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Summer Berry Icebox Cake is a cool, creamy no-bake dessert that’s perfect for warm weather. With layers of graham crackers, a smooth vanilla cream filling, and plenty of fresh strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, it’s light, refreshing, and always a crowd favorite.
What makes this recipe so good is how easy it is to put together while still feeling special. The graham crackers soften into cake-like layers as it chills, while the creamy filling and juicy berries create the perfect balance of sweet and fresh. It’s a simple make-ahead dessert that looks beautiful and tastes even better the next day.
If you enjoy easy no-bake desserts, be sure to browse my No-Bake Desserts collection, then try Eclair Cake and Lemon Icebox Cake next — they’re both cool, creamy favorites that are always a hit.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS RECIPE
- Cold and creamy which is perfect for summer!
- No-bake recipe and so easy to make!
- Full of berries!
SUMMER BERRY ICEBOX CAKE VIDEO TUTORIAL
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SUMMER BERRY ICEBOX CAKE INGREDIENTS
- Cream Cheese
- Instant Vanilla Pudding
- Milk
- Cool Whip
- Graham Crackers
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
HOW TO MAKE SUMMER BERRY ICEBOX CAKE RECIPE
This icebox cake is a great recipe to get the kiddos involved. The finished product is beautifully delicious, but it isn’t complicated to whip up. Simply mix up your filling and fold in your Cool Whip. Then alternate layers of filling fruit and graham crackers in a casserole dish and slide this baby into the fridge.
RECIPE NOTES
- Chilling Time: The recipe for this gorgeous icebox cake calls for 4 hours of fridge time but it’s so much better if it can sit overnight. You want to give the graham crackers time to soften and really soak up the flavors. It makes a huge difference.
- Berries: Also, I like to wait and place the top layer of berries on at serving time to keep it pretty. That way they don’t have time to bleed.
- Thaw: When its time to mix up this sweet-n-creamy summer dessert, you’ll want your cream cheese softened and your Cool Whip thawed out completely. It helps ensure everything blends up well and comes together perfectly. Besides, it’ll have plenty of chill time in the fridge before serving.
SERVING RECOMMENDATIONS
This totally luscious berry icebox cake makes a sweet simple afternoon snack on a hot summer day or the perfect delectable after supper dessert. It’s potluck-ready and worthy of the company for sure! I like to garnish with a few sprigs of fresh mint. I love to it this after serving tuna pasta salad, Mediterranean pasta salad, or any pasta salad!
STORING + FREEZING + MAKE-AHEAD
How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge?
Your enchanting berry icebox cake will stay fresh and yummy in the fridge for 3-4 days when stored properly. This cold and creamy dessert goes down smooth and tastes divine, so don’t expect it to last that long. Every time I make one it’s gone the following day!
Can You Freeze This?
Technically, you probably can freeze this summer icebox cake, but I don’t recommend it at all. The fruit gets soggy and ruins the whole thing when it thaws. This is really just a throw together with little gem that sits in the fridge overnight and gets gobbled up in a day or two and it is well worth the wait.
Make Ahead Tips:
This is one of those desserts that you really want to put together a day or so ahead of time if at all possible. You can get away with just 4-6 hours of chill time but it’s so much better if you wait overnight. Sometimes I’ll clean all my fruit and get it ready ahead of time to cut down on prep work.
More No-Bake Desserts to Try
Chocolate Delight A rich, creamy layered dessert with chocolate pudding and a buttery crust—perfect when you want something a little more indulgent.
Pineapple Delight Light, creamy, and refreshing with a tropical twist—great for warm-weather gatherings.
Million Dollar Pie A fluffy, fruit-filled no-bake pie that’s sweet, creamy, and always a crowd favorite.
Kool-Aid Pie Bright, fruity, and incredibly easy to make, this fun no-bake pie is perfect for summer.
Strawberry Cheesecake Salad Creamy, sweet, and packed with strawberry flavor, this easy dessert salad is always a hit at potlucks.
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Summer Berry Icebox Cake
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 (3.4-ounces) boxes instant vanilla pudding
- 2 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 (8-ounce) container Cool Whip, thawed
- 1 (14-ounce) box graham crackers
- 2-3 cups sliced strawberries,
- 1-2 (10-ounce) container raspberries, cut in half
- 2-3 cups blueberries
Garnish:
- fresh mint
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, using a handheld electric mixer, beat together cream cheese and instant pudding until combined. Slowly mix in the milk. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Fold in the Cool Whip. Spread a spoonful of pudding mixture on the bottom of a 9 X 13-inch dish in a thin layer.
- Over the thin layer of pudding mix, line the pan with a single layer of graham crackers, cutting or breaking them as need be, to cover completely. Spread 1/3 the pudding mixture over the layer of graham crackers, then add 1/3 strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries
- Place another layer of graham crackers, cutting them to fit. Spread 1/3 pudding mixture over top and add another 1/3 of the berries in a layer.
- Top with the final layer of graham crackers. Spread the reserved pudding mixture over top and even out.
- Cover and refrigerate a minimum of 4 hours to (better) overnight, or until the graham crackers have completely softened.
- Before serving, top decoratively with the remaining 1/3 of the berries. Cut into pieces and serve with a small sprig of mint.
Can I used frozen berries for this?
Yes, but thaw it and remove the excess water well. Enjoy, Debbie!
Do I need to make the vanilla pudding first or do I add the dry ingredient to the cream cheese?
Hi Tina. You add it dry to the cream cheese <3
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