Caramel Apple Icebox Cake
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This delightfully decadent Caramel Apple Icebox Cake features layers of cinnamon graham crackers and a creamy apple filling, drizzled with a sweet caramel sauce. And the best part is, this is an easy, no bake dessert that only takes minutes to prepare.
No Bake Caramel Apple Icebox Cake
If you’re looking for the ultimate no-bake dessert, you’re in for a real treat with this irresistible caramel apple icebox cake. For this easy recipe, we take a velvety, sweet filling, made with a combination of creamy butterscotch pudding and apple pie filling, and sandwich it between layers of graham crackers. As it chills in the refrigerator, the flavors in the apple filling come together with the pudding, while the graham crackers soften into a cake-like texture.
Icebox cake recipes are known for being simple yet having the ability to create very impressive presentations. And that is exactly what you can expect with this recipe. Whether it’s for a family gathering, potluck, or simply an easy sweet dessert on a lazy weekend, this simple yet delightful recipe is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
If you love apple desserts, you should also try our easy Apple Dump Cake, Apple Dumplings, and our amazing Apple Pie.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Simple ingredients – This is a super easy recipe that uses just a handful of ingredients you probably have on hand.
- Delicious dessert – The combination of flavors and textures creates an irresistibly sweet treat the whole family will love.
- No-bake dessert – This dessert is great for summer parties or anytime you don’t want to heat your house with a hot oven.
Ingredients
- Butterscotch instant pudding mix
- Cold milk
- Whipped cream topping
- Apple pie filling (store-bought or our delicious Homemade Apple Pie Filling)
- Cinnamon graham crackers
- Caramel sauce
How to Make Cinnamon Apple Icebox Cake
Step One: Mix the Pudding
- Line a 9 x 13 baking dish with plastic wrap. Make sure it hangs over the sides. This will allow for you to pull it out of the pan with ease.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the instant pudding with the cold milk.
- Whisk until it is well combined.
Step Two: Add the Pie Filling
- Chop up the apple pie filling into smaller pieces.
- Mix the apple pie filling into the pudding mix.
Step Three: Add the Whipped Topping
- Fold one container of whipped topping into the pudding mix.
Step Four: Assemble Layers
- Spoon a little of the apple filling into the bottom of the pan and spread it out in an even layer.
- Place down a layer of the cinnamon grahams in the pan, you may need to break a few to cover the bottom.
- Spoon a third of the pudding mixture on the layer of graham crackers and spread out.
- Repeat with a layer of graham crackers.
- Add another third of the apple mixture
- Finally add another layer of graham crackers and the remaining filling.
- Then top with Cool Whip.
Step Six: Chill and Serve
- Cover and freeze or refrigerate overnight. If you choose to freeze it, let it thaw 1 hour before serving.
- Before serving drizzle with caramel. Serve and enjoy!
Simple Recipe Add-ins and Variations:
- Toasted pecans: Add some crunch and nutty flavor by sprinkling toasted pecans between the layers or on top of the cake.
- Salted caramel: Use salted caramel instead of regular caramel sauce, to give it just a hint of sweet and salty flavor.
- Cream cheese layer: Mix in a block of cream cheese softened to room temperature to the pudding and pie filling.
- Coconut flakes: For a little chewy texture you can sprinkle some toasted coconut flakes over the layers.
- Extracts: For more flavor, you can add a little bit of butterscotch or vanilla extract.
- Spiced whipped topping: For more fall flavors, instead of Cool Whip, use whipping cream beaten until it has stiff peaks. Then fold in powdered sugar and warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Crushed cookies: Layer crushed cookies, such as shortbread or gingersnap cookies between the graham crackers.
- Cake layer: Instead of a no-bake recipe, you can make this dessert using thin layers of cake made with a white cake mix or a spice cake mix instead of graham crackers.
How Do I Store Icebox Cake?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. This dessert also freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.
Can I Use Fresh Apples?
If you have fresh apples that you’d like to use, for best results, peel and dice them, then season them with a little cinnamon and brown sugar. Add the layers of apples between the creamy layers of pudding and the crackers.
Can I Use Other Fruit Fillings?
Because this recipe uses butterscotch pudding, apple is the best choice. If you want to use instant French vanilla pudding instead, you can use just about any type of fruit pie filling you prefer. Blueberry and strawberry are especially good in the summer.
More Easy No Bake Desserts
- Peanut Butter Bars
- Cherry Cheesecake
- Peanut Butter Pie
- Banana Split Cake
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Dessert
No Bake Caramel Apple Icebox Cake
Ingredients
- 2 boxes instant butterscotch pudding 3.4 ounce boxes
- 3 cups cold milk
- 16 ounces whipped topping
- 1 ½ cups apple pie filling
- 14.4 ounces box cinnamon graham crackers
- 1 cup caramel sauce
Instructions
- Line a 9 x 13 baking dish with plastic wrap with plenty of overhang.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the instant pudding with the cold milk.2 boxes instant butterscotch pudding, 3 cups cold milk
- Whisk until combined.
- Chop up the apple pie filling into smaller pieces.1 ½ cups apple pie filling
- Mix the apple pie filling into the pudding mix.
- Fold one container of whipped topping into the pudding mix.16 ounces whipped topping
- Spoon a little of the filling into the bottom of the pan and spread out.
- Place down a layer of graham crackers in the pan, you may need to break a few to cover the bottom.14.4 ounces box cinnamon graham crackers
- Spoon 1/3 of the pudding mixture on the layer of graham crackers and spread out.
- Repeat with a layer of graham crackers, another third of the filling, another layer of graham crackers and the remaining filling.
- Top with whipped topping.
- Cover and freeze or refrigerate overnight.
- Before serving drizzle with caramel.1 cup caramel sauce
Notes
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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