Blueberry and strawberry icebox cake is the perfect summer dessert.
The no bake cake, with simple ingredients, is easy to make and is refreshing any time of year, but especially for summer gatherings, barbecues, and family events, including the Fourth of July.
Classic Icebox Cake With Fresh Berries

Hot summer days are the perfect time for icebox cake recipes. And this makes the perfect 4th of July icebox cake with red, white, and blue.
And this icebox cake recipe is fun, has a creamy filling, and is a flavorful cake with Graham crackers, cream cheese, whipped topping, vanilla pudding, fresh strawberries and blueberries.
You can mix and match your favorite fruits for this easy dessert to make it a delicious and fun treat for any occasion.
It’s one of those simple recipes that is a family favorite. And everyone loves fresh fruit on a creamy dessert!
What Ingredient Do I Need To Make the Ice Box Cake Recipe?
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Instant vanilla pudding
- Milk
- Cream cheese
- Graham crackers
- Whipped topping
Full printable recipe with measurements and instructions listed at the bottom of the post.
How Do I Make Berry Icebox Cake?
- Add the instant pudding to a bowl. Pour in the milk and mix until thickened.
- Next, add the whipped topping and cream cheese and mix well.
- Spread a small amount of whipped cream on the bottom of a 9″ x 13″ casserole dish.
- Cover the whipped cream with Graham crackers.
- Spread one-third of the cream cheese mixture over the Graham crackers.
- Place the strawberries and blueberries over the top and repeat two more times.
- Top with the remainder of the cream cheese mixture, whipped topping and berries.
- Refrigerate for at least four hours until the Graham crackers soften.
Tips and Tricks for Making the Perfect Graham Cracker Icebox Cake
Leave the cream cheese on the counter to soften, which will make it easier to mix with the pudding and whipped topping.
Slice the strawberries so that they are somewhat flat, which will allow you to add the layers easily.
I made the mistake of not cutting the strawberries flatter and it made layering a little tougher.
You can add more whipped topping to the top of the dessert if you used all of your cream cheese mixture while layering.
Place the icebox cake recipe in the refrigerator for at least a four hours so the Graham crackers will soak up some of the cream cheese mixture and soften. This will also help when cutting the easy summer dessert.
If you love summer desserts, give this southern peach cobbler a try.
How To Make the Layered Cake

Grab a large mixing bowl and add the package of instant vanilla pudding.

Pour the milk into the bowl.

Mix the instant pudding with a hand mixer for several minutes.
I used an electric mixer because it will mix more evenly.
For best results, give the pudding a few minutes to thicken. I think it took about three minutes for mine to thicken. The longer the pudding sits, the more it will thicken.

Next, add the whipped topping to the bowl and mix the two ingredients together.
Add only twelve ounces of the whipped cream to the pudding here. Reserve about four or five ounces for the very top layer.
You can make your own whipping cream, or you can buy some Cool Whip. I used Aldi’s version and it tasted great.

Add the softened cream cheese to the whipped topping and pudding mixture.

Mix all three together until smooth.
A whisk attachment is perfect for mixing.
If you want a bit of zing, add about one tablespoon of lemon zest to the cream mixture.

Cut the strawberries and wash them off.
TIP: You can see in this picture that I didn’t cut the strawberries flat. It will still turn out fine, but it just layers better if they are flat.

Rinse off the blueberries and let them dry a little.

Spread about two spoonfuls of whipped topping on the bottom of the dish.

Then you’re going to add a single layer of Graham crackers.
I lined them up across the entire pan. Don’t aim for perfection. No one is going to see that they don’t line up perfectly. The idea is to create a layer.

Add about 1/3 of your cream cheese and whipped cream mixture to the top of the Graham crackers and spread it out evenly.
If you plan to have four layers, just use 1/4 of the mixture.

Lay your strawberries and blueberries on the top and press them down into the cream cheese mixture a little bit.

Add another layer of Graham crackers, cream cheese mixture, berries and repeat the Graham crackers and cream cheese mixture again.

Once you get to the top, add some whipped topping to create a red, white, and blue patriotic look. Add the final row of strawberries and blueberries.
You can add all sixteen ounces to the cream cheese mixture, but I like to reserve a little so the top will be white and patriotic-looking.

Add the final layer of strawberries and blueberries!
Refrigerate the summer berry icebox cake for several hours before cutting into it.
I’ve seen people arrange the blueberries and strawberries to resemble the American Flag and that looks pretty neat, as well.

After refrigerating the icebox pie a few hours, slice the dessert and add it to a plate.
You can also leave the dessert in the fridge overnight and the Graham crackers will be even softer. I took the dessert to some friends after it sat in the fridge all night and they loved it.
Just carefully add some plastic wrap to keep it fresh.

