Last week I posted a recipe for Lemon icebox cake ice cream. I gave it that name, not because it has anything in common with the original dessert, but because it tasted just like it. In the comments, michelle @ TNS left a note asking about the original "cake" from which it got its name, so here it is:-)
I love recipes with some history and this one dates back to the 1920's when the National Biscuit Company (a.k.a. Nabisco), was looking for a way to promote their chocolate wafers. Apparently their marketing worked and this dessert became quite popular up through the 50's and 60's. I first had this in the mid 90's at my best friend's grandmother's house, where I proceeded to eat about half the pan.
An icebox "cake" is actually cookies layered with cream. In this case I use lemon wafer cookies I got at Whole Foods, Meyer lemon curd, and lemon cream. Left in the fridge overnight, the wafers absorb liquid out of the creme and take on a firm cake-like texture without getting mushy. For being relatively simple, this is actually one of my favorite desserts. Here's my take on this classic.
📖 Recipe
Units
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ¾ cup Meyer Lemon Curd (to mix with cream)
- ¾ Cup Meyer Lemon Curd (to layer)
- 1 box vanilla lemon wafers
Instructions
- Whip the cream until soft peaks form. Gently fold in ¾ cup lemon curd to the cream and fold it in gently with a rubber spatula.
- In a 8 x 8 square baking dish or other suitable vessel, put down ⅓ of the cream and spread it around. Then put down a layer of wafers smearing the tops of each one with a good dollop of lemon curd. Repeat, finishing with a layer of cream.
- Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours before serving.
michelle @ TNS says
just as i suspected!
michelle @ TNS says
just as i suspected!
Kiriel says
In my childhood, my mum used to make something similar which she called "biscottentorte". It was always a favourite, although a rare treat as I think her recipe contains sherry so it was only made on 'grown up' occasions!
Marc Matsumoto says
Awesome! I was wondering how one could make cream and cookies better, but I think you've found the answer. Maybe I'll try adding a splash of limoncello to this next time:-)
Kiriel says
In my childhood, my mum used to make something similar which she called "biscottentorte". It was always a favourite, although a rare treat as I think her recipe contains sherry so it was only made on 'grown up' occasions!
Marc Matsumoto says
Awesome! I was wondering how one could make cream and cookies better, but I think you've found the answer. Maybe I'll try adding a splash of limoncello to this next time:-)
We Are Never Full says
This really looks tasty. But what I loved most about this post is that it brought me back to my childhood - we used to make (what my mom called) Ice Box Cake when I was a kid. But, it wasn't like this! It had graham crackers lining the bottom, then a layer of chocolate pudding, then a layer of whipped cream, then another layer of graham crackers, then more pudding and whipped cream then a final layer of graham crackers. Now that I think about it, the recipe is kind of white trash, but whatever, it was AWESOME when I was a kid. i may have to make it again! But I think your version is a bit more adult-friendly!
We Are Never Full says
This really looks tasty. But what I loved most about this post is that it brought me back to my childhood - we used to make (what my mom called) Ice Box Cake when I was a kid. But, it wasn't like this! It had graham crackers lining the bottom, then a layer of chocolate pudding, then a layer of whipped cream, then another layer of graham crackers, then more pudding and whipped cream then a final layer of graham crackers. Now that I think about it, the recipe is kind of white trash, but whatever, it was AWESOME when I was a kid. i may have to make it again! But I think your version is a bit more adult-friendly!
My Sweet & Saucy says
This cake looks fantastic! I love ice box cakes...especially for the summer time!
My Sweet & Saucy says
This cake looks fantastic! I love ice box cakes...especially for the summer time!
lisa (dandysugar) says
This looks really delicious. I love recipes with history as well....the texture is mouthwatering.
lisa (dandysugar) says
This looks really delicious. I love recipes with history as well....the texture is mouthwatering.
cgrace1278 says
This recipe was absolutely delicious! There wasn't a single smear left and it was incredibly easy! My only advice is to double the recipe!