This No Bake Black Forest Icebox Cake is an easy no bake dessert that is perfect for summer! Just FOUR ingredients + video!
An icebox cake is absolutely a cheater cake, but when a cheater cake looks this good, does anyone care?
I feel like at this point in all of our lives, we can use some easy and delicious baking and no-baking projects. Anyone else feel the same?
Icebox cakes are great for any occasion, and this Black Forest version really is a showstopper!
This No Bake Funfetti Icebox Cake, this No Bake Pumpkin Pie Icebox Cake, and this No Bake Lemon Raspberry Icebox Cake are other versions I know you’ll love as well!
This Black Forest Icebox Cake is just 4 ingredients — 3 if you skip the homemade whipped cream and use frozen whipped topping, which is great for storing for longer periods of time if you’re not making grocery runs often!
For this reason, it’s perfect when you have just 10 minutes to spare but feel like you might need a slice of cake later to get you through the day.
It’s also a really fun baking project to do with the kids, because there’s no cutting, no baking, no heat of any kind, which means that they can just have fun whipping and layering and spreading and you reap all the benefits later.
Tips for making the best Icebox Cake:
- If you’re making your own whipped cream, be sure to whip it until you have very stiff peaks. It should be very thick!
- Whipped cream doesn’t hold up for days on end. If using fresh whipped cream, I recommend serving as soon as possible after it has set. After that, you may get another day before your whipped cream starts to droop. If you want to store it for longer or make it further in advance, it’s a good idea to stabilize your whipped cream. You can do this by adding unflavored gelatin that has been dissolved in warm water according to the package directions. I would use 1/2-1 package of unflavored gelatin for this recipe.
- The chill is important. If you don’t allow adequate time for chilling, the cookies won’t soften, and your cake won’t set.
- You can make this icebox cake in almost any pan. I used a round 9″ Springform pan, but you could use an 8-9″ round pan, or an 8-9″ square pan or a deep dish pie plate. I chose to use a springform pan so I could remove the sides and display all those glorious layers! Using a springform pan also makes it easier to slice and serve.
Variations on this Black Forest Icebox Cake:
- Use different flavors of pie filling in place of the cherry
- Use vanilla wafer cookies or graham crackers in place of the chocolate
- Add a half package of room temperature cream cheese to your whipped cream — beat the cream cheese first in the bowl, then add the cream and beat until thickened, and add the sugar and beat to stiff peaks.
- You could add a spoonful of cocoa powder to the whipped cream for chocolate whipped cream
*This post has been updated and republished since the original in January 2016.
No Bake Black Forest Icebox Cake
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 2 packages chocolate wafer cookies or chocolate graham crackers (about 300g)
- 1 can cherry pie filling (540ml or 2 cups)
- 2 cups heavy whipped cream (or substitute frozen whipped topping, thawed, and omit sugar)
- 1/2 cup powdered icing sugar
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat cream and powdered sugar on high speed until stiff peaks form. *See my notes above for stabilizing whipped cream if keeping for longer periods of time*
- Place one layer of chocolate wafer cookies in a 9" Springform pan, breaking to fit or overlapping somewhat is fine. Top with about ⅓ of whipped cream and ⅓ of the cherry pie filling.
- Repeat layers two more times for 3 layers total.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight. Garnish with additional whipped cream if desired, slice and serve.
Nutrition Information
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Matt Taylor says
This recipe is amazing and super easy to make. Thank you!! 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Matt! I’m so glad you liked it!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
I tried your recipe last night and loved it! Can’t wait to make it again!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Shadi!
Denay DeGuzman says
I love this quick, simple, icebox cake recipe! It’s the perfect dessert for backyard BBQs, and warm-weather days!
Ashley Fehr says
It is so perfect for summer! Thank you!
Vicky T says
Wow, looks delish! I will definitely make it!!! Thanks. I have never made a dessert like this one. Yum!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
OMG I can’t believe how quick and easy this is!! It looks so delicious too 🙂 I want to dig in!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Ashley, love love love this!!! I heart icebox cakes!!! and love the video! ps: whatever you’ve done worked b/c now I have no problems waiting or having to leave a comment!! woot woot!!!!
Ashley Fehr says
Haha! It must have been the video ads! Thanks Alice!
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
I haven’t made an icebox cake in forever but I love “no-recipe” recipes like this! And I so stress when it comes to cutting something when I want it to be precise. This looks great!!
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, thanks Alyssa! Trying to make no bake desserts pretty is my least favorite thing, but they taste SO good!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
You had me at 3 ingredient and no bake! Although I love baking, sometimes I need a break and this recipe is perfect for that! Huge black forest cake fan here!!
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
Easy, no-fuss desserts WIN every time! Especially if they look like this! I mean, this cake is amazing and I am officially ready for dessert before even 7am. 😉
Zainab says
I’ve never made an icebox cake but it looks so easy and amazing! Love anything black forest!
Denise @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says
I love: A) black forest everything B) your awesome video C) this cake! In my world, the easier the dessert, the better 🙂
Danielle says
My grandma used to make us black forest cakes for our birthday, this brings back memories! I love how easy it is too, sometimes easy recipe are just the best 🙂
Amanda | The Cinnamon Scrolls says
I actually really like this idea! But I’d have to wait until summer to make it because I’d need fresh cherries. Tinned cherries, cherry pie filling, and maraschino cherries are not my thing, haha. But I imagine (since it’s no bake) that it would work really well in the summer! And I totally get what you’re saying about needing an easy “not-really-a-recipe” recipe after having a bit of a letdown one. I definitely did that a few times this week! Photos look great!
marcie says
I love black forest desserts, and this no-bake version looks delicious, Ashley! It’s definitely not ugly, either — it looks amazing!
Melanie @ Gather for Bread says
I love quick no bake desserts. This looks incredible. And everything is better with a cherry on top. 🙂
aimee @ like mother like daughter says
I love everything about this. Only 3 ingredients and so easy to make! Yum!!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
You said there were “bad” pictures – well – where are they??? Cos these are making my mouth water!
Kelly says
I think this icebox cake looks delicious, totally not ugly! 🙂 Love the black forest flavors too and only 3 ingredients? Yes please! Thanks so much for the link love too 🙂
ColleenB.~Texas says
My husband would love this.
I was thinking; why couldn’t a person use a ready made chocolate store bought pie crust and then use crushed oreo crumbs for middle layer. I just may have to try using a pie crust in place of square pan.
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Colleen! You definitely could use a store bought chocolate crust!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I can never resist 3 ingredient desserts! Love how easy icebox cakes are to make! This black forest version sounds like the perfect sweet treat!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Gayle! I love chocolate and cherry!
JEAN says
WHIPPING CREAM WITHOUT CONDENSE MILK?
Ashley Fehr says
Just whipping cream, yes