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Home » Recipes » Cakes

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Icebox Cake

Jul 24, 2022 · 2 Comments

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A slice of gluten free chocolate icebox cake and a fork on a white plate with text overlay, "Gluten Free Icebox Cake."

This gluten free icebox cake is quick and easy to prepare.  It’s a sweet and tasty no-bake dessert that's layered with chocolate flavor.  Add this Old-Fashioned Chocolate Icebox Cake recipe to your list of must-make summer desserts!

Shaved chocolate on top of a gluten free icebox cake.
Jump to:
  • What is an Icebox Cake?
  • Why this Recipe Works
  • Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
  • How to Make Gluten Free Chocolate Icebox Cake
  • Step By Step Instructions
  • Recipe Tips and FAQs
  • More Gluten Free Desserts to Try!
  • Recipe
  • Comments

Like me, my dad loves a good dessert.  He also has Celiac disease, so making a delicious dessert the whole family can enjoy takes a bit of planning. 

If you’ve ever tried a “gluten free” dessert, you know many of them taste different than their glutenous version.  For this reason, I’m always on the hunt for recipes that can be modified enough for my dad and I to consume and the rest of the family will still enjoy. 

I’d had previous success adapting recipes from Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa, like this Sour Cream Coffee Cake Recipe and this Lemon Loaf Cake with Lemon Glaze, so I decided to try another one. This easy icebox cake recipe was the result.

What is an Icebox Cake?

An icebox cake is a classic no-bake dessert only requiring a few ingredients.  Normally it’s made with layers of graham crackers or chocolate wafer cookies held together with sweetened whipped cream.  The “cake” comes together during the time spent overnight in the refrigerator (previously known as an icebox).

To make this icebox cake recipe gluten free, I use thin gluten free chocolate chip cookies. The layers of cookies are held together by a rich chocolate whipped cream.

A slice of old-fashioned chocolate icebox cake and a fork on a white plate with another slice and the remaining cake in the background.

If you like cake as much as my family does, check out my other gluten free cake recipes.

Why this Recipe Works

  • It’s super easy to prepare.
  • Pairing chocolate chip cookies with chocolate-flavored cream is perfect for all you chocolate fans.
  • Using a spring-form pan makes it simple to assemble the layers of cookies and cream.
(This post contains affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.)

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

  • Heavy whipping cream - Keep the cream in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it. Cold cream will whip more easily and provide more volume than room temperature cream.
  • Mascarpone cheese - If your store doesn’t carry mascarpone cheese, you can substitute with full fat cream cheese. 
  • Kahlua - The Kahlua enhances the chocolate flavor in the icebox cake.  For a non-alcoholic substitute, use cold black coffee.
  • Cookies - Extra-thin gluten free cookies work the best in this recipe.  I use Tate’s Bake Shop Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies.  If you don’t need to avoid gluten, you can use any variety of thin chocolate chip cookies.

How to Make Gluten Free Chocolate Icebox Cake

  1. Add all the ingredients except the cookies and shaved chocolate to a large mixing bowl.
  2. With an electric mixer, beat the cream mixture until stiff peaks form.
  3. Place a layer of cookies in a 9-inch springform pan.
  4. Spread a fifth of the whipped cream over the layer of cookies
  5. Continue layering cookies and cream until there are 5 layers of each, ending with the cream.
  6. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
  7. Remove the sides of the pan, top the cake with shaved chocolate, and serve.

Step By Step Instructions

(For ingredient amounts see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)

In a large mixing bowl, combine the heavy cream, mascarpone, sugar, Kahlua, cocoa powder, and vanilla.

Using a hand mixer, mix on low speed to combine.  Slowly raise the speed, and continue mixing, until the mixture forms firm peaks.

A mixing bowl and beaters filled with the chocolate whipped cream for making old-fashioned chocolate icebox cake.

Arrange a layer of gluten free cookies in a 9-inch springform pan.  Lay the cookies flat and cover the bottom of the pan as much as possible.  Break up some of the cookies to fill in the gaps.

A springform pan with a layer of gluten free chocolate chip cookies on the bottom.

Spoon a fifth of the whipped cream onto the cookie layer and spread evenly around the pan.  Place another layer of cookies on top, again breaking up some of the cookies to fill in the spaces.

A springform pan with the first 3 layers of gluten free chocolate chip cookies and chocolate whipped cream for Old-Fashioned Chocolate Icebox Cake.

Spread a fifth of the whipped cream evenly over the second layer of cookies.   Continue layering cookies and whipped cream until there are 5 layers of each, ending with a layer of cream.

Gluten free chocolate icebox cake in springform pan prior to placing in the refrigerator.

Smooth the top, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.

When you’re ready to serve this old-fashioned icebox cake, run a thin knife around the outside of the cake and remove the sides of the springform pan.  Add the shaved chocolate to garnish the top.

Gluten free icebox cake on a glass cake stand.

