This peach icebox cake is refreshing, delicious and easy to make. Use fresh peaches when they’re in season, or canned peaches to make this summer dessert any time of the year.
(Looking for cold peach recipes? Try this bourbon peach ice cream. So good and you don’t even need an ice cream machine to make it.)
Peach icebox cake is called many names. In the Philippines, it’s most commonly known as peach refrigerator cake.
But I’ve also heard it called a peach dream dessert, a peach melba icebox cake, or simply a peaches and cream dessert.
Whatever you know it as, peach icebox cake is a peaches and cream dream. They just go so well together!
Add graham crackers to the mix and you have an icebox cake that’s so easy to put together and looks pretty too.
It’s always a hit at potlucks, BBQs, and any time friends and family get together to enjoy these warm summer days.
Why is it called icebox cake or refrigerator cake?
According to Wikipedia, the icebox cake can trace its origins to desserts like trifles and charlottes but made simpler and more accessible for housewives to make.
It was introduced to the United States in the 1930s when companies were promoting the icebox (or a cold closet) — a non mechanical refrigerator.
(Love icebox recipes? Try this lemon icebox pie!)
What makes something an icebox cake?
The answer to this question is more varied but bottomline, a cake is an icebox cake if it consists of 3 main ingredients:
- A crust that’s typically graham crackers, vanilla wafers or other cookie crumbs
- Layers of fruit, which can range from mango to strawberry to bananas and even canned fruit cocktail
- And cream, which is usually heavy cream, whipping cream or whipped topping
Plus, it doesn’t need any baking. And although it’s often called refrigerator cakes, they can also be frozen if you need it to set a little quicker.
Why you’ll love this peach refrigerator cake recipe
This peach refrigerator recipe works because:
- You make it ahead of time and serve when you’re ready
- It’s very easy to prepare and customize according to your taste or what’s available
- No baking required, which means no need for that hot oven
- The cake can easily feed a crowd and it’s always a hit with everyone
It’s certainly a delicious way to stay cool this season.
What you’ll need
Making this peach icebox cake is a breeze. It’s probably going to be the easiest peach cake you’ll ever make.
Ingredients
First, get your ingredients ready. You’ll need:
- Heavy cream (at least 36% milk fat content)
- Granulated sugar
- Graham cracker cookies
- Canned peaches in light syrup, or fresh peaches – I used to only make this recipe using fresh peaches but lately, I found myself preferring the no bake canned peach dessert version.
- Ground cinnamon, if using fresh peaches
- You can even add a splash of vanilla extract
Tools
You won’t need special tools to make this delightful peach dessert. Just the following:
- Electric mixer to whip your cream
- 8×8 inch baking dish
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
Easy recipe (with photos)
1 WHIP. In a large bowl using an electric hand mixer or using a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk heavy cream and granulated sugar to stiff peaks. Set aside. If not using immediately, chill in the fridge.
2 LAYER. Place a layer of graham crackers at the bottom of a deep 8×8 inch baking dish.
3 SPREAD. Evenly spread a heaping cup of cream mixture on top of your graham crackers.
4 ASSEMBLE. Assemble a layer of peach slices on top of that.
5 REPEAT. Repeat by covering the peaches with graham cracker cookies. Be sure to cover the entire layer; cut the cookies to fit. Then cover with another layer of cream and top with more peaches.
6 CHILL. Chill the peach icebox cake in the fridge overnight or freeze for at least 4 hours. Freezing will result to a more ice cream cake-like end product which you would have to thaw several minutes before serving. Chilling will result to a creamy, ready-to-eat cake out of the fridge.
Expert tips and recipe FAQs
Easy, right? Here are more tips and answers to your frequently asked question to make this favourite summer dessert even easier.
I refrigerate my peach icebox cake overnight to allow it to set. If you’re in a hurry, cover with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 4 hours. You want to give the cream time to absorb into the graham crackers and make them nice and soft.
Icebox cakes will last up to 2 days in the fridge. It won’t go bad after this necessarily; just remember that the longer it sits, the mushier the graham crackers will get so best to consume as soon as you can.
I usually just chill my icebox cakes in the fridge overnight. When I’m ready to serve, I just bring it out and slice.
The cake slices are not perfect but the cake is creamy and delicious.
However, feel free to freeze them. Just note that if you do: treat it like how you would ice cream cake — thaw a little before serving. And note that the fruit will be frozen too.
I prefer using canned peaches in this icebox cake recipe because they’re more flavourful and packed with nutrients. And being the lazy baker that I am, I don’t want to deal with peeling and slicing the peaches lol.
However, when fresh peaches are in season, I can definitely understand how hard it is to resist buying a whole lot of them. So yes, you can absolutely use fresh peaches in this recipe.
Just make sure to pick ripe but firm peaches, peel, slice into wedges and toss them in cinnamon for added flavour.
Whipping cream and heavy cream are essentially the same but differ in their milk fat content. Whipping cream contains 30-35% while heavy cream has at least 36%.
This is the reason heavy cream whips better and holds its shape longer than whipping cream.
Whipping cream will still whip well but will have a lighter, more pillowy texture that tends to lose its shape and become liquid again the longer it sits.
I prefer heavy cream for my icebox cakes but you can certainly use whipping cream in a pinch. Just expect a slightly softer texture to your cake and your cake slices might not hold its shape as long as you’d like.
Yes, you can use ready-made whipped cream to make peach refrigerator cake. I personally like the taste and texture of homemade whipped cream though so I always make my own.
And it’s so easy! This homemade whipped cream recipe only takes 15 minutes.
Graham fruit cakes
Icebox cakes are so easy to customize. Some recipes use sponge cakes or ladyfingers instead of graham crackers. Other include mascarpone cheese in the mix.
