Indulge in the Easiest No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Cake

Experience pure bliss with this simple, yet incredibly decadent Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Cake. Crafted with a perfectly buttery graham cracker crust and a luscious, two-ingredient strawberry and cheesecake filling, this dessert promises to be the easiest and most delicious ice cream cake you’ll ever make!

Craving more frozen delights? Explore some of our other popular ice cream cake recipes: try our irresistible Oreo Ice Cream Cake, the delightful Ice Cream Sandwich Cake, or these refreshing Mint Ice Cream Bars.

Unveiling the Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Cake Sensation

Here at our kitchen, our love for ice cream cakes and frozen bars is no secret. We’ve explored countless variations, but this Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Cake marks a delightful milestone as our very first fruity-flavored ice cream cake, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the outcome! It’s a true celebration of summer flavors, encapsulated in a perfectly chilled, creamy dessert.

Every single bite of this exquisite cake bursts with intense strawberry flavor, harmoniously blended with luscious, rich, and creamy cheesecake ripples throughout. What makes this dessert truly exceptional? It requires absolutely no baking, and the entire assembly process comes together in mere minutes. It’s an effortlessly easy dessert that nonetheless stands as a complete show-stopper. Prepare for your guests to be utterly convinced you spent hours perfecting this masterpiece; its impressive taste speaks for itself!

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This No-Bake Ice Cream Cake

Unbelievably Easy: With a straightforward, no-bake method, this recipe is perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike. Say goodbye to oven worries!
Minimal Ingredients: The star of the show – the filling – comes together with just two key ingredients, simplifying your grocery list and prep time.
Crowd-Pleasing Flavors: The classic combination of sweet strawberries and creamy cheesecake is universally loved, making this cake a guaranteed hit at any gathering.
Perfect for Summer: A chilled, refreshing dessert is ideal for warm weather, offering a delightful escape from the heat.
Impressive Presentation: Despite its simplicity, this cake looks stunning, making it perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any special occasion.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare it in advance and store it in the freezer, allowing for stress-free entertaining.

The Two-Ingredient Filling: A Taste of Perfection

You read that correctly – only two ingredients are needed for the spectacularly rich and creamy filling of this ice cream cake. It truly doesn’t get much simpler than this! Because the ingredient list is so minimal, the quality of each component becomes paramount. Opting for the best available brands will undoubtedly elevate the flavor of your ice cream cake, transforming it into an unforgettable dessert experience. Below are our personal recommendations, based purely on taste preference (not sponsored):

Tillamook® Oregon Strawberry Ice Cream: This particular ice cream stands out for its exceptionally creamy texture, perfect sweetness, and an intensely authentic strawberry flavor. What truly makes it shine are the generous chunks of real strawberry pieces embedded within, which not only enhance the taste but also make each slice visually more enticing and vibrant. For this recipe, you will typically need about 1 and a half containers of this specific brand to achieve the ideal volume and flavor profile.
SaraLee® Classic Cheesecake: After experimenting with several different brands of frozen cheesecakes, SaraLee® Classic Cheesecake consistently emerges as the top choice. Its smooth, dense texture is ideal for mixing into the ice cream without disintegrating. Crucially, it lacks a whipped cream topping, which is vital for this recipe’s success (see our quick tip below). It also cuts up beautifully, ensuring uniform pieces that ripple perfectly through the strawberry ice cream.

Quick Tip: Choosing Your Cheesecake

Many frozen cheesecakes come with a pre-applied layer of whipped cream on top. While delicious on its own, this whipped layer doesn’t work well for our ice cream cake filling. It tends to melt too quickly and doesn’t blend nicely, leading to a less desirable texture in your final dessert. For the best results, always choose frozen cheesecakes that are plain, without any whipped or frozen whipped cream toppings.

Crafting the Perfect Graham Cracker Crust

Our signature graham cracker crust is a foundational element of this Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Cake. It’s wonderfully sweet, incredibly buttery, and consistently bakes to perfection every single time. A great crust provides the perfect crunchy contrast to the creamy filling. Here are a few essential tips to ensure your crust is nothing short of amazing:

