Decadent Salted Caramel Icebox Cake Recipe

Irresistible Salted Caramel Icebox Cake Recipe – No Bake Wonder

Summer’s heat melts away with this decadent salted caramel icebox cake that promises pure indulgence.

No baking required, this heavenly dessert layers creamy textures and rich flavors effortlessly.

Silky caramel swirls dance between delicate layers of whipped cream and graham crackers.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of sweet and salty notes that tantalize your taste buds.

Chilled to perfection, this icebox cake offers a luxurious escape from traditional desserts.

Cool, creamy, and utterly irresistible, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a showstopping treat.

Grab your spoon and dive into a dessert that’ll become your new summer obsession.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 466 kcal

Servings: 10

What You’ll Need for Ritz Cracker Salted Caramel Icebox Cake

For Creamy Base:
  • Cream Cheese: Provides rich, tangy foundation that gives the cake its luxurious texture and depth of flavor.
  • Heavy Cream: Whips into airy, voluminous mixture that creates light and smooth consistency.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps stabilize the cream cheese mixture for perfect structure.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic undertone that enhances overall dessert complexity.
For Signature Flavor:
  • Salted Caramel Sauce: Delivers bold, decadent swirls of sweet-salty goodness that elevate the entire dessert experience.
For Crispy Layer:
  • Ritz Crackers: Supplies delightful buttery crunch and golden base that creates stunning textural contrast, select fresh, crisp crackers for maximum crackle and flavor absorption.

Essential Gear for Ritz Cracker Salted Caramel Icebox Cake

  • Mixing bowl: Large, sturdy bowl for whipping cream cheese mixture.
  • Electric mixer or whisk: Essential for beating cream cheese and cream until smooth.
  • 8×8 baking dish: Rectangular pan for layering cake components.
  • Spatula: Helpful for spreading cream cheese mixture evenly.
  • Plastic wrap: Used to cover and refrigerate the icebox cake.
  • Knife: For slicing and serving the chilled dessert.

Making Ritz Cracker Salted Caramel Icebox Cake from Scratch

  • Creamy Mixture Base

Blend softened cream cheese with whipping cream, powering sugar, and vanilla until silky and light, creating a luxurious foundation for the dessert.

  • Layering Magic

Arrange Ritz crackers in a greased baking pan, generously spreading cream cheese mixture and drizzling golden caramel sauce in alternating layers, building delicious stacks of texture and flavor.

  • Chill Time

Wrap the pan securely and rest inside refrigerator, allowing ingredients to harmonize and transform into a decadent treat over several hours or throughout the night.

  • Final Flourish

Unwrap the chilled creation and add decorative touches like extra caramel swirls, fluffy cream peaks, or crumbled crackers for a stunning presentation that delights the senses.

  • Serving Moment

Cut into elegant squares and serve directly from the cool refrigerator, offering a sublime dessert experience that combines sweet and salty notes in every delightful bite.

Extra Pointers for Ritz Cracker Salted Caramel Icebox Cake

  • Transform this dessert with these delightful tips and twists!
  • Replace Ritz with graham crackers or chocolate wafers for a different texture and flavor profile. Experiment with crispy alternatives that complement the creamy filling.
  • Sprinkle chopped pecans or toasted almonds between layers for an extra crunch and rich, nutty dimension. These additions bring depth and surprising texture to each bite.
  • Melt dark or milk chocolate and drizzle over the top before serving for a decadent chocolate-caramel combination. The rich chocolate creates a stunning visual and flavor contrast.
  • This dessert actually tastes better after 24 hours, allowing flavors to fully develop and crackers to soften perfectly. Prepare in advance for stress-free entertaining and enhanced taste.
  • During summer, freeze the dessert for a cool, ice cream-like treat that's refreshingly different from the classic refrigerated version. Serve straight from the freezer for a frosty delight.

