Introduction
Are you looking for a dessert that is easy to make and tastes heavenly? Look no further than the strawberry cream cheese ice box cake! This dessert is a perfect blend of creamy cheese, juicy strawberries, and crunchy graham cracker layers. The best part is that it requires no baking and can be prepared in advance. In this blog post, we will share with you two different recipes for making this scrumptious dessert. So, let’s get started!
Recipe 1: Classic Strawberry Cream Cheese Ice Box Cake
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 packages graham crackers
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat the heavy cream with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.
- In another bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Fold in the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.
- Line the bottom of a 9×13 inch dish with graham crackers.
- Spread a layer of the cream cheese mixture over the graham crackers.
- Add a layer of sliced strawberries on top of the cream cheese mixture.
- Repeat the layers until you reach the top of the dish.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Serve chilled and enjoy!
Nutritional Information
Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 432
- Total Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 96 mg
- Sodium: 234 mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Dietary Fiber: 2 g
- Sugars: 29 g
- Protein: 5 g
Cooking Time
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Refrigeration Time: 4 hours or overnight
Equipment
- Electric mixer
- Large mixing bowl
- 9×13 inch baking dish
Serving Suggestions
Serve chilled with a dollop of whipped cream and fresh strawberries on top.
Variations
- Substitute raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries for the strawberries.
- Use chocolate or cinnamon graham crackers for a different flavor.
- Add a layer of chocolate chips or chopped nuts between the graham cracker layers.
Substitutions
- Use light cream cheese and whipped cream for a lighter version.
- Substitute honey or maple syrup for the granulated sugar.
- Use gluten-free graham crackers for a gluten-free option.
Storage
Store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Tips
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened before mixing with the other ingredients.
- Use a spatula to spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the graham crackers.
- Garnish with fresh mint leaves for a pop of color.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make this cake in advance?
- Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh ones?
- Can I use low-fat cream cheese and whipped cream?
Yes, you can prepare this cake up to 2 days in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator.
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries, but make sure to thaw and drain them before using.
Yes, you can use low-fat versions of these ingredients, but the texture and flavor may vary slightly.
Recipe 2: Strawberry Cream Cheese Ice Box Cake with Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 packages chocolate graham crackers
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat the heavy cream with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.
- In another bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Fold in the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.
- Line the bottom of a 9×13 inch dish with chocolate graham crackers.
- Sprinkle a layer of chocolate chips over the graham crackers.
- Spread a layer of the cream cheese mixture over the chocolate chips.
- Add a layer of sliced strawberries on top of the cream cheese mixture.
- Repeat the layers until you reach the top of the dish.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Serve chilled and enjoy!
Nutritional Information
Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 459
- Total Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 96 mg
- Sodium: 237 mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Dietary Fiber: 2 g
- Sugars: 35 g
- Protein: 5 g
Cooking Time
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Refrigeration Time: 4 hours or overnight
Equipment
- Electric mixer
- Large mixing bowl
- 9×13 inch baking dish
Serving Suggestions
Serve chilled with a drizzle of chocolate syrup and fresh strawberries on top.
Variations
- Substitute raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries for the strawberries.
- Use cinnamon graham crackers for a different flavor.
- Add a layer of chopped nuts between the graham cracker layers.
Substitutions
- Use light cream cheese and whipped cream for a lighter version.
- Substitute honey or maple syrup for the granulated sugar.
- Use gluten-free graham crackers for a gluten-free option.
Storage
Store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Tips
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened before mixing with the other ingredients.
- Use a spatula to spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the graham crackers.
- Garnish with fresh mint leaves for a pop of color.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make this cake in advance?
- Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh ones?
- Can I use
Yes, you can prepare this cake up to 2 days in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator.
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries, but make sure to thaw and drain them before using.