Strawberry Cream Cheese Icebox Cake

            I absolutely love a great no bake dessert recipe! Not only because that is less steps I have to make, but it is much less time between preparing and eating the dessert. This strawberry Refrigerator Cake is a delicious take on the Strawberry Shortcake we grew up with. This is not your average dessert with strawberries though, oh no! We are going to create multiple layers of goodness.

            If any of you remember the Woolworth counter in their stores, this is very reminiscent of the strawberry dessert they sold. I remember visiting the store and sitting with my Mom as we had a treat one day there.

            This is the dessert that so many families brought to the old fashioned work picnics in the past. It made a perfect dessert on a hot day, it was refreshing and tickled the taste buds.

To this day, families across the world still enjoy this Old fashioned IceBox Cake, as it used to be called. Now it is simply Strawberry Cheesecake Dessert or Strawberry Refrigerator Cake. No matter what it is called, it is truly a dessert to enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

            Do I have to store this dessert in the Freezer?

No, you will store the leftovers in the refrigerator, if your family leaves any for leftovers.

            Can I make this dessert ahead of time?

There are portions of this dessert that you can make ahead. For instance, the strawberries can be sliced the day before. The pudding can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

            Do I have to use graham crackers?

No, you could easily substitute Vanilla Wafers, Chocolate Wafers or Oreo cookies if you would like.

What do you need to make Strawberry Cream Cheese Icebox Cake

            1 tsp vanilla extract

            1 container, 8 ounces Cool Whip

            ½ can sweetened condensed milk

            1 box Cheesecake Pudding mix

            1 ½ cups of milk

            4 ounces cream cheese, softened

            1 package Graham crackers(1 pack out of box)

            1 pound of strawberries, sliced

How to make Strawberry Cream Cheese Icebox Cake:

FIRST STEP:

Place a layer of graham crackers at the bottom of a baking dish, (or cookies)

Mix together the cream cheese and the sweetened condensed milk until smooth

SECOND STEP:

Add in the pudding mix, vanilla extract and milk, beat until this thickens

Fold in 1 cup of whipping cream

a)

b)

Spread ½ the cream cheese mix on the layer of graham crackers

THIRD STEP:

Layer ½ of the strawberries on the layer of cream cheese mixture

a)

b)

Another layer of graham crackers over the strawberries

FOURTH STEP:

Layer the other half of the cream cheese mixture over the layer of crackers

Top with the final layer of Strawberries

FIFTH STEP:

Place the cake into the refrigerator

Allow to chill and set for 6 to 8 hours

When ready to serve, remove from the refrigerator and top with the other half of the whipped cream

Tips:           

If you choose to , you could crush some graham cracker and sprinkle over the top after the whipping cream, then add little flowers or designs made from sliced strawberries. Your friends and family will think you spent a lot of time or paid to have this made.