How to Serve Ritz Cracker Salted Caramel Icebox Cake Well

  • Sweet Celebration Platter: Arrange slices on a decorative serving board with extra caramel drizzles and whole Ritz crackers scattered around for a stunning dessert presentation.
  • Decadent Dessert Companion: Pair each slice with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream to enhance the creamy caramel flavors.
  • Elegant Afternoon Tea Treat: Serve small bite-sized squares alongside hot coffee or chai tea for a delightful mid-afternoon indulgence that brings comfort and sweetness.
  • Party Perfect Garnish: Top individual servings with a sprinkle of sea salt flakes, chopped toasted pecans, or a light dusting of cocoa powder to add texture and visual appeal.

Keeping Your Ritz Cracker Salted Caramel Icebox Cake Fresh

  • Fridge-Fresh Strategies: Store this delightful icebox cake in an airtight container to maintain its creamy texture and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors.
  • Chilling Champion: Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days, keeping the cake covered tightly with plastic wrap or a sealed lid to preserve its delicious layers and prevent moisture loss.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dessert a day before serving, allowing the crackers to soften perfectly and flavors to blend beautifully, making party prep a breeze.
  • Freezing Friend: Wrap the cake securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving for best taste and texture.
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Decadent Salted Caramel Icebox Cake Recipe

Decadent Salted Caramel Icebox Cake Recipe


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4.5 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 10 1x

Description

Delightful chocolate graham cracker icebox cake marries layers of creamy richness with sweet caramel notes. Rich ingredients meld together effortlessly, creating a luxurious dessert that chills perfectly for summer celebrations you’ll savor completely.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 sleeves (48 crackers) Ritz crackers
  • 2 packages (8 oz / 226 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup (240 mL) heavy cream
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (240 mL) salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Whip Mixture: Blend cream cheese, heavy cream, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract using an electric mixer until achieving a luxurious, velvety smooth texture with zero lumps.
  2. Prepare Dish: Lightly coat an 8×8 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to ensure effortless release.
  3. First Layer Construction: Create a precise foundation by laying Ritz crackers edge-to-edge across the bottom of the prepared dish, guaranteeing complete base coverage.
  4. Cream Cheese Application: Generously spread one-third of the cream cheese mixture over crackers, creating an even, seamless blanket that completely obscures the underlying crackers.
  5. Caramel Infusion: Artfully distribute one-third of the salted caramel sauce across the cream cheese layer, ensuring uniform coverage using a spoon or squeeze bottle.
  6. Layering Technique: Repeat the strategic layering process twice more – crackers, cream cheese mixture, and caramel sauce – building architectural depth and flavor complexity.
  7. Chill and Set: Hermetically seal the dish with plastic wrap, then refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, preferably overnight, allowing flavors to harmonize and crackers to achieve a sublime, cake-like consistency.
  8. Final Flourish: Prior to serving, enhance the dessert with optional garnishes like additional caramel drizzle, freshly whipped cream, or crushed Ritz crackers for textural intrigue.
  9. Serve and Enjoy: Slice into elegant squares and present thoroughly chilled for maximum gustatory pleasure.

Notes

  • Chill for Perfection: Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow crackers to soften and flavors to meld beautifully.
  • Smooth Mixing Technique: Whip cream cheese mixture until completely smooth, eliminating any lumps for a silky, luxurious texture.
  • Layer with Precision: Create even, consistent layers to ensure each bite has a perfect balance of crackers, cream, and caramel.
  • Garnish for Wow Factor: Top with extra caramel drizzle or crushed crackers just before serving to add a delightful crunch and visual appeal.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: None
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 10
  • Calories: 466
  • Sugar: 35 g
  • Sodium: 300 mg
  • Fat: 29 g
  • Saturated Fat: 17 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 51 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Sophie Reynolds

Sophie Reynolds

Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • Home Cooking Innovation & Comfort Recipes
  • Flavor Development & Ingredient Pairing
  • Seasonal Produce Integration
  • Recipe Testing & Instructional Clarity
  • Culinary Education & Community Workshops

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO

  • Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.

Oregon State University

  • Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
  • Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.

Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café. 

Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.

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