Tangy Lemon Raspberry Icebox Cake Recipe for Summer Joy

Summer calls for effortless desserts that dazzle with minimal lemon raspberry icebox cake magic.

Cool, creamy layers promise refreshing delight without turning on the oven.

This no-bake wonder combines tangy citrus with sweet berries in a dreamy chilled treat.

Silky cream cheese and whipped topping create luscious texture between graham cracker layers.

Bright raspberries add vibrant color and bursts of juicy freshness.

Each spoonful delivers a perfect balance of zesty and sweet flavors.

You’ll fall in love with this simple yet stunning dessert that comes together in minutes.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 319 kcal

Servings: 9

What’s in Lemon Raspberry Icebox Cake

• Heavy Cream: Rich and luxurious base that creates a silky smooth texture for the cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps stabilize the whipped cream for perfect peaks.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings a warm, aromatic flavor that enhances the overall dessert profile.

• Lemon Curd: Provides a tangy, bright citrus note that cuts through the sweetness and adds complexity.
• Fresh Raspberries: Bursting with natural sweetness and vibrant color, these berries add a fresh, fruity dimension.

• Graham Crackers: Creates a soft, tender base that absorbs the creamy mixture and provides a delightful textural contrast.

Tools to Layer and Chill This Summer Dessert

• Hand mixer: Essential for whipping cream to soft and stiff peaks quickly and efficiently.
• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for whipping cream and creating the creamy filling.
• 8×8: Ideal container for layering and assembling the icebox cake.
• Spatula: Helpful for folding lemon curd into whipped cream and spreading layers evenly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Necessary for accurately measuring ingredients.
• Plastic wrap: Crucial for covering and chilling the cake in the refrigerator.

How to Build a No-Bake Icebox Cake

• Whipped Cream Magic

Blend heavy cream into fluffy clouds using a hand mixer. Gently fold in sweetness and vanilla essence, creating a dreamy cream with soft, luxurious peaks. Swirl in tangy lemon curd, allowing delightful marble patterns to emerge.

• Graham Cracker Foundation

Arrange a cozy layer of graham crackers across the bottom of a beautiful serving dish, creating a sturdy base for your delectable dessert. These golden rectangles will transform into tender, cake-like layers.

• Creamy Raspberry Layers

Generously spread the luscious whipped cream over the graham crackers. Scatter vibrant, ruby-red raspberries across the surface, creating bursts of fruity delight. Repeat the layers, gently pressing down to encourage harmony between ingredients.

• Chilling Transformation

Protect your creation with plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator. Over several hours, the crackers will soften and merge with the cream, developing a sublime, cake-like texture. Patience rewards you with a heavenly dessert.

• Serving Celebration

After 6-8 hours of chilling, your icebox cake is ready to enchant. Slice and serve this cool, creamy masterpiece that promises a symphony of textures and flavors.

Tips for Cream, Cookies, and Raspberry Layers

• Helpful Baking Hacks
• Replace traditional graham crackers with vanilla wafers, digestive biscuits, or shortbread cookies for unique texture and flavor variations.
• Mix different berries like blueberries, blackberries, or strawberries to create exciting color combinations and complex taste profiles.
• Experiment with other citrus curds like orange or key lime to transform the dessert's overall character and brightness.
• Prepare this icebox cake up to 48 hours in advance, ensuring the flavors meld beautifully and the texture becomes perfectly soft and creamy.
• Garnish with fresh mint leaves, toasted coconut flakes, or a light dusting of powdered sugar to elevate the dessert's visual appeal and add subtle extra dimensions of flavor.

How to Serve Icebox Cake Cold & Clean

• Elegant Summer Dessert Platter: Arrange slices of the icebox cake on a beautiful white ceramic plate, garnished with fresh raspberries and a delicate mint leaf for a sophisticated presentation.
• Berry Brunch Companion: Serve alongside a light mimosa or sparkling white wine, creating a perfect weekend brunch dessert that feels both refreshing and indulgent.
• Picnic Perfect Treat: Pack individual portions in small mason jars for an easy-to-transport dessert that's ideal for outdoor gatherings, family reunions, or summer picnics in the park.
• Afternoon Tea Delight: Pair with Earl Grey tea or chamomile, creating a delightful sweet moment that transforms an ordinary afternoon into a special occasion with minimal effort.

Fridge and Freezer Tips for Storage

• Chilling Champions: Refrigerate the icebox cake for minimum 6 hours, allowing graham crackers to soften and absorb creamy goodness perfectly.
• Freshness First Aid: Store covered in refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping plastic wrap directly touching surface to prevent moisture loss and flavor absorption.
• Smart Serving Strategy: Keep cake chilled until ready to serve, transferring directly from refrigerator to dining table for best taste and texture experience.
• Freezing Friend: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for freezer storage up to 2 weeks, thawing overnight in refrigerator before enjoying delicious dessert.

Dreamy Lemon Raspberry Icebox Cake

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4.5 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Creamy lemon raspberry icebox cake offers a refreshing summer dessert with layered graham crackers and zesty filling. Chilled perfection merges tangy citrus and sweet berries, inviting you to savor each cool, delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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• 3–4 cups fresh raspberries
• 1 cup lemon curd
• 9–10 large graham crackers
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream (35% fat)
• ⅓ cup powdered icing sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare Cream Base: Whip cream in a mixing bowl until soft peaks form, gradually adding sugar and vanilla. Continue whipping until peaks become firm and glossy.
2. Incorporate Lemon Accent: Fold lemon curd into the whipped cream, creating delicate marbled swirls throughout the mixture.
3. Construct First Layer: Line the bottom of an 8×8″ dish with graham crackers, ensuring complete and even coverage across the base.
4. Layer Cream and Fruit: Spread half of the whipped cream mixture over the graham crackers, then generously distribute raspberries across the surface, creating a vibrant fruit layer.
5. Build Second Layer: Repeat the graham cracker placement, gently pressing down to create a compact structure. Cover with remaining whipped cream and strategically arrange the final batch of raspberries on top.
6. Chill and Set: Completely cover the dish with plastic wrap, refrigerate for a minimum of 6 hours or preferably overnight. This resting period allows the layers to meld and soften, creating a harmonious texture.
7. Serve and Enjoy: Remove from refrigerator and slice into elegant portions, revealing the beautiful layered composition with its perfect blend of creamy, fruity, and crisp elements.

Notes

• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate the icebox cake for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight, to allow graham crackers to soften and flavors to meld perfectly.
• Whip Cream Technique: Achieve cloud-like peaks by whipping cream slowly, watching for soft, billowy texture before adding sugar for stability.
• Raspberry Distribution: Scatter raspberries evenly across each layer to guarantee a burst of fruity flavor in every single bite.
• Lemon Curd Swirling: Fold lemon curd gently into whipped cream, creating delicate marbled streaks for a visually stunning and tangy dessert component.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 319
• Sugar: 21 g
• Sodium: 75 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 88 mg