Old-School Desserts: Icebox Cakes at Fine Cooking

Icebox cakes are the perfect dessert when you want something fancy but don't want to turn on your oven. Cookie crumbs become soft and cake-like in the fridge...

We think of the classic icebox cake being made with chocolate wafer cookies and a whipped cream filling, but Fine Cooking magazine has some updated icebox cake recipes on their website right now — ginger cookies, mascarpone cheese, lemon curd, mmmm.

Unfortunately, only two are available without a subscription (and sadly, the coffee and cream one on the left isn't one of them).

Get them here:

Ginger-Mascarpone Icebox Cake (above, right)
Lemon-Caramel Icebox Cake

Related: Chocolate Wafer Icebox Cupcakes (a mini version!)

(Images: Scott Phillips for Fine Cooking)

Comments (11)

My Nana used to make these when I was a child, with Uneeda biscuits and chocolate pudding, and my Mom would make them for my Dad as a birthday cake, with chocolate wafers and coffee whipped cream (just dissolved some instant coffee in the cream), and some dark chocolate grated over the top. Really, this type of dessert is so easy to make, and so easy to come up with variations, that it is one of my go-to options for themed potlucks, and folks always like the results...

posted by fjorlief on August 26th 2008 at 7:16am
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My absolute favorite dessert as a kid was graham crackers layered with vanilla pudding (that had cool whip mixed into it) and topped with a chocolate ganache like frosting. Of course, I had no idea it was an 'icebox' desser then - just tasty goodness.

posted by renee c.f. on August 26th 2008 at 7:45am
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There's always the 14 day free trial if you want the coffee and cream recipe

posted by katti on August 26th 2008 at 8:59am
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I have never made anything like this. my mom was really a takeout kinda mom i may give this a shot. I bet you need store bought cookies for it to be crispy enough.

posted by luv2cook on August 26th 2008 at 9:07am
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opps hit the button to soon

becasue I can't seem to make a crispy cookie they are always softish-unles i forget they are in the oven :)

organic mom

posted by luv2cook on August 26th 2008 at 9:08am
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Oh so good--we call in Refridgerator Cake in my family (so modern!) and make it with Famous brand chocolate wafers and unsweetened whipped cream. It might be my favorite desert, ever.

I'm torn between wanting to try the new stuff and not wanting to mess with perfection...

posted by mandarinmarie on August 26th 2008 at 9:14am
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These look BEAUTIFUL. I can't wait to try them.

Emily

posted by Emily Sneds on August 26th 2008 at 11:21am
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Here's a link to the Ginger-Mascarpone Icebox Cake. I've made it before and it's really good--especially if you like ginger.

http://homecooking.about.com/od/dessertrecipes/r/blc123.htm

posted by Lilac on August 26th 2008 at 11:24am
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Whoops, I just noticed that the recipe for the Ginger Icebox Cake is available and that link I posted is not necessary.

posted by Lilac on August 26th 2008 at 11:26am
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My mom used to make a cake like this with tons of rum in it. It was delicious, but I think I got a buzz off it when I was about 8 and ate half the cake.

posted by popcorn.for.dinner on August 26th 2008 at 2:32pm
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My love for refrigerator cakes is kind of my dirty secret. They are so simple to make, so light, and so addictingly delicious. A quick twist on the chocolate Famous Wafers version is to add a few drops of mint extract to the whipped cream or coolwhip. Voila - grasshopper refrigerator cake.

posted by kasiav on August 26th 2008 at 2:53pm
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