What is ice box cake made of?

A classic Icebox Cake is made with layers of cookies and homemade whipped cream, covered in whipped cream and topped with crushed cookies . This easy dessert has a cake-like texture as the cookie layers absorb some moisture from the cream filling, but there's no baking required!

What does banana replace in a cake mix?

Use one ripe mashed banana for each egg in your recipe, says Betty Crocker. That's it!

Why is icebox cake invented?

History. The icebox cake is derived from similar desserts such as the charlotte and the trifle and made to be more accessible to prepare . It was first introduced to the United States in the 1920s, as companies were promoting the icebox as a kitchen appliance.

Should you put icebox cake in the fridge or freezer?

Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours or ideally overnight. Before serving, garnish with chocolate shavings, slice and serve.

Which is better in banana cake baking soda or baking powder?

If you are using regular milk, you would normally use baking powder. Banana bread normally calls for sour milk, sour cream or buttermilk; all of these are acidic, so in this case what you need is baking soda .

What happens if you put too much banana in banana cake?

This means it's tempting to toss all your bananas into the mix when you're ready to bake, to avoid food waste. But if you add too much of the fruit into your batter, your bread could turn out mushy, heavy, and wet. So, it's a good idea to always stick to the recipe's instructions. But why is this such a problem?

Why is my banana cake so heavy?

Using too much butter makes for a heavier cake with less banana flavor. Using double the amount of butter that the recipe called for left me with a loaf that was dry on the outside and moist on the inside. The coloring was almost identical to that of the loaf made with too little butter.

How long does an icebox cake need to be refrigerated?

Let the cake rest in the fridge for at least six hours so that the filling softens and merges with the cookie layers. Don't: Leave the icebox cake in the fridge for more than one or two days; it will lose texture and become soggy, especially if you are using juicy fresh fruit.

What does icebox mean in baking?

noun. a confection made from such prepared ingredients as cookies or whipped cream that requires no additional baking but is chilled in a refrigerator before serving .

Why is cake better then ice cream?

One of the reasons cake surpasses ice cream is the delightful range of textures it offers . From the tender crumb of a fluffy sponge cake to the smooth creaminess of a cheesecake, each bite offers a delightful texture experience.

What is the difference between cake and ice cake?

An ice box cake is a no bake cake . Usually made of layers of mousse and crushed cookies. And refrigerated. An ice cream cake is just ice cream molded into a cake shape and decorated like a cake.

What is the crunchy stuff in ice cream cakes?

Those chocolate crunchies are made using the same delicious cookies from our Flying Saucer Ice Cream Sandwiches. This ain't no ordinary cookie crumble. This is a patented Carvel delicacy at its finest.

What does the box cake have in it?

Ingredients: Enriched Flour Bleached (wheat flour, niacin, iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), Sugar, Corn Syrup, Leavening (baking soda, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate).

What is pinata cake made of?

Today's piñata cake is a cross between a vanilla cake, a butter cake, and a yellow cake. Its ingredients are standard: creamed butter and sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, flour, buttermilk . The KEY is in the eggs. This is a giant four layer cake—you will need 3 whole eggs plus 4 egg yolks.

Banana Icebox Cake (Easy 5-Ingredient Recipe!) (2024)

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This banana icebox cake is a dream! It’s a no-bake dessert that’s made with only 5 simple ingredients, and it’s perfect for summer. Layers of graham crackers, banana pudding, and cool whip come together in the easiest dessert ever. You only need 15 minutes of prep and some time to chill in the fridge to make a dish that everyone will love.

Have you ever made an icebox cake? It’s one of the simplest desserts you can make for a summer cookout or backyard barbecue.

Typically, it’s made with graham crackers or wafers, pudding or whipped cream, and sometimes fruit. Pop it in the fridge, and when it’s chilled and set, the graham crackers become soft and all the flavors come together for a tasty, cold, and refreshing treat.

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Once you try this recipe, you’ll fall in love with icebox cakes! Then, you should try my luscious Pistachio Icebox Cake or our creamy, dreamy Strawberry Icebox Cake made with 3 simple ingredients.

This recipe is super simple and tastes like a banana cream pie. You don’t need to fuss with making a graham cracker crust or making homemade whipped cream. Instead, you’ll use a handful of ingredients like whole graham crackers, Cool Whip, and instant pudding to get this dessert in the pan in 15 minutes or less.

If banana-flavored desserts are your thing, you don’t want to miss these Banana Pudding Cookies, No-Bake Banana Pudding Pie, Banana Pudding Popsicles, and Banana Poke Cake with Pudding.

