Ina Garten’s Zesty Lemon Icebox Cake Recipe: Summer’s Joy

Lemon icebox cake transforms ordinary ingredients into a sublime dessert that whisks you away to cool, refreshing moments.

Creamy layers promise intense citrus brightness with luxurious textures that melt effortlessly on your palate.

Summer’s most sophisticated treat combines elegant simplicity and remarkable depth of flavor.

Each spoonful delivers a delicate balance between tangy zestiness and smooth, velvety richness.

Minimal preparation belies the sophisticated results waiting to tantalize your taste buds.

This no-bake marvel requires just a few quality ingredients and some strategic chilling time.

Minimal kitchen skills guarantee spectacular results that will impress even discerning dessert enthusiasts: prepare to elevate your sweet game.

Why Ina Garten’s Lemon Icebox Cake Is a Star

• Craft Effortless Elegance: This no-bake dessert delivers sophisticated flavor without complicated techniques, making it perfect for home cooks seeking impressive results with minimal effort.
• Burst with Bright Citrus Charm: Lemon zest and fresh lemon juice create a vibrant, tangy profile that cuts through the rich cream, offering a refreshing twist on traditional desserts.
• Create Dreamy Layered Texture: The combination of crisp shortbread cookies and silky whipped cream develops a luxurious mouthfeel that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary dessert experience.
• Chill and Forget Convenience: With just 10 minutes of prep and a hands-off 4-hour refrigeration, this recipe provides a stress-free dessert solution that's ideal for advance party planning or last-minute gatherings.

What You’ll Need for the Icebox Treat

• Heavy Cream: Rich base for creating light and fluffy whipped cream texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps stabilize whipped cream.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, subtle background flavor.

• Lemon Juice: Brings bright, tangy citrus notes to the dessert.
• Lemon Zest: Adds intense, fresh lemon flavor and aromatic elements.
• Pudding Powder: Helps stabilize whipped cream and adds creamy consistency.

• Shortbread Cookies: Provides classic, buttery foundation for layered dessert, best when crisp and high-quality.

Assembling Lemon Icebox Cake Like Ina

Step 1: Whip Creamy Lemon Delight

In a large mixing bowl, combine heavy cream, powdered sugar, instant pudding mix, vanilla extract, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest. Using an electric mixer with a whisk attachment, beat the mixture on high speed until it forms stiff, fluffy peaks that hold their shape beautifully.

Step 2: Create the Cake Base

Grab a 9×13 inch baking dish and spread a thin, even layer of the whipped cream mixture across the bottom, creating a smooth foundation for your icebox cake.

Step 3: Layer Delicious Cookies

Arrange a single layer of shortbread cookies over the cream base, covering the entire surface. Gently spread one-third of the remaining whipped cream mixture evenly over the cookies.

Step 4: Build Delectable Layers

• Add another layer of shortbread cookies
• Top with another third of the whipped cream
• Sprinkle with additional fresh lemon zest for extra brightness

Step 5: Chill and Set

Cover the baking dish completely with plastic wrap. Refrigerate the icebox cake for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight, allowing the cookies to soften and the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the cake from the refrigerator just before serving. Slice into squares and serve chilled. The creamy, lemony dessert will be a refreshing treat that melts in your mouth with each delightful bite.

Tips to Get That Creamy Texture

• Squeeze Fresh Lemons: Hand-squeeze lemons moments before mixing to capture the brightest, most vibrant citrus flavor that bottled juice can't match.
• Whip Cold Cream Carefully: Refrigerate heavy cream and mixing bowl beforehand, then whip slowly to create stable, cloud-like peaks without turning grainy.
• Select Premium Shortbread: Grab Lorna Doone cookies for their rich, buttery texture that perfectly complements the tangy lemon cream.
• Patience Pays Off: Allow the cake to rest in the refrigerator for a minimum of 4 hours, letting flavors meld and texture soften into a dreamy, elegant dessert.
• Make Ahead Magic: This icebox cake actually improves overnight, making it an ideal make-ahead dessert for stress-free entertaining.