Slice the cake in wedges and serve cold.

Love No Bake Recipes?

Try one of these great gluten free suggestions.

  • No Bake Cookie Dough Bites
  • No Bake Oreo Cheesecake
  • No Bake Cookies with Chocolate Chips

Recipe Tips and FAQs

  • Use extra-thin, crisp, gluten free cookies. A thin cookie is more able to absorb the flavor of the whipped cream and soften while in the fridge overnight.  I use Tate’s Bake Shop Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies.
  • When making the whipped cream, start with cold cream and make sure to mix it until it forms firm peaks. The cream needs to be firm enough to hold the cookies together.
  • A 9-inch springform pan is perfect for making this old-fashioned icebox cake.  When the cake is ready to serve, it’s easy to remove the edges of the pan to reveal the yummy layers.
How long do you refrigerate an icebox cake?

An icebox cake is best when it’s allowed to sit in the refrigerator overnight. The time in the fridge gives the cake time to set up.  At a minimum, you’ll want to refrigerate the cake for at least 8 hours.

Can you freeze this old fashioned icebox cake?

I don’t recommend freezing this cake.  The cookies may become soggy, and the cream will be runny when the cake is thawed.

How should I store the cake?

Store the cake, loosely covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

What cookies are best to use in this icebox cake?

A thin chocolate chip cookie works best in this recipe. To keep this recipe gluten free, I use Tate’s Bake Shop Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies.

A slice of old-fashioned chocolate icebox cake and a fork on a white dessert plate.

When it’s too warm outside to turn on the oven, try this gluten free icebox cake.  It’s a rich, delicious chocolate cake that doesn’t require any baking.

My family has enjoyed this icebox cake recipe for many years.  I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

More Gluten Free Desserts to Try!

  • Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake {Gluten Free}
  • Gluten Free Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
  • Cranberry Coffee Cake
  • Gluten Free Chocolate Toffee Bars
  • Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake (Gluten Free)

If you tried this recipe or any other recipe on the blog, don't forget to leave a star rating and let me know how it turned out in the comments below.  I really enjoy hearing from you!

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Recipe

Overhead view of a gluten free icebox cake on a clear glass cake stand.

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Icebox Cake

Connie @ Flavor Walk
This chocolate icebox cake recipe is quick and easy to prepare. It's a sweet and tasty no-bake dessert, that's also gluten free!



5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 20 mins
Chilling Time 12 hrs
Total Time 12 hrs 20 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10 servings
Calories 381 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups cold heavy cream
  • 12 ounces mascarpone cheese
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup Kahlua liqueur
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 (7 ounce) bags of Tate's Bake Shop Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • shaved chocolate, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl combine the heavy cream, mascarpone, sugar, Kahlua, cocoa powder, and vanilla.
  • Using a hand mixer, mix on low speed to combine.  Slowly raise the speed until it forms firm peaks.
  • Arrange the gluten free cookies flat in an 9-inch springform pan, covering the bottom as much as possible.  Break up some of the cookies to fill in the gaps.
  • Spread a fifth of the whipped cream evenly over the cookies.
  • Place another layer of cookies on top, lying flat and touching, followed by another fifth of the cream.
  • Continue layering cookies and whipped cream until there are 5 layers of each, ending with a layer of cream.
  • Smooth the top, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
  • Run a thin knife around the outside of the cake and remove the sides of the pan.
  • Sprinkle the top with the shaved chocolate, cut in wedges, and serve cold.

Notes

  • Use extra-thin, crisp, gluten free cookies. A thin cookie is more able to absorb the flavor of the whipped cream and soften while in the fridge overnight.  I use Tate’s Bake Shop Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies.
  • When making the whipped cream, start with cold cream and make sure to mix it until it forms firm peaks. The cream needs to be firm enough to hold the cookies together.
  • A 9-inch springform pan is perfect for making this old-fashioned icebox cake.  When the cake is ready to serve, it’s easy to remove the edges of the pan to reveal the yummy layers.
 
Recipe adapted from Barefoot Contessa, How Easy Is That?

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 381kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 3gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 99mgSodium: 39mgPotassium: 50mgSugar: 12gVitamin A: 1175IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 0.1mg

Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutritional information provided is an estimate and will vary based on products and brands you use. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the ingredients you are using with your preferred nutrition calculator.

This post was originally published in 2017. It was republished in 2022 with updated images, additional text, and FAQs.

More Cake Recipes

  • Banana Chocolate Chip Snack Cake (gluten free, dairy free option)
  • Gluten Free Lemon Cake
  • Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake (Gluten Free)
  • Gluten Free Cranberry Cake

Thanks for sharing this recipe!

  • 107

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sherry Vaughn says

    September 18, 2017 at 10:32 am

    I may have to try this, for a different dessert. I have never had an icebox cake before.

    Reply
  2. Patty says

    September 16, 2018 at 7:27 am

    MmmMmm good.

    Reply

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