✨ Introduction
Say goodbye to your oven and hello to your new favorite summer dessert! This No-Bake Summer Berry Icebox Cake is cool, creamy, fruity, and irresistibly easy. With layers of fluffy vanilla pudding, whipped topping, cream cheese, graham crackers, and fresh strawberries & blueberries, it’s everything you want in a summertime treat—without breaking a sweat. 🍓🫐
This dessert is perfect for cookouts, picnics, potlucks, or lazy days when you want something sweet but can’t bear to turn on the oven. Even better? It gets better the longer it chills, making it the ideal make-ahead dessert.
For more warm-weather sweets, browse our No-Bake Desserts Collection and Summer Treats over at RecipeService.net!
🛒 Ingredients
Here’s what you need to whip up this refreshing and creamy layered dessert:
🍓 Fruits
- 1½ cups fresh blueberries
- 3 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
🍰 Creamy Filling
- 12 oz Cool Whip (or any whipped topping)
- 2 (3.4 oz) packages vanilla instant pudding mix
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2½ cups milk (cold)
🍪 Structure + Texture
- 19 oz graham crackers (about 3 sleeves)
🍫 Optional Garnish
- 2 oz white chocolate chips, melted for drizzling
Tip: Use very cold milk to ensure the pudding sets quickly and properly.
👨🍳 Directions
This cake requires no baking—just layering, chilling, and eating. Here’s how to do it:
🥄 Step 1: Make the Vanilla Pudding Layer
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together:
- 2 packages of vanilla pudding mix
- 2½ cups cold milk
- Let sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
🧁 Step 2: Create the Cream Cheese Layer
- In another bowl, beat together:
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup of Cool Whip
- Mix until smooth and creamy.
🧁 Step 3: Combine Cream Cheese & Pudding
- Fold the cream cheese mixture into the prepared pudding.
- Gently fold in remaining Cool Whip until well combined and fluffy.
🍪 Step 4: Layer the Cake
- In a 9×13-inch pan, lay out a single layer of graham crackers.
- Spread ⅓ of the cream mixture evenly over crackers.
- Add a layer of sliced strawberries and blueberries.
- Repeat two more times (graham crackers, cream, fruit), finishing with cream on top.
❄️ Step 5: Chill
- Cover with plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, for best texture.
🍫 Step 6: Decorate
- Before serving, top with remaining berries.
- Drizzle melted white chocolate chips on top for an elegant touch.
⏱️ Servings and Timing
- Servings: 12–15 squares
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Chill Time: 4–8 hours
- Total Time: ~30 minutes active, 4+ hours chill
🍽️ Variations
This recipe is flexible—here are some delicious twists:
🍋 1. Lemon Berry Icebox Cake
- Use lemon pudding instead of vanilla for a tangy summer flavor.
🍫 2. Chocolate Berry Layer
- Add a layer of chocolate ganache between the crackers and cream for richness.
🥭 3. Tropical Twist
- Add sliced mango and pineapple with the berries.
🥥 4. Coconut Cream Style
- Use coconut cream pudding and top with toasted shredded coconut.
🌿 5. Mint Berry Medley
- Stir in finely chopped mint with the fruit for a refreshing herbal note.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
🧺 Storage
- Store covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.
❄️ Freezing
- Can be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge for several hours before serving.
🔥 Reheating?
- No reheating needed! This dessert is served chilled.
❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! It’s best made a day ahead—gives the layers time to meld and soften.
2. What other fruits can I use?
Try raspberries, blackberries, kiwi, or bananas (add just before serving to avoid browning).
3. Can I use homemade whipped cream?
Absolutely! Use 4½ cups homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip.
4. Is it too sweet?
Not at all—fresh fruit balances the sweetness of pudding and cream cheese.
5. Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes—use gluten-free graham crackers or crushed GF cookies.
6. What’s the texture like?
Soft, creamy, and mousse-like with a cake-like texture from softened graham crackers.
7. Can I add nuts?
Sure! Sprinkle toasted almonds, pecans, or walnuts on top for crunch.
8. Can I use frozen berries?
Fresh is best for presentation and texture, but thawed and drained berries can work.
9. Can I use chocolate graham crackers?
Yes! It gives a s’mores-like flavor twist.
10. What drink pairs best?
Serve with iced tea, cold brew coffee, or sparkling lemonade for the ultimate summer pairing.