Icebox Cake Storage Solutions

• Sealed Container Method: Transfer cake to an airtight glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Prevents moisture loss and preserves the delicate cream layers while blocking potential refrigerator odors from seeping into the dessert.
• Plastic Wrap Technique: Carefully wrap entire cake or individual slices in high-quality plastic wrap, ensuring complete coverage. Creates a protective barrier against freezer burn and maintains cake's creamy texture during storage.
• Layered Freezing Strategy: Separate cake slices with parchment paper before placing in freezer-safe container. Prevents slices from sticking together and allows easy individual portion removal without damaging the cake's delicate structure.

Fresh Ideas for a Twist on the Original

• Tropical Paradise Remix: Swap lemon for passion fruit and sprinkle toasted coconut flakes between layers for a vibrant island-inspired dessert.
• Berry Bliss Edition: Replace lemon zest with fresh raspberries and add a thin layer of raspberry preserves between cookie and cream layers for extra fruity richness.
• Chocolate Lovers' Dream: Substitute shortbread with chocolate wafer cookies and mix cocoa powder into the whipped cream for an indulgent chocolate version of the classic icebox cake.
• Nutty Caramel Crunch: Drizzle salted caramel sauce between layers and sprinkle chopped roasted almonds for a crunchy, sweet-and-salty transformation.

Sweet Finish to Lemon Cake

Legendary baker Ina Garten’s lemon icebox cake whispers summer’s sweetness through delicate layers of creamy clouds and crisp shortbread.

Subtle lemon notes dance across palates, creating a refreshing dessert that promises cool comfort.

Mediterranean-inspired zesty hints elevate this simple yet elegant treat beyond ordinary confections.

Silky whipped cream transforms humble ingredients into a sophisticated culinary experience that lingers delightfully.

Chilled perfection awaits after patient hours of anticipation, rewarding bakers with each luxurious spoonful.

Summer memories sparkle through this delightful dessert – share its magic, snap a photo, and spread pure lemony joy with friends near and far.

White Chocolate Lemon Truffles Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Creamy white chocolate meets zesty lemon in these irresistible truffles that dance between sweet and tangy. Silky ganache centers rolled in powdered sugar promise a delightful moment of pure indulgence you’ll savor with each delicate bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) white chocolate morsels
• 4 tablespoons (60 grams) butter
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) heavy cream

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 zest from lemon
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) lemon extract
• Optional: a few drops of yellow food dye

Coating Ingredient:

• ¼ cup (30 grams) confectioners’ sugar

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Arrange of white chocolate chips in a medium-sized mixing bowl, creating a foundation for the truffles.
2. Melt of unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, incorporating freshly grated lemon zest to infuse a vibrant citrus essence. Blend in of heavy whipping cream, heating until delicate bubbles emerge around the edges, signaling the perfect temperature.
3. Strain the hot butter and cream mixture through a fine-mesh sieve directly over the white chocolate chips, eliminating any zest fragments. Add of lemon extract and optional yellow food coloring (2-3 drops) for visual appeal. Gently fold until the chocolate transforms into a smooth, glossy consistency.
4. Seal the bowl completely with plastic wrap or a tight-fitting lid; refrigerate for approximately 30 minutes, allowing the mixture to firm up and become manageable.
5. Using a teaspoon, portion out small amounts of the chilled mixture. Swiftly roll each portion between your palms, creating uniform bite-sized spheres without allowing them to soften excessively.
6. Prepare a shallow dish with of powdered sugar. Thoroughly coat each truffle, ensuring an even, delicate sugar layer envelops the entire surface.
7. Transfer the sugar-dusted truffles onto a parchment-lined tray. Return to the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes, enabling flavor integration and optimal texture development.
8. Elegantly display these delectable treats on a decorative serving plate or package them as thoughtful gifts. Serve chilled or at room temperature, complementing beverages like tea or coffee, or as a sophisticated dessert accompaniment.

Notes

• Preserve these delightful truffles in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to one week, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor retention.
• Gift packaging transforms these lemon-infused white chocolate bites into elegant homemade treats perfect for special occasions or spontaneous sweet surprises.
• Rolling techniques matter – work quickly with cool hands to prevent melting and maintain smooth, perfectly rounded truffle shapes.
• Experiment with alternative coatings like finely ground coconut, crushed graham crackers, or additional powdered sugar for diverse textural experiences.
• Lemon zest provides intense citrus essence, contributing bright, tangy notes that beautifully complement the rich, creamy white chocolate base.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 152 kcal
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 30mg
• Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 17g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: <1g
• Cholesterol: 15mg