Easy No-Bake Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake
A quick and easy no-bake dessert featuring layers of vanilla wafers, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream with a hint of vanilla and lemon zest. Perfect for summer, this chilled icebox cake offers a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture without turning soggy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- About 30 vanilla wafers (classic Nilla Wafers recommended)
- 4 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 2 cups cold heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Zest of one lemon
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened (optional)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Instructions
- Slice the strawberries and toss them with granulated sugar in a bowl. Let them sit at room temperature to macerate.
- Chill your mixing bowl and beaters briefly in the fridge. Pour in cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. Whip until soft peaks form.
- If using cream cheese, beat it separately until smooth, then gently fold it into the whipped cream.
- In a 9×9-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of whipped cream on the bottom.
- Add a single layer of vanilla wafers, fitting them snugly but not tightly.
- Spoon over a layer of macerated strawberries with some juice, followed by a generous layer of whipped cream.
- Repeat layers of wafers, strawberries, and cream until ingredients are used, finishing with a thick whipped cream layer on top.
- Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
- Before serving, garnish the top with sliced strawberries or a sprinkle of crushed wafers. Slice carefully with a sharp knife.
Notes
Do not rush chilling; at least 8 hours is needed for wafers to soften properly without becoming mushy. Use cold cream and chilled bowl for best whipping results. Gently fold cream cheese to avoid deflating whipped cream. Lemon zest adds brightness and cuts richness. For gluten-free, substitute vanilla wafers with gluten-free cookies. For vegan, use coconut cream and vegan cream cheese with vegan cookies.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of cake
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 18
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Protein: 3
Keywords: no-bake, strawberry shortcake, icebox cake, summer dessert, easy dessert, vanilla wafers, whipped cream, fresh strawberries