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:Â 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!
More Icebox Cake Recipes
free email bonus
Dinner Made EASY
5 days of simple yet flavorful recipes that take the stress out of dinnertime!
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.
What kind/brand of cookie would you recommend for non-gluten free?
Thanks.
You could try Nilla Wafers, though I’d still recommend these cookies even if you don’t need to eat GF – they are delicious!
[…] Cake from Averie Cooks // No Bake Mixed Berry Icebox Cake from Life Made Sweeter // Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake from Iowa Girl […]
[…] 4. Gluten-Free No-Bake Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake Recipe […]
Love it but will it freeze for travel?
Hi Shirley! I haven’t tested it, but know that whipped cream can become watery once frozen then thawed, which is usually remedied by re-whipping, which wouldn’t be possible in this case. That said, I think you could transport it in a cooler with ice and it’d be just fine.
Do you think Nilla wafers would work as cookie layer?
Thanks!
Definitely!
[…] a cook out with a few of our friends. About a month ago, I pinned a recipe for Kristin’s no bake strawberry shortcake icebox cake and was waiting for an occasion to make it. Lauren and Tony’s BBQ sounded like the perfect […]
[…] honey roasted sweet potatoes, veggies and more. I brought two variations of Kristin’s no bake ice box cake for dessert. (I need to share my chocolate rendition you guys soon because it was so easy and a big […]
[…] Strawberry Shortcake Ice Box Cake […]
We did the same thing on nearly every summer day. I remember only coming home when my stomach grumbled. It was the best! Hope my kids get this experience sometime too.
[…] No Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake / 10 Helpful Charts for Bakers / Peanut Butter Breakfast Bars / Sesame Tofu Salad / Cucumber Sesame […]
Can’t wait to try it!!! Your site is better than ANY recipe book! Everything I’ve made my family has loved and I love the pictures, step by step and all the other “extras” you put on your site with travel, etc. Thank you for blogging!
Thank YOU so much, Traci, for the kind words! Means a lot! :)
Made this today with fresh-picked strawberries and it was delicious! We don”t need gluten free but I used the cookies anway to get an idea of what it should taste like-thanks for another great recipe, as always?
That’s awesome, and I’m so glad you tried the cookies! I think people hear “gluten-free cookies” and assume they’re going to be terrible, but I really (really) love those particular ones. Yum. :) Thanks for the feedback, Melony!
[…] and make the salad and we can pick up bread. I just finished making the dessert – tried this strawberry shortcake icebox cake recipe. Was very surprised that I couldn't find sugar cookies at the market. None. I ended up with a […]
This looks fabulous – I’m trying it!!
Definitely sending this recipe to my room mate who is gluten intolerant. Living with her made me realize how difficult that gluten free life can be so I’m sure she’ll appreciate this recipe!
Leah // http://www.sunmoonwars.com
That looks positively divine. I’m sure I would find my sweetheart stealing licks from the side of the pan every few minutes! I know I’d want to! Nothing beats freshly whipped cream. I’ve never tried it with powdered sugar before. Great idea!
This looks so good! Thanks for the recipe.
This recipe looks delicious, but I just cannot believe the no A/C until it was 90 in the house. IN THE HOUSE?????? My parents were super old school with the no A/C growing up in Miami, but the did turn it on at night. I’m sure it was set at 78 on those nights. My husband grew up in St. Petersburg, FL with no A/C at all, ever. Their house did not have it. As a result, our A/C is always on when it is hot outside.
I kid you not! My older brother is forever changed by the experience – his AC goes on when his house reaches, like, 68 degrees!
I think this sounds wonderful!!!! one question—doesn’t vanilla extract contain gluten?
It shouldn’t, but nothing surprises me these days so you’ll definitely want to check labels. I use Simply Organic Pure Vanilla Extract: http://amzn.to/1tytJDN
Looks yummy ! My sister loves strawberries and her birthday is coming, now I have an idea of what I’m going to make :D