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Boston Cream Pie Icebox Cake

Boston Cream Pie Icebox Cake – all the flavors of the infamous Boston Cream Pie in a quick and easy icebox cake.  Great for those hot days when you don’t want to turn on the oven, or when you just don’t want to do all the work!

Sometimes you are craving a classic dessert like Boston Cream Pie, but don’t really want to go through the full process of baking a cake.  That is where an icebox cake comes in.  They are great to make in the summer when you don’t want to turn on the oven, or even when you are just feeling a little lazy. 

Icebox cake recipes are super easy to make, just layering ingredients and letting it set up in the fridge before you serve.  It sets up similar to a cake and makes a delicious dessert for any occasion.  It serves quite a few people, so it is great for get togethers. 

boston cream pie icebox cake on a plate

 

What is an Icebox Cake

Traditionally an icebox cake uses graham crackers with pudding or whipped cream that is staked in layers.  It sets up in the fridge for a couple hours and the crackers get soft. When you slice into it, it is similar to the texture of a traditional cake.  It almost tastes like a vanilla cake, but it is actually graham crackers. Key Lime Icebox Cake is a great citrus version.

You can really use anything to make an icebox cake.  I have used Oreo’s, chocolate chip cookies, shortbread cookies and more.  Pair chocolate pudding, whipped cream, and mint Oreo’s for a delicious chocolate and mint version!  Ore use store bought chocolate chip cookies with vanilla pudding, hot fudge, whipped cream and M&M”s for a fun and colorful treat.

What You’ll Need

  • Graham Crackers
  • Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix
  • Milk
  • Heavy Cream
  • Powdered Sugar
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Chocolate Chips
  • Butter
  • Powdered Sugar
boston cream pie icebox cake on a plate

I call this icebox cake a Boston Cream Pie version, but it is also known as an Eclair cake. The flavor is very similar between the two, so if you want to call it a no bake eclair cake you definitely can!  As soon as summer hits and it is hot outside, turning on the oven to bake something just doesn’t sound appealing anymore.  

How To Make Boston Cream Pie Ice Box Cake

  1. Using a mixer, mix heavy cream until you have soft peaks. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, and mix until stiff peaks. Set aside.
  2. Line a 13×9 inch baking dish with a layer of graham crackers. Break them into squares or smaller to make them fit.
  3. In a large bowl mix together 2 boxes of pudding mix with 3 cups of milk. Whisk until it is well combined. Fold in the prepared whipped cream.
  4. Pour 1/2 of pudding mixture over graham crackers. Top with another layer of crackers, and the remaining pudding. Finally top with a 3rd layer of graham crackers. Set in the fridge while you make the chocolate topping.
  5. In a small sauce pan mix together all of the ingredients for the chocolate topping. Whisk and cook until the sugar is dissolved, but do not boil. Cook for about 5 minutes over a very low simmer. You can test on your finger or taste to see if it is smooth and the sugar is dissolved
  6. Pour over graham crackers, spreading evenly.
  7. Place in fridge for 4-6 hours until chocolate is completely set.
boston cream pie icebox cake on a plate

If you like Boston Cream Pie you will love these Boston Cream Pie Parfaits I posted a few months ago as well.  They are great for parties because you can make them ahead.  Plus they are layered and just so pretty! 

This icebox cake gives you all the flavors you want in the traditional dessert, but it is super easy to make, no oven required.  The graham crackers get soft as you let the “cake” set in the fridge, so they really taste like cake when you serve it.

boston cream pie icebox cake in a pan

More Easy No Bake Dessert Recipes

close up sliced boston cream pie icebox cake for pinterest
Yield: 15

Boston Cream Pie Ice Box Cake

Boston Cream Pie Ice Box Cake - all the flavors of the infamous Boston Cream Pie in a quick and easy ice box cake. Great for those hot days when you don't want to turn on the oven, or when you just don't want to do all the work!

Boston Cream Pie Ice Box Cake - all the flavors of the infamous Boston Cream Pie in a quick and easy ice box cake. Great for those hot days when you don't want to turn on the oven, or when you just don't want to do all the work!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Additional Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 (14 oz) box graham crackers
  • 2 (3.9 oz) boxes vanilla instant pudding mix
  • 3 cups cold milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocolate Topping

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chip, (semi-sweet)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Using a mixer, mix heavy cream until you have soft peaks. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, and mix until stiff peaks. Set aside.
  2. Line a 13x9 inch baking dish with a layer of graham crackers. Break then into squares or smaller to make them fit.
  3. In a large bowl mix together 2 boxes of pudding mix with 3 cups of milk. Whisk until well combined. Fold in the prepared whipped cream.
  4. Pour 1/2 of pudding mixture over graham crackers. Repeat with another layer of crackers, and the remaining pudding. Top with a 3rd layer of graham crackers.
  5. In a small sauce pan mix together all of the ingredients for the chocolate topping. Whisk and cook until the sugar is dissolved, but do not boil. Cook for about 5 minutes over a very low simmer. You can test on your finger or taste to see if it is smooth and the sugar is dissolved
  6. Pour over graham crackers, spreading evenly.
  7. Place in fridge for 4-6 hours until chocolate is completely set.

Notes

Slightly adapted from 12 Tomatoes

http://12tomatoes.com/rc-boston-cream-icebox-cake/

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Nutrition Information

Yield

15

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 238Total Fat 15gSaturated Fat 9gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 39mgSodium 110mgCarbohydrates 25gFiber 0gSugar 22gProtein 3g

Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on dinnersdishesanddesserts.com should only be used as a general guideline.

Did you make this recipe?

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Judi

Wednesday 19th of July 2023

This looks fabulous! Can I freeze this? Is it best sitting overnight? Thank you so much for your help.

Erin S

Wednesday 19th of July 2023

Yes, you can freeze it. It will probably last 1-2 months in the freezer if tightly wrapped. It is definitely good the next day, but I usually make it in the morning and serve it that night. As long as it sits 4 hours, it is good to go. After that it doesn't change a whole lot. Enjoy!

ML

Saturday 10th of June 2023

This is not an accurate recipe. You need to fix the pudding how it specifies on the box and then fold in the whipped cream. Otherwise it’s liquid….or pour the pudding on and then put the whip on top.

Erin S

Monday 12th of June 2023

Step 3 in the recipe card tells you to prepare the pudding. It is 100% accurate as written, I have made this a million times, and there is a video showing exactly how I make it as written on the post

"In a large bowl mix together 2 boxes of pudding mix with 3 cups of milk. Whisk until well combined. Fold in the prepared whipped cream."

Norma Smith

Saturday 6th of May 2023

Love this recipe. I cannot get the sugar to dissolve. Could powdered sugar be used instead of the granulated? I have used the recipe several times with the same problem. Thanks for the help.

Erin S

Saturday 6th of May 2023

Yes, that should work just fine

Kim

Tuesday 20th of September 2022

What size pudding boxes?

Erin S

Tuesday 20th of September 2022

3.4 ounce

Sam

Tuesday 30th of August 2022

This is my new favorite ice box cake! Definitely making again

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