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This no-bake, easy Strawberry Ice Cream Cake is a favorite summer cake. It’s so simple: three layers of cinnamon honey graham crackers, French vanilla ice cream, soft and sweet whipped cream, and strawberry jam. To finish it off, add a generous topping of sweet whipped cream and fresh strawberries. This icy cold cake is creamy, extra berry-filled, and requires very little effort.
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If this doesn’t tell you that I’m ready for summer, I don’t know what will. I love this simple but delicious cake so much – and it’s EASY! It’s basically just a layer of sweet graham crackers with ice cream, whipped cream, and lots of strawberry jam.
Originally, I wanted to share a strawberry icebox cake with you all today. But I didn’t actually take the time to fully understand that a strawberry icebox cake is usually made with strawberries and whipped cream, no ice cream.
I wanted ice cream, so instead of scratching the idea, I decided to combine the ideas: ice cream, whipped cream, and so many layers of strawberries + cinnamon graham crackers – yum!
Full disclosure, I did make my own homemade crackers and strawberry jam, which I think added to the yumminess here. But you don’t have to do that! Store-bought works great too.
My very favorite store-bought jam is Bonne Maman’s, I love their jams! But if you live in a town with a local farm stand, I’d pick up their jam. I imagine it is so good!
Anyway, very excited to share this recipe!!
OK, here are the details
Step 1: whip the cream
I whip my cream with sugar and vanilla until I have super soft peaks. Nothing fancy about this. I recommend using an electric mixer – unless you want a serious arm workout!
Step 2: assemble
Use your favorite box of graham crackers. Personally, I love the cinnamon honey flavor. Then, use your favorite French vanilla ice cream. Tillamook is my favorite.
Layer the graham crackers with the ice cream, whipped cream, and strawberry jam. Then, another layer of crackers, ice cream, and whipped cream, and finish with jam + 1 final layer of crackers.
Wrap the cake up and freeze until it is firm.
Step 3: cutting the cake
Okay, so here’s my trick: Cut the cake before you add the last dollops of whipped cream. I promise this will save you a lot of headaches and mess.
I cut my cake around each graham cracker into nine squares.
Step 4: topping
Top the cake with dollops of freshly whipped cream, jam, and fresh, sliced berries. You could totally add raspberries and blueberries, too. That would be festive!
Now, serve!
This cake is sweet, heavy on ice cream, swirled with berries, and has just the right amount of crunch on the bottom from those sweetened crackers. It has the perfect balance of sweet and salty that leaves you longing for another bite.
Can’t wait to make this all summer long. I love not only how easy it is but how pretty and delicious it turns out!
Looking for other Summer ice cream recipes? Here are some favorites:
No Churn Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream
Homemade Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars
Creamy Vegan Chocolate Fudge Pops
Blackberry Lavender Ice Cream Sandwiches
Lastly, if you make this Easy Strawberry Ice Cream Cake, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Strawberry Icebox Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 18-20 sheets cinnamon graham crackers
- 2 -3 pints vanilla ice cream
- 1 jar (12-16 ounce) strawberry jam
- 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
Instructions
- 1. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.2. Using an electric mixer, whip 1 cup of cream with 1/4 cup powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla until soft peaks form.3. Layer the graham crackers in the bottom of the prepared pan. Layer with 1/2 of the vanilla ice cream, then spread over 1/2 of the whipped cream. Swirl the cream with 1/2 of the strawberry jam. Add another layer of graham crackers, the remaining ice cream, and whipped cream. Swirl with the remaining jam, reserving 2 tablespoons. Layer with crackers. Wrap the cake and freeze 4 hours or until frozen.4. Remove the cake from the freezer. Use the parchment paper to lift the cake out of the pan. Let sit 5 minutes, then slice into 9 pieces. Keep the cake together. 6. Whip the remaining 1 cup of cream with 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Spread over the cake. Swirl with jam and sliced strawberries. Serve and enjoy immediately.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Hi Tieghan, this desert and froze it overnight. How will it take ti thaw? Thank u!
Hey Mary Ann,
I would just remove it 30 minutes before cutting. I hope it turns out well for you! Have a great Sunday! xT
This looks delicious and perfect for my boys this summer! I can’t find the recipe for your Graham crackers though. I would love to try and make them, they look so tasty! Can’t wait to make this!
Thanks so much, Rachel!! Here is the recipe for homemade graham crackers:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/smores-ice-cream-sandwiches/
Let me know if you give this recipe a try! xT
Can this be made with a half and half? I have found a lactose free half and half sine I can only do lactose free items. Or would a full fat lactose free milk work better?
Hey Kerri,
I would try the full fat lactose free milk, that should work for you! I hope you love this recipe! xT
Do you have a recipe for the strawberry jam? Is it the same as the strawberry jam with whipped goat cheese? Please share when you can! Thanks.