Allow Melted Butter to Cool: This step is crucial and often overlooked. Once your butter is melted, it’s absolutely vital to let it cool down to room temperature before combining it with the other crust ingredients. If the butter is hot, it will prematurely melt the sugar and graham cracker crumbs. This results in a greasy, crumbly crust that won’t hold its shape as well and can leave an oily residue. A cool butter ensures a perfectly crumbly, yet cohesive, base.
Accurate Measurement of Crumbs: While it might seem easier to just count out graham cracker sheets and toss them into a blender or food processor, there can be considerable variations in size and thickness between different crackers and brands. For a truly fool-proof crust that’s consistently perfect, always measure your graham cracker crumbs after they’ve been processed. This guarantees the correct ratio of crumbs to butter and sugar, leading to optimal texture and stability.
Thoroughly Blend Graham Crackers: To achieve a smooth, even crust that slices beautifully, it’s important to blend the graham crackers until they are transformed into very fine, uniform crumbs. Any large chunks of graham cracker can create an uneven texture and make clean slicing difficult. If you notice any larger pieces after initial blending, simply add them back to the blender or food processor and process again until they are completely fine.

Delightful Topping Ideas for Your Ice Cream Cake

While the Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Cake is truly delicious and complete on its own without any extra garnishes, adding toppings can elevate its presentation and offer an additional layer of flavor and texture. So, don’t feel pressured to add them, but if you’re looking to add that extra special touch, we absolutely adore whipped cream and fresh strawberries. For those feeling a little extra indulgent, sugared strawberries are a fantastic choice!

Whipped Cream: For ultimate convenience and speed, a store-bought spray whipped topping works perfectly and adds a light, airy finish. Alternatively, for a more gourmet touch, you can easily make your own fresh whipped cream. Simply add a generous dollop to each individual slice just before serving. If you’re new to making homemade whipped cream, we have a helpful tutorial on how to make perfect whipped cream.
Fresh Strawberries: A classic and elegant choice. Simply hull a fresh strawberry (remove the stem), slice it in half, and place it delicately on top of the whipped cream dollop. The vibrant red color provides a beautiful visual contrast.
Sugared Strawberries: To take your strawberry garnish up a notch, quickly prepare some sugared strawberries. These offer a slightly sweeter, juicier burst of flavor. A spoonful atop the whipped cream will impress your guests. Learn how to make them in our quick tip box below.

Quick Tip: Making Sugared Strawberries

To create simple yet delicious sugared strawberries, combine 1 and 1/2 cups of fresh, thinly sliced strawberries with 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest, and 3 tablespoons of white granulated sugar in a small bowl. Gently toss all ingredients together to coat the strawberries evenly. Let the mixture stand at room temperature for about 5 minutes, then toss again. Allow it to sit for another 5 minutes to let the juices release. Toss one final time before spooning these flavorful strawberries on top of the whipped cream on individual slices of your Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Cake.

Storage Tips for Your Ice Cream Cake

Proper storage is key to enjoying your Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Cake for as long as possible while maintaining its delicious texture and flavor. Here’s how to handle it:

Once the cake is completely firm, you can slice and enjoy it immediately. Serve it plain or with any of the optional toppings mentioned above.
Important Note on Toppings for Leftovers: Do not add any optional toppings (like whipped cream or sugared strawberries) to slices of the ice cream cake that you anticipate will be leftover. Toppings can degrade in quality when refrozen, affecting both texture and taste upon thawing.
Promptly return any leftover slices to the freezer. Ensure they are covered tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn and absorb odors. Properly stored, your leftover ice cream cake can be kept in the freezer for up to one month.

Quick Tip: Achieving Clean Slices

For perfectly clean, neat slices of your ice cream cake, employ this simple trick: run a large, sharp knife under very hot water for a few seconds. Wipe the knife completely dry with a clean towel, then make one slice. Repeat this process – running under hot water, wiping dry, and slicing – for each subsequent slice. This prevents the ice cream from sticking and creates beautiful, smooth cuts.

Explore More Delicious Frozen Treats

If you’ve enjoyed this delightful ice cream cake, you’ll love exploring our other frozen dessert recipes. Perfect for cooling down on a hot day or satisfying a sweet craving, our collection offers a variety of treats for every palate:

Cookie Dough Ice Cream Bars: Featuring a delightful cookie dough crust for an extra layer of indulgence.
Homemade Gelato: Learn to make two distinct, creamy flavors right in your own kitchen.
Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches: A playful and delicious dessert served with a decadent chocolate sauce.
Simple Vanilla Frozen Yogurt Recipe: Complete with creative topping ideas for a customizable treat.
Healthy Ice Cream: A guilt-free version that surprisingly doesn’t use bananas!

Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Cake Recipe

This easy Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Cake features a buttery graham cracker crust and a creamy, two-ingredient strawberry-cheesecake filling. It’s simple to make and incredibly delicious!

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Chilling Time: 8 hours

Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes

Servings: 12 slices

Equipment

Blender or food processor
9-inch Springform pan

Ingredients

For the Graham Cracker Crust:

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1-3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs (from 12 to 13 full sheets of honey-flavored graham crackers)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt (or 1/4 teaspoon table salt)

For the Filling:

1/2 gallon (8 cups) strawberry ice cream (Tillamook’s Oregon Strawberry is highly recommended)
1 (17-ounce) prepared frozen cheesecake (see Note 1 for brand recommendation)
Toppings as desired (see Note 2)

Instructions

Prepare the Graham Cracker Crust: Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Once melted, set it aside to cool for at least 5 minutes. (Using hot butter will result in a greasy crust.) In a blender or food processor, process the graham crackers until they form fine crumbs; reblend any large chunks to ensure uniformity. Measure out 1 and 3/4 cups of crumbs and transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Add the granulated sugar and salt. Pour all of the cooled, melted butter into the bowl. Gently stir with a wooden spoon until all ingredients are well combined and moist.
Form the Crust: Pour the graham cracker mixture into a 9-inch springform pan. Press the crumbs firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan and about 1/2 inch up the sides. Use the flat bottom of a measuring cup or a glass to thoroughly compress the graham cracker crumbs, creating a very firm and compact crust. Place the prepared crust into the freezer while you prepare the pie filling.
Soften the Ice Cream: Allow the strawberry ice cream to soften slightly at room temperature for about 5 to 10 minutes. The exact time will depend on your kitchen’s temperature. It should be soft enough to scoop and mix, but not overly melty, as excessively melted ice cream can become icy when refrozen. Scoop the softened ice cream into a very large mixing bowl.
Prepare the Cheesecake: Remove the prepared frozen cheesecake from its packaging. Using a sharp knife, chop the cheesecake into approximately 1/2-inch pieces or cubes. Add these cheesecake pieces directly onto the softened strawberry ice cream in the large bowl.
Combine Filling Ingredients: Using a sturdy wooden spoon or spatula, gently mix the ice cream and cheesecake pieces until they are just integrated. Be careful not to overmix; it’s perfectly fine and desirable to have visible chunks of cheesecake rippled throughout the strawberry ice cream, contributing to both texture and flavor.
Assemble and Freeze the Cake: Pour the combined ice cream and cheesecake mixture over the prepared graham cracker crust in the springform pan. Use the back of the wooden spoon or a spatula to gently press the mixture down, forming an even layer across the crust. Smooth the top surface of the cake with a spatula. Cover the springform pan tightly with plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Place the cake in the freezer to set for a minimum of 8 hours, or until it is completely firm.
Serve and Enjoy: Once the ice cream cake is fully firm, carefully remove it from the springform pan. To achieve clean, professional-looking slices, run a sharp knife under hot water for a few seconds, wipe it completely dry, make one slice, and then repeat this hot water-wipe-slice process for each subsequent cut. Serve the cake as is, or with your choice of optional toppings (such as a spray of whipped topping or a dollop of fresh whipped cream, garnished with fresh or sugared strawberries – see Note 2). Enjoy immediately! Remember, do not add any toppings to slices that will be stored as leftovers. Promptly return any leftover cake, tightly covered, to the freezer.

Recipe Notes

Note 1 (Cheesecake Selection): For this recipe, we recommend using a SaraLee frozen cheesecake. You can typically find it in the frozen dessert aisle of most grocery stores. Ensure it’s an original or classic style without any pre-applied whipped cream.
Note 2 (Optional Toppings): Enhance your ice cream cake with these optional toppings:
- Spray Whipped Topping: For convenience, use a store-bought can.
- Fresh Whipped Cream: For a richer taste, make your own.
- Fresh Strawberries: Sliced or halved for a simple, vibrant garnish.
- Sugared Strawberries: To make, combine 1-1/2 cups fresh sliced strawberries, 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and 3 tablespoons granulated sugar in a small bowl. Toss gently. Let stand at room temperature for 5 minutes, toss again, and let stand for 5 more minutes. Toss once more, then spoon over individual slices.
Storage: To ensure your ice cream cake remains delicious, do not add any optional toppings to portions intended for storage. Return any leftover cake, covered tightly with plastic wrap and then foil, to the freezer. It will keep well for up to one month.

Nutrition Information

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

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