Description
Cool summer nights call for magical strawberry cream cheese icebox cake, a delightful no-bake dessert layering graham crackers, luscious cream cheese, and ripe strawberries. Sweet, chilled perfection waits when you crave a simple yet elegant treat that celebrates seasonal fruit.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 24 graham cracker sheets
- 1 pound (454 grams) fresh strawberries (washed, hulled, and sliced)
- 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) heavy cream
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese (softened)
Sweeteners and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) powdered sugar
Flavor and Aromatic:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Cleanse fresh strawberries under cool running water, trim away stems, and slice into delicate, uniform pieces. Reserve these vibrant ruby segments for layering.
- Transform cream cheese into a silky canvas by whipping until luxuriously smooth. Incorporate powdered sugar and vanilla extract, blending until the mixture achieves a consistent, velvety texture.
- Whip heavy cream in a separate vessel, creating billowy peaks that stand tall and proud when the whisk is lifted.
- Delicately integrate the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, folding with gentle circular motions to maintain the airy volume.
- Construct the dessert architecture by creating alternating layers in your selected dish: First, create a foundation of graham crackers, trimming pieces to create a perfect fit. Spread a generous blanket of cream cheese mixture, ensuring complete coverage. Artfully distribute strawberry slices across the creamy landscape.
- Repeat layering technique, building successive strata of crackers, cream cheese mixture, and strawberry segments. Conclude with a pristine cream cheese crown.
- Seal the creation with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours. This resting period allows flavors to harmonize and graham crackers to achieve a delectable, cake-like consistency.
- Prior to serving, optionally embellish the surface with additional strawberry slices. Slice into precise squares and present this chilled delicacy.
Notes
- Slice strawberries uniformly to ensure consistent layering and even texture throughout the dessert.
- Let cream cheese soften at room temperature for easier mixing and smoother consistency.
- Whip cream carefully to maintain its volume, avoiding over-beating which can make it grainy.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for maximum flavor and natural sweetness.
- Prepare the cake a day ahead for optimal softening and flavor melding.
- For gluten-free option, replace graham crackers with gluten-free cookies or almond flour-based crackers.
- Add a light drizzle of honey or chocolate sauce before serving for extra indulgence.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg