Lemon Icebox Cake

5 from 19 votes

By Katie

April 10, 2024

68 comments

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Lemon Icebox Cake is a deliciously sweet, refreshing, creamy no-bake summer dessert option that everyone will love. This will be your new go-to dessert when you’re in a pinch! If you’ve followed me for a while now, you probably already know how much I love lemony things, especially lemon desserts…with the occasional lemon-inspired dinner thrown into the mix.

A slice of lemon dessert with creamy layers and a lemon slice garnish on top.

Why You’ll Love This No Bake Lemon Icebox Cake Recipe

Last week I went through a phase of sorts and made lots and lots of different kinds of icebox cakes. I had my friends try a few kinds, but the one that seemed to be everyone’s favorite was this lemon one. It’s so sweet and creamy, plus really light and refreshing, which in my opinion, every lemon dessert should be.

If you’ve never made an icebox before, you are in for a real treat. So so so so so ridiculously easy and they always turn out wonderfully, with zero baking! It’s the perfect dessert.

Ingredients for lemon ice box cake neatly arranged on a marble countertop.

Main Ingredients Needed

You don’t need much to make this delicious lemon icebox cake–just simple ingredients here! Here’s everything you’ll need:

Cream Cheese– softened. Lots of tangy creaminess here.
Sugar- used to sweeten.
Lemon Zest- for extra lemony flavor.
Heavy Whipping Cream- used to thicken and add structure.
Lemon Shortbread Cookies- You can use 1 1/2 bags Pepperidge Farms (6 oz) bags or 2 boxes lemon Girl Scout Cookies. OR, make your own Shortbread Cookies and replace the vanilla for lemon extract.
Milk- used to dip the cookies in for layering.
Whipped Cream– for garnish, optional. See my whipped cream tutorial.
Fresh berries or other fresh fruit- for garnish, optional but highly recommended.

Variations:

Substitute vanilla wafers for shortbread cookies
Use graham crackers for a different texture
Use Cool Whip instead of making your own whipped cream

A slice of lemon cake with white frosting, garnished with a lemon peel and whipped cream on a white plate sprinkled with gold-colored sugar.

How To Make Lemon Icebox Cake

For full recipe details, including ingredient measurements, see the printable recipe card down below. Here are the step by step directions to make this easy lemon no bake dessert recipe!

Step 1: Prep Baking Dish

Line the bottom of the pan (8×8 casserole dish) with parchment paper and set aside.

baking paper placed in a glass dish with one edge folded over the side.

Step 2: Make the Lemon Filling Mixture

In a large bowl, whip softened cream cheese, sugar, and lemon zest until smooth. Then add in some heavy cream and whip until the mixture is light, fluffy, and thickens back up again. You’re essentially whipping air into the mixture.

Bowl of ingredients including sugar, cream, and lemon zest, with lemon wedges on a plate in the background.

Electric mixer whipping cream in a bowl with cut lemons in the background.

Step 3: Assemble Cake

To assemble the cake, all you do is layer the creamy filling mixture you just made with some lemon shortbread cookies that were quickly dipped in milk, 3 layers of each. So, your layers will go:

cookie layer #1
cream mixture #1
cookie layer #2
cream mixture #2
cookie layer #3
cream mixture #3

Dip each cookie one by one into the milk and line the bottom of dish with cookies to cover. If needed, cut cookies in half to fit in properly.

A hand dipping a shortbread cookie into a bowl of milk.

Pour 1/3 of the cream cheese mixture over cookies and smooth the top. Repeat layering cookies and cream until you have 3 layers of each.

Spreading lemon icebox cake filling over a layer of shortbread cookies

A close-up image of a creamy dessert being assembled with layers of cookies and white filling.

Step 4: Cover + Refrigerate

Cover the top with plastic wrap and refrigerate 12 hours or longer. You just want everything good and cold before you cut into it.

I love seeing the yellow speckles of lemon zest in the top of the cake, and the design of the cookies!

A dish of creamy dessert with a spatula.

Plastic wrap being stretched over a baking dish

Step 5: Cut + Serve

When completely chilled, you’ll see it cuts just like a regular cake would. And you can even see all those yummy layers in there too! Just cut into squares and serve! Feel free to add remaining whipped topping and garnish with lemon slices or fresh berries. This part is optional, but delicious!

Slicing a lemon icebox cake in a tray with a metal spatula.

Icing being piped onto a layered lemon dessert on a decorated plate.

Storage + Make Ahead Directions Lemon Icebox Cake

Lemon Icebox Cake will store well covered in the fridge for 1-2 days. Which means this a great make ahead cake! Just store in the fridge until ready to serve.

To Freeze: This cake is a great one to freeze for later. Wrap well in plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to 1 month. Allow to thaw overnight in the fridge before cutting and serving.

A slice of lemon cake with whipped cream on a speckled plate, garnished with a lemon slice, with a fork taking a piece.

More Icebox Recipes to Try!

More Lemon Cake Recipes to Try!

A slice of lemon dessert with creamy layers on a plate, garnished with a lemon slice and zest.

This Lemon Icebox Cake is a simple and delicious no-bake dessert perfect for hot summer days or special occasions. Enjoy the tangy lemon flavor and creamy filling with each bite. Add your own twist with different cookie variations or garnishes. Give it a try for a refreshing treat that’s sure to be a hit! The printable recipe card is below. Enjoy, friends! 🙂

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.