Description
This lemon blueberry icebox cake is a cool, creamy no-bake dessert made with layers of graham crackers, lemon whipped cream filling, and homemade blueberry sauce. Made with just 9 ingredients, it’s the perfect make-ahead dessert for summer entertaining.
Ingredients
Blueberry Sauce
- 2 teaspoons (6g) cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon (15g/ml) warm water
- 2 cups (280g) fresh or frozen blueberries
- 2 Tablespoons (25g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Cream Filling
- 2 cups (480g/ml) heavy cream or heavy whipping cream, cold
- 4 ounces (113g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 6 Tablespoons (45g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 8 full-sheet graham crackers
- optional for garnish: fresh blueberries, mint, lemon slices
Instructions
- Preliminary note: There are 3 layers of graham crackers, 5 layers of cream filling, and 2 layers of blueberry sauce. You can break the graham crackers up to fit the pan.
- Make the blueberry sauce: Whisk the cornstarch, lemon juice, and warm water together in a small bowl until the cornstarch has dissolved. Set aside. Warm the blueberries and sugar together in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously for about 3 minutes, until the blueberries begin to release their juices. Add the cornstarch mixture and continue stirring for another 2–3 minutes, smashing some blueberries as you go. The mixture will begin to thicken. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon zest. Set aside to cool completely (place in the fridge to speed it up).
- Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap with overhang over the edges to easily lift the cake out. Set aside.
- Make the cream filling: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the cold heavy cream on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, about 3 minutes. Transfer to another bowl. Using the same mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese on high speed until completely smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Add the confectioners’ sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest and beat until combined and creamy. Gently fold in the whipped cream. Do not over-mix.
- Assemble the cake: Spread a couple Tablespoons of cream filling into a very thin layer in the bottom of the prepared pan. This will help the bottom layer of graham crackers stick. Place some of the graham crackers in a single layer on top (break them to fit). Spread about 3/4 cup (approx. 130g) of cream filling on top of the graham crackers. Then layer half of the blueberry sauce on top, another 3/4 cup of cream filling, another layer of graham crackers, 3/4 cup of cream filling, the rest of the blueberry sauce, 3/4 cup of cream filling, the rest of the graham crackers, and, finally, the rest of the cream filling.
- Cover with plastic wrap and/or aluminum foil and place in the freezer for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Before serving, allow the cake to soften in the refrigerator for 1 hour or at room temperature for 10–15 minutes. Lift the cake from the pan using the overhang on the sides. Garnish with fresh blueberries, mint, and/or lemon slices. Cut into slices and serve cold.
- Cover and store leftovers in the refrigerator or in the freezer. If frozen, allow to soften again before eating.
Notes
- Make Ahead Instructions: The blueberry sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead of time. The cream filling can be made up to 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate both until ready to use. The entire cake can be assembled and frozen for up to 3 days in advance; on the day you plan to serve it, continue with step 7.
- Special Tools (affiliate links): Glass Mixing Bowl | Whisk | Small Saucepan | Zester | Citrus Juicer | 9×5-inch Loaf Pan | Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand) | Offset Spatula
- Adapted from Bon Appétit.
- Update in 2026: For more flavor and structure, we added a bit of cream cheese to the filling. To make this recipe the way it was originally published, skip the cream cheese, and whip all of the cream filling ingredients (minus the graham crackers and garnishes) together for 3–4 minutes or until medium peaks form.