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Oreo Cheesecake Icebox Cake
A few years ago, I shared with you my grandma’s super-simple recipe for what she always referred to as “icebox cake.” It was an easy dessert that graced her table on countless Sundays – two alternating layers of graham crackers and vanilla pudding, topped with crushed graham crackers. Sometimes she’d throw Cool Whip on top, sometimes not. It was familiar, refreshing and comforting. In the past year or so, I’ve been seeing a ton of icebox cake recipes pop up all over the internet. Most of them use chocolate wafers as the base and whipped cream in between layers. Recently, I saw an Oreo Icebox Cake over on Cookies & Cups that inspired me to slightly tweak my grandma’s recipe. Basically, instead of graham crackers I used Double Stuff Oreos and instead of vanilla pudding, I used cheesecake-flavored pudding. I threw a layer of Cool Whip on top for good measure, then drizzled it with chocolate sauce and chopped Oreos. Game, set, match.
It isn’t exactly a secret that I have a love affair with Oreo cheesecakes, so anytime I can finagle a way to incorporate both Oreos and cheesecake flavor into a dessert, you better believe that I’m going all-in on that project. I love how incredibly easy and versatile icebox cakes are to make. Use whatever favorite graham crackers or cookies you have, your favorite pudding flavor, and you’ll have it assembled in less than 15 minutes. The hardest part is having to leave it in the fridge for a few hours to set up. If you’re desperate, you could always nibble on leftover Oreos to tide you over (not that I know anything about that).
Oreos weren’t something that my grandma stocked her pantry with regularly (she was more of a Keebler and Chips Ahoy lady), but if she were here today, there’s no doubt in my mind that she’d gobble this up and ask for seconds… and then promptly skip dinner. That’s how she rolled. A woman after my own heart.
One year ago: Bacon and Cheese Easter Bread
Two years ago: Good Eats in South Florida, Part II
MY OTHER RECIPES Did you make this recipe?
A riff on my grandma's famous icebox cake, using Oreo cookies instead of graham crackers and topping the whole thing with Cool Whip.
Line the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish with Oreos, breaking them to fill in any big gaps along the edges.
Whisk together 1 box of instant pudding with 2 cups of the milk for 5 minutes, or until the pudding thickens and appears set. Pour the pudding evenly over the layer of Oreos, using a rubber spatula to spread into an even layer.
Top with another layer of Oreos, again breaking them into pieces if needed to fill any large gaps.
Prepare the second box of pudding as you did the first, with the remaining 2 cups of milk. Pour the pudding over the 2nd layer of Oreos, spreading it into an even layer with a rubber spatula.
Top with the Cool Whip, using a spatula to spread into an even layer. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Prior to serving, garnish the top with chocolate syrup and chopped Oreos.
Nutritional values are based on one serving
Calories: 320kcal
Fat: 9g
Saturated fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 11mg
Sodium: 481mg
Potassium: 238mg
Carbohydrates: 54g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 39g
Protein: 5g
Vitamin A: 2.7%
Vitamin C: 0.2%
Calcium: 14.5%
Iron: 15.5%
Did you make this recipe?
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This sounds awesome. I have used real whip cream in many desserts instead of Cool Whip. I just don’t like the taste of it. You cold put in a stabilizer. I too will have to wait until I get to the US or know someone that is going to get the cheesecake flavoured pudding mix.
Icebox cake has been on my to-make and to-eat list for YEARS, but I can never find chocolate wafers. You totally just solved all of my life problems. I think I love you.
This looks amazing! I like how you used double stuff oreos instead of the regular… why use regular when you can use double stuff? I imagine that using cheesecake flavoured jello would give it more lightness than normal cream cheese too. I’ll have to wait till my next trip to the US to buy some so I can make this!
I’ve literally never had an icebox cake and I actually didn’t know what they were until I started following baking blogs. I’m committed to try one after this recipe!
Literally drooling here.. this looks delicious.
I now have an urge to make oreo cupcakes or brownies… any baked good with an oreo involved… get in my tummy NOW.
Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Leah x
Thanks for a simple and wow factor recipe. I’m assuming the 2 1/2 box of Oreos is completely crushed or grinded with a food processor? Btw, I think your instruction is missing a top layer of Oreos. The pudding will thicken without it being boiled, per package instructions? Sorry! I’m a baking novice!
Hi Anna, No, you do not grind or crush the Oreos for this recipe, you use them whole. There are only 2 layers of Oreos, not 3, the layering should go: Oreos, pudding, Oreos, pudding, Cool Whip. I’m not sure what you mean regarding the pudding, but it’s instant pudding, so it will thicken without needing to be boiled.
Oh, how I sometimes wish I lived in the US! In Canada, we don’t have cheesecake flavoured pudding (I didn’t even know it existed!). We do have JELL-O brand Oreo flavoured pudding, do you think that would work, or would it be overkill (if there’s such a thing)? Perhaps vanilla would be best? This looks amazing! I’ll definitely have to make this for a summer barbecue!
Hi Katie, I would probably just use vanilla instead. Enjoy!
I just made my first orea’s dessert and posted it yesterday! I am so in love with putting oreos in EVERYTHING now!! I can not wait to make this!
Question…. i am bummed. i see all these awesome recipes and ziplist doesn”t work for me on your site any more:( suggestions? Love your recipes !!:)
Hi Lori, I’m so sorry for the inconvenience. I’ve sent them an email to find out what’s going on; hopefully we’ll get it fixed in no time!
This is to die for Michelle! I want to reach through the screen and grab a bite :)
Your grandma sounds like a really awesome lady! This looks delicious!
I have yet to try an icebox cake, but I have also been seeing them all over! This looks like a great summer late night dessert!
xoxo
M
P.S. Your Grandma sounds awesome!
My family will love this! And my daughter will love helping me make it. Thanks!
This looks AWESOME! I can’t wait to make this!
Who doesn’t have dessert for dinner once a week, I mean month?! That ice box cake looks awesome…and may make an appearance in my household this weekend :)
Oreos are the best! It’s shocking how few ingredients you need. Shocking in an awesome way.
I like your grammies style ;)
I have no issue with Cool Whip as it tastes completely different from fresh whipped cream, and I’m totally willing to take the abuse from my animal conservation friends for occasionally eating Oreos. I basically want to put this whole thing in my face. Like now.
Love the simplicity of this one. I made an icebox cake last summer using similar ingredients but instead of Oreos I did sugar wafer cookies. Those long, thin, flaky-layered cookies that are usually chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry. They held up great to the sog-factor and I bet your Oreos would too!
Blech – Cool Whip? Can you explain why you chose to use a prepackaged product as opposed to making your own whipped cream? Just curious.
I’m pretty sure you could easily replace the Cool Whip with your own whipped cream if you want. Fresh cream isn’t as stable, though, so make sure you keep it very cold or you’ll end up with a puddle of grossness.
Just add a few Tbls of powdered sugar to the cream before you whip it. That will help stabilize it. I agree regarding cool whip, but if you’re going to use packaged cookies and packaged instant pudding mix, why would you use real whipped cream?
AMEN
What about the oreos? The pudding mix? The chocolate syrup? If you don’t want to use prepackaged products just don’t make the recipe.
It’s all prepacked! You’re worried about the Cool Whip?
I think this sounds fantastic! Needed a new dessert idea and this one fits the bill. Thanks.
Trader Joe’s makes a version of Cool Whip with organic sweeteners. Maybe you should give that a try.
Because she wanted to and thats the way her recipe is written. Every baker goes by her own set of rules. I love the Cool Whip in this recipe. Sounds delis! :)