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Best No-Bake Smores Icebox Cake: Easy 10-Minute Dessert

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This Best No-Bake S’mores Icebox Cake is the dessert you bring when you want to hear people actually stop talking mid-bite. It’s the one that disappears before the main course even hits the table, and it takes ten minutes to put together without turning on the oven.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boxes (3.4 oz each) instant chocolate pudding mix (Jell-O brand recommended)
  • 3 cups cold whole milk (2% works, but whole milk gives richest texture)
  • 1 tub (8 oz) Cool Whip, thawed (or 2 cups heavy cream + 1/4 cup powdered sugar for homemade whipped cream)
  • 1 box (about 14 oz) honey graham crackers (roughly 24 full sheets)
  • 1 bag (10 oz) mini marshmallows (Jet-Puffed recommended)
  • Optional: 1/2 cup chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bar for extra decadence

Instructions

  1. Make the pudding: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together both boxes of instant chocolate pudding mix with 3 cups of cold whole milk. Whisk for about 2 minutes until it starts to thicken. Let it sit for 5 minutes to set up completely.
  2. Fold in the Cool Whip: Once the pudding has set, gently fold in the entire tub of thawed Cool Whip using a rubber spatula. Fold until no white streaks remain and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  3. Start layering: Spread a thin layer of the pudding mixture (about 1/2 cup) on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange a single layer of graham crackers on top, breaking them as needed to fit.
  4. Build the cake: Spread about 1/3 of the remaining pudding mixture over the graham crackers. Sprinkle a generous handful of mini marshmallows on top. Add another layer of graham crackers. Repeat until all pudding mixture is used, ending with about 3 layers of graham crackers and 3 layers of pudding.
  5. Finish the top: Spread the last of the pudding mixture on top. Cover the entire surface in a thick, even layer of marshmallows. If using chocolate chips, sprinkle them over the marshmallows now.
  6. Chill: Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, but overnight is best. The graham crackers need time to soften and absorb the creamy goodness.

Notes

For best results, chill overnight (12-24 hours). The graham crackers will soften to a cake-like texture. For a toasted marshmallow top, after chilling, pop under the broiler for 30-60 seconds, watching carefully. Room temperature ingredients help the pudding set properly. Do not overmix the pudding—2 minutes of whisking is sufficient. The cake keeps in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: no-bake dessert, s'mores, icebox cake, easy dessert, summer dessert, chocolate, marshmallow, graham cracker, potluck dessert, make-ahead dessert

Find it online: https://elaraeats.com/best-no-bake-smores-icebox-cake-easy-10-minute-dessert/