| More often than I'd like to admit, my "fancy" desserts have been outshone by icebox cake. I've spent hours shaping hand pies only to have guests line up for icebox cake. But how could I blame them? It's creamy, cold, comforting, simple, and sweet — the perfect finish to a meal of hotdogs and hamburgers, grilled pizza, or fish tacos. And since icebox cake is also easy on the host (assemble, chill, serve), I've decided to stop fighting it. This summer, I'm skipping the pie (well, on occasion) and giving the people what they want. For icebox cake, you need just two components: cookies and cream. The most classic iteration is made with chocolate wafers, but feel free to use any thin and crispy cookie you'd like: graham crackers, vanilla wafers, digestive biscuits, chocolate chip cookies, or gingersnaps. (Of course, you can also give your oven a rest and use store-bought cookies like animal crackers, Biscoff cookies, or even Oreos.) Once you’ve settled on a cookie, alternate layers of cookies with layers of whipped cream in a loaf pan fit with a loaf pan lifter, or in a round pan or glass bowl lined with plastic wrap. Wrap it up, and refrigerate for at least 8 hours (that's where the "icebox" comes in). If you're using homemade cookies, I recommend a full 24-hour chill to ensure that they're completely soft. Go traditional with lightly sweetened cream spiked with vanilla extract, or get creative and add flavors. Our Iced Coffee Icebox Cake is jolted with espresso powder (matcha would also be delightful). Pair vanilla cookies with a Fiori di Sicilia-spiked whipped cream for creamsicle vibes, or combine graham crackers with maple whipped cream for a faux maple cream pie. Or take the cake a step further and add a third element. Our Rhubarb Icebox Cake layers sugar cookies with orangey rhubarb compote and cream, but you could try strawberry jam or roasted stone fruit, or add a layer of lemon curd, caramel sauce, or even sweetened black sesame paste. Or, hey, skip all the extras and make the simplest version imaginable. Trust me when I say it's what the people want. Let's chill, |
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