The heat index has been in the upper 90s for the past few weeks and while I’m someone who’d normally sit outside until my blood starts to boil, even I have to admit it’s brutal out there. Not as brutal as summers in my parent’s house growing up though, where they had two rules once school let out:
- No TV. Just straight up canceled cable for three months.
- No air conditioning until it reached 90 degrees. Inside the house. INSIDE THE DANG HOUSE.
We were totally unplugged, and as much as we complained in the moment, I’m so glad they did what they did. Let me be clear – I’m so glad they canceled cable and shooed us outdoors every single day, NOT that they were so strict with the AC. Going to bed with fans blasting hot air 5 inches away from your face is not a good time!!
Watch How to Make It!
As a result of my parent’s rules though, my brothers and I left the house each morning after breakfast, maybe stopped home for a quick lunch, but most days didn’t come home until dinnertime. Our days were filled with friends, swimming, creek walking, bike riding, chalk drawing, bug collecting, and doing anything that didn’t involve sitting in a hot house staring at a blank television.
Today I’m sharing a recipe that reminds me of those simpler days. No frills, no fuss, just pure deliciousness. Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake calls for just five ingredients, no baking (did I mention how hot it is here?!) is gluten free, and super easy too.
Three Layers of Lusciousness
My Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake features homemade whipped cream layered with sliced fresh strawberries and crispy gluten free sugar cookies. That’s it! The cookies soften in the whipped cream while they meld together in the refrigerator overnight to create a rustic yet incredible dessert that your friends and family will devour.
Origins of Icebox Cakes
Icebox cakes were introduced in America during the 1930s when refrigerators – originally called iceboxes – started to become more mainstream in people’s homes. Cookies or wafers were layered with a creamy filling then placed in the refrigertor to set overnight. The result is a soft, cake-like dessert that requires zero baking time. It’s the perfect treat for a heat wave.
We make this gluten free dessert recipe for Mother’s Day, the 4th of July (swap half the strawberries with blueberries for a festive twist) and every moment in between. Since the icebox cake needs to sit in the refrigerator overnight it’s a great dish to prep a day or two ahead of time. Once it’s dessert time at your get together or cook out, pull out of the refrigerator, slice, and serve. SO GOOD!
Ready to get started?
Step 1: Make the Homemade Whipped Cream
You can of course use store-bought whipped cream — or dairy free whipped cream like SoDelicious Coconut Whip — for this recipe but I’M TELLING YOU, take 5 minutes and make homemade instead. There are few things better than homemade whipped cream, and it’s such a cinch to make.
Add heavy whipping cream and vanilla to the bowl of an electric mixer (or in a glass bowl if you’re using a hand mixer,) that’s been chilled in the freezer then gradually add powdered sugar while the mixer is on low. Turn the speed up as the cream thickens then whip until you have…whipped cream!
Step 2: Layer the Ingredients
Spread a thin layer of the whipped cream into the bottom of an 8×8 baking dish then top with a layer of gluten free crispy sugar cookies. Next add another layer of whipped cream followed by sliced strawberries. Repeat the layers – cookies, whipped cream, and strawberries – two more times to create three layers total.
Tip: Save the “prettiest” 1/3 of the strawberry slices for a nice presentation on the top layer!
These are the cookies I use in this strawberry icebox cake: Enjoy Life Sugar Crisp Crunchy Cookies soften beautifully but still retain a little texture, which I love. You’ll need two boxes and you can find them in the gluten free aisle of the grocery store. If for some reason you can’t find these exact cookies, any crispy sugar cookies should work or even graham crackers if you’re in a pinch.
Step 3: Cover and Refrigerate
Last step is to cover the dish with saran wrap then refrigerate overnight, or until the cookies have softened (6-8 hours.) When it’s time to eat, slice, serve, and savor the sweet and simple taste of summer. Enjoy!
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Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake
Description
Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake is the ultimate summer dessert recipe. Sweet, creamy, plus all you need is 5 ingredients!
Ingredients
- 3 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons powdered sugar
- 2, 6oz packages Enjoy Life Sugar Crisp Crunchy Cookies
- 1-1/2lbs strawberries, trimmed and sliced
Directions
- For the whipped cream: Place the bowl and whisk attachment of an electric mixer, or a large glass bowl and the beaters if using a hand mixer, in the freezer to chill for at least 10 minutes. Add heavy whipping cream and vanilla to the chilled bowl then whip on low speed while gradually adding powdered sugar. Gradually increase the speed as the whipped cream thickens then whip until the cream can hold its shape but is not lumpy.
- Spread a thin layer of whipped cream into the bottom of an 8x8" baking dish. Layer in 9 the cookies, spread on another layer of whipped cream, then top with 1/3 of the strawberries. Repeat layers - cookies, whipped cream, and strawberries - two more times to create three layers total (you might have a little extra whipped cream at the end.) Cover dish with saran wrap then refrigerate overnight. When ready to serve, slice then serve.
- Leave a comment and star rating if you loved the recipe! Thank you for considering!
Notes
- I like Enjoy Life Sugar Crisp Crunchy Cookies for the cookie layer.
- Since the homemade whipped cream has no stabilizers, I recommend keeping the icebox cake in the refrigerator when not serving.
