This post may contain affiliate links, read our disclosure policy.

Icebox cake is so easy to make and one of the most delicious desserts ever. Layers of cookies, whipped cream and chocolate are a decadent treat!

Icebox cake is the perfect simple dessert for your next party or get together. Delicious cookies, chocolate sauce and whipped cream make a great treat! We like to serve ours at parties along with guacamole, smoked salmon dip, and lemon cookies.

Save this recipe!

Save this recipe! Enter your email below and we’ll shoot it straight to ya!

I consent to receive email from this site 💌

Icebox Cake

Click the button above to save this recipe!

Icebox Cake Ingredients

Cookies – You can use homemade or store-bought cookies for this recipe.
Whipped topping – Again, you can use homemade whipped cream, or just grab a tub of whipped topping from the freezer section of your local Publix.
Chocolate sauce – You could also make your own chocolate sauce. But, hint: we did not. It’s easiest if you get a bottle with the squeeze top.
Candy – We used M&M’s on top for color. You could also use sprinkles or other candy.

How Do You Make an Icebox Cake?

⭐ First, completely dunk each cookie into milk, then place it into your dish.

⭐ Next, when the bottom of the dish has a single layer of cookies, spread a thin layer of whipped topping over the cookie base, and follow that by drizzling chocolate sauce over the whole dish.Repeat until you don’t have enough cookies to do another full layer.

⭐ Then, do one last layer of whipped topping and chocolate sauce. Crumble one of the remaining cookies and sprinkle over top.

⭐ Finally, cover tightly and freeze until set.

What is An Icebox Cake?

It is a dessert consisting of layered whipped cream and wafers or cookies. It is also sometimes referred to as a ripple cake. Layers of cookies, whipped topping, and other goodies (like chocolate, candies, or fruit) are piled into a dish and then frozen or refrigerated for a period of time to set.

What type of wafer can be used in an Icebox Cake?

You can use traditional wafers, cookies, or graham crackers. In this recipe we use chocolate chip cookies. They can be homemade or store bought. We’re big fans of making it easy on ourselves and typically use store bought.

Icebox Cake Tips and Tricks

🟢 Don’t worry about taking your cake out of the freezer ahead of time to thaw like you would with an ice cream cake. This cake never freezes solid, so you can take it out and slice immediately!

🟢 Put aside one cookie to crumble and sprinkle over the top of your cake for decoration and so people know what to expect when they dig in!

🟢 If you use candy on the inside, make sure to sprinkle some on top for decoration.

🟢 Try making individual icebox cupcakes by layering into cupcake liners!

Where Did Icebox Cakes Come From?

It was inspired by similar desserts like the charlotte and the trifle. It was first introduced to the US during World War I and gained popularity in the 1920s and 1930s.

This style of cake was developed before the advent of modern electric refrigerators and freezers, and so it was originally stored in the icebox. Hence, we call it an Icebox Cake!

Does Icebox Cake Go in the Freezer or Refrigerator?

This recipe sets in the freezer. that said, it is still called an Icebox Cake regardless of whether it is stored in the fridge or freezer.

How Do I Save Leftover Icebox Cake?

Store it in an airtight container and then place it into the refrigerator or freezer depending on the recipe you are using. In this recipe we allow our cake to set in the freezer, so this is also where we store our leftovers. If you make one that sets in the refrigerator, we suggest storing the leftovers there as well.

Serving suggestions

Icebox Cake is traditionally served at a party or celebration, so we’ve provided links to a few of our favorite party foods below!

More yummy desserts

Tools we love

Santoku knife – My favorite knife for cutting vegetables! This knife is the perfect size and shape, handles great, and is super reasonably priced. Also, I just love that it’s fun and colorful!
Electric mixer – I love love love love love (x’s 100) my stand mixer. Really and truly. But my daily work horse is this handheld electric mixer. It even comes in allll the colors. Which, yay!

Get our FREE Easy Casseroles Ebook!

Follow us below!Use #mamalovesfood on Instagram!

How to Make Icebox Cake

Icebox Cake

Created by: April Woods

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Icebox cake is so easy to make and one of the most delicious desserts ever. Layers of cookies, whipped cream and chocolate are a decadent treat!

Save this recipe! Enter your email below and we'll shoot it straight to ya!

By submitting your email you consent to receive email from this site.

Ingredients

▢ About 30 cookies (does not have to be exact), I used a combination of the Keebler Chips Deluxe Original and the Keebler Chips Deluxe Rainbow
▢ ½ - 1 cup milk
▢ 12 ounces chocolate syrup
▢ 8 ounces whipped topping
▢ Candy or sprinkles optional

Instructions

One by one, dunk each cookie completely into the milk, then place it into your dish. We used an 8x8 casserole dish. You can use whatever you have handy!
When the bottom of the dish has a single layer of cookies, spread a thin layer of whipped topping over it. It’s okay if the cookies crumble a little.
Drizzle chocolate sauce over the whole thing.
Repeat until you don’t have enough cookies to do another full layer.
Do one last layer of whipped topping and chocolate sauce. Crumble one of the remaining cookies and sprinkle over top of the icebox cake.
Optional: top with candy or sprinkles.
Cover tightly and freeze for at least three hours.