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    Home » Desserts

    Updated: Jul 6, 2024 · Published: Jul 4, 2023 · by Angela · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    S’mores Icebox Cake

    Jump to Recipe

    The ultimate summer no-bake dessert is this chocolatey, gooey, toasty, & creamy S'mores Icebox Cake. Layers of graham crackers, marshmallows creme, & chocolate pudding are the best way to bring the s'mores making indoors.

    S’mores Icebox Cake with layers of chocolate pudding graham crackers and marshmallow cream.

    This dessert is perfect for potlucks at holiday cookouts, 4th of July/Independence Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, birthdays, pool parties, & BBQs. But let's be honest, this refrigerated cool & dreamy dessert is good any time of year.

    This recipe was inspired by my Homemade Snickers Bars which also have layers of chocolate & marshmallow nougat. Both are rich & perfect for a crowd.

    Jump to:
    • Why this Icebox Cake is Amazing
    • Ingredients for S’mores Icebox Cake
    • Recipe Video
    • How to Make S’mores Icebox Cake
    • Topping & Serving
    • Equipment
    • Storing IceBox Cake
    • Top Tips
    • FAQ
    • More No-Bake Dessert Recipes
    • S’mores Icebox Cake

    Why this Icebox Cake is Amazing

    Here are all the reasons you, your family, & friends will love this S'mores Icebox Cake.

    • No oven, stove, baking, or cooking
    • Keep you and the house cool, no heating neeeded
    • Only 20 minutes to prep
    • A great make-ahead dessert recipe
    • Feeds a lot of people & great for parties
    • It's a simple cool dessert to eat in the summer when the weather is hot
    • Leftovers are even better!!

    Ingredients for S’mores Icebox Cake

    Most of the ingredients used in icebox desserts are ready-made items. The concept behind an icebox cake is layering the filling between store-bought cookies or wafers. Like my recipe for Lemon Icebox Cake, the main items are instant pudding & graham crackers.

    For this recipe, the premise is the same & you may already have many of the items in your pantry already. All you need is 6 items & a few more if you want to make a deluxe version with tasty toppings.

    Labeled ingredients to make icebox cake tasting like smores.
    • Graham Crackers - I use Nabisco Honey Maid since they taste great & fit almost perfectly in the 9x13 baking dish.
    • Instant Chocolate Pudding - two small 3.9oz boxes of Jell-O instant pudding & pie filling is recommended for the chocolate layers.
    • Milk - use only WHOLE milk that is COLD straight from the fridge.
    • Cool Whip Topping - this needs to be thawed at room temperature.
    • Marshmallow Fluff/Creme - the sticky sweet marshmallow cream layer is so good & one jar of fluff is all you need.
    • Mini Marshmallows - for that squishy chewy vibe that makes S'mores irresistible.
    • Hershey's Chocolate Bars - the classic ingredient makes a great topping
    • Chocolate Sauce - optional for topping & extra richness

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    Recipe Video

    How to Make S’mores Icebox Cake

    Don't wait for your camping trip to enjoy some S'mores. I assembled this recipe in my large 9x13 Pyrex baking dish. It is the perfect size for 15-20 servings, depending on how big you make these pieces. Trust me, you will want a big helping since it is so light, airy, & refreshing.

    It is quick to make this refrigerator icebox cake. In less than 20 minutes it is assembled & in the fridge ready to chill. Like making a lasagna, layering all the yummy ingredients is most of the work. The hardest part is waiting for it to set but boy is it worth it!

    Here are the main steps needed to prepare & layer the ingredients for this S'mores Icebox Cake recipe:

    1. Prep the Ingredients
    2. Layer the Icebox Cake
    3. Chill in Refrigerator
    4. Top, Toast, & Serve

    1 - Prep the Ingredients

    In a large bowl add the two pudding packets & the cold milk. Use a hand mixer to combine. Refrigerate to chill while prepping the remaining steps.

    Graham crackers lined up to cover the bottom of 9x13 pan.

