An icebox cake contains neither ice nor cake, and you won’t find it in the freezer. This old-timey, all-American treat came to be through a confluence of marketing prowess and a craving for convenience. American innovation was on the rise, and refrigerators—or iceboxes—had just hit the market. At the same time, housewives were looking for easier options to put dessert on the table, and Nabisco needed to incentivize purchases for its now-iconic (but recently discontinued) chocolate wafers.
Jump to the recipes
The simple yet genius trifle-like dessert was born, combining something crunchy and sweet with something whipped or pudding-like. The result is a chilled treat with tender, cake-like layers amongst a creamy “frosting.” Ideal for the home kitchen, it’s rare to find an icebox cake at a bakery, and even more rare to find a vegan version. It’s a niche dessert for sure,…