Want a most delicious summer dessert without heating the oven? Make these Strawberry and Chocolate Icebox Cakes for one of the easiest treats under the sun.
I bought these tasting bowls a few years ago, and they sat on a shelf in my office for months. I kinda forgot they were there. I bought a box of chocolate wafers around Christmas time and fended the kids off for months but never made anything with them.
Then, when I started thinking about summer desserts, I decided to do a little experimenting. On Mother’s Day when I wanted something yummy I started puttering in the kitchen. I knew I wanted to use up the cookies finally. When I thought about a dish to assemble a cake in, I remembered the tasting bowls. Turns out they are the perfect size to stack those chocolate cookies in, smooshed between layers of whipped cream and chopped strawberries. Yum-O!
These cakes were so good. I confess to eating more than my fair share. I’ve made them several times since Mother’s Day, and they are always delicious.
I love the simplicity of this dish: fresh fruit, in this case, strawberries, freshly whipped cream, and thin chocolate wafers. You can vary the fruit and cookies based on what you have.
Icebox cakes rock! Particularly for summer when you don’t want to heat up the oven, but still want cake. The cookies soften in the whipped cream and get a cake-like texture. Super yummy!
Remember you can go for this Salted Caramel Mocha Icebox Cake or this Lemon Blueberry Icebox Cake if you run out of ideas or chocolate cookies.
Admittedly, the cookies are a little tough to find. When I wanted a second box to make this again, I searched through three (or was it four?) stores before I found them at Vons/Safeway. (Thank you to the reader who gave me that tip!) That place is always more expensive than anywhere else, so I very rarely shop there.
But, there were the Famous Chocolate Wafers, right where they are supposed to be, with the ice cream toppings.
I know this because 25 years ago I worked at Lucky Stores as a bag girl. These chocolate wafers were hard to find even then. It was a common question from customers that I fielded from customers, so I knew where they were.
(I always was a grocery geek.)
Except now the Famous Chocolate Wafers are harder to find. My favorite store, Ralphs, sells them at the holidays. Amazon sells them for an arm and a leg. I told the checker at Ralphs that next Christmas I’m stocking up and selling my stash on eBay.
The cookies aren’t cheap, either, averaging around $5 a box. The good news is that you can make two batches of this recipe with one box. If you find them for less than that, buy many boxes and stock up!
Strawberry and Chocolate Icebox Cakes
Ingredients
- ¾ lb strawberries
- 2 cup whipping cream
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 24 chocolate wafer cookies
Instructions
- Chop the berries into bite sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, pour the whipping cream and add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Beat with an electric mixer until the cream is whipped, somewhere between soft peaks and stiff peaks. You want it to be firm but spreadable.
- Lay out 8 small ramekins or tasting bowls. Place a spoonful of whipped cream into each bowl. Place a cookie down on each blob of whipped cream and press until even. Spread whipped cream over the cookie in a thin layer. Cover the whipped cream with a layer of strawberries.
- Repeat the layers two more times and top with a layer of whipped cream.
- Refrigerate the cakes for about two hours or overnight. Serve with additional strawberries and cookies for garnish, if desired.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Do you have a favorite icebox cake?
I’d love to hear about it!
Emily
We had these tonight for Father’s Day, what a great idea, thanks so much! I couldn’t find wafer cookies at the store, but I did find Oreo thins on sale. Not as healthy I’m sure, but they worked wonderfully!
Jessica Fisher
I’ve been wondering if those would work! Cheaper and easier to find. Good to know!
Kelly
I was going to make these as is, but while at Trader Joe’s, I saw the lemon wafers and made a switch. I put lemon zest in the whipping cream, and the juice over blueberries with the lemon wafers. We loved them! Next time will be chocolate strawberry.
Jessica Fisher
Isn’t it fun how you can switch it around?!
Kelly
It is! I love orange dark chocolate bars, so I’m scheming how to put those flavors into an icebox cake.
Esther
These cookies are now $15/ 9 oz box! I’ll be trying the Oreo thins for sure, or maybe even chocolate graham crackers
Jessica Fisher
Is that the Amazon price? Your local grocery store will likely have them for less. The link is the easiest way to show people what I’m talking about. You can use any cookie you like. I found chocolate pizzelles at my ALDI, so that’s what I’m going to try next.
alice
Can you direct me to the posts where you discussed the meals you had in France. We are planning a driving vacation for several weeks in US and want to really limit our eating out. Any tips will be appreciated!
Jessica Fisher
This search should prove helpful: http://lifeasmom.com/?s=travel+food Sounds like a fun trip!
Beth Werner Lee
Yes!
Back when I was milk allergic we read a Martha Stewart recipe for gingerbread icebox cake (make the ginger snaps yourself) and I went, duh! Cool whip and Nyakers (World Market): it was a snap and the Little Baker was a great help. In fact, she has taken over the recipe and done it with Trader Joes thin cookies in lemon, coconut, and ginger. At Christmas time it’s a log covered in snow. Yes ma’am, we do icebox cake any time of year here in Santa Barbara! The college students that come for dinner on Sunday nights love it. I’ve never added fresh fruit to the mix, but I have some raspberries just begging to be used. Thanks!
Maria
This looks so good, thank you for sharing. Saving the recipe to try out later!
Maria