Grandma’s Famous Chocolate Wafer Icebox Cake – Layered Whipped Cream Cake Recipe

Grandma’s Famous Chocolate Wafer Icebox Cake has been a family staple at every holiday for decades. This layered whipped cream cake recipe has only three ingredients including heavy whipping cream, sugar and chocolate wafer cookies.

Grandma’s Famous Chocolate Wafer Icebox Cake

If there’s one recipe that screams the holidays on my husband’s side of the family, it’s Grandma’s Famous Chocolate Wafer Icebox Cake, or whipped cream cake as our family lovingly calls it.

Ever since I attended that very first Christmas in 2006 as a mere girlfriend, this whipped cream cake has been on the dessert table. And, I fell in love with the layers of real whipped cream and softened chocolate cookies immediately.

Here’s a secret. It’s just as good on a hot summer day as it is on Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Layered Whipped Cream Cake Recipe

Here’s what happens when you make this layered whipped cream cake.

The pillowy whipped cream soaks into the chocolate wafers to make moist, deep dark chocolate layers in between the whipped cream.

It’s so simple, yet so amazing. The texture is so light and fluffy.

Everyone fights over the Grandma’s whipped cream cake, because it’s that good.

Icebox Cake with Chocolate Wafers

My suspicion is that this icebox cake with chocolate wafers was modified over the years from the traditional, stacked chocolate icebox cake from the back of the Nabisco’s famous chocolate wafers box.

I prefer this version because it’s so much less fussy, and it travels so much better. It’s almost like a chocolate trifle in a 13 x 9 inch baking dish.

Nabisco Chocolate Wafer Cake

Back in the day, Nabisco’s chocolate wafers were more readily available at the grocery store. However, over the years the cookies became harder to find and my husband’s grandma had to make some modifications.

Sometimes, she used Oreo cookies instead. Grandma, bless her heart, would actually scrape out the white center of the Oreos, one by one, and only use the chocolate cookies. I just love her for that.

If you can’t find the traditional Nabisco Chocolate Wafers, then use any other thin chocolate cookie. The newer thin Oreos would be a great option! Often times, I buy my chocolate wafers on Amazon. Check out our “Pantry Essentials” board on Amazon for a link!

Ingredient List for Whipped Cream Icebox Cake

What do I need to make an old fashioned icebox cake?

Heavy Whipping Cream

Sugar

Chocolate Wafer Cookies

How to Make an Old Fashioned Icebox Cake with Chocolate Wafers

Step by Step Instructions

1. Whip heavy cream until soft peaks form in the bowl of a stand mixer or with a hand mixer.
2. Add sugar, and continue whipping until medium to firm peaks form.
3. On the bottom of a 13 x 9 inch baking dish, spread a very thin layer of whipped cream.
4. Top with a layer to chocolate wafer cookies so the are touching but not over-lapping.
5. Spread half the remaining whipped cream over cookies.
6. Top with another layer of wafers, and then the last of the heavy whipping cream.
7. Refrigerate overnight to let the cookies absorb the liquid from the whipped cream.

For the full ingredient amounts and recipe steps for the original icebox cake recipe, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

FAQs About the Original Icebox Cake

• Whip the heavy whipping cream until it holds a medium to stiff peak. If it’s too loose, your whipped cream ice box cake will be runny.
• Powdered sugar can be used for regular white sugar when sweetening the whipped cream. I prefer a not so sweet whipped cream for this icebox cake, but you can make yours as sweet as you like.
• Any thin chocolate cookie such as Oreo Thins will work if you can’t find chocolate wafer cookies.
• When layering, I like to put a tiny smear on the bottom of the dish so that the cookies stay in place.
• Layer as many layers as you like; however, 1 pint of heavy whipping cream and 1 package of Nabisco chocolate wafer cookies typically will give you 2 layers of cookies and 2 layers of whipped cream (plus a tiny layer at the very bottom for stability).
• You can assemble this in pretty much any type of serving platter if you like. A couple loaf pans would also work great.

Can I re whip whipped cream?

Here’s the scenario. You whipped up some real whipped cream yesterday, and the leftover is sitting in the refrigerator a little bit sadder and more deflated than the day before. Can I whip whipped cream twice?  Yes, go ahead and whip it back into shape.  It might not be exactly as perfect as the day before, but it will perk back up and begin to hold peaks again.

What is the meaning of refrigerator cake?

A refrigerator cake, also known as an icebox cake, is a no-bake dessert typically made with layers of whipped cream and cookies or wafers. It’s assembled and then chilled in the refrigerator, allowing the cookies to soften and absorb the flavors of the whipped cream, creating a moist and creamy dessert.

Tips for Making Whipping Cream

• Place the bowl and beaters in the refrigerator prior to making whipped cream. Starting with cold (chilled) utensils is key.
• Metal bowls work best because they will stay chilled longer.
• Leave the heavy whipping cream in the refrigerator until right before you whip the cream.
• Work in smaller batches instead of whipping large amounts at one time. One to two cups at a time is best.
• Whip the heavy whipping cream at a slower speed for a more stable whipped cream.

No Bake Desserts

Strawberry Chiffon Squares 

No Bake Apple Cheesecake Salad

Oreo Dirt Pudding Trifle