Description
Alton Brown’s icebox cake combines graham crackers, whipped cream, and chocolate in a no-bake dessert marvel. Chilled layers meld into a creamy, delightful treat you’ll crave at first bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (710 ml) heavy cream (cold)
- 70 chocolate wafer cookies
- 1 packet powdered gelatin
- 4 tsp instant espresso powder
- 2 tbsps coffee liqueur
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup (60 ml) powdered sugar
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
Instructions
- Preparation: Line a loaf pan with plastic wrap, ensuring generous overhangs for easy removal.
- Base Layer: Meticulously arrange chocolate wafers across the bottom and vertically along the pan’s interior, creating a complete cookie wall.
- Gelatin Activation: Sprinkle gelatin over cold water, allowing it to bloom for 5 minutes, then gently heat until fully dissolved, avoiding boiling.
- Flavor Infusion: Incorporate espresso powder, vanilla extract, and coffee liqueur into the dissolved gelatin, stirring until perfectly blended.
- Cream Preparation: Whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and salt until soft peaks form, then gradually integrate the cooled gelatin mixture, continuing to whip until stiff, glossy peaks develop.
- Assembly: Pour the whipped cream mixture into the prepared pan, filling three-quarters of the space, then strategically position chocolate wafers in 4 rows of 12, embedding them edge-down with slight spacing.
- Finishing: Distribute remaining whipped cream between cookie layers, smoothing the surface to create an even texture.
- Chilling: Seal the dessert with plastic wrap overhang and refrigerate for 8-24 hours to set and develop flavors.
- Serving: Unwrap carefully, transfer to a serving plate, slice cleanly, and present immediately for optimal enjoyment.
Notes
- Chill for Success: Refrigerate the icebox cake for exactly 8-12 hours to achieve the perfect texture and allow flavors to meld seamlessly.
- Gelatin Magic: Bloom gelatin carefully at room temperature and heat gently to maintain its structure, ensuring a smooth, stable whipped cream base.
- Wafer Placement: Position chocolate wafers meticulously, covering the pan’s bottom and sides completely for a uniform, elegant presentation.
- Whip with Precision: Achieve soft then stiff peaks when whipping cream, watching carefully to avoid over-beating and maintain a light, airy consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg