The Very Best Icebox Cake
Known as the BEST icebox cake, and a true Brenda Fan-Favorite, this crowd-pleasing cake will leave everyone wanting more.
Brenda first created this Icebox Cake when a good friend asked her to recreate Magnolia Bakery’s Icebox Cake for a coworker’s birthday. Yes, Magnolia’s cupcakes are good, but their Icebox Cake and Banana Pudding are incredible.
The cake was a huge hit. I remember Brenda making this cake at least once per month after the first creation. If there was anything to celebrate, chances are Brenda made an Icebox Cake.
The Very Best Icebox Cake
.... you'll ever eat!
Sheet cookie
Make one recipe of
Chocolate Cookie dough
do not add chocolate chips.
Line a three-quarter sheet pan with parchment paper, lightly spritzing with non-stick cooking spray.
Spread Chocolate Cookie dough evenly over parchment paper using an off-set spatula.
Bake at 350F for 13-18 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Once cooled, using a round biscuit cutter, cut entire sheet into circles (i.e. cookies). Keep the scraps.
Whipped cream
To the bowl of a stand mixer, add:
3 cups heavy cream
1/2 tsp vanilla
6 Tbsp sugar
Whip until stiff.
Assemble
On a cake plate, layer:
Chocolate Cookies, laid in a circle
Whipped Cream, spread 1/4" thick
Repeat until you run out of cookies & cream.
Refrigerate until serving.
Brenda's tips:
Cookie scraps can be used to fill in centers/gaps in the layers (add to each layer before the whipped cream) or used to construct a mini ice-box treat. Or just eat them.
Brenda generally prefers a 2 1/2" biscuit cutter to cut the cookies. Smaller diameter will create a taller, skinnier cake and larger will have less layers and fill a larger platter. To fully utilize the sheet of Chocolate Cookie, Brenda will cut partial circles out of the scraps and edges, fitting them together in the middle layers.
Immediately prior to cutting the cooled sheet of Chocolate Cookies, Brenda slides a plastic cutting board between the sheet pan and parchment to prevent damaging the sheet pan.
Brenda uses a three-quarter sheet pan (22" x 16") to bake the Chocolate Cookie. You can use 2 half sheet pans (jelly roll size, 18" x 13") or 4 quarter sheet pans (13" x 9").
When making the cookies, and if you live more than 3k above sea level, review Brenda’s High Elevation Adjustment chart to adjust for altitude impacts.
Chocolate Cookies
These chocolate cookies have a brownie-like texture. You can intensify the chocolate flavor by adding your favorite chocolate chips, or leave them plain and use them to create an Icebox Cake!
You can double or triple the chocolate intensity by adding any variety of chocolate chips. Or just make them as is and enjoy the velvety brownie texture.
Leave out chocolate chips and try them out in Icebox Cake!
Chocolate Cookies
Cream together, mixing for approximately 5 minutes:
1 cup (9 oz) brown sugar
1/2 cup (4 oz) sugar
3/4 cup (6 oz) butter, softened
Then add, stirring until smooth:
3 eggs
3 tsp vanilla
Sift dry ingredients together and fold into the above mixture:
2 cups (10 oz) flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
Optional: just before the dry ingredients are fully incorporated, add:
1 cup chocolate chips
Do not overmix!
Portion by scooping equal sized dough balls onto a greased 13x9.
Cover and refrigerate 24-72 hours.
Bake at 350F for 8-10 minutes, adding 5 minutes for extra-large cookies.
Brenda’s notes:
If you live more than 3k above sea level, review Brenda’s High Elevation Adjustment chart to adjust for altitude impacts.