Hey Debra,
You can find my recipe for strawberry jam here:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/essentials/
Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT
OHMYGOSH this was so freaking good!! Made your homemade graham crackers- ate an embarrassing amount before they even made it into the cake- they are my new faves!!
Thank you so much for this recipe! :))
Happy Memorial Day!
Hey Kate,
Fantastic! Love to hear that this dish was enjoyed, I appreciate you making it and your comment! Xx
I really enjoyed this cake and it was easy to make. Thank you!
Hey Margie,
Fantastic! Thanks a lot for trying this recipe and your comment, love to hear it was a hit! Xx
Just wanted to say I never considered using “jam” in recipes until following you! This is the first recipe I’ve made with jam, but I won’t be the last! Oh my goodness— so easy, so good! I have a jar of blueberry lemon in my pantry that I it think would taste amazing also- next time! Also, want to try your graham cracker recipe!
Also- forgot to mention I didn’t have cinnamon graham crackers, so I just sprinkled some cinnamon in the layers & it really added to the mesh of flavors.
Hey Tracy,
Thank you so much for making this recipe and your feedback, love to hear it was enjoyed! Happy Memorial Day! xT
Can you please share recipe for strawberry jam?
Hey Hillary,
You can find my recipe for homemade jam located here:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/essentials/
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Does this freeze well if you make in advance?
Hey Jackie,
You bet! Let me know if you give this cake a try, I hope you love it! xT
DOES FREEZING THE JAM IN THE WHIPPED CREAM CREATE AN ISSUE ? I’M ENVISIONING BITING INTO A SOLID GRANITE NUGGET ……………. :0)
THE ICE CREAM IS FROZEN AT SERVING, SO THE SWIRLED WHIPPED CREAM JAM COMBO MUST BE TOO. JUST WONDERING. THX
Hey Toni,
I didn’t have any issues with anything in this cake being to hard to eat:) Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xT
This looks delicious and pretty! How long does it need to sit out of the freezer before you can cut it? Thank you!
Thanks so much, Debbie!! I would say about 15-30 minutes:) Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xT
I’d like to follow your lead & make the graham crackers, too, like you did. Please share the link to your recipe for the crackers. Thanks.
Hey there,
Here is my recipe for homemade graham crackers:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/smores-ice-cream-sandwiches/
Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT
Hi! New to cooking… Do you have to let the ice cream melt first? If not, how do you spread it?
Hi Katherine,
You can just let the ice cream get a little soft and it should easily spread for you:) Don’t let it melt, that will create a mess. I hope this helps! Let me know if you give this recipe a try! xT
You could also get a block of ice cream and cut slices off for the layers if that’s easier.
This looks really festive and fun. I’d like to use something other than graham crackers. I am more than happy to make a different cooking, just not sure what would pair well with the strawberries, maybe chocolate? Anyone have ideas? Tieghan!! Have you ever made stabilized whipped cream with mascarpone? It is the F’ING bomb. Swear to whoever you will never used regular whipped cream again. O.K. maybe that is exaggerating but still, it is the best ever. I’ve been cooking for a friend with some swallowing issues and after making it once to serve with angle food cake for her I have been delivering a container of it for her to just eat once a week. Here’s my go to recipe. https://www.lifeloveandsugar.com/stabilized-mascarpone-whipped-cream/ btw I have a pile of your S’more ice cream sandwiches sitting in my freezer for the holiday weekend. They are also the bomb. I discovered using my kitchen chef’s torch is a perfect way to toast the marshmallows.
cari, you could definitely use chocolate cookie crumbs or something like vanilla wafers. Trader Joe’s sells cookies called Butter Almond Thins I’ve also used for a crumb crust.
Thank you Becky! I think I will try cookie crumbs!
cari, sorry, I mentioned crumbs when Tieghan’s recipe calls for layering the graham crackers, not crumbs. You could make a crumb crust, but layering whole cookies should work just like the graham crackers.
FWIW, I can no longer find the Nabisco Chocolate Wafers I used to use for crumb crusts. Oreo Thins should work.
I am pretty sure Nabisco discontinued their wafers. They were perfect for so many things. I actually think this recipe would work with whole cookies or crumbs. I ended up getting some really good gluten-free chocolate brownie cookies from a local bakery that I am going to use.
Hey Cari,
Thanks so much!! You could try chocolate wafers, that might work nicely for you! Thanks for sharing your whipped cream recipe, sounds delicious! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! Happy Friday! xT
Please please share your graham cracker recipe, I loved to the UK late last year and am desperate for some graham crackers here (without paying an arm and a leg at the import stores)
Christine go to her S’more ice cream sandwich recipe, it is at the end ot the recipe. https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/smores-ice-cream-sandwiches/
Hi Christine,
You can find my homemade graham cracker recipe here:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/smores-ice-cream-sandwiches/
Please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Friday! xT