A super simple icebox cake recipe for summer, today’s Strawberry Icebox Cake is just three ingredients and comes together in less than 10 minutes! The result is similar to a Strawberry Shortcake, but with way less effort on your part – and never having to turn on the oven.

Strawberry Icebox Cake Recipe

When strawberries are fresh, ripe and in season (translation: amazingly flavorful and actually affordable) I can’t help but scoop up a few containers every time I grocery shop.

A couple containers are always just dedicated to enjoying them plain, but the rest are for me to experiment with in the kitchen. But this recipe? It’s no experiment. Strawberry icebox cake is a classic dessert – and for good reasons. It’s three ingredients (five if you want to make your whipped cream from scratch), takes less than 10 minutes to whip up, and doesn’t require you to heat up the house by turning on the oven.

It’s luxurious, bursting with fresh strawberry flavors combined with they honey-nutty flavor of graham crackers and the sweet vanilla flavor of whipped topping. 

But the real reason that this recipe is a classic? Because it actually mimics the texture and satisfying mouthfeel of cake.

After refrigeration, the graham crackers take on a soft, cake-like texture but do not become soggy. I have no idea why they don’t but that’s just part of the magic of icebox cakes.

Give yourself enough time before you plan to serve so that the strawberry refrigerator cake can sit in the fridge for at least 4 hours. This is essential for allowing the whipped cream layers to set up and the graham crackers to soften.

Variations on a Strawberry Icebox Cake:

• swap out the strawberries for raspberries, blackberries, blueberries – or even sliced fruit like pineapple or peaches
• use vanilla wafer cookies (like Nilla cookies) instead of graham cracker crumbs
• or, use Italian lady finger cookies (Savoiardi)
• whip 4oz (half a block) of cream cheese into the whipped topping for a cheesecake-like flavor
• add a flavor extract to the whipped cream (vanilla, almond or rose all work wonderfully with strawberries)
• add vanilla or chocolate pudding mix to the whipped cream topping before layering
• add chopped nuts, shredded coconut, shaved chocolate or other favorite toppings
• spread a favorite jam on the crackers before layering (a strawberry rhubarb jam would be delicious)

How long does a strawberry icebox cake last in the fridge? This cake is best enjoyed within 3 days of making. After that, the texture will change and the strawberries may start to turn.

Can you freeze an icebox cake? Yes, but please note that freezing will change the texture a bit. Cover and freeze immediately after making. Enjoy within 1 month. (This set of freezer containers is a crazy bargain.)

How to make whipped cream topping from scratch: If you don’t want to use a whipped topping, you can make whipped cream from scratch. Beat 2 cups of heavy whipping cream (35% milk fat) for 3 minutes, then add in 1/2 cup of powdered icing sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Continue beating for 2-3 additional minutes until fluffy and the whipped cream holds a soft peak when the beaters are lifted from the bowl.

Check out our quick video to see how easy it is to make our strawberry icebox cake recipe – and then don’t forget to scroll down to grab your free printable recipe card:

More Strawberry Recipes

• Homemade Strawberry Lemonade
• Italian Strawberry Arugula Salad with Chicken
• Heart-shaped Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish
• Strawberry Hot Chocolate
• Instant Pot Strawberry Cake
• No Bake Strawberry Cheesecakes
• Strawberry Sweet Rolls
• Strawberry Tarts

Strawberry Icebox Cake Ingredients

• Whipped Topping (like Cool Whip) <– can use heavy whipping cream and sugar instead (see recipe notes)
• Graham Crackers
• Strawberries, sliced

Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.

Tip: whip pudding mix or 4oz of cream cheese into the whipped topping to make this strawberry icebox cake even more luxurious.

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Casserole Dish (you can make a small cake of 8″ x 8″ or 9″ x 13″) <– I love these Pyrex dishes with fitted lids for easy transportation to parties or leftover storage
• Spatula <– I like these spatulas because they are one solid piece and don’t have removable heads for bacteria to get trapped underneath. Plus they are heat-resistant and have a lifetime warranty
• Sharp Kitchen Knife
• Cutting Board

How to Make a Strawberry Icebox Cake

If adding pudding mix or cream cheese to the whipped topping, place in a bowl along with the whipped topping and beat for 2 minutes, until fully combined.

Spread 1/4 of the whipped topping on the bottom of a casserole dish.

Make a single layer of graham crackers overtop of the whipped cream layer.

Top with another 1/4 of the whipped topping, followed by a layer of sliced strawberries.

Continue this pattern so you have another layer of graham crackers, then whipped topping, then strawberries, then graham crackers and then a final layer of whipped topping.

Arrange the final layer of strawberries however you’d like (decoratively or just in a single layer). You can also add additional toppings, as desired.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.

Pin this Easy No Bake Strawberry Cake for your next summer dessert:

Grab your free printable recipe card for our no-bake strawberry icebox cake:

I hope your family loves this classic strawberry icebox cake as much as mine does!

For more amazing cakes, check out our full cake recipe collection here:

For more decadent no-bake desserts, check out our full no-bake dessert recipe collection here: