Cream Cheese Icebox Cake is a delightful dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Here’s a detailed recipe to create this heavenly treat:
Ingredients:
- 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 package (14.4 ounces) graham crackers
- 1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling or any fruit filling of your choice
- Fresh berries for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Beat until well combined and smooth.
2. Whip the Heavy Cream:
- In a separate mixing bowl, whip the heavy whipping cream and granulated sugar until stiff peaks form. This can be done with a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment.
3. Combine Cream Cheese Mixture and Whipped Cream:
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully combined. Be careful not to deflate the whipped cream.
4. Layer the Icebox Cake:
- Spread a thin layer of the cream mixture on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent the graham crackers from sticking.
- Arrange a layer of graham crackers on top of the cream mixture, breaking them if necessary to fit.
- Spread a generous layer of the cream mixture over the graham crackers, covering them completely.
- Repeat the layers, alternating between graham crackers and cream mixture, until you reach the top of the dish. The final layer should be the cream mixture.
5. Chill:
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate the icebox cake for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the graham crackers to soften.
6. Serve:
- Just before serving, top the chilled icebox cake with cherry pie filling or your choice of fruit filling. You can also garnish with fresh berries for extra flavor and visual appeal.
- Slice and serve cold. Enjoy the creamy, decadent goodness!
Tips:
- Make sure the cream cheese is completely softened before mixing to ensure a smooth texture.
- You can customize the filling by using different flavors of pie filling or fresh fruit.
- For a chocolatey twist, layer chocolate graham crackers or add a layer of chocolate ganache between the graham crackers and cream mixture.
- Allow the icebox cake to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before slicing to make it easier to cut through the layers.
Now you’re ready to impress your friends and family with this delicious Cream Cheese Icebox Cake!