Saturday Sweets: Icebox Cafe in Sunset Harbour
Sunset Harbour is creeping its way into my heart as one of my favorite areas on the beach, especially now that I’ve discovered Icebox Café and their AMAZING cakes.
Icebox Café is located on Purdy Avenue next to Panther Coffee – cake and coffee, can it get any better? The name Icebox may sound familiar to you probably because their Chocolate Delight cake was on Oprah’s Favorite things in 2007. She called it the “Best Cake in America” and after eating my way into a serious sugar coma with their cakes I can absolutely see why.
Fun fact: The Chocolate Delight was originally called the Chocolate Bomb, but after expanding and opening a location at Miami International Airport the name had to be changed since you can’t have a bunch of people ordering “Bombs” in the airport.
The Chocolate Delight is just one of the deliciously decadent cakes you can find on the menu here. There are 17 different cakes (and a few pies) to be tried. For those, like me, who can’t possibly pick just one they have the awesome option of 3 half portions for $16 or 5 half portions for $21 – it’s a total steal since these cakes are huge and all priced under $10 a slice. Great way to grab some friends and meet for dessert.
Here’s a rundown of the SEVEN slices of cake I ate – just remember I did this for you guys!
Chocolate Delight - layers of dark chocolate, creamy cheesecake brownie and chocolate mousse filling, dark chocolate ganache.
This cake lives up to its name, whether it’s a bomb or a delight it is so good. Beware it is definitely the richest cake on the menu!
Carrot Cake - three-layer carrot cake, raisins, chopped walnuts, whipped cream cheese frosting.
A perfect rendition of a classic carrot cake. The whipped cream cheese frosting was creamy and had great texture. There were plenty of carrots and raisins to make it feel almost like you’re eating a vegetable (or at least that’s what I like to tell myself.)
Coconut Buttercream Cake - layered light chiffon cake, soaked in a sweetened coconut milk, layered with a coconut pastry cream, and finished off in a lovely pink buttercream, covered in coconut shavings.
This is might very well be my favorite cake on the menu. It’s light and fluffy with a spectacular amount of coconut. I’m a big fan of coconut and I feel like it’s not represented on menus as often as I would like it to be. It’s also the prettiest shade of light pink which makes me gravitate toward it even more.
Dulce de Leche Cake - three-layers of yellow cake, homemade dulce de leche, whipped cream.
Dulce de leche runs this town and this cake is no exception. The yellow cake is simple and complimented so well with the sweet caramel of the dulce de leche.
Red Velvet Cake - layers of red velvet cake topped with cream cheese frosting.
Always a favorite of mine – also my favorite cake to bake personally. Not everyone realizes red velvet cake is chocolate cake with a light cocoa powder, buttermilk, and vinegar. This cake is true to its Southern roots and tradition recipe.
Almond Pistachio - almond cake topped with pastry cream, whipped cream, and chopped pistachios.
Saw the Almond Pistachio cake on the menu and knew I had to try it. No disappointment here – the pastry cream covered in chopped pistachios was a hit!
Deep Dish Key Lime Pie - graham cracker crust filled with key lime custard, topped with whipped cream.
A classic in South Florida and sometimes I hesitate ordering it for fear of it not being everything I want it to be, but this one was everything it needed to be. It’s also their top seller at the MIA location.
In addition to the above featured desserts, Icebox Café offers lunch, dinner, and also a weekend brunch that I hear is a big hit. Whatever time of day you can count on there being plenty of freshly baked cake to choose from.
Perfect for taking out of town guests, that fun first date, or your kids to reward them for all those end of school year awards. Remember: There’s always room for dessert!
1855 Purdy Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 538-8448
There are two other Ice Box locations at American Airlines Terminal in Miami International Airport ( MIA ) and Dallas-Fort Worth Airport ( DFW ).