    Add a layer of graham crackers to the bottom of the 9x13 baking dish. Cover the entire bottom & break crackers if needed so they fit snuggly as shown above.

    Folding together the marshmallow and coolwhip.

    In a large bowl combine the marshmallow fluff, thawed Cool-Whip, & ½ of the bag of mini marshmallows.

    2 - Layer the Icebox Cake

    Now that the pudding and the marshmallow ingredients are mixed together, it is time to layer them with the store-bought graham cracker cookies.

    S’mores Icebox Cake Pan lined with graham crackers and bowls filled with the chocolate pudding and marshmallow cream.

    Grab an offset spatula and all the bowl of pudding from the refrigerator. Once all the items are ready, time to assemble the cake.

    Marshmallow cream layer on top of graham crackers.

    Spoon ⅓ of the marshmallow & cream layer on top of the graham crackers. Using an offset spatula spread it out evenly to cover the surface.

    S’mores Icebox Cake Chocolate pudding layer on top of marshmallow cream layer.

    Spoon ½ of the pudding on top of the marshmallow layer. Spread evenly so that it is covering as much of the bottom 2 layers as possible.

    Repeat the steps so that there is another layer of graham crackers, ⅓ of the marshmallow mixture, & the remaining half of the pudding. For the top add a 3rd layer of graham crackers & the final bit of the marshmallow cream.

    Sprinkle the top with the other ½ of the mini marshmallows. Place it in the refrigerator for 4 hours or longer.

    S’mores Icebox Cake All layers done with mini marshmallows on top.

    3 - Chill in Refrigerator

    Refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours. This allows the ingredients to be set so it slices easily & won't fall apart when served.

    But most importantly, that time allows the flavors to come together. The cream also penetrates the graham crackers which result in the cake-like texture you want to achieve.

    Topping & Serving

    After hours of chilling the icebox cake is ready to top, cut, & serve. I like to add more ingredients on top for extra deliciousness & to make it pretty. I want it to scream S'MORES by the time it is ready to serve. No one will have to wonder what is inside those yummy layers.

    If you have a kitchen torch, like for making creme brulee, get it out! Sprinkle on the remaining mini marshmallows on top. Next, lightly toast them by carefully torching them so they turn brown, charred, & bubbly. It will add that roasted over-a-campfire s'mores flavor to the cake.

    And if you want to take this cake to the next level, sprinkle on chopped-up Hershey's Chocolate Bar & drizzle with chocolate sauce if desired. If you have any broken pieces or crumbs from the graham crackers, sprinkle those on too! Go for it, the more the yummier.

    S’mores Icebox Cake Side showing the layers plus toasted marshmallows and hersheys chocolate bar squares on top

    MARSHMALLOW TIP: If you want a smoother icebox cake, use twice as much of the marshmallow fluff & Cool-Whip and omit the mini marshmallows. This will give you plenty of cream layers without the squishy lil marshmallows.

    So when you crave the toasty marshmallow, chocolate, & graham goodness of summer campfires, you can have it any time of year.

    Equipment

    The correct size baking dish, hand mixer, and an offset spatula are key for success with this recipe. Here are the tools & some ingredients you will need to make S'Mores Icebox Cake.

