Best S'mores Icebox Cake
S'mores icebox cake is the perfect no bake dessert for summer picnics or a sweet after dinner treat! Filled with the classic s'mores flavor, everyone will be asking for seconds.
S'mores Icebox Cake is a delightful dessert that captures the essence of a beloved campfire treat in a form that can be enjoyed at any time, in any place.
It's a recipe that combines the familiar flavors of graham crackers, marshmallow, and chocolate in a layered cake that requires no baking.
Whether you're reminiscing about summer campouts or simply craving a sweet treat, this dessert is sure to satisfy.
The magic of this cake lies in its layers.
Crunchy graham crackers are layered with a fluffy cream cheese and marshmallow cream mixture, then topped with a rich chocolate ganache.
As the cake chills in the refrigerator, the flavors meld together and the graham crackers soften slightly, resulting in a dessert that's wonderfully creamy yet still has a bit of crunch.
The final touch is a garnish of crushed graham crackers, chocolate curls, and mini marshmallows, adding an extra layer of texture and visual appeal.
S'mores icebox cake is both elegant and easy to make. It's a dessert that's sure to bring a smile to your face with every bite.
S'mores IceBox Cake
We love making s'mores icebox cake as a way to enjoy the flavor of s'mores without the need for a campfire.
Here are some of the other reasons we love this recipe so much:
- Simplicity: This recipe requires no baking, making it a perfect choice for those hot summer days when you want a delicious dessert without turning on the oven. It's also simple to assemble, making it a great recipe for novice bakers or one that is easy for kids to help with.
- Familiar Flavors: The combination of graham crackers, marshmallow cream, and chocolate is reminiscent of traditional s'mores enjoyed around a campfire.
- Versatility: This dessert is perfect for any occasion. Whether you're hosting a summer barbecue, a birthday party, or just want a sweet treat after dinner, this S'mores Icebox Cake is sure to impress.
- Make-Ahead Convenience: This dessert needs to be refrigerated for at least 4 hours or overnight, making it a great make-ahead option. You can prepare it the night before and have a delicious dessert ready to serve the next day.
We hope you love this s'mores icebox cake as much as we do.
S'mores Icebox Cake Ingredients
Graham Crackers: These form the layers of the cake, providing structure and a crunch that contrasts with the creamy fillings. They also contribute a sweet, honey-like flavor that's iconic in s'mores.
Cream Cheese: Make sure to use room temperature cream cheese so it blends well.
Marshmallow Cream: This is the key ingredient that gives the cake its s'mores identity. It adds a sweet, airy lightness to the cream layer and mimics the marshmallows you'd find in traditional s'mores.
Heavy Cream: Used in both the marshmallow cream layer and the chocolate ganache.
Powdered Sugar
Milk Chocolate or Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: These are melted down to create the chocolate ganache layer. You can choose between milk chocolate for a sweeter, milder flavor or semi-sweet chocolate for a deeper, slightly bitter flavor, depending on your preference.
Crushed Graham Crackers, Chocolate Curls, and Mini Marshmallows: These are used as garnishes on the top of the cake.
How to Make S'mores Icebox Cake
Start the process of making your S'mores Icebox Cake by preparing your 9x13 casserole dish. Lay down a layer of graham crackers to form the base of your cake.
Next, you'll want to create the creamy marshmallow layer. In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese and marshmallow fluff, beating them together until they're smooth. To this mixture, add the powdered sugar and 4 cups of heavy cream. Continue to beat the mixture until you achieve soft peaks, which will give your cream layer a light, fluffy texture. Set aside.
While your cream mixture is set aside, you can start on your chocolate ganache. Place your chocolate chips into a large bowl. Heat the remaining 2 cups of heavy cream in the microwave (or on the stove over low-medium) until hot, which should take about 2 to 3 minutes. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips and let it sit for a minute. This will allow the heat from the cream to melt the chocolate chips. After a minute, stir the cream and chocolate together until you have a smooth ganache. Allow this to cool to room temperature.
Now you're ready to assemble your cake. Spread about a third of your cream mixture over your base layer of graham crackers, creating an even layer. Pour about a third of your cooled ganache over the cream layer. Repeat these layers - graham crackers, cream mixture, ganache - until you've used up all your ingredients. Make sure to finish with a final layer of graham crackers and cream mixture.
For the finishing touch, sprinkle crushed graham crackers over the top of your cake. Add some chocolate curls and miniature marshmallows for garnish, creating a visually appealing and delicious topping.
Finally, cover your cake and place it in the refrigerator. It should be left to chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the graham crackers to soften slightly, creating the perfect S'mores Icebox Cake.
Tips to Make the Best S'mores Icebox Cake
Here are some tips for making this the best s'mores icebox cake.
- Make It Ahead: This cake needs at least 4 hours to chill and set, so it's a great dessert to make ahead of time. You can prepare it the night before and have a delicious dessert ready for the next day.
- Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature before you start. This will make sure it blends smoothly with the marshmallow cream and heavy cream.
- Whip It Good: When whipping the cream cheese, marshmallow cream, powdered sugar, and heavy cream together, make sure to whip until soft peaks form. This will give your cream layer a light, fluffy texture.
- Cool Your Ganache: Allow your chocolate ganache to cool to room temperature before layering it in the cake. If it's too hot, it could melt your cream layer.
- Get Creative with Toppings: While we suggests garnishing with crushed graham crackers, chocolate curls, and mini marshmallows, feel free to get creative. You could add chopped nuts, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or even some crushed cookies.
- Try Different Flavors: For a twist on the classic s'mores flavor, try using a different type of chocolate in your ganache, like dark chocolate or white chocolate. You could also experiment with flavored marshmallow creams or add a dash of flavor extract, like vanilla or almond, to your cream mixture.
- Clean Layers: To ensure clean, distinct layers, be gentle when spreading the cream mixture and ganache. Also, make sure each layer is relatively even.
Other Delicious Desserts
Peanut Butter Icebox Cake
Old Fashioned Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Storing Leftovers
If you end up with leftovers, cover with plastic wrap or a tight fitting lid and place it in the refrigerator.
For the best taste and texture, make sure to eat within 1-2 days. The graham cracker crust will become soft and then soggy the longer it sits.
S'mores Icebox Cake
Ingredients
- 14.4 ounces graham crackers 1 package
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 2 cups marshmallow cream
- 6 cups heavy cream divided
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 2 ½ cups milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons graham crackers crushed
- chocolate curls for garnish
- mini marshmallows for garnish
Instructions
- In a 9x13 casserole dish, place a layer of graham crackers.
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and marshmallow fluff until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and 4 cups of heavy cream, beating until soft peaks form.
- Meanwhile, place the chocolate chips into a large bowl. Microwave the remaining 2 cups of heavy cream until hot, about 2 to 3 minutes. Alternatively, you can heat over low-medium heat in a small saucepan until hot. Pour the hot heavy cream over the chocolate and allow it to rest for 1 minute. Then, stir the chocolate and cream together until smooth. Bring to room temperature.
- Drop about ⅓ of the cream mixture over the cracker layer and spread into an even layer. Then, pour the ganache over the cream mixture, using about ⅓ of the ganache. Repeat the layers of crackers, cream mixture, and ganache. Top with a final layer of crackers and cream mixture.
- Sprinkle the crushed crackers over the top and garnish with chocolate curls and miniature marshmallows.
- Cover the dessert and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Please note that the nutritional content of this recipe will vary based on the specific ingredients used. For a detailed breakdown of the nutritional values, consider using a recipe nutrition calculator with the exact brands and measurements you've used.