I tend to stick to the classic graham cracker-whipped cream-fruit combo. Try these recipes and see which one is your favourite.
Strawberry refrigerator cake (or the Filipino version of strawberry icebox cake) has a secret ingredient — condensed milk! It’s sweet, creamy and perfect on a warm sunny day.
Mango graham cake is another popular dessert in the Philippines. Also called mango float, it’s cold, sweet and so easy to make. Just layer graham crackers, sweetened cream, mangoes and enjoy.
This cake mix peach cobbler is another easy and delicious peach dessert you’ll enjoy!
Happy no baking!
Did you make this creamy peach icebox cake? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.
Peach Icebox Cake (Peach Refrigerator Cake)
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- graham cracker cookies see notes
- 1 27-oz can canned peaches in light syrup sliced to wedges
If using fresh peaches
- 2 lbs ripe but firm peaches peeled and sliced into wedges, see notes
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- In a large bowl using an electric hand mixer or using a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk 2 cups heavy cream and 2 tbsp sugar to stiff peaks. Set aside. If not using immediately, chill in the fridge.
- Place a layer of graham crackers at the bottom of a deep 8×8 inch baking dish.
- Evenly spread a heaping cup of cream mixture on top of your graham crackers.
- Assemble a layer of peach slices on top of that.
- Repeat by covering the peaches with graham cracker cookies. Be sure to cover the entire layer; cut the cookies to fit. Then cover with another layer of cream and top with more peaches.
- Chill the peach icebox cake in the fridge overnight or freeze for at least 4 hours (see notes).
Video
Notes
- The graham crackers I use are squares (see post for complete step-by-step photos). I used a total of 21 cookies to fill my 8×8 inch baking dish.
- If using fresh peaches, toss the peach wedges in cinnamon before assembling your cake.
- Freezing will result to a more ice cream cake-like end product which you would have to thaw several minutes before serving. Chilling will result to a creamy, ready-to-eat cake out of the fridge.
- See post for lots of tips and FAQs.
Nutrition
Nutritional information are estimates only.
Karly
This is the ultimate summertime dessert! Sweet and creamy and just peachy for BBQs…. or for a treat yo’self day. I’m lovin’ this!
Jolina
It is isn’t it? Just need to eat it fast outdoors before it melts! (Though that’s not too bad too!) Thanks Karly!
Borka
Dreamy, creamy and delicious is a perfect way to describe them! I love peaches,so juicy! Thank you for your recipe.
Ana De- Jesus
I love that this peach cake is no bake which is brilliant because it makes your job so much easier! Love the photos .
Jolina
Ah yes, no-bake desserts are made for summer! Thanks Ana!
Mary
This looks so yummy! I’d want to make the whipped cream from scratch though. Just something so amazing about it!
Jolina
Homemade whipped cream is the best 🙂 Way better than store-bought. Thanks Mary!
Elizabeth
What a delightful and perfect summer time treat! What got me even more excited is the fact that there is no sugar added. Yummy!
Lisa Favre
My father would adore this cake! He loves anything involving peaches. I love even the simple icing work you put to this icebox cake – so simple yet so sophisticated-looking!
Jolina
Aw thanks Lisa! Hope you get to make this for your dad and hope you both like it!
Elizabeth O.
I love fresh peaches too, it’s really delightful and you really can’t help but make the most of it this summer. This is pretty cool. It’s easy to make and you don’t have to fire up the oven!
Jolina
Yes. Tis the season when it’s too hot for a hot kitchen! 🙂 Thanks Elizabeth!
Peter
The peaches look wonderful. Your creation is so fun and I want to dive right in.
Jolina
Hi Peter! Thanks a lot 🙂 Hope you get to try the recipe while all these gorgeous peaches are around!
Annemarie
It is definitely the time of year for no bake desserts! And for peaches. We have so many yummy peaches here and this cake would be perfect for them.
Jolina
Yes it is! We are having a most wonderful summer. Hope you are too 🙂 (I’m kinda getting peach envy with all your yummy peaches now lol)
Amanda
Peaches and cinnamon are a match made in heaven. This looks delicious!
Jolina
They absolutely are 🙂 Add cream and I really go nuts lol. Thanks Amanda!
Susan
Oh, this looks wonderful! Especially as peaches are in such abundance now. Definitely trying!
Jolina
Thanks a lot Susan! Peaches are just so wonderful this time of the year aren’t they? 🙂 Hope you like this! Would love to hear how it goes.
Tara
Love refrigerator cake! This variation looks amazing. So refreshing and perfect for summer.
Cindy
Can you believe that I have never made icebox cake? This needs to change and I think I’ll start with this delicious looking recipe!
Jolina
Hi Cindy! Oh you must! They are so easy and quick and perfect for summer. I’m sure you can make a dairy-free or vegetarian version too 🙂
Natasha
Love the look of this! I made an icebox cake the other week and it’s so easy. I am so not a baker so this is right up my alley.
Jolina
Thanks Natasha! Aren’t they great? So quick and easy and delicious! Really perfect for summer. What kind did you make?
Natasha
A Rainbow Chips Ahoy (cookie from my childhood) one 🙂
Jolina
Nice! Sounds delicious 🙂
Dawn
I’ve never made an icebox cake before. I don’t know why ’cause this looks delish! Peaches are such a Summer fruit and I love how you made the crust a little thicker. Gives a nice contrast to the cake component. Beautifully decorated too, Jolina! Have a great upcoming weekend 🙂
Jolina
Hi Dawn! Icebox cakes are my mom’s specialty I guess. Too hot to keep the oven on all the time I suppose. She would make all sorts though never with fresh peaches (just canned!) because we don’t get them back home. Thanks for your sweet comments as always. Happy Saturday!