No bake caramel apple icebox cake is a perfect way to transition to fall flavors without heating up the house. The vanilla cream cheese filling, Graham crackers and cinnamon brown sugar apples come together to make the perfect easy dessert.
Get a fabulous fall dessert on the table without turning on the oven! Layers of Graham crackers, creamy vanilla filling and apples quickly caramelized in a skillet are married into one beautiful sweet treat. This icebox cake is a fun and easy make ahead dessert.
Icebox cakes are nothing new, people have been layering whipped cream and chocolate wafer cookies together and letting them meld into a sliceable “cake” for decades. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be updated and made fresh and fun again.
This caramel apple icebox cake is basically a no bake cheesecake masquerading as a refrigerator cake. In fact, I almost made it as a cheesecake but decided layering whole Graham crackers would be both more fun and less work.
In my book that is what we call a double win. And winning is what we like to do so we took the shortcut and ran away with the culinary victory! 👑
Making The Cinnamon Caramel Apple Bits
You want to make the apple mixture first so that it has time to cool down a bit before you start layering. Prepping the apples is the most time consuming part of the whole recipe, but it is totally worth the effort.
Once the apples are cored, peeled and chopped it is time to turn them into heaven. A little butter, brown sugar and cinnamon helps take them to that next level.
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After they are softened and aromatic, thicken the sauce a bit and stir in some vanilla. It is going to be hard not to eat them out of the pan, but try to resist.
Now set those beautiful caramelized apples aside and let them come to room temperature. It’s time to start assembling your layers of apple yum yum.
If you are in a hurry and don’t have time, you can use a can of apple pie filling in a pinch. However, making this apple mixture is totally worth the little bit of extra time and effort.
Let it chill
If you want to be able to serve pieces that hold their shape, you are going to want to chill it for a couple of hours or overnight. It is an icebox cake after all, so it should see the inside of your refrigerator!
A nice long chill allows the cookies to soften a bit and the filling to set up. Then you will be able to get peek enjoyment out of your tasty dessert.
Fun Substitution Ideas
- Use gingersnaps instead of graham crackers.
- Use vanilla wafers instead of graham crackers.
- For a more spiced flavor throughout, beat a half teaspoon of cinnamon and dash of nutmeg into the cream cheese mixture.
- If you don’t have apples, use pears or peaches.
Caramel Apple Icebox Cake
Ingredients
Caramel Apples
- 5 medium apples
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- ⅓ cup water
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar packed
- ¾ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Icebox Cake
- 8 ounces graham crackers
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream chilled
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
Caramel Apples
- Core, peel and dice 5 medium apples into about ¼″ cubes.
- In a large skillet, melt the 3 Tablespoons butter over medium heat.
- Add the apples, ⅓ cup water, ⅓ cup light brown sugar and 3/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon. Simmer for about 5 minutes until the apples begin to soften.
- Make slurry of 2 teaspoons cornstarch and a tablespoon or two of water. Pour into the warm apples and cook stirring until thickened, about 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Set aside and allow to cool to room temperature.
Assembly
- Place a layer of graham crackers on the bottom of an 8 or 9″ square dish.
- Beat 8 ounces cream cheese until it is creamy and lump free. Add ½ cup granulated sugar and beat until well mixed.
- With the mixer running on medium-high speed, slowly drizzle in 2 cups heavy whipping cream. Continue to beat until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- Spread half of the cream cheese mixture over the graