When we talk about simple pleasures, icebox cake always comes to mind. This no-bake treat straight out of our grandmothers’ playbooks traditionally consists of thin, crisp chocolate wafers tucked between fluffy layers of whipped cream.
Stacked high and chilled overnight, the dessert that emerges from the refrigerator in the morning is airy yet sliceable, laced with wafer crumbs that have softened thanks to the whip. Perfect as it is in its simplest incarnation, the concept also works beautifully with new combinations of flavors and cookie textures.
From a latte-inspired icebox cake for all the caffeine fiends out there to an elegant peach-and-graham cracker version fit for a summer soiree, here are six beautiful ways to bring back the icebox cake.
Caramel Latte Icebox Cake
Give your barista a break and make this caramel latte-inspired treat instead. With just six ingredients, you’ll build an impressive layered dessert that softens and sets up in the fridge as it chills.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Latte Icebox Cake
Cookie Butter and Apricot Icebox Cake
Consider this no-bake dessert the layered cheesecake of your dreams. It’s simple to make, but packed with complex flavors — alternating bites of cookie butter-cream cheese, speculoos cookies (think spiced shortbread meets a biscuit cookie) and apricot preserves. A little extra plastic wrap helps you unmold the cake easily.
Get the Recipe: Cookie Butter and Apricot Icebox Cake
Mini Brooklyn Blackout Icebox Cakes
The famous Brooklyn Blackout Cake is traditionally made with layers of rich chocolate cake, filled with chocolate pudding and covered with cake crumbs. This no-bake version has all of the same decadent chocolate components — and you don’t need to turn on the oven.
Get the Recipe: Mini Brooklyn Blackout Icebox Cakes
Peach Baklava Icebox Cake
This chilled cake is a baklava-lover’s dream come true. The familiar flavors of honey and pistachios are there, plus juicy peaches. Full sheets of graham crackers make clever layers between the fruit and tangy Greek yogurt filling.
Get the Recipe: Peach Baklava Icebox Cake
Mixed Berry Icebox Shortcakes
The best part of these individual dessert jars is the bonus sauce that comes from macerating the berries, since the sugar helps coax out all the natural juices. Layer that sweet and tangy sauce with sweetened sour cream and crushed shortbread for the perfect ode to summer.
Get the Recipe: Mixed Berry Icebox Shortcakes
Tropical Icebox Cake
This tropical-inspired no-bake dessert is the perfect thing to make in your springform cake pan in the warmer months, when you’d rather not turn on the oven. Fresh lime zest and cream of coconut transform whipped cream into something that tastes like an island cocktail.
Get the Recipe: Tropical Icebox Cake