Don’t you love all of the fresh layers on this no bake dessert? Mmm… The old fashioned icebox cake is such a fun summer dessert.
Icebox cake recipes are always a treat, especially alongside strawberry desserts. Be sure to add some strawberry shortcake to your dessert rotation or some strawberry chess squares made with fresh strawberries.
Tips And Tricks
- Use a whisk attachment to mix the pudding and cream cheese mixture. It will help get most of the lumps out of the cream cheese.
- Slice the strawberries flat so they will layer easier.
- You can switch out the fruit to go in the cake. You can use strawberries, blueberries, bananas, mangos, pineapple, or just about anything.
- If you want to switch out the Graham crackers, you can use vanilla wafers instead. However, you will most likely need to buy two or more boxes so you will have enough.
FAQs
- Blueberry and strawberry icebox cake is a no bake cake.
- The cake will need to be refrigerated for at least four hours, but works better overnight.
- The dessert is a refrigerator cake and will last two to three days.
- Icebox cake can be frozen for up to two to three months. But, add the fruit on the top when you thaw out the cake and are ready to serve it.
- The cake will take several hours to thaw on the counter, or overnight in the refrigerator.
Other Desserts You’ll Love:
Summer desserts call for easy recipes that are refreshing such as lemon lush recipe, chocolate layer dessert with homemade whipped cream, or another no bake recipe such as an Oreo dessert.
We like to bring chess squares to church with us because it’s always a huge hit. Hotter weather seems to be a little more bearable with something like lemon pound cake. And, you can add a dollop of fresh lemon curd right on top.

Gluten-Free Option:
Instead of regular Graham crackers, you can trade them for gluten-free Graham crackers. I’ve eaten them and they taste just like regular Graham crackers.
Low-Sugar Option:
Cool Whip (or the generic brand) offers a much lower calorie whipped topping that you can use instead of the regular whipped topping.
You can also purchase the sugar-free version of vanilla pudding, just make sure you get enough to make at least three ounces. I believe the sugar-free pudding comes in a one-ounce box.
Strawberry Blueberry Icebox Cake Recipe Card
Check out the berry icebox cake recipe card below, grab those ingredients, and start creating! This is a great summer dessert and a crowd pleaser.
The hardest part of this ultimate summer dessert is waiting for it to cool!
So, what are you waiting for? Get started on this recipe today and wow all your friends and family!

Berry Icebox Cake
Berry Icebox Cake is the perfect summer dessert. The icebox cake is easy to make and is a refreshing recipe any time of year, but especially for summer gatherings, barbecues, and family events.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds strawberries (washed and sliced)
- 1-1/2 cups blueberries (washed)
- 3.4 ounces Jell-O Instant Vanilla Pudding
- 2 cups cold milk
- 16 ounces whipped topping
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 14.4 ounce box of Graham crackers
Instructions
- Add the instant pudding to a large bowl.
- Pour the milk into the bowl and mix until pudding thickens.
- Add 12 oz. of whipped topping to the bowl and mix together.
- Next, add the softened cream cheese to the bowl and mix until well blended.
- Spread a couple of spoonfuls of whipped topping on the bottom of a 9" x 13" casserole dish (reserve the rest for the top of the dessert).
- Add the first layer of Graham crackers over the whipped topping (about eight crackers).
- Spread one-third of the cream cheese mixture over the Graham crackers. Top with several rows of strawberries and blueberries.
- Line again with Graham crackers, then cream cheese topping, then berries.
- Line once more with Graham crackers.
- Top with the remainder of the cream cheese topping.
- Add the remainder of the whipped cream and spread it out, covering the dessert. Line the top with strawberries and blueberries.
- Refrigerate for at least four hours to help soften the Graham crackers.
Notes
Tips And Tricks
- Use a whisk attachment to mix the pudding and cream cheese mixture. It will help get most of the lumps out of the cream cheese.
- Slice the strawberries flat so they will layer easier.
- You can switch out the fruit to go in the cake. You can use strawberries, blueberries, bananas, mangos, pineapple, or just about anything.
- If you want to switch out the Graham crackers, you can use vanilla wafers instead. However, you will most likely need to buy two or more boxes so you will have enough.
FAQs
- Blueberry and strawberry icebox cake is a no bake cake.
- The cake will need to be refrigerated for at least four hours, but works better overnight.
- The dessert is a refrigerator cake and will last two to three days.
- Icebox cake can be frozen for up to two to three months. But, add the fruit on the top when you thaw out the cake and are ready to serve it.
- The cake will take several hours to thaw on the counter, or overnight in the refrigerator.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1 pieceAmount Per Serving: Calories: 191Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 133mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 1gSugar: 11gProtein: 3g
Nutrition is approximate.
Check out even more recipes at Julias Simply Southern
Miz Helen
Wednesday 11th of May 2022
Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday, 587. We sure have enjoyed featuring your post this past week and hope you will come back to see us again some time! Miz Helen
Pam Krum
Saturday 17th of July 2021
Just to let you know for your sugar free pudding option that 1 box of sugar free pudding (about 1 oz) equals the 1 box of regular pudding (3.4 oz). All you need to use is 1 box of SF. I also happened to swap the vanilla pudding for cheesecake flavored pudding. Great recipe!!
Julie Pollitt
Monday 19th of July 2021
That's great to know! Thanks so much for sharing the info!
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