When it comes to lemon desserts, it doesn’t get easier than this no-bake lemon icebox cake, which pairs vanilla cookies with lemony whipped cream for the ultimate low-effort, heat-free confection.

Easy Lemon Icebox Cake Recipe

Lemon icebox cake is a sweet, tangy, no-bake dessert consisting of layers of [vanilla wafer cookies](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/vanilla-wafer-recipe) and lemon-flavored whipped cream. The cake gets refrigerated until the cookies soften and the cake is sliceable. The popularity of icebox cake coincided with the invention of the refrigerator—<a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/writing-101-what-is-a-colloquialism-learn-about-how-colloquialisms-are-used-in-literature-with-examples' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/writing-101-what-is-a-colloquialism-learn-about-how-colloquialisms-are-used-in-literature-with-examples","linkCopy":"colloquially","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>colloquially</a> referred to as an “icebox”—in the nineteenth century.
Lemon icebox cake is among the most popular no-bake dessert recipes. Here are some tips to consider when making the classic dessert:

1. __Switch up the cookies__. Vanilla and chocolate wafers are standard choices for icebox cakes. Still, you can also use a layer of graham crackers, ginger snaps, [shortbread cookies](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/shortbread-cookies-recipe), or any other thin, crisp cookie that complements the lemon flavor. Keep in mind that thin, crispy cookies are better for icebox cakes than thick ones, which are more likely to become chewy rather than soft during refrigeration. 
2. __Add extra lemon flavor__. Add a thin layer of [lemon curd](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/lemon-curd-recipe) between each cookie and a whipped cream layer for additional tangy citrus flavor. Learn how to make lemon curd at home. 
3. __Experiment with toppings__. Garnish this simple summer dessert with fresh berries (like raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries), sliced lemons and lemon zest, crunchy graham cracker crumbles, or chopped nuts. Frost the cake with cream cheese frosting to double down on the tang factor.
4. __Refrigerate overnight__. Refrigerating an icebox cake for at least 8 hours softens the cookies and brings the cake together. The cream will stiffen slightly, but it won’t be as solid as ice cream.
5. __Store properly__. Leftover icebox cake will keep well covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The cookies will continue to soften over time.
When it comes to lemon desserts, it doesn’t get easier than this no-bake lemon icebox cake, which pairs vanilla cookies with lemony whipped cream for the ultimate low-effort, heat-free confection.

Lemon icebox cake is a sweet, tangy, no-bake dessert consisting of layers of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/vanilla-wafer-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/vanilla-wafer-recipe","linkCopy":"vanilla wafer cookies","category":null}'>vanilla wafer cookies</a> and lemon-flavored whipped cream. The cake gets refrigerated until the cookies soften and the cake is sliceable. The popularity of icebox cake coincided with the invention of the refrigerator—<a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/writing-101-what-is-a-colloquialism-learn-about-how-colloquialisms-are-used-in-literature-with-examples' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/writing-101-what-is-a-colloquialism-learn-about-how-colloquialisms-are-used-in-literature-with-examples","linkCopy":"colloquially","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>colloquially</a> referred to as an “icebox”—in the nineteenth century.

What Is Lemon Icebox Cake?

Lemon icebox cake is among the most popular no-bake dessert recipes. Here are some tips to consider when making the classic dessert:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Switch up the cookies. Vanilla and chocolate wafers are standard choices for icebox cakes. Still, you can also use a layer of graham crackers, ginger snaps, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/shortbread-cookies-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/shortbread-cookies-recipe","linkCopy":"shortbread cookies","category":null}'>shortbread cookies</a>, or any other thin, crisp cookie that complements the lemon flavor. Keep in mind that thin, crispy cookies are better for icebox cakes than thick ones, which are more likely to become chewy rather than soft during refrigeration. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Add extra lemon flavor. Add a thin layer of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/lemon-curd-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/lemon-curd-recipe","linkCopy":"lemon curd","category":null}'>lemon curd</a> between each cookie and a whipped cream layer for additional tangy citrus flavor. Learn how to make lemon curd at home. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Experiment with toppings. Garnish this simple summer dessert with fresh berries (like raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries), sliced lemons and lemon zest, crunchy graham cracker crumbles, or chopped nuts. Frost the cake with cream cheese frosting to double down on the tang factor. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Refrigerate overnight. Refrigerating an icebox cake for at least 8 hours softens the cookies and brings the cake together. The cream will stiffen slightly, but it won’t be as solid as ice cream. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Store properly. Leftover icebox cake will keep well covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The cookies will continue to soften over time. </li></ol>

5 Tips for Making Lemon Icebox Cake

When it comes to lemon desserts, it doesn’t get easier than this no-bake lemon icebox cake, which pairs vanilla cookies with lemony whipped cream for the ultimate low-effort, heat-free confection.

When it comes to lemon desserts, it doesn’t get easier than this no-bake lemon icebox cake, which pairs vanilla cookies with lemony whipped cream for the ultimate low-effort, heat-free confection.
