I went raspberry picking with my family again this summer and it was awesome, as always. Picking fresh berries is one of my fave family activities, which is no surprise, given it involves food! This Raspberry Chocolate Dulce de Leche Icebox Cake was the delicious result of that picking.
This year I wanted to come up with a new recipe for the summer raspberries we picked- something really easy, NO Bake (we had no air conditioning and it was HOT!) and something that could quickly be made with frozen raspberries, since I freeze them right away to preserve them. So I thought a Raspberry Chocolate Icebox Cake would be the perfect idea because it's such an easy dessert recipe! It's not only the best summer raspberry cake, this no bake summer berry icebox cake takes about 15 minutes to throw together and is unbelievably yummy. When you taste it, you won't believe just how easy it is! It was inspired by my Raspberry Tiramisu Tarts.
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🥘 Ingredients
Chocolate Graham crackers make all the difference in this Raspberry Chocolate Icebox cake. Most icebox cakes are made with regular graham crackers, but trust me, for this raspberry icebox cake you're going to need chocolate graham wafers. But sadly, they have been discontinued, as have Nabisco chocolate wafers. Goya Foods Chocolate Maria Cookies are the best substitute! Or you can pour a layer of chocolate over regular graham crackers.
For this summer raspberry cake, you'll need:
- dulce de leche sauce
- heavy cream or whipping cream
- frozen raspberries
- chocolate graham crackers or Oreo thins or Goya Foods Chocolate Maria cookies (affiliate link)
- Garnish: chocolate shavings
*See recipe card for quantities
🔪Instructions
How to make a Dulce de Leche Chocolate Raspberry Icebox Cake:
In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, using the whisk attachment, beat whipped cream to stiff peaks (see video in NOTES). Fold in can of dulce de leche sauce and raspberries.
Add one layer of chocolate graham crackers to the bottom of a 9 X 13 dish and add ⅓ of whipped cream mixture.
Add another layer of graham crackers
Add another layer of whipped cream .
Add the last layer of graham crackers
Shave chocolate
Frost top with final ⅓ layer of whipped cream and shaved chocolate
Add fresh raspberries to the top of the cake.
📖Variations & Substitutions
- Raspberries: you can use fresh raspberries or frozen raspberries, but I prefer to use frozen because they hold better in this recipe (and don't smear as much). I usually take fresh raspberries and freeze them, but you could also just buy frozen raspberries. You could also substitute raspberry jam.
- Whipped cream: you could use Cool Whip if you don't have real whipped cream, but it will be sweeter. I do NOT recommend using a spray whipped cream as the whip doesn't hold
- Dulche de Leche - I use store-bought dulce de leche, but you could make your own
- Chocolate Graham Crackers and Nabisco chocolate wafers have been both discontinued (sadly) but you can substitute Goya Foods Chocolate Maria cookies (affiliate link).
My family were all disappointed when this Dulce de Leche Icebox Cake was gone because everyone said they wanted seconds. And I can attest to that- this cake is totally addictive! I'd have eaten the whole thing myself if I could. They all agreed that they liked it so much because it was such a nice light dessert, as we'd had a pretty heavy BBQ meal of steak, Onion Baked Potatoes in Foil (3 Ingredients) and Mexican grilled corn on the cob (elote).
💭 Top Tip
How to freeze fresh raspberries
When you pick raspberries, they are often smaller than you get in the store and therefore spoil faster. So I would recommend that you freeze your raspberries immediately after picking, as they go mushy really quickly. Once washed, lay parchment paper over cookie sheet and arrange berries in a single layer and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag.
Frozen raspberries really do make a great summer dessert or snack!
I also used them as ice cubes in my wine.
💭What is an Icebox Cake?
Interestingly enough, icebox cakes aren’t technically even cakes. They are a no bake cake that just resembles a cake once the whipped cream softens the layers of wafer cookies or crackers, just enough to make them tender and flaky. And that happens when they are set in the "icebox" as it was referred to back in the day, before electricity and refrigerators existed. It's in the "icebox" (aka fridge), that they magically transform into a light and elegant torte-like dessert.
And if you love chocolate icebox cakes as much as I do, then you'll want to give my Easter Creme Egg Icebox Cake a try, Seriously, you don't even have to wait for Easter!
🍽Equipment
You will need an electric mixer or a stand mixer (affiliate links) for this recipe and a 9X13 pan.
🌡️Storage
Cover this Dulce de Leche cake with plastic wrap or store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days (although it likely won't last that long). These ingredients do not stand up well to freezing.
👪 Serving Size
This no bake dessert recipe makes 12 servings. However, you can half, double or triple the recipe by clicking on the blue serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust. You will just need another pan.
The great thing about this Chocolate Raspberry Dulce de Leche Icebox Cake is that it can be made with frozen raspberries you grab from the grocery store, so it's ideal for hot summer days or any time of the year. Because sometimes you just don't want to bake. So if you're looking for icebox cakes, and one that's super easy, unbelievably delicious and NO BAKE, then give this one a try. It's perfect for feeding your family, a crowd or bringing along to a potluck!
⭐ Reviews
Did you LOVE this easy recipe? If so, please leave a 5 star rating and comment below!
Here's what others are saying: "This was amazing!!! I love chocolate desserts but I often find them too sweet. I was so surprised how easy this one went down. It was smooth, chocolatey, light and left everybody wanting more."⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
📋 Raspberry Chocolate Dulce de Leche Icebox Cake Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups heavy whipping cream
- 300 ml dulce de leche caramel flavoured sauce
- 2 cups frozen raspberries, defrosted and drained
- 2 packages Goya Foods Chocolate Maria Cookies
Garnish
- fresh raspberries
- chocolate shavings
Instructions
- Whip whipping cream to stiff peaks. Fold in can of dulce de leche sauce and raspberries.
- Add one layer of chocolate graham crackers to the bottom of a 9 X 13 dish and add ⅓ of whipped cream mixture.
- Repeat layer of graham crackers and whipped cream
- Repeat with another layer of graham crackers and whipped cream.
Garnish
- Grate chocolate.
- Add chocolate shavings to the top of the dessert
- Add fresh raspberries.
Edith
This is just delicious!
Terri Gilson
Glad you like it, Edith!
Kathryn
This was amazing!!! I love chocolate desserts but I often find them too sweet. I was so surprised how easy this one went down. It was smooth, chocolatey, light and left everybody wanting more.
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Kathryn! I'm glad you all enjoyed it!
Laura
I am definitely going to try this recipe.
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Laura- I hope you enjoy it!
Fouzia
What a delicious dessert which is so easy to put together and no baking! Amazing! Thanks for sharing.
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Fouzia - I'm glad you enjoyed it1
Denise@urbnspice
Yum! Chocolate and raspberries and caramel (dulce de leche)! These are some of my favourite ingredients, Terri. I have never heard of chocolate graham crackers - how intriguing! ? Your Raspberry Dulce de Leche Icebox ‘Cake’ looks so delicious. I can imagine this dessert would disappear quickly at a potluck or at anyone’s table, as well. Thanks for sharing!
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Denise. Yes, the family and my neighbors loved it!