Ice Cream Cake (Print Version)

A delicious no-bake dessert combining vanilla ice cream, graham crackers and fresh strawberries in impressive yet simple layers.

# Ingredients:

01 - 2 cups heavy cream
02 - ½ cup powdered sugar
03 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
04 - 18-20 graham crackers
05 - 2-3 pints vanilla ice cream
06 - 1 cup strawberry jam
07 - 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
08 - Whipped cream to serve
09 - Fresh strawberries to serve

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
03 - Arrange a layer of graham crackers in the bottom of the pan. Spread half of the vanilla ice cream over the crackers.
04 - Add half of the whipped cream, swirling in half of the strawberry jam and half of the sliced strawberries.
05 - Repeat with another layer of graham crackers, followed by the remaining ice cream and whipped cream. Swirl in the remaining jam and scatter more strawberries on top.
06 - Cover the cake with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 4 hours, or until firm. Remove from the freezer and lift the cake out using the parchment paper.
07 - Let it sit for 5 minutes before slicing. Top with whipped cream and fresh strawberries before serving.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Lining the Pan Properly: Don’t skip the parchment paper. It helps you lift the entire cake out of the pan without any sticking or breaking.
02 - Soft Peaks Are Key: Whip the cream until soft peaks form—not stiff. This keeps the texture light and makes it easy to layer.
03 - Layer Neatly: Keep each layer even so the cake slices well. Press the graham crackers gently into place so they hold together as the base.
04 - Soften the Ice Cream Slightly: Let your ice cream sit out for about 5–10 minutes before spreading. It makes layering much easier and won’t tear up the graham crackers.
05 - Swirl Gently: When you add the jam, don’t mix it too much. A few swirls with a butter knife give you that pretty marbled effect without losing the flavor contrast.
06 - Freeze Until Firm: Give it plenty of time in the freezer to set fully. This is what helps the layers hold together when you slice.
07 - Warm the Knife: Run your knife under hot water and wipe it dry before cutting. It makes slicing through the frozen layers much cleaner.
08 - Add Toppings Before Serving: Add extra whipped cream and fresh berries just before serving so they look and taste their best.