Grandma’s Icebox Cake
Our grandma’s staple summer dessert – icebox cake with simple layers of graham crackers and vanilla pudding, topped with Cool Whip and graham cracker crumbs.
A couple of weekends ago, we were doing some cleaning up in the kitchen when all of a sudden we started craving our grandma’s icebox cake. The thought came crashing into our head like Grover flies into a scene on Sesame Street (this is life right now), and we couldn’t shake it, so we made it a few days later for our Sunday dinner and it totally tasted like we were sitting at our grandma’s house.
This icebox cake was one of her specialties for as long as we can remember, and from what we understand, something she had been making since our mom was a little girl. It’s a simple dessert with simple ingredients, but it’s one of those feel-good dishes that excites you when you see it sitting on the table. It epitomizes the notion that food doesn’t always have to be fancy or made to impress, but it should make people feel comfortable.
This is a straight-up old-fashioned, classic icebox cake. We've made a ton of icebox cakes in the past, but this one is a total throwback to a simple graham cracker + pudding icebox cake. No crazy flavors, no fancy layers, nothing but graham crackers, vanilla pudding, and Cool Whip.
One of a standby things about this dessert is that you can make it with any flavors that tickle your fancy (or that you currently have in your pantry). We usually had it either with all vanilla pudding or with one layer of chocolate and one layer of vanilla. With all of the new flavors abounding for instant pudding (as well graham crackers!), you could go crazy with a lot of different options.
When we served this on Sunday and heard more than one person say, “it tastes just like Grandma’s,” our heart was full of joy.
One year ago: At-home Pizza Hut Breadsticks
Four years ago: Frozen Brownie Sundae
Five years ago: Chocolate Salted Caramel Cupcakes
Grandma's Icebox Cake
Yield: 12 servings Our grandma's staple summer dessert - icebox cake with simple layers of graham crackers and vanilla pudding, topped with Cool Whip and graham cracker crumbs.- 10.2 ounce (289.17 g) box instant vanilla pudding mix
- 6 cups (1.46 l) milk
- 14.4 ounce (408.23 g) box graham crackers (approximately)
- 8 ounce (226.8 g) container Cool Whip
- In a large bowl, whisk together the pudding mix with the milk for 2 minutes. Set aside for 5 minutes to thicken.
- Line the bottom of a 9x13-inch pan with graham crackers (you may need to use halves or quarters to fill in spots).
- Spread half of the pudding over the layer of graham crackers. Add another layer of graham crackers on top of the pudding, then spread with the remaining pudding. Top with a final layer of graham crackers and spread the Cool Whip evenly over top. Crush 1 graham cracker into crumbs and sprinkle over the Cool Whip.
- Cover and refrigerate until cold and set, about 3 hours, or overnight. Leftovers should be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
- You may not use all of the graham crackers in the box, that's okay.
This recipe was originally published on February 10, 2010.
- Yield: 12 servings
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Total: 3 hours 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 10.2 ounce ( 289.17 g ) box instant vanilla pudding mix
- 6 cups ( 1.46 l ) milk
- 14.4 ounce ( 408.23 g ) box graham crackers (approximately)
- 8 ounce ( 226.8 g ) container Cool Whip
Method
- In a large bowl, whisk together the pudding mix with the milk for 2 minutes. Set aside for 5 minutes to thicken.
- Line the bottom of a 9x13-inch pan with graham crackers (you may need to use halves or quarters to fill in spots).
- Spread half of the pudding over the layer of graham crackers. Add another layer of graham crackers on top of the pudding, then spread with the remaining pudding. Top with a final layer of graham crackers and spread the Cool Whip evenly over top. Crush 1 graham cracker into crumbs and sprinkle over the Cool Whip.
- Cover and refrigerate until cold and set, about 3 hours, or overnight. Leftovers should be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
You may not use all of the graham crackers in the box, that's okay.
This recipe was originally published on February 10, 2010.
