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Lemon Strawberry Icebox Cake

Layered ice box cake with fresh strawberries, shortbread, lemon curd and cream cheese whipped cream.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Chill Time 4 hours
Servings 1 tall 8" cake

Equipment

  • 8 or 9" round springform pan

Ingredients

Lemon Cream Cheese Whipped Cream

  • 226g or 1 brick cream cheese at room temperature
  • 50g or ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 30g or ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
  • ¼ tsp fine sea salt
  • Zest of 1 large lemon
  • 600g or 2 ½ cups heavy whipping cream cold straight from the fridge
  • Lemon Curd half of this recipe
  • Fresh Strawberries 0.5-1 lbs
  • Shortbread Cookies about 12

Optional: Meringue

  • 3 egg whites
  • 155g or ¾ cups sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • Pinch fine sea salt

Instructions

Prep work:

  • Have your lemon curd made ahead, ready and chilled overnight before beginning.
  • 1-2 hours before beginning, take the cream cheese out of the fridge and leave it on the counter to soften.
  • Right before beginning, slice strawberries very thin.
  • Lay a sheet of parchment paper at the bottom of a springform pan and clip the ring around it.

Make the cream cheese whipped cream

  • In a food processor place everything except the heavy cream. Process until well blended, about 30 seconds, scraping down as needed.
  • Pour in the heavy cream, scrape the bowl again and process on high for about 60 seconds, watching as it thickens. Once you can run a finger or spoon through it and it holds shape, it’s done.

Build the icebox cake

  • Spread ⅓ of the whipped cream on the bottom of the pan into an even layer.
  • Lay six of the shortbread cookies on top, keeping them as close together. It’s ok if you need to break some of them to fit in the empty spots.
  • On top of the cookies spread about ⅓ cup lemon curd.
  • Layer some sliced strawberries on top of the curd, leaving little space between them and keeping them in one even layer.
  • Repeat all these steps. The last layer is the last third of the whipped cream.
  • Set the cake in the fridge for about 4 hours, enough time for the cookies to soften. You can also leave it overnight in the fridge.

The day of serving, make the meringue (if using)

  • Bring a pan filled one third of the way with water to a simmer.
  • In a heatproof bowl (that will fit nicely on the pan), add the sugar and egg whites. Whisk well then place over the simmering water.
  • Whisk as it cooks, switching to a rubber spatula to scrape up the edges. Keep stirring as it warms, and the sugar granules dissolve.
  • Once you can pinch the mix and can’t detect any sugar granules, transfer to a stand mixer affixed with the whisk attachment.
  • Begin whisking on low, then working up to medium (speed 6 on a kitchenaid). As it thickens, add the salt and vanilla. Whisk for about 6 minutes, or until you can turn the whisk upside down and the meringue holds shape.
  • Spread the meringue on the chilled cake. Use a kitchen torch to toast it all over.
  • The icebox cake can be served immediately or can sit in the fridge for a few hours (but not overnight as the meringue will separate).

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