Easy No-Bake Turtle Icebox Cake is the perfect dessert to serve to a crowd. Best of all, takes less than 10 minutes to assemble with layers of graham crackers, caramel cream cheese mousse, chocolate and crunchy pecans!

Turtle Ice Box Cake is so easy to make and the perfect no-bake holiday dessert.

Pin for later AND follow my Recipes Board on Pinterest for more drool-worthy treats!

To stay up to date with my latest posts as soon as I post them, you can follow me on Feedly.

With all the festive holiday parties around this time of year, I thought we could all use a fuss-free dessert option to take along to a few of those dinner parties.

Icebox cakes are one of the easiest desserts I turn to whenever I’m pressed for time and don’t feel like turning on my oven. My strawberry, peanut butter and pumpkin icebox cakes have all been a hit so far and I couldn’t wait to share another one more appropriate for the holidays.

Turtle Ice Box Cake is so easy to make & the perfect no-bake holiday dessert

Besides peppermint, the combination of chocolate, caramel and pecans are one of my favorite holiday flavors and since I am terrible at choosing, I decided to make both versions and share this Easy No-Bake Turtle Icebox Cake with you guys first and hold off on the peppermint until after Thanksgiving 🙂

It’s completely no-bake so you can leave your oven free for the big bird (or ham) and it’s really easy to put together!

Turtle Ice Box Cake is the perfect easy no-bake holiday dessert

This icebox cake starts off with graham crackers that become soft and cake-like when layered between a caramel cream cheese mousse that’s made with whipped cream, cream cheese, and caramel sauce.

The cake is then topped with shaved chocolate, chopped pecans, a drizzle of chocolate and more caramel sauce plus a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

It’s creamy, a little crunchy and absolutely dreamy! The hardest part is just waiting for all the layers to set and the flavors to meld together.

The make-ahead option makes it easy to put together the night before company arrives or if you plan on bringing it along to your next holiday shindig.

Yields 8

Easy No-Bake Turtle Icebox Cake

Easy No-Bake Turtle Icebox Cake is perfect for the holidays! Made with graham crackers between layers of caramel cream cheese mousse, chopped pecans and a drizzle of chocolate and caramel sauce.

Save Recipe

Print Recipe

My Recipes My Lists My Calendar

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups freshly whipped cream, divided (or can use 3 1/2 cups of your favorite whipped topping like Cool Whip)

One 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup your favorite caramel sauce

12 graham crackers

Toppings

1/2 cup chopped pecans

shaved chocolate

caramel sauce

chocolate syrup

powdered sugar (optional)

Instructions

*To make freshly whipped cream: With a hand mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer, whip 2 cups of heavy cream until it just holds soft peaks. Add 1/3 cup of powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract and whip to combine until stiff peaks form. Do not overmix.
Make the cake:Beat the cream cheese and caramel until creamy. Fold in 3 cups of freshly whipped cream or Cool Whip.
Spread a thin layer of the cream cheese mixture in a 8 x 8 pan to coat the bottom.
Place 3 graham crackers across the center of pan and then break up 1 or 2 more crackers as needed to fill in the gaps. Spread half of the cream cheese mixture on top.
Top with another layer of graham crackers, breaking them as needed to make them fit. Spread the remaining cream cheese mixture over the top.
Arrange the final layer of graham crackers. Spread the reserved 1/2 cup freshly whipped cream (or Cool Whip) over evenly.
Sprinkle on chopped pecans and shaved chocolate
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until the graham crackers have softened completely. Prior to serving, drizzle with chocolate and caramel sauce and sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired. Serve chilled.

Notes

*To make this icebox cake in a 9x13 pan, increase the amounts by 1.5