If you are looking for an easy, delicious, no-bake dessert, you need to try my gluten free icebox cake recipe! This simple cake can be made as one big cake or in single-serve portions for entertaining! There are several delicious variations, and you will want to try them all!

A red white and blue gluten free icebox cake on a plate.

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This delicious cake is my new quick and easy recipe for hot summer days! No cooking or baking is required, and it will quickly become one of your favorite summer recipes.

My family was skeptical when I said I was making a new cake recipe. Everyone panicked that the oven would turn on, heating up the house on a broiling hot day! Luckily, they now know an icebox cake is a good thing!

If you love no-bake desserts, you need to try this incredible Gluten Free Nutella No-Bake Cheesecake, too!

Why this gluten free icebox cake is the best summer dessert:

  1. My favorite thing about this cake is how easy it is to make.
  2. You only need three simple ingredients: gluten free graham crackers, homemade whipped cream or Cool Whip, and some fresh berries.
  3. This cake is made to be made ahead. By letting it sit in the refrigerator for some time, the gluten-free graham crackers soften nicely and have a similar texture to the cake.
  4. My new gluten free icebox cake recipe also makes a great gluten free red, white, and blue dessert to celebrate the 4th of July if you use strawberries and blueberries. If you have been looking for a fun gluten free refrigerator cake recipe, this is the only one you need!

I used Pamela’s gf graham crackers to make this cake. Everyone at the picnic loved it.”

Marcy L., facebook comment
The front view of the icebox cake on a serving dish.

Allergen Information:

This homemade icebox cake is gluten-free, egg-free, nut-free (if you omit the slivered almond), soy-free, and oat-free.

  • Make this cake dairy-free. If you use TruWhip or SoDelicious whipped cream brands, you can make this gluten free icebox cake dairy-free too!
  • Ensure it is soy-free. If you use a soy-free brand of gluten free graham crackers, like Pamela’s, this recipe is soy-free.

While you are here, you will want to check out all my delicious gluten free cake recipes! I have some incredible cakes on the blog.

Photos of the gluten free icebox ingredients.

Ingredient Notes:

For the full list of ingredients and amounts, please go to the recipe card below.

  • Gluten Free Graham Crackers – I used Pamela’s Honey Grahams, but any gluten free graham cracker works well in this recipe.
  • Whipped Cream – I include my creamy homemade whipped cream recipe using heavy cream, but you can also use Cool Whip or TruWhip. I do not recommend using a spray can of whipped cream because it melts and doesn’t hold its shape well. There are now several brands of non-dairy heavy cream on the market! I have tested the So-Delicious brand in this recipe, and it was very good!
  • Fruit – Use any fresh berries or fruit you like.
  • Chocolate – Optional if you would like a chocolate drizzle over the cake, as I did.

Step-By-Step Photos and Directions:

Gluten free icebox cake photos of steps 1 and 2.

Step 1: Line a bread loaf tin with wax paper for best results. Let the paper overhang the sides so it is easy to remove the cake from the pan. You can also make this in a square shape by using an 8×8 pan.

Step 2: Line the bottom of the pan with gluten free graham crackers.

Gluten free icebox cake photos of steps 3 and 4.

Step 3: If you use my homemade whipped cream recipe below, whip it up in a stand mixer or with an electric mixer now.

Step 4: Either use a large spoon to add the whipped cream on top of the graham crackers or make it fancy using a large #9 or #10-star tip and a frosting bag. Put the whipped cream into the bag. If you are using Cool Whip or TruWhip, add those to the bag.

piping whipped cream onto the gluten free graham crackers

Step 5: Pipe the whipped cream onto the gluten free graham crackers. I made little peaks all over the crackers because they look pretty when you make the layers.

NOTE: If you do not have a frosting bag and tips, you can use a spoon to spread the whipped cream over the crackers.

ice box cake photos of steps 5 and 6

Step 5: Cover the graham crackers, then add a layer of graham crackers on top.

Step 6: Repeat this 2-3 times; add fresh fruit to the top. Feel free to drizzle chocolate over the top.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why is it called an icebox cake?

They call this an icebox cake because it is made to soften and get ready in the refrigerator. The moisture from the whipped cream softens the gluten free graham crackers into an almost cake-like texture.

How long should you refrigerate an icebox cake?

An icebox cake should be eaten the day after it is made to have time to soften and blend the flavors. I would say at least two hours.

Can you freeze a refrigerator cake?

You can freeze this cake by wrapping it in plastic wrap and then gently wrapping it in aluminum foil. Make sure the cake is chilled from the refrigerator before wrapping it up.

A single serving of a strawberry topped icebox cake.
This makes great single-serving desserts for a party, too!

More Gluten Free No-Bake Recipes:

Love This Recipe?

If you made and enjoyed this recipe, I would be incredibly grateful if you could leave a comment below. Please include which brand of gluten-free graham crackers you used. This will help others know this recipe is delicious. Thank you!

front view of the icebox cake

Gluten Free Icebox Cake

Sandi Gaertner
A delicious decadent no bake gluten free ice box cake. Top with your favorite berries and chocolate drizzle.
5 from 4 votes
an egg free allergen icon
gluten free allergy icon
nut free allergen icon
soy free allergy icon
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cool Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Course Gluten Free Cake Recipes, Gluten Free Dessert Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 8 people
Calories 375 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 15 ounces gluten free graham crackers 2 boxes of Pamela's Gluten Free Honey Grahams
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • ยผ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 pints berries
  • 2 ounces dark chocolate optional for the drizzle

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Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, add the heavy whipping cream and whip until it forms stiff peaks.
  • Gently fold in the powdered sugar and vanilla.
  • Put the whipped cream into a piping bag with a large frosting tip. You can spoon the whipped cream over the graham crackers too, it just depends how you want the cake to look. both ways are fine.
  • In a wax paper lined pan, add a bottom layer of the graham crackers. I used a large loaf pan. The wax paper should fold over the sides. This will help you easily remove the whipped cream cake when it is cooled.
  • Pipe or spoon whipped cream over the layer of gluten free graham crackers.
  • Top with a layer of gluten free graham crackers. Repeat two more times so you have 3 layers of graham crackers.
  • Add the final layer of whipped cream on top.
  • Add the fresh berries.
  • Optional: Melt your chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. I recommend doing this on 15 second intervals to avoid burning. Drizzle over the cake.
  • Refrigerate a minimum of 2 hours. I like to refrigerate it overnight so the graham crackers get nice and soft.

Notes

  1. I like to use Pamela’s Gluten Free Honey Grahams, but Schar Honeygrahams, and Kinnikinick are also good. Note for Kinnikinick you need to let the cake sit in the refrigerator longer because those graham crackers are a lot denser than the other two brands.
  2. Many ask if you can make this recipe dairy-free. You can if you use very cold coconut milk instead of heavy cream. I refrigerate the coconut milk overnight. If it isn’t really cold, it will not whip up.
  3. Use any berries you like, or use a mix of berries like I did.

SPECIAL NOTE

Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 375kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 4gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 19gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 111mgSodium: 100mgPotassium: 160mgFiber: 5gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 932IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 83mgIron: 2mg
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Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.

This post was updated from an older June 2021 post with more details.

5 from 4 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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