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no-bake strawberry icebox cake - featured image

Labor Day No-Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake: 5-Ingredient Summer Dessert

  • Author: Sarah
  • Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x

Description

A stress-free, no-bake summer dessert featuring layers of vanilla wafers, whipped cream, instant vanilla pudding, and fresh strawberries. This make-ahead cake is perfect for holidays and requires only five ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 50–60 vanilla wafers (or similar vanilla cookies)
  • 2 cups (480ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
  • 2 boxes (5.1 oz each) instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 2–3 tablespoons granulated sugar (optional, to taste)
  • 1.5 pounds (680g) fresh strawberries, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)

Instructions

  1. Wash, hull, and thinly slice the strawberries (about 1/4 inch thick). Set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cold heavy whipping cream, instant vanilla pudding mix, and granulated sugar.
  3. Whip the mixture on low speed to incorporate the powder, then increase to medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until stiff peaks form. Do not over-whip.
  4. Break vanilla wafers to fit the bottom of a 9×13 inch glass baking dish, creating a single layer with slight overlaps.
  5. Spread 1/3 of the whipped cream mixture over the cookies, then arrange a layer of sliced strawberries on top.
  6. Add a second layer of vanilla wafers, followed by another 1/3 of the cream and another layer of strawberries.
  7. Add the final layer of cookies and spread the remaining cream over the top.
  8. Arrange the remaining strawberries on top of the cream layer for decoration.
  9. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
  10. Before serving, dust with powdered sugar if desired. Slice with a sharp knife and serve cold.

Notes

Ensure the cream is very cold for proper whipping. The cake tastes better the next day as the cookies soften and flavors meld. Do not freeze, as the texture will become mushy. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free vanilla wafers.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 280
  • Sugar: 18
  • Sodium: 120
  • Fat: 16
  • Saturated Fat: 10
  • Carbohydrates: 32
  • Fiber: 1
  • Protein: 3

Keywords: no-bake dessert, strawberry icebox cake, summer dessert, labor day recipe, easy dessert, make-ahead dessert, 5-ingredient dessert

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Find it online: https://dailyrecipe.info/labor-day-no-bake-strawberry-icebox-cake-5-ingredient-summer-dessert/