My grandma’s staple summer dessert – icebox cake with simple layers of graham crackers and vanilla pudding, topped with Cool Whip and graham cracker crumbs.

A piece of icebox cake with a fork digging right in!

A couple of weekends ago, I was doing some cleaning up in the kitchen when all of a sudden I started craving my grandma’s icebox cake. The thought came crashing into my head like Super Grover flies into a scene on Sesame Street (this is life right now), and I couldn’t shake it, so I made it a few days later for our Sunday dinner and it totally tasted like I was sitting at my grandma’s house.

This icebox cake was one of her specialties for as long as I can remember, and from what I understand, something she had been making since my mom was a little girl. It’s a very simple dessert with simple ingredients, but it’s one of those feel-good dishes that excites you when you see it sitting on the table. It really epitomizes the notion that food doesn’t always have to be fancy or made to impress, but it should make people feel comfortable.

A pan of icebox cake.

This is a straight-up old-fashioned, classic icebox cake. I’ve made a ton of icebox cakes in the past, but this one is a total throwback to a simple graham cracker + pudding icebox cake. No crazy flavors, no fancy layers, nothing but graham crackers, vanilla pudding, and Cool Whip.

One of the best things about this dessert is that you can make it with any flavors that tickle your fancy (or that you currently have in your pantry). We usually had it either with all vanilla pudding or with one layer of chocolate and one layer of vanilla. With all of the new flavors abounding for instant pudding (as well graham crackers!), you could go crazy with a lot of different options.

When I served this on Sunday and heard more than one person say, “it tastes just like Grandma’s,” my heart was full of joy.

A slice of icebox cake with a big forkful taken out.

One year ago: Copycat Pizza Hut Breadsticks
Four years ago: Frozen Brownie Sundae
Five years ago: Chocolate Salted Caramel Cupcakes

A piece of icebox cake with a fork digging right in!

Grandma's Icebox Cake

My grandma's staple summer dessert - icebox cake with simple layers of graham crackers and vanilla pudding, topped with Cool Whip and graham cracker crumbs.
4.40 (120 ratings)

Ingredients

  • 10.2 ounce (289.17 g) box instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 6 cups (1.46 l) milk
  • 14.4 ounce (408.23 g) box graham crackers (approximately)
  • 8 ounce (226.8 g) container Cool Whip

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the pudding mix with the milk for 2 minutes. Set aside for 5 minutes to thicken.
  • Line the bottom of a 9x13-inch pan with graham crackers (you may need to use halves or quarters to fill in spots).
  • Spread half of the pudding over the layer of graham crackers. Add another layer of graham crackers on top of the pudding, then spread with the remaining pudding. Top with a final layer of graham crackers and spread the Cool Whip evenly over top. Crush 1 graham cracker into crumbs and sprinkle over the Cool Whip.
  • Cover and refrigerate until cold and set, about 3 hours, or overnight. Leftovers should be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Notes

  • You may not use all of the graham crackers in the box, that's okay.
Nutritional values are based on one serving
Calories: 338kcal, Carbohydrates: 59g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 443mg, Potassium: 246mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 36g, Vitamin A: 230IU, Calcium: 186mg, Iron: 1.5mg

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!

A big slice of icebox cake with layers of pudding and graham crackers.

This recipe was originally published on February 10, 2010.