cheese and a little sugar…it is amazing
Yum! That sounds great.
Sounds yummy!
Lisa, how much cream cheese and sugar do you use? And do you put it in each container of whip cream? Thanks
I would love to make it, but cannot figure out what could cool whip be replaced with? We don’t have this product in my country.
I’m not sure of a pre-made alternative where you are located, but you could always make your own whipped cream and substitute it for the cool whip! Here is the recipe I use (triple it for this recipe) – http://www.sprinklesomesugar.com/creamy-frozen-hot-chocolate-with-homemade-whipped-cream/
There is a powder mix to substitute for
Cool Whip that is called Dream Whip
Do you have coconut milk, you can whip it, add vanilla and powdered sugar?
Sure! I’ve never worked with coconut milk, though.
I think adding creme cheese to the cool whip and a layer of strawberry glaze on top would be delicious! This looks amazing.
That sounds so delicious! I just made this again last night for some friends and I’m wishing I used your suggestions! Lol
I made this with adding cream cheese pudding to the cool whip! Amazing!
I use sugar free angel food cake instead of graham crackers. Love it.
Yum!!
I can’t wait to taste that strawberry pie it looks so dawn good that will be what i make for my family reunion this year.
They are going to love it!
Is there a way to send this recipe to my email?
I just emailed it to you
Love it
Please send to my email
Sent!
please send me cool whip and angel food cake recipe. Thanks
Would using graham wafer crumbs do.
I’ve never tried but I would imagine it would work. You probably don’t need to let it sit overnight if using graham cracker crumbs though because the reason you let it sit overnight is to let the graham crackers soften.
Can you email the recipe for the strawberry cake. Also I saw briefly that you use 1 box of vanilla instant pudding. What size pudding do you use? small or large.
i think using cream cheese flavored pudding would be divine and topping with some melted chocolate chips would be superb! a play on chocolate covered strawberries while also doing this dessert would be excellent!!!
That sounds awesome! I need to try that next time.
This sound so good!! Being diabetic I would use fat free Kool Whip and graham crackers that are low-cal if there is such a thing. I think it would also be good with blueberries or peaches. Using angel cake sounds good, too.
I use soda crackers and other fruits. My first layer is soda crackers and topped with blueberries and another layer of crackers and sliced banana and spread cool whip with vanilla pudding and last layer of crackers and spread just cool whip and finish with slice strawberries, kiwi, and cantaloupe or leftover blueberries.
Always a favorite to any occasion.
2-3.5 oz boxes of French vanilla pudding made according to the box, 1 big brick of cream cheese I think it is 8 oz or maybe 12oz and one normal size cool whip tub. I make the pudding up and then add the cream cheese to the mixer and mix until almost smooth then I I add the cool whip.
this looks so yummy.
Great recipes
strawberry cake sounds so good got to try it.
Love that cake
I use dream whip and the graham crackers but I put 3X more fruit. I put the fruit through my food processor so it is chunky and use slices on top.
I will have to try this” yum yum!!!!
is there any chance we could use bananas instead of strawberries?
try using angel food cake. its good too.
Pls. Email the recipe to me. Thanks, it looks so yummy!
Looking very tempting ! Awesome idea ! Will definitely try it this summer !
Please email me this strawberry cake recipe.
Sent!
Please email the strawberry icebox cake recipe to me.
Thanks! It looks delicious!
Done!
Please email the strawberry icebox cake recipe to me, please
Thank you!
Done!
May I get a copy of the strawberry Icebox cake sent to my e-mail also. Thank you.
Why would you use something as disgusting as Cool Whip? Stop the madness.
DAYYYYYYYUMMMMM-YUMMMMM!!! HELLOOOOOOOOO SEXY BEAUTIFUL ICEBOX CAKE!!! I MUST EAT YOU RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What size of pan did you use?? Looks good, great for a crowd out camping!
I used a 9×13 pan. Sounds great for camping!
Oreos, of any flavor you like, make a nice substitute for the graham crackers…we used Golden Oreos, and it was wonderful! Regular Oreos work as well, since chocolate and strawberries also go great together. This is the only time of year I really attempt to make this recipe; the strawberries grown locally taste so much better than anything I can buy in the store, and they do this recipe the best justice Thanks for such a wonderful dessert!
Could you email the Strawberry Icebox Cake to me PLEASE !!! Looks so good!!! THANKS
Yes, done!
Can I please have this Strawberry cake sent to my email pleasE
Done!
Please email me the strawberry icebox cake. It looks amazing. And can’t wait to try it
Done!
Would you email me recipe for strawberry ice boxcake?
Sent it over!
I can’t wait to try this recipe!
6/23/2015: I THINK WE HAVE ANOTHER WEEK OF STRAWBERRY’S HERE, SO I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRY THIS RECIPE. MY GUYS HERE JUST LIKE A SLICE OF ANGEL CAKE, LOAD OF BERRIES, AND WHIP CREAM, OR ICE CREAM. BEING A DIABETIC, IT IS A CUSTARD DISH PORTION. WE LIKE QUICK AND SIMPLE RECIPES BECAUSE THEY ARE VERY IMPATIENT WHEN IT COMES TIME TO FEED THEIR “TIGER”.
Does anyone know how to cook from scratch any longer? All I see here are strawberries and HFCS (high fructose corn syrup), chemicals and GMO’s.
You know, it is not that difficult to make your own cake and slice sideways into three sections, add some can sugar to organic heavy cream to make the whipped topping and add the strawberries. It is cheaper my way and won’t kill you.
That’s good to know.
How far in advance can I make this? Is 48 hours too far? Thanks!!
Nope! I usually make it the night before I am serving it, but the leftovers are still great for a few days so it should be fine! I would just top with the strawberries the day you are serving just incase they start leaking onto the top.
Hi Jessica
I would love to try this . However could I also use some chopped pecans in this as well.
Will you please email me the recipe I will try this for Labor Day holiday thanks looks so so good .
Yes, you can add anything you want to this dessert! That’s the beauty of it. I would add them in with the strawberry layers. Just emailed the recipe!
Send your original ice box cake recipe!!!
I made the Strawberry Ice Box Cake for my daughter’s birthday and it was delicious. I reduced the ingredients as instructed to make a two layer. I a making one for a group study tonight using lite cool whip and low fat honey graham crackers. I hope the taste will not change too much.
Something that an old boss of mine did is mix cool whip and cream cheese together. That is absolutely awesome and would be a wonderful change up for this recipe.
Yum! Sounds delicious.
Do I cover it in the fridge?
Yes.
Hi Jessica! Would you please email me your recipe for your strawberry icebox cake along with your recipe for your home made whip cream? Thank you and can’t wait to make this! Thank you, Tina
Love this recipe,think I will try
Enjoy!
A bit of almond extract in one layer of cool whip, and sprinkle some sliced almonds that have been baked, on top!!
Yum!
I made two for Fourth of July they were delicious! Everyone loved it!
That’s so awesome! Thank you for letting me know.
For some reason I was only able to do the first thin layer, then two more layers. I have extra crackers, strawberries, and whip cream– so I think I’m going to get some lemon instant pudding and try mixing that in with the cool whip… if you see this in time maybe you can give me some tips or tell me what you think!
Edit– cool whip, not whip cream. I’m going to try mixing THAT with lemon pudding.
Yum!
Do you think frozen sliced strawberries, thawed, would work in this recipe? It would be much easier on my arthritic hands.
I don’t think so, as frozen strawberries, when thawed are quite mushy. They will only get mushier wedged between the whipped cream.
Can you freeze this cake? Looks great and went strawberry picking yesterday.
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