Icebox cake facts for kids
An icebox cake in a glass, made of graham crackers, chocolate pudding and topped with whipped cream
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| Alternative names | Zebra cake, Chocolate Ripple cake, refrigerator cake, graham cake |
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| Course | Dessert |
| Main ingredients | Whipped cream and chocolate |
An icebox cake is a super easy and yummy dessert that you don't even need to bake! It's also called a chocolate ripple cake in Australia. This sweet treat is usually made by layering ingredients like cream, fruits, nuts, and wafers or cookies. Then, you simply put it in the refrigerator (or "icebox") to chill and set.
The name "icebox cake" can describe many different desserts made this way. One very famous version uses thin, dark chocolate wafers, like the ones from Nabisco, and the recipe used to be printed right on the box!
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The Sweet History of Icebox Cakes
Icebox cakes are related to older desserts like the charlotte and the trifle. But icebox cakes were made to be much simpler for people to prepare at home.
This dessert first became popular in the United States in the 1930s. This was when companies were selling more and more "iceboxes," which were early versions of refrigerators. People loved icebox cakes because they used many store-bought ingredients and didn't need any baking. Because the cakes were so popular, companies that made things like condensed milk and wafer cookies started printing icebox cake recipes on their packages.
Different Kinds of Icebox Cakes Around the World
Icebox cakes are enjoyed in many places, and each country often has its own special way of making them!
American Icebox Cake Styles
The classic American icebox cake, often made with Nabisco wafers, is put together like a log. You stack the wafers with whipped cream in between them, making a long shape. Then, you might make a second log and place the two side-by-side. More whipped cream covers the outside. The cake then chills overnight in the refrigerator. As it chills, the wafers soak up moisture from the cream, becoming soft and cake-like. When you slice it at an angle, you can see pretty layers of chocolate and cream.
Another popular American version uses pudding (often chocolate) and graham crackers or vanilla wafers. You layer these in a baking dish. Some people add sliced bananas or pineapples between the layers. While you can use cold instant pudding, many say the best results come from using warm, stove-cooked pudding and letting it chill overnight.
Australian Chocolate Ripple Cake
In Australia, this dessert is known as Chocolate Ripple cake. It's made with Arnott's Chocolate Ripple biscuits. These biscuits are covered in sweetened whipped cream and arranged into a log shape. Just like other icebox cakes, it's usually made the day before you want to eat it and kept in the refrigerator overnight. People often decorate it with crumbled chocolate, fresh berries, or grated Peppermint Crisp candy.
Philippine Mango Float
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In the Philippines, a very popular icebox cake is called mango float. It's a special version of a traditional layered dessert called crema de fruta. Mango float is made with layers of graham crackers or broas (ladyfingers), whipped cream, condensed milk, and fresh, juicy mangoes.
United Kingdom Biscuit Cake
A biscuit cake is a type of icebox cake often served as a tea cake in the United Kingdom. A famous example was even served at Prince William's wedding! This cake is made by heating butter and chocolate, then mixing in eggs or condensed milk. Some recipes also include golden syrup. After the mixture cools, crumbled digestive biscuits are stirred in. You can also add other dry ingredients like dried fruits, nuts, or candies.
