Fresh, sweet and ridiculously easy to make, this 5-ingredient Lemon Icebox dessert can be served in a glass or as a frozen cake. Either, it’s the perfect summer dessert!
Let me present you with one of the easiest summer recipes ever.
Icebox cakes and pies are so well loved, I decided it was time for a dessert too, and with lemon and raspberries because, you know, 4th of July and all. The blue shirt is not a coincidence.
What makes this dessert work.
- Easy to make: as I said before, this is just a matter of opening packages and mixing. Not much science here, and definitely no oven!
- Flavor: we all love lemon and it’s berry season, so if a lemon icebox dessert was good on its own, with raspberries (or any berry you like, they all go very well with lemon) it just goes up a few steps.
- Freezing: this dessert is even better almost frozen, taken 20 minutes before you want to serve it. So you can make it and leave it in the freezer until you need it. It works also if you want to serve it in cups or glasses, as I did (image above). Just remember to take it out half an hour to 45 minutes to let it soften enough to put it into the glasses, but not so much that it loses that very cold quality.
- Serves a crowd: this is the perfect dessert to serve to a large party of people. The lemon cream comes together in no time and you can use any flavor of cookie you like. So multiply or triple it just like that.
Two ways of serving this dessert:
Glasses or bowls: use individual goblets, bowls or wine glasses to serve it trifle-style. Layers of berries, broken cookies, and lemon cream (images below). I like to use berries in the bottom and top.
Icebox cake: layer this dessert in a nice ceramic dish, one that you can take to the table. Again, simply layer cookies, berries and lemon cream (images below). I like to layer cookies and lemon cream and then scatter berries on top. That way they don’t turn mushy. But you can totally add a layer of fresh berries in between. It works better with fresh fruit than frozen, as was my case today.
Tips & tricks for this recipe:
- Flavor combinations: you can use whatever cookie flavor and fruit you like with lemon (it reminds me of fruit crumbles). Today I used coconut cookies and raspberries. A combination that I like a lot is chocolate cookies, lemon cream, and strawberries. It’s surprisingly good.
- Refrigeration: either way you serve it, this dessert needs refrigeration to set and to moisten the cookies. Pretty much like no-bake cheesecakes. Even if you’re going to freeze it, refrigerate it for 6-8 hours before.
- Freezing it: this is a wonderful dessert to have frozen at all times. I, personally, like to eat it half frozen, but even if you like it to thaw more, having a frozen icebox cake can save you from any dessert emergency.
- Make-ahead: you can have the lemon cream waiting in the fridge up to 3 days before assembling the dessert.
So, is this the perfect icebox dessert or what?
Last tip: you can use purchased or homemade pound cake instead of the cookies. It will moisten very quickly so it won’t hold as long as this one does.
Other recipes you might like:
No-churn Strawberry Ice Cream
Passion Fruit Lemon No-Bake Cheesecake
Easy Strawberry Dessert
Strawberry Trifle
Ice Cream Granola Truffles
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PinDescription
Fresh, sweet and ridiculously easy to make, this Lemon Icebox dessert can be served in a glass or as a frozen cake. Either, it’s the perfect summer dessert!
There is a refrigeration time needed, several hours, so take that into account.
Ingredients
Lemon Cream:
- 1 pound (450g) cream cheese, room t°
- 1 14oz. can (400g) regular condensed milk (if you like it sweeter or more fluid in consistency, add an extra half can of condensed milk).
- Zest of 3–4 lemons
- 10–12 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
To assemble:
- 3 cups (about) fresh or frozen raspberries (or other berries), optional
- 7-oz (200g) plain coconut or vanilla cookies or wafers (this amount can vary a lot depending on how you decide to serve and your personal ratio preference with the lemon cream)
Instructions
For the lemon cream:
- Beat cream cheese until smooth.
- Add condensed milk and beat until well incorporated and creamy.
- Add zest, lemon juice, and vanilla if using, and mix well.
To assemble:
- If using individual glasses, put a few berries in the bottom and layers of crushed cookies, ending with a layer of lemon cream.
- Refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
- Serve cold.
- Top with berries right before serving.
- If using a ceramic dish (the one I use is 9×13 inches), alternate layers of cookies side by side with the lemon cream (see image in post above).
- You can put a layer of berries in between or add them when serving the dessert.
- It needs to refrigerate for at least 8 hours, covered.
- Can be frozen, well wrapped, for 1 month.
Notes
Tips & tricks for this recipe:
Flavor combinations: you can use whatever cookie flavor and fruit you like with lemon (it reminds me of fruit crumbles). Today I used coconut cookies and raspberries. A combination that I like a lot is chocolate cookies, lemon cream, and strawberries. It’s surprisingly good.
