Cool, creamy, vibrant, and bursting with juicy blueberries, this make-ahead blueberry lemon icebox cake is the type of no-bake dessert that disappears quick at summer season gatherings. Layers of sentimental graham crackers, lemony whipped cream filling, and flavorful blueberry sauce chill collectively right into a sliceable cake with a lightweight, mousse-like texture. Better of all? You solely want 9 easy components.
I initially revealed this recipe in 2017, and I’ve since up to date it with new images, further success suggestions, and added cream cheese to the whipped cream filling.
This make-ahead dessert is ideal for warm-weather entertaining, from BBQs and pool events to child showers, birthdays, or as a Memorial Day recipe or Fourth of July dessert. As a result of it’s served chilly, it’s particularly welcome on scorching summer season days.
Should you love the basic lemon + blueberry taste mixture, this simple icebox cake delivers all of the sunshine-sweet taste with out turning on the oven. 🙂
Why You’ll Love This Blueberry Lemon Icebox Cake
- Utterly no-bake
- Made with simply 9 components
- Simple to organize forward of time
- Tastes like lemon blueberry cheesecake meets fluffy cake
- Delicate, mousse-like texture after chilling
- Simple-to-slice loaf
Cool, gentle, and refreshing, icebox desserts come collectively in a matter of minutes with solely a handful of components.
Not like conventional layer desserts, icebox desserts rework within the fridge or freezer. The graham crackers soften into tender cake-like layers, whereas the whipped cream and blueberry fillings meld collectively into one dreamy dessert. It sounds uncommon at first, however one chew and also you’ll perceive why icebox desserts have such a loyal following!
One reader, Edie, commented: “Mild and summery! This recipe is one other winner. It’s EXTREMELY simple to make with just some easy components. ★★★★★”
One other reader, Carissa, commented: “This was DELICIOUS!! Like actually lick the plate yummy. And really easy to make, however seems fancy and sophisticated… I used blended berries for the sauce, since that’s all I had, which labored nice. And no kidding the graham crackers obtained so improbable in texture, nearly like a cake. This will probably be a brand new summer season go-to! ★★★★★”
One other reader, PB, commented: “I made this with my 6- and 9-year-old boys. It was simple and so they loved doing a lot of the work. We used ginger snap cookies and it was out of this world. Such a beautiful summer season dessert, so gentle. ★★★★★”
You Want Simply 9 Substances
- Contemporary Lemons: You want each the juice and zest to taste each the blueberry sauce and the cream filling, so every part tastes vibrant and vibrant. Make sure you zest the lemons earlier than juicing.
- Cornstarch: Key for thickening the blueberry sauce. Dissolve it in some lemon juice and slightly heat water earlier than including it to the berries. That is referred to as making a “cornstarch slurry” and prevents it from clumping within the sauce.
- Blueberries: Contemporary or frozen blueberries each work effectively. Frozen berries are particularly handy as a result of they’re obtainable 12 months spherical, and also you don’t even must thaw them first.
- Granulated Sugar: Only a couple Tablespoons to sweeten the blueberry sauce.
- Heavy Cream: The majority of the filling.
- Cream Cheese: This thickens the whipped cream and provides it extra quantity, in addition to an additional luxurious texture. It performs the identical function on this strawberry cake roll filling, too.
- Confectioners’ Sugar: Sweetens the cream filling.
- Graham Crackers: You want 8 full-sheet graham crackers. Because the cake chills, the graham crackers soften into delicate cake-like layers. That is the magic of an icebox cake!
The lemony filling provides brightness and tang, whereas the do-it-yourself blueberry sauce brings concentrated berry taste with out making the cake heavy or overly candy. You’ll simply love this mix!
Make the Blueberry Sauce First
The thick blueberry sauce is identical actual sauce we use for blueberry swirl cheesecake, however I added slightly additional lemon.
It cooks and thickens on the range, then you definately’ll let it cool utterly. Right now’s blueberry lemon icebox cake is an excellent make-ahead recipe for this very motive. You may prep the blueberry sauce as much as 3 days upfront, AND you may also put together the cream filling forward of time too!
Make the Cream Filling
One of the vital particulars on this recipe is the feel of the whipped cream. Beat the chilly heavy cream solely to comfortable peaks—not stiff peaks.
You need the whipped cream spreadable and pillowy, nearly like a thick pudding. Over-whipped cream can turn out to be grainy or too agency, which adjustments the ultimate texture of the cake.
Right here is the whipped cream:
Set the whipped cream apart (switch to a different bowl if utilizing a stand mixer), and whip the cream cheese subsequent. Be sure you use room-temperature cream cheese. You need it to be very softened, in any other case you’ll find yourself with tiny lumps in your filling.