Ingredients

This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

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Instant Banana Cream Pudding Mix— Make sure you get instant pudding mix or the recipe won’t work. You may combine one box of banana and one box of instant vanilla pudding if you don’t want a strong banana flavor.
Milk— Whole milk will give this recipe a richer flavor, but 2%, 1% or skim milk works, too.
Whipped Topping— We used Cool Whip to make things super simple, but any store brand whipped topping or even homemade whipped cream made with heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla will work for this recipe.
Graham Crackers— You’ll need a whole box. Use cinnamon or honey graham crackers for a little extra flavor. You can also sub vanilla wafers or chocolate wafers for the graham crackers.
Fresh Banana Slices— For garnish. Use just ripe bananas—not overripe bananas.

Equipment You’ll Need

9×13 baking dish (I am obsessed with my deep pyrex dish)
Whisk
Mixing bowls
Rubber spatula
Plastic Wrap

How to MakeBanana Cream Icebox Cake

This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.

Step 1: Add the boxes of pudding mix and milk to a large bowl. Whisk until combined and then continue to mix until it starts to thicken, about 1 minute.

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Step 2: Fold in 1 container of whipped topping.

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Step 3: Place 1/4th of the graham crackers on the bottom of the pan. You may need to break some to make them fit to fill the bottom with a layer of graham crackers.

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Step 4: Add 1/3 of the banana filling on top and smooth it out. Repeat 2 more times. Add the last of the graham cracker squares on top. You may have some small pieces left over—keep them for garnish, if desired.

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Step 5: Smooth out the container of remaining whipped cream so none of the graham crackers are exposed. Cover the baking pan with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place in the fridge for at least 6 hours, or even better, overnight. It needs time to sit so the pudding mixture can set and the graham crackers soften.

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Step 6: Top with some of the crushed leftover graham crackers and fresh banana slices, if desired. Slice and serve.

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Storage and Freezing

Store this banana icebox cake in the fridge for up to 4 days, covered with plastic wrap.

This dessert keeps well in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving. It’s delicious slightly frozen, though, so it doesn’t have to thaw completely.

Banana Icebox Cake Tips and Tricks

Vary your toppings! Crushed Nilla wafers, chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, or melted peanut butter would be delicious on top of this banana pudding icebox cake.
For neater slices, cut the icebox cake with a sharp knife when it’s slightly frozen.
Keep the layers thin. Though it may be tempting to dump a lot of the creamy layer over the graham crackers, you want thin layers distributed evenly throughout the cake to strike the right balance between “creamy” and “cakey.”

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Additions and Variations

Chocolate Icebox Cake: Make a chocolate version by substituting instant chocolate pudding for the banana pudding. Sprinkle chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips on top to finish.

Lemon Icebox Cake: A fruity, lemon pudding icebox cake would be so refreshing in the summertime! Garnish with lemon zest and raspberries or fresh strawberries for a beautiful and tasty presentation.

Add Nuts: Pecans or walnuts will pair beautifully with this banana cream icebox cake. Crush and sprinkle the nuts over the top right before serving.

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Recipe FAQ

Why is it called an icebox cake?

According to All Recipes, before the refrigerator, many homes had iceboxes, which were cold cabinets used for storing foods. To capitalize on the increase in iceboxes, food manufacturers began printing recipes on their packaging for icebox cakes. The name stuck!

How long does icebox cake last in the fridge?

This icebox cake lasts for up to 4 days in the fridge. Some icebox cakes only last 2-3 days in the fridge, however, if they contain fruits that turn quickly.

Does an icebox cake go in the fridge or freezer?

It can go in either one, depending on if you want to eat it now or later. Put it in the fridge if you plan to eat it within a few days. If you’re making it ahead and want to store it in the freezer, that’s fine, too! Just let it thaw overnight in the fridge and let it sit at room temperature about 20 minutes before serving.

When were icebox cakes popular?

According to the New York Times, icebox cakes became popular in the 1920s and 1930s when owning electric iceboxes (aka refrigerators) became more commonplace. Then, the refrigerated desserts enjoyed a revival in the 1950s when instant pudding mixes became household staples.

Can I use a different pan?

Sure! You can layer the ingredients in a springform pan, loaf pan, or just a large bowl similar to a trifle. Just remember to keep the layers thin and to give it several hours (at least 6) to set up before digging in.

More No-Bake Desserts

No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake
Blueberry Delight
Strawberry Fluff Salad
No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
Banana Split Dessert Recipe
No Bake Fruit Pizza

Recipe

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