Description
This Red White Blue Icebox Cake is a no-bake, layered dessert featuring graham crackers, creamy vanilla pudding, and fresh strawberries and blueberries. Perfect for patriotic occasions or summer gatherings, it combines a light and airy texture with the fresh flavors of berries, making a visually stunning and delicious treat that requires minimal prep and chilling time.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 22-24 graham crackers (approximately)
Filling
- 8 ounces (227 grams) cream cheese
- 2 (3.4 ounce / 96.4 grams each) boxes instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3 cups (720 ml) cold 2% milk
- 2 (8 ounce / 227 grams each) containers frozen whipped topping, thawed
Fruit Topping
- 3 cups (approximately 450 grams) sliced strawberries
- 2 cups (approximately 300 grams) blueberries
Instructions
- Prepare the Base: Lay a single layer of graham crackers snugly at the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish to form the cake’s base. This stable layer helps keep the dessert intact when slicing.
- Mix Cream Cheese and Pudding: In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and instant vanilla pudding mix with an electric hand mixer until smooth and lump-free, about 2 minutes. Slowly add the cold milk while continuing to beat until the mixture is fully combined and even in texture.
- Fold in Whipped Topping: Gently fold the thawed whipped topping into the pudding mixture, ensuring no streaks remain and keeping the mixture light and airy.
- Layer the Cake: Spoon one-third of the pudding mixture evenly over the graham cracker layer. Add one-third of the sliced strawberries and one-third of the blueberries on top. Repeat the layering process two more times, finishing with the remaining fruit on top.
- Chill to Set: Refrigerate the assembled cake for at least 4 hours to allow the layers to set and flavors to meld. For best results, chill overnight.
- Freeze Before Serving: To make slicing cleaner and reduce crumbling, freeze the cake for 30-45 minutes just before serving to firm up the layers.
- Serve: Slice carefully with a sharp knife and arrange extra fresh strawberries, blueberries, or mint leaves on the serving platter for garnish.
Notes
- Make sure the whipped topping is fully thawed for easy folding and to maintain a light texture.
- Freezing the cake briefly before slicing helps achieve clean cuts without breaking the layers.
- Use fresh, ripe berries for the best flavor and appearance.
- This dessert can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- To avoid soggy crackers, keep the dessert refrigerated until serving.