    Bovado USA 9" x 13" Inch Glass Oven Baking Dish | High-Grade Borosilicate Glass | 3 Qt Capacity with Airtight Premium Plastic Lid | Nonstick, Dishwasher Safe, Freezer-to-Oven Oblong Casserol...
    Bovado USA 9" x 13" Inch Glass Oven Baking Dish | High-Grade Borosilicate Glass | 3 Qt Capacity with Airtight Premium Plastic Lid | Nonstick, Dishwasher Safe, Freezer-to-Oven Oblong Casserol...
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    Icing Spatula, U-Taste Offset Spatula Set with 6", 8", 10" Blade,Stainless Steel Angled Cake Decorating Frosting Spatula Set of 3 (Black)
    $16.99
    Icing Spatula, U-Taste Offset Spatula Set with 6", 8", 10" Blade,Stainless Steel Angled Cake Decorating Frosting Spatula Set of 3 (Black)
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    05/13/2025 11:37 am GMT
    Sondiko Butane Torch S400, Refillable Kitchen Lighter, Fit All Butane Tanks Blow Torch with Safety Lock and Adjustable Flame for Desserts, Creme Brulee, and Baking Butane Gas Is Not Included
    $19.99
    Sondiko Butane Torch S400, Refillable Kitchen Lighter, Fit All Butane Tanks Blow Torch with Safety Lock and Adjustable Flame for Desserts, Creme Brulee, and Baking Butane Gas Is Not Included
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    03/23/2025 07:06 am GMT
    Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer with Whisk, Traditional Beaters, Snap-On Storage Case, White
    $23.93
    Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer with Whisk, Traditional Beaters, Snap-On Storage Case, White
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    05/12/2025 05:37 pm GMT
    Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Creme (7 oz Marshmallows Jar)
    $9.99
    Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Creme (7 oz Marshmallows Jar)
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    05/12/2025 05:00 pm GMT
    JELL-O Chocolate Instant Gelatin Dessert Mix (3.9 oz Box)
    $1.78
    JELL-O Chocolate Instant Gelatin Dessert Mix (3.9 oz Box)
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    05/12/2025 08:30 pm GMT
    Honey Maid Graham Crackers, 14.4 oz
    $3.47
    Honey Maid Graham Crackers, 14.4 oz
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    05/12/2025 09:11 pm GMT
    Pamela's Products - Graham Crackers Honey - 7.5 Ounce (Pack of 2)
    $16.95
    Pamela's Products - Graham Crackers Honey - 7.5 Ounce (Pack of 2)
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    05/12/2025 09:36 pm GMT

    The Short Order Cook participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. This helps with the costs of running the blog. Thank you!  

    S’mores Icebox Cake landscape overhead of the cake in the 13x9 pan ready to cut into it.

    Storing IceBox Cake

    One of the best things about this dessert is that it stores well for days. It is a great make-ahead recipe that will be delicious straight out of the refrigerator for days.

    Store the S'mores Icebox Cake in the pan it is made in for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Keep it covered and slice a serving when the desire hits. But let's be honest, there is no way this lasts 5 days!!!

    I do not recommend freezing this cake as the chocolate and marshmallow layers may separate & become runny.

    Top Tips

    All of these great tips are shared in the post. But these are so good and important they are worth mentioning again so you don't miss them.

    • Make sure the Cool Whip topping is at room temperature.
    • Use COLD WHOLE MILK for the pudding layer.
    • Use an offset spatula to cream smooth layers.
    • Make ahead; for 8 hours or overnight for even better results.
    • Add fun toppings & toast up mini marshmallows using a kitchen torch.
    S'mores Icebox Cake square piece on a plate with toasty marshmallows & a hershey square on top.

    FAQ

    Who invented the icebox cake?

    The name is icebox cake (not refrigerator cake) because it was invented in the 1920s as a way to promote the icebox appliance to housewives & families. Nabisco chocolate wafers and layers of cream were one of the first to be originated & enjoyed.

    It was very popular in the 30s & has returned to glory recently with trendy & even gourmet versions. It is also known as a ripple cake, zebra cake, refrigerator cake, graham cake, or log in other countries.

    Is this icebox cake gluten-free?

    As written, using Nabisco Honey Maid graham crackers it is not gluten-free. However, use your favorite gluten-free graham crackers as a substitute for the regular ones. I recommend Pamela's Honey Grahams & use two boxes to have enough. Most instant pudding mixes & the other ingredients are wheat-free.

    Can I use jumbo marshmallows instead of the mini ones?

    I have not tried this recipe using large-sized campfire marshmallows. The big pieces will not mix well with the cream layer. If that is all you have, you can maybe try cutting them into smaller pieces using scissors (may need to coat them with nonstick spray.

    S'mores Icebox Cake pan with a slice on a plate.

