Home » Cakes » Chocolate Peanut Butter Icebox Cake
by Danielle on Jul 25, 2016 (updated May 20, 2021) 33 comments »
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5 from 3 ratings
Layers of chocolate graham crackersanda creamypeanut butter filling topped off with whipped cream and mini peanut butter cups! This Peanut ButterChocolate Icebox Cake is an easy and delicious no-bake dessert.
So, I celebrated my 28th birthday last Friday. The whole getting close to 30 thing is starting to feel real you guys. Luckily, I had the day off and spent time with Josh and my family.
When it comes to birthdays,my family never really celebrates with traditional birthday cakes. We almost always end up with a cheesecake at every birthday celebration. I love cheesecake though, so I’m not complaining at all! This year my mom made a churro cheesecake, it was absolutely delicious and totally hit the spot.
Next year, I’m thinking I may make this peanut butter chocolate icebox cake for my birthday?? Because believe it or not, July 22nd also happened to be the hottest day so far this year in Arkansas. Not a fan.. at all.
This is a great dessert that you can easily make ahead of time. Since the icebox cakewill need to be refrigeratedfor at least 5-6 hours, it’s perfectto make the night before. Plus, it’s completely no-bake! Yay for not turning on the oven when it’s 100 degrees outside!
Recipe Ingredients
This is such an easy no bake dessert with a short ingredients list. To make the chocolate peanut butter icebox cake, you’ll need the following basic ingredients:
- Cream cheese:I recommend using full-fat, brick-style cream cheese to make this recipe.
- Peanut butter:A no-stir peanut butter brand like Jif or Skippy works best to make the peanut butter filling.
- Vanilla extract:Pure vanilla extract is always my go-to.
- Powdered sugar:Sweetens the peanut butter filling without making it grainy.
- Heavy whipping cream:Needs to be at least 36% fat.
- Graham crackers:I used chocolate graham crackers, but you could use honey graham crackers if desired.
- Peanut butter cups:Mini peanut butter cups are the perfect topping on this chocolate icebox cake!
How to Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Icebox Cake
If you’re not familiar with icebox cakes, they’re really one of the best no-bake desserts ever. There are a lot ofdifferent variations of icebox cakes, but I used chocolate graham crackers and a peanut butter filling in this one.
The peanut butter filling has cream cheese in it, but you can’t really taste it too much. I found that the cream cheese helps to create a firmer layer for the peanut butter filling. To the peanut butter and cream cheese, you’ll need to mix in the vanilla and powdered sugar.
Then, you layer everything in a pan, top it with some whipped cream and miniature peanut butter cups, and refrigerate it.
After a few hours, the filling sets up so it’s easy to slice into and the graham crackers kind of soften. Trust me when I say that thisis an absolutely delicious dessert!
Baking Tips
- You can easily use a different flavor of graham crackers or use another type of cookie, like Oreos, in this recipe. I made another variation with vanilla graham crackers and took the peanut butter out of the filling for 4th of July.
- Icebox cakes are best enjoyed within 48 hours of making them.
- I store my icebox cakes in the fridge, not the freezer, so I can’t speak to whether or not this dessert can be frozen.
More No-Bake Desserts to Make!
- No-Bake S’mores Cheesecake
- No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake
- Classic No-Bake Cheesecake
- No-Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake
- No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Peanut Butter Chocolate Icebox Cake
5 from 3 ratings
Prep Time: 6 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Total Time: 6 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Layers of chocolate graham crackers and a creamy peanut butter filling topped off with whipped cream and mini peanut butter cups! This Peanut Butter Chocolate Icebox Cake is an easy and delicious no-bake dessert.
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Ingredients
Servings: 9 pieces
For the icebox cake:
- 8 ounces cream cheese , softened
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 13-15 full-sheet chocolate graham crackers (use more or less as needed)
For the topping:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup mini peanut butter cups
- 1 chocolate graham cracker , crushed
Instructions
To make the icebox cake:
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, or in a large mixing bowl using a hand-held mixer, mix together the cream cheese and peanut butter until smooth.
Add in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
Slowly add in the heavy whipping cream and continue mixing on medium-high speed until the mixture has thickened and soft peaks form.
In the bottom of an 8-inch square baking pan, make a single layer with the chocolate graham crackers, breaking them up as needed to fit in the pan. It's best to try and use as many full-sheets of graham crackers as you can. I usually use about 4.5 graham crackers for each layer.
Scoop out half of the peanut butter filling and smooth it out on top of the chocolate graham crackers. Add another single layer of chocolate graham crackers on top of the filling, then add the remaining peanut butter filling and smooth it out. Top with one more single layer of chocolate graham crackers and set aside.
To make the topping:
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, or in a large mixing bowl using a hand-held mixer, add the other cup of heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract and mix on medium-high speed until soft peaks form.
Scoop the whipped cream out on top of the chocolate graham crackers and smooth it out into one even layer. Top with the miniature peanut butter cups and crushed chocolate graham crackers.
Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 5-6 hours. Remove from the refrigerator, slice into pieces and enjoy!
Notes
Storage instructions:This icebox cake will keep up to two days in the fridge.
Cuisine: American
Course: Dessert
Author: Danielle
Did you make this recipe?Mention @livewellbakeoften on Instagram or tag #livewellbakeoften.
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Cakes No-Bake Summer
originally published on Jul 25, 2016 (last updated May 20, 2021)
33 commentsLeave a comment »
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33 comments on “Chocolate Peanut Butter Icebox Cake”
marcie —Reply
I felt strange getting close to 30 a bazillion years ago, and let’s just say I wish that’s where I was now! haha Hope you had a great birthday. 🙂 I think cheesecake for a birthday sounds amazing, and I need to get on board with this icebox cake thing. This looks so good Danielle, and you can never go wrong with chocolate and peanut butter!
Danielle —Reply
You’re so funny, Marcie! Icebox cakes really are the best, I think you’d love them 🙂
Medha @ Whisk & Shout —Reply
This icebox cake looks delicious- can’t go wrong with chocolate and peanut butter 🙂 Loving the peanut butter cups on top- hope you had a great birthday!
Danielle —Reply
Thank you, Medha!
Rachel @ Bakerita —Reply
I’m so in love with all things peanut butter and chocolate, and in the summer icebox anything is the best, so I’m alllll about this one 😀 hope you had such a lovely birthday!
Danielle —Reply
Thank you, Rachel!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice —Reply
I’m a firm believer that 30 is the new 20, so you’re still young haha! 🙂 Hope you had a great birthday! I always love celebrating with everything but a cake, too. I usually opt for pie, but this icebox cake sounds perfect. And no-bake treats are definitely needed around here since it’s been 1000 degrees here lately! And you definitely can’t go wrong with chocolate and peanut butter. Love this!
Danielle —Reply
I’m becoming a firm believer that it’s the new 20 now too, haha! Thanks, Gayle 🙂
This icebox cake is phenomenal, Danielle! It’s super hot toady but I won’t complain as long as I have this stunning dessert. Love chocolate and peanut butter combo!
Ashley - The Recipe Rebel —Reply
Okay I feel like I needed a big slice of this for breakfast! LOVE chocolate and peanut butter (who doesn’t?!)! Though I have to say, churro cheesecake sounds pretty fabulous too! Happy belated birthday!
Danielle —Reply
Totally acceptable for breakfast 😉
mira —Reply
Happy Birthday one more time and I’m glad you had a nice one! Love cheesecake, too! This icebox cake look delicious! Awesome flavors! Pinning!
Happy belated birthday!!! I’m a cancer baby too! So we have that in common… but I’m 33, so I’ve got more than a few years on you. My advice, don’t worry about turning 30 yet, just enjoy your 20’s!! 😉 Love this icebox cake, girlfriend! Graham crackers, peanut butter filling, whipped cream and mini PB cups – what’s not to love, right?! You should totally make this next year for your birthday, or just make this now and celebrate again. This beauty is perfect for right now, because I’m sweating my asphalt off and NEED some of this cool, creamy deliciousness in my life! Pinned! Cheers!
Danielle —Reply
I still think 33 is young, girl! I’ll be there in just a few years 😉 Thank you, Cheyanne!
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. —Reply
This looks amazing! Love the chocolate and peanut butter combo – that always makes for the best desserts! Hope you had a great birthday!
Kelly —Reply
Happy belated birthday, Danielle! Hope you had a great one! This icebox cake is the perfect way to celebrate! Love the chocolate and peanut butter combo!
Jess @ Sweetest Menu —Reply
I love love love this icebox cake Danielle! I also discovered I’m a year older than you (29 isn’t so bad just so you know) and my husband’s name is also Josh! 🙂 Pinning this gorgeous cake!
Danielle —Reply
How cool is that?! And we’re both dessert food bloggers 😉 Thanks, Jess!
It’s been so hot in Wisconsin too recently the LAST thing I want to do it turn on the oven so this icebox is most definitely going to have to happen here!! Love all that layer-y goodness!!
Samina - The Cupcake Confession —Reply
Firstly, a very happy birthday Danielle! I hope you had a fabulous one! This icebox cake looks absolutely delish! I love that you’ve used cream cheese to stabilise the filling inside! I’m just dreaming of this cake as I melt away in the summer heat! So refreshing that it’s a no – bake dessert!
Danielle —Reply
Thank you so much, Samina!
[emailprotected] —Reply
Happy Birthday, my friend!! I say YES to this ice box cake served as birthday cake! It has all the correct elements! Fun! Delish! Simple! Did I mention delish?!
Danielle —Reply
Thanks, Annie!
Manali@CookWithManali —Reply
Hope you had a wonderful birthday Danielle! love this icebox cake, chocolate PB is a match made in heaven!
Danielle —Reply
Definitely a great combination 🙂 Thank you, Alaina!
Happy Belated Birthday 🙂 What a great choice of dessert! Chocolate and peanut butter are always a winner – and no-bake is so awesome in July.
Danielle —Reply
Thank you, Sherri!
Mindy —Reply
Where do you get a graham cracker sheet?
Danielle —Reply
You can usually find boxes of graham crackers around the cookies at the grocery store. I used Nabisco Honey Maid Chocolate Graham crackers for this particular recipe. You just want to use the whole sheet of graham crackers, here’s an example in this icebox cake post that shows how to lay them in the pan that may help: http://www.livewellbakeoften.com/2016/10/10/no-bake-pumpkin-caramel-icebox-cake/.
Jeannie —Reply
I love icebox cakes, but I’m quite sure that this one is my absolute favorite! I made it and literally people were licking the pan! It’s rich, decadent, just what my family loves. My fiancé said I could make it regularly! This is a keeper yall!
Nadia —Reply
I made this for a friend’s BBQ this weekend and it was a huge hit! Everyone was asking for the recipe (which I was happy to share) and I already have multiple requests to make it again! Thank you for your quality recipes.
Danielle —Reply
Thank you, Nadia! So happy to hear that everyone loved the icebox cake!