Refrigeration: either way you serve it, this dessert needs refrigeration to set and to moisten the cookies. Pretty much like no-bake cheesecakes. Even if you’re going to freeze it, refrigerate it for 6-8 hours before.
Freezing it: this is a wonderful dessert to have frozen at all times. I, personally, like to eat it half frozen, but even if you like it to thaw more, having a frozen icebox cake can save you from any dessert emergency.
Make-ahead: you can have the lemon cream waiting in the fridge up to 3 days before assembling the dessert.
Keywords: icebox dessert, lemon icebox
Daniela says
July 8, 2019 at 08:48Wonderfully refreshing lemon dessert for summer! Lovely pics that def inspire meet make this! Thanks so much for sharing :).
Jo says
July 8, 2019 at 05:48This is truly the ultimate summer treat. The lemon dessert looks spectacular.
★★★★★
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life says
July 8, 2019 at 02:05This dessert looks so delicious and fresh! Definitely the perfect summer treat and I love that it doesn’t require turning on the oven.
Nicoletta De Angelis Nardelli says
July 7, 2019 at 17:44Lovely dessert! I never made an icebox dessert before, but we just made no-churn ice cream and have some condensed milk leftover. The combination of raspberries and lemon is calling me!
★★★★★
Ana F says
July 7, 2019 at 13:01This dessert is perfection! Everyone loved it yesterday and want the recipe! I love the fact that you can make it ahead and be a fuss the day of. Thanks for such a great recipe!
★★★★★
Paula Montenegro says
July 8, 2019 at 06:13Glad you liked it Ana!
Jacqueline Debono says
July 7, 2019 at 04:55Love how easy this lemon icebox dessert is to make. Looks superlicious too! Great idea for a summer dinner party!
★★★★★
David Scott Allen says
July 6, 2019 at 21:19So perfect for summer – lemon desserts really are my favorite. They really give your mouth the sense that the meal is done. And this is so simple!
Paula Montenegro says
July 6, 2019 at 21:21I agree David. I was looking at your Ottolenghi Potato Tatin today, wondering if I should make it this coming week. Hope you’re having a great summer!
Vanessa says
July 6, 2019 at 13:36What a great summer dessert!! And these flavors together are perfect.
★★★★★
Chef Dennis says
July 5, 2019 at 22:12Lemons and raspberries are a delicious combination. Your icebox dessert would be a delicious ending to any summertime meal
★★★★★
Paula Montenegro says
July 6, 2019 at 05:42Thanks Dennis!
Danielle says
July 5, 2019 at 22:09This dessert looks so good I’ve got a strong wish to reach my hand and grab just about enough to call it a day! 🙂 Really lovely dessert that I will surely try on a hot summer day.
★★★★★
Paula Montenegro says
July 6, 2019 at 05:38Thanks Danielle!
Jacquelyn Hastert says
July 3, 2019 at 11:57Talk about perfect for summer! I love this and will be making it for my daughter’s birthday next week. Can’t wait!
★★★★★
Paula Montenegro says
July 3, 2019 at 19:54Glad you like it Jacquelyn!
Elaine Benoit says
July 2, 2019 at 11:05This lemon dessert looks spectacular! Not only does it look delicious but it looks super easy to make which is a win in my book!
★★★★★
Toni says
July 2, 2019 at 10:34My kids really can’t get enough of it! Such an amazing summer dessert!
★★★★★
Jen says
July 2, 2019 at 10:07This was dessert perfection! I almost felt guilty when everyone was raving about how amazing it was because it was so easy to make. I might keep that little secret to myself, haha! Thank you!
★★★★★
Paula Montenegro says
July 2, 2019 at 10:10Glad you liked it Jen!
Sara Welch says
July 2, 2019 at 09:58What a cool and refreshing treat for a hot summer day! Looking forward to cooling down with this all season long!
★★★★★
Sharon says
July 2, 2019 at 09:16I love how you update this lemon icebox dessert to be made right in a glass and not just a cake. Perfect summertime dessert.
★★★★★
Danielle Wolter says
July 2, 2019 at 07:35I absolutely love all things lemon. This is such a great idea for the summer!!
★★★★★
Juliana says
July 1, 2019 at 22:41Terrific combination, and it look so nice! Perfect summer in a glass!
★★★★★
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy says
July 1, 2019 at 19:18The lemon lover in me would love to serve this at my next bbq party. Make ahead is so easy for entertaining. This is the perfect way to end a nice summer meal. I would also use other berries too.
★★★★★
Paula Montenegro says
July 1, 2019 at 20:40Glad you like it Gloria!