🍓 Strawberry Cream Cheese Icebox Cake

🍓 Strawberry Cream Cheese Icebox Cake — A Refreshing No-Bake Delight

Strawberry Cream Cheese Icebox Cake is a dreamy, no-bake dessert that combines layers of sweet, fresh strawberries, creamy cheesecake filling, and crisp cookies. It’s elegant, refreshing, and perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, or simply treating yourself at home. This step-by-step guide will show you how to create a luscious dessert that impresses both in taste and presentation.

🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Cake Layers:

2–3 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
24–30 graham crackers or thin digestive biscuits
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional: lemon zest from 1 lemon for extra brightness

For the Cream Cheese Filling:

8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
1 cup heavy whipping cream
½ cup powdered sugar (adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Topping:

Extra sliced strawberries
Whipped cream or chocolate shavings
Fresh mint leaves

🥄 Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Prepare the Strawberries

Wash and hull the strawberries, then slice them thinly. If the strawberries are very juicy, lightly pat them with a paper towel to avoid soggy layers. You can also toss them with a teaspoon of sugar to enhance their natural sweetness.

Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Filling

In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and creamy.

In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully combined and fluffy. This creates a light, airy filling that melts in your mouth.

Step 3: Assemble the First Layer

Choose a rectangular or square dish (8×8 or 9×9 inches works well). Place a layer of graham crackers at the bottom. If needed, break some crackers to fill any gaps. Spread a generous layer of the cream cheese filling over the crackers, smoothing it with a spatula. Add a layer of sliced strawberries on top.