Saturday Sweets: No-Bake Strawberry Icebox Cheesecake
Welcome to Saturday Sweets: No-Bake Strawberry Icebox Cheesecake edition. Icebox cakes have several very thin layers that are stacked up and typically left in the refrigerator (aka icebox) overnight. We’re sharing how to make a strawberry icebox cheesecake, that’s so easy anyone can do it! The best part is it’s a no-bake recipe meaning there’s no need to turn on the oven adding to the summer heat!
Here’s how to make it:
No-Bake Strawberry Icebox Cheesecake
2 pounds strawberries (rinsed and patted dry)
20 ounces cream cheese (softened)
3 cups heavy cream
1 3/4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 14.4 ounce box of honey graham crackers (about 30 graham crackers)
Slicing & Mixing
Rinse, hull and pat-dry your strawberries. Reserve whole berries for the top of your cake (about 16 small berries or 8 large berries) and slice the remainder.
Using a stand mixer, or a large bowl with an electric hand mixer, stir cream cheese until smooth.
Gradually stir in about half of the heavy cream. Stir until smooth, pausing once to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
With a mixer on medium-low speed, gradually add the remaining heavy cream.
Increase speed to medium-high and beat until mixture begins to thicken (about one minute).
Pause to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, and add powdered sugar and vanilla.
Stir again, gradually increasing speed to high. Beat until thick, fluffy whipped cream texture is achieved.
Assembly
Cover the bottom of a 9x13 pan with an even layer of graham crackers (about 9 sheets — break graham crackers as needed to best fit).
Spread about 1/3 of the cheesecake mixture evenly over the graham crackers.
Place another layer of graham crackers over the cheesecake layer, evenly spacing as needed and gently nestle them into the first layer.
Spread half of the remaining cheesecake over the graham crackers. Top with sliced strawberries, distributing strawberries evenly over cheesecake layer.
Evenly space another layer of graham crackers over the strawberries, using the graham crackers to press the strawberries snuggly into the cheesecake layer.
Top graham crackers with remaining cheesecake mixture and spread evenly.
Top with remaining strawberries (if your strawberries are quite large, halve or quarter them before topping strawberry icebox cheesecake).
Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving. This will soften the graham crackers and give them a cake-like texture.