- You can use 2 tubs of SoDelicious Coconut Whipped Topping, or your favorite DF whipped topping, as a dairy free "whipped cream" alternative.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
I immediately pinned this recipe so I can bring it to our Father’s Day party this weekend! It looks delicious and since I’m the only Gluten Free eater that’s attending I always try and bring a new recipe for my family to try. I do have a question for you – I’m going to make this tonight but we won’t be eating it until Saturday evening, will it last that long in the fridge??
I can totally relate to your childhood – I’m a Midwest Wisconsiner and we biked, swam and rollerbladed all summer long! Makes me miss the days with no responsibilities!! : )
Awesome!! Nobody will know it’s gluten-free. The cake does hold up in the refrigerator (I’ve been eating a slice every night for the past 4 days (ha!) That said, the cookies do soften significantly every day. The whipped cream can be made several days ahead of time, so if it were me I’d prep everything either today or tomorrow then assemble on Friday night. I hope this helps!
Awesome, thanks for getting back to me!!
OOOOO…. I made one of these recently with a few changes. I used lady fingers in place of the cookies. I also mixed a tub of mascarpone with 1/2 jar of low sugar strawberry preserves for a middle layer. Love the simplicity of this dessert!!! I need to make another….soon.
I’m pregnant and this looks delicious!
I am a little confused. I just need to confirm that you keep it in the refrigerator and not the freezer?
Yep, in the refrigerator. :)
Strawberry shortcake is one of my favourites! This looks so great!!
This cake looks great! I am always looking for dessert recipes that don’t use eggs or nuts since my son is allergic. We tried the Enjoy Life cookies after I saw them in one of your posts a few weeks ago and they were a hit! Also, congrats on your article in the Wellmark magazine! It was fun to see your face on the cover when I pulled it out of the mailbox!
Ah, so great to hear he’ll be able to enjoy this dessert! :)
Summer freedom for kids might be possible if people would 1) teach their kids common sense and manners and 2) people learn to recognize REAL danger and mind their business when kids are just out playing or walking to parks or libraries without calling the police. The world is full of mommy bloggers who think they know how to parent better than anyone else. The sheer number of them is overwhelming compared to actual dangers out there.
For those that want to go dairy free, whipped coconut cream would be a great substitution? No?
Totally!
I read an article (don’t remember the source) that said statistically there are less abductions/crimes against children today than when we were growing up. The article said it might seem scarier today because of how in touch we are with the news. That being said, I still won’t let my kids have as much freedoms as I did as a kid. The cake looks great!
I think there’s something to be said about that – Amber Alerts, social media, etc didn’t exist when I was growing up so that makes a lot of sense!
This sounds and looks SO good!! Might have to try this out for an upcoming baby shower dish to share!
Ohh how I love this dessert!! It’s so pretty and perfect for summer gatherings!!
LOVE icebox cakes! They are so easy to pull together! This one takes full advantage of strawberry season and looks SO scrumptious!
Another one of your recipes I am excited to try! Gotta get through this Whole30 program, though–two more weeks!
Gahhh, you are a stronger woman than I am! Hope it’s going well! :)
Loving all of the simple, yet delicious, desserts right now! I refuse to turn my oven on when it’s 90 degrees out, so this is perfect!
Also, love that your parents cancelled your cable for the summer when you were growing up! What I wouldn’t give to go back to the easy going summers of yesteryear…
Tell me about it! Those were the days… :)
Hi! It says to chill the bowl of mixer, but if I have the ice-cream attachment for a kitchen aid, do you think that would work to make the whip cream? Thanks much!
Best,
EJ
Hi EJ! Unfortunately you need the whisk/whipping attachment to make this in an electric mixer. You could always use a hand-held mixer or go the old fashioned way and use a whisk!
My husband and I were having this exact conversation last night! We lived out in the country and my parents let us ride our bikes 5 miles into town so we could get to the swimming pool (one of those miles was a busy paved county road!!) I couldn’t imagine letting my daughter do that now…but I do think it helped us learn more responsibility and to look out for each other. And we didn’t have air conditioning at all in our giant house-we slept outside a LOT! Wouldn’t trade those summers for anything :)
This looks so delicious! I just bought this brands snicker doodle cookies after your recommended them for my daughter and she LOVES them! Can’t wait to try this flavor cookie. I might add some blueberries in with the strawberry layers and serve this for the 4th of the July. Thank you so much for your delicious recipes.
Ahh, that is so great to hear! Yes, blueberries + strawberries = perfect for the 4th! :)
Do you have a recommendation for sugar cookies that are not gluten free? Maybe just Hy-Vee sugar cookies? This looks delicious!
Hi Megan! I don’t have a specific brand recommendation for a non GF sugar cookie (just because I can’t eat them and haven’t tried,) but really any crisp vs soft/doughy sugar cook should work.
I just love this post! I grew up with a single dad who had to work all day. So he would drop us off at the pool at 8 for swim lessons and we stayed there until 5 playing gator charge, sharks and minnows, and perfecting our diving board techniques. Good times!
Heck yes! We used to dive for rings for literally HOURS on end!
Your childhood sounds just like mine. I grew up in a small town in Iowa and summer meant freedom to run around and explore. Playing outside with friends until it was supper time. I’m just starting to let my 6 year old outside in our yard by herself more, but I’m constantly looking out the window. We live in the same small town and while I feel safe here, it’s a different world and I can’t see my kids having as much freedom as we had when we were kids. It’s sad.
There is actually less crime now than ever! Abductions and such are down, it’s just with the 24/7 news cycle we are more aware than ever. Also, just saying…most abductions are from people the kids know! Stranger danger is a myth.