Then combine within the remaining filling components:
Then fold within the whipped cream:
The right way to Assemble Blueberry Lemon Icebox Cake
My #1 tip for this recipe: Line your loaf pan with plastic wrap earlier than assembling. This makes it simple to raise out the frozen cake and slice neatly.
Right here’s the order of the layers:
- Skinny layer of cream filling (simply to assist the graham crackers stick)
- Graham crackers
- Cream filling
- Blueberry sauce
- Cream filling
- Graham crackers
- Cream filling
- Blueberry sauce
- Cream filling
- Graham crackers
- Cream filling
Feeling bold? You can even add a layer of lemon curd!
The Magic Occurs within the Freezer
Not like many icebox desserts that set within the fridge, this loaf-style model holds its form finest when frozen. Because it chills, the graham crackers soften into delicate cake-like layers whereas the lemon cream and blueberry sauce meld collectively into one creamy, mousse-like dessert.
As soon as assembled, cowl the pan tightly and freeze till agency. Earlier than serving, let the icebox cake sit at room temperature for about 10–quarter-hour to barely soften.
Why? This makes slicing a lot simpler and provides the filling the right creamy texture.
That is one in all my favourite make-ahead summer season desserts as a result of each element will be ready forward of time:
- Blueberry sauce: as much as 3 days forward
- Cream filling: as much as 2 days forward
- Totally assembled cake: freeze as much as 3 days earlier than serving
Extra Lemon Blueberry Desserts
Description
This lemon blueberry icebox cake is a cool, creamy no-bake dessert made with layers of graham crackers, lemon whipped cream filling, and do-it-yourself blueberry sauce. Made with simply 9 components, it’s the right make-ahead dessert for summer season entertaining.
Blueberry Sauce
Cream Filling
- Preliminary word: There are 3 layers of graham crackers, 5 layers of cream filling, and a couple of layers of blueberry sauce. You may break the graham crackers as much as match the pan.
- Make the blueberry sauce: Whisk the cornstarch, lemon juice, and heat water collectively in a small bowl till the cornstarch has dissolved. Put aside. Heat the blueberries and sugar collectively in a small saucepan over medium warmth. Stir constantly for about 3 minutes, till the blueberries start to launch their juices. Add the cornstarch combination and proceed stirring for one more 2–3 minutes, smashing some blueberries as you go. The combination will start to thicken. Take away from warmth and stir within the lemon zest. Put aside to chill utterly (place within the fridge to hurry it up).
- Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap with overhang over the sides to simply raise the cake out. Put aside.
- Make the cream filling: Utilizing a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the chilly heavy cream on medium-high velocity till comfortable peaks kind, about 3 minutes. Switch to a different bowl. Utilizing the identical mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese on excessive velocity till utterly easy and creamy, about 1 minute. Add the confectioners’ sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest and beat till mixed and creamy. Gently fold within the whipped cream. Don’t over-mix.
- Assemble the cake: Unfold a pair Tablespoons of cream filling into a really skinny layer within the backside of the ready pan. It will assist the underside layer of graham crackers stick. Place among the graham crackers in a single layer on high (break them to suit). Unfold about 3/4 cup (approx. 130g) of cream filling on high of the graham crackers. Then layer half of the blueberry sauce on high, one other 3/4 cup of cream filling, one other layer of graham crackers, 3/4 cup of cream filling, the remainder of the blueberry sauce, 3/4 cup of cream filling, the remainder of the graham crackers, and, lastly, the remainder of the cream filling.
- Cowl with plastic wrap and/or aluminum foil and place within the freezer for a minimum of 4 hours or in a single day.
- Earlier than serving, permit the cake to melt within the fridge for 1 hour or at room temperature for 10–quarter-hour. Elevate the cake from the pan utilizing the overhang on the edges. Garnish with contemporary blueberries, mint, and/or lemon slices. Reduce into slices and serve chilly.
- Cowl and retailer leftovers within the fridge or within the freezer. If frozen, permit to melt once more earlier than consuming.
Notes
- Make Forward Directions: The blueberry sauce will be made as much as 3 days forward of time. The cream filling will be made as much as 2 days forward. Cowl and refrigerate each till prepared to make use of. All the cake will be assembled and frozen for as much as 3 days upfront; on the day you propose to serve it, proceed with step 7.
- Particular Instruments (affiliate hyperlinks): Glass Mixing Bowl | Whisk | Small Saucepan | Zester | Citrus Juicer | 9×5-inch Loaf Pan | Electrical Mixer (Handheld or Stand) | Offset Spatula
- Tailored from Bon Appétit.
- Replace in 2026: For extra taste and construction, we added a little bit of cream cheese to the filling. To make this recipe the way in which it was initially revealed, skip the cream cheese, and whip all the cream filling components (minus the graham crackers and garnishes) collectively for 3–4 minutes or till medium peaks kind.
