If you need an easy summer dessert that looks impressive but takes almost no baking skill, this no-bake strawberry icebox cake recipe is one of the best make-ahead desserts to serve. Layers of vanilla wafers, creamy whipped filling, cream cheese, and fresh strawberries soften overnight into a dessert that tastes like strawberry shortcake and cheesecake combined.

Dollar General is probably the closest store I have to my house to pick up groceries and other miscellaneous items.

I often go there for quick shopping trips.  Lucky for me, they had most of the ingredients I needed for this recipe.

I made a spur of the moment shopping trip for the ingredients I needed that I already didn’t have on hand.

Have you tried their Clover Valley line of products?  These to me are just as good, if not better, than other name brand items! Find these products and more at Dollar General

Ingredients needed to make Strawberries & Cream Icebox Cake:

8 oz cream cheese

4 cups heavy whipping cream, divided

2 tablespoons of Clover Valley White Cranberry Strawberry Juice

1/4 cup sugar

4 cups diced strawberries

1 cup additional strawberries for the top

1 box of Clover Valley Vanilla Wafers (11 oz)

1/3 cup powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon Clover Valley Vanilla Flavor

2 heaping tablespoons of Clover Valley Strawberry Preserves

1.  Cream together the cream cheese, sugar, and juice until soft and fluffy.

2.  Add 3 cups of heavy whipping cream and beat on medium until thickened and fluffy.

3.  Place a single layer of vanilla wafers in a 9×13 pan.  Top with 1/2 of the cream mixture.  You may want to use a spoon and place 6 dollops spread out on top of the wafers.  It will be easier to spread that way.

4.  Repeat the layer of wafers and cream mixture again.

5.  Spread the 4 cups of diced strawberries over the last cream layer.

You want a piece of this now, don’t you??  🙂

6.  Combine remaining cup of heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla and strawberry preserves.  Beat on medium high until thickened.  Spread over the strawberries and refrigerate overnight.

The next morning, cut more strawberries in half and add as a final topping.  If you’ve never had a strawberry icebox cake before, it really is important to let it sit overnight.  If the temptation is just too much and you dive it too soon, the wafers won’t be soft and it honestly just isn’t as good as it is the next day.

Why This Strawberry Icebox Cake Works So Well

This strawberry icebox cake works so well because the layers soften perfectly as it chills, turning simple ingredients into a creamy dessert that tastes like it took much more effort than it actually does. The vanilla wafers absorb moisture from the whipped filling and cream cheese mixture, creating a soft cake-like texture, while the fresh strawberries add natural sweetness and a bright flavor that makes it especially good for spring and summer gatherings. Since it is a no bake dessert, it is also easy to prepare ahead of time for parties, cookouts, or family dinners.

Can You Make Strawberry Icebox Cake Ahead of Time?

Yes, strawberry icebox cake is actually even better when made ahead of time because the layers need several hours to soften and blend together. For best results, cover the dish and refrigerate it for at least 6 hours, but overnight gives the vanilla wafers the perfect soft texture and allows the strawberry flavor to spread through the creamy filling. This makes it an ideal make-ahead dessert for holidays, summer parties, or when you want dessert ready before guests arrive.

How to Store Leftovers in the Refrigerator

To store leftover strawberry icebox cake, cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer slices to an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator. It stays best for about 2 to 3 days, although the texture becomes softer each day as the vanilla wafers continue absorbing moisture from the filling. For the freshest flavor, keep any extra sliced strawberries on top until just before serving.

PRO TIP:  Because this is a chilled dessert made with cream cheese and whipped topping, it should always stay refrigerated until ready to serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can strawberry icebox cake be frozen?

Yes, but the texture is best when chilled overnight in the refrigerator rather than frozen.

How long does strawberry icebox cake last?

It usually stays fresh for 2 to 3 days refrigerated in an airtight container.

Can frozen strawberries be used?

Fresh strawberries work best because frozen berries release extra liquid.

 

  Discover DG easy meal recipes at Dollar General

This recipe was actually the WINNING recipe on the Dollar General contest poll!!

Now even though it won – I have to give the disclaimer that there wasn’t a whole lot of buzz about this “contest.”  It was basically one of those “who can get the most friends to click their recipe” contest.  No one actually tasted these recipes and voted like you would in a real contest.  So it’s really a fake contest win – but it still tastes like “heaven in your mouth” as my daughter said when she tasted this creamy strawberry icebox cake!.  😉

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Dollar General for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.