Summer Berry Icebox Cake

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There is a lot to like about this dessert, particularly where patriotic summer holidays are concerned. It is cool and refreshing, makes use of the sweet goodness of fresh fruit, will be enjoyed by all, it is boldly red, white, and blue, and probably most importantly is that this no-bake dessert is make ahead. There is nothing to putting together this simple dessert; it’s more assembly than anything. I have found its sweet, cool deliciousness to be quite welcome for breakfast, so I think this would be as suitable for brunch as it would be for lunch or dinner.

No Bake Summer Berry Icebox Cake

Adapted from cakescottage.com

 21 graham crackers

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

2 (3.4 oz) packages Vanilla Instant Pudding

2 c. whole milk

½ c. Amaretto

12 oz. Cool whip (or homemade whipped cream)

3 c. sliced fresh strawberries

1½ c. fresh blueberries

2 oz. white chocolate chips

 Beat cream cheese and dry pudding mixes in large bowl with mixer until blended; gradually beat in milk and Amaretto.

 Gently stir in Cool Whip or homemade whipped cream, reserving ½ cup. Spread a thin layer of Cool Whip in a 9” x 13” pan just to coat the bottom.

 Layer 5 graham crackers across the center of the pan, then 2 more, breaking them as needed, to fit around the top and bottom edges.

 Spread a layer of pudding mixture over grahams and top with a layer of blueberries and sliced strawberries. Place graham crackers on top of berries, then pudding mixture, and then layer of berries again. Repeat the graham/pudding/berries layers 1 more time (3 times total) and you should reach the top of the pan.

 Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until the graham crackers have softened completely.

 When ready to serve, melt white chocolate chips in a bowl as directed on package and drizzle over dessert.

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Piña Colada Icebox Cake

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I learned at an early age that “fluff” desserts were synonymous with summer. I can still see my mother icing those thin and crispy Famous Chocolate Wafers with sweetened whipped cream, stacking them in little columns to eventually be topped with a maraschino cherry. When I saw her making those, I knew that it was going to be a good day. Icebox cakes were another favorite of this fan of fluff. Here’s one for those of you who are fond of the piña colada. I adapted it from a recipe that I found in Taste of Home, to give it more punch.

Piña Colada Icebox Cake

1 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, room temperature
½ c. confectioners’ sugar
1 t. rum extract
½ t. coconut extract
1 13.66-oz. can coconut milk, divided
1 3.4-oz. pkg. instant French vanilla pudding mix
1 8-oz. container Cool Whip, thawed
14-15 whole graham crackers
1 20-oz. can crushed pineapple, drained
1 c. sweetened shredded coconut, divided

In a large mixing bowl beat together cream cheese, sugar, and extracts until smooth and creamy. Gradually beat in one-cup coconut milk. Add pudding mix, and beat on low speed until smooth. Fold in Cool Whip and pineapple.

Pour remaining coconut milk into a shallow bowl. Dip half of the graham crackers into the milk and arrange in a single layer on the bottom of a 9” x 9” baking dish, breaking to fit as needed. Layer with half layer with half of the cream cheese mixture and 1/3 of the coconut. Repeat the layers (graham crackers, cream mixture, and 1/3 of the coconut). Toast the remaining third of the coconut and sprinkle on top. Refrigerate, covered, for four hours before serving.