    More No-Bake Dessert Recipes

    Looking for other recipes like this? For whipped topping fans try my recipe for Fruit Salad with Cool Whip. Try these other refrigerated or no-bake desserts:

    • Keto No-Bake Cheesecake
    • No-Bake Eggnog Pie
    • Frozen Oreo Peanut Butter Cup Pie
    • Patriotic Poke Cake
    S'mores Icebox Cake big slice on a plate next to the pan of the rest.

    S’mores Icebox Cake

    Angela
    The best no-bake dessert is this creamy, chocolatey, & toasty S'mores Icebox Cake. The layers of graham crackers, pudding, & marshmallows scream summer. This cool summer recipe is great for feeding a crowd or party. Make it for 4th of July, BBQs, potlucks, parties, & birthdays. Only 6 -ingredients and 20 minutes to assemble.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share on Facebook
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Chilling Time 4 hours hrs
    Total Time 4 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 18
    Calories 165 kcal

    Equipment

    • 9x13 pan
    • whisk
    • offset spatula
    • kitchen torch optional

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 14-15 ounce box graham crackers
    • 2 3.4 ounce boxes instant chocolate pudding mix Jell-O
    • 3 cups cold whole milk
    • 7 ounce jar marshmallow fluff/creme
    • 8 ounce tub Cool Whip defrosted at room temperature
    • 10 ounce bag mini marshmallows
    • 1 Hershey's Chocolate Bar optional - chopped or grated
    • ½ cup Chocolate Sauce optional - drizzle
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • In a large mixing bowl prepare the chocolate pudding. Dump both pudding mixes & 3 cups of cold milk into the bowl. Using an electric hand mixer, combine until thick. Set the pudding in the refrigerator to use later.
    • In a medium bowl add the defrosted Cool Whip & the whole jar of the marshmallow creme. Add ½ of the mini marshmallows. Fold to evenly combine.
    • To the bottom of the 9x13 baking dish, add a layer of graham crackers. Break some apart as needed to fit enough to cover the entire bottom of the pan.
    • Spoon ⅓ of the marshmallow mixture on top of the graham crackers. Spread out so it is an even layer - it will be lumpy thanks to all the yummy mini marshmallows.
    • Spoon half of the pudding on top of the marshmallow layer. Spread out evenly
    • Add another layer of graham crackers on top of the chocolate pudding. Again make sure to have full coverage and break the cookies as needed.
    • Repeat with another ⅓ layer of the rest of the marshmallow filling. Then top again with the remaining pudding.
    • Place a final 3rd layer of graham crackers on the top to cover the pudding layer.
    • Top with the remaining marshmallow layer. Sprinkle on the remaining mini marshmallows.
    • Place the S'Mores Icebox Cake in the refrigerator for a minimum of 4 hours.
    • For the toppings before serving:
      Using a cooking torch, roast the marshmallows until toasty & brown to your liking.
      Sprinkle on chopped-up Hershey's Chocolate Bar & drizzle with chocolate sauce if desired. If you have any broken pieces or crumbs from the graham crackers, sprinkle those on too! Go for it, the more the yummier.
    • To serve, cut into squares & place on plates. Enjoy!

    Notes

    STORING & SERVING:
    • This is a make ahead dessert & stores in the refrigerator well for up to 5 days.
    • Serve chilled straight from the fridge while still cold. It will fall apart, get soupy, or liquify if left at room temperature. 
    SUBSTITUTIONS & VARIATIONS:
    • Use gluten-free graham crackers if needed for dietary/allergy reasons.
    • Try with dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate Hershey's bars.
    • Do not substitute the whole milk with low-fat or fat free, it will not thicken and set.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 165kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 2gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 69mgPotassium: 104mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 88IUVitamin C: 0.02mgCalcium: 69mgIron: 0.2mg
    Keyword 6-ingredient, easy, holiday, no bake, one pan
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Hi, I'm Angela I’m Angela, a petite mom that loves to cook, eat, drink, & explore all things food. As a former personal chef & caterer, I specialize in family recipes that taste great & are easy to make. I rely on my trusty stool every day to create & test recipes I know you will love.

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