🎯 Conclusion
This No-Bake Summer Berry Icebox Cake is the definition of easy, breezy dessert perfection. 🫐🍓 Whether you’re hosting a BBQ, making a birthday treat, or prepping for a picnic, this cake delivers flavor, texture, and beauty with almost zero effort. And because it gets better the longer it sits, it’s the ultimate make-ahead crowd-pleaser.
Want more simple, seasonal desserts like this one? Head over to RecipeService.net and check out our latest no-bake creations!
No-Bake Summer Berry Icebox Cake – A Cool, Creamy Dream for Sunny Days!
Ingredients
- Here’s what you need to whip up this refreshing and creamy layered dessert:
🍓 Fruits
- 1½ cups fresh blueberries
- 3 cups fresh strawberries sliced
🍰 Creamy Filling
- 12 oz Cool Whip or any whipped topping
- 2 3.4 oz packages vanilla instant pudding mix
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 2½ cups milk cold
🍪 Structure + Texture
- 19 oz graham crackers about 3 sleeves
🍫 Optional Garnish
- 2 oz white chocolate chips melted for drizzling
- Tip: Use very cold milk to ensure the pudding sets quickly and properly.
Instructions
- This cake requires no baking—just layering, chilling, and eating. Here’s how to do it:
🥄 Step 1: Make the Vanilla Pudding Layer
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together:
- 2 packages of vanilla pudding mix
- 2½ cups cold milk
- Let sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
🧁 Step 2: Create the Cream Cheese Layer
- In another bowl, beat together:
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup of Cool Whip
- Mix until smooth and creamy.
🧁 Step 3: Combine Cream Cheese & Pudding
- Fold the cream cheese mixture into the prepared pudding.
- Gently fold in remaining Cool Whip until well combined and fluffy.
🍪 Step 4: Layer the Cake
- In a 9×13-inch pan, lay out a single layer of graham crackers.
- Spread ⅓ of the cream mixture evenly over crackers.
- Add a layer of sliced strawberries and blueberries.
- Repeat two more times (graham crackers, cream, fruit), finishing with cream on top.
❄️ Step 5: Chill
- Cover with plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, for best texture.
🍫 Step 6: Decorate
- Before serving, top with remaining berries.
- Drizzle melted white chocolate chips on top for an elegant touch.
Notes
This recipe is flexible—here are some delicious twists: 🍋 1. Lemon Berry Icebox Cake
Use lemon pudding instead of vanilla for a tangy summer flavor. 🍫 2. Chocolate Berry Layer
Add a layer of chocolate ganache between the crackers and cream for richness. 🥭 3. Tropical Twist
Add sliced mango and pineapple with the berries. 🥥 4. Coconut Cream Style
Use coconut cream pudding and top with toasted shredded coconut. 🌿 5. Mint Berry Medley
Stir in finely chopped mint with the fruit for a refreshing herbal note. 🧊 Storage & Reheating
🧺 Storage
Store covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. ❄️ Freezing
Can be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge for several hours before serving. 🔥 Reheating?
No reheating needed! This dessert is served chilled. ❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! It’s best made a day ahead—gives the layers time to meld and soften. 2. What other fruits can I use?
Try raspberries, blackberries, kiwi, or bananas (add just before serving to avoid browning). 3. Can I use homemade whipped cream?
Absolutely! Use 4½ cups homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip. 4. Is it too sweet?
Not at all—fresh fruit balances the sweetness of pudding and cream cheese. 5. Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes—use gluten-free graham crackers or crushed GF cookies. 6. What’s the texture like?
Soft, creamy, and mousse-like with a cake-like texture from softened graham crackers. 7. Can I add nuts?
Sure! Sprinkle toasted almonds, pecans, or walnuts on top for crunch. 8. Can I use frozen berries?
Fresh is best for presentation and texture, but thawed and drained berries can work. 9. Can I use chocolate graham crackers?
Yes! It gives a s’mores-like flavor twist. 10. What drink pairs best?
Serve with iced tea, cold brew coffee, or sparkling lemonade for the ultimate summer pairing. 🎯 Conclusion
This No-Bake Summer Berry Icebox Cake is the definition of easy, breezy dessert perfection. 🫐🍓 Whether you’re hosting a BBQ, making a birthday treat, or prepping for a picnic, this cake delivers flavor, texture, and beauty with almost zero effort. And because it gets better the longer it sits, it’s the ultimate make-ahead crowd-pleaser. Want more simple, seasonal desserts like this one? Head over to RecipeService.net and check out our latest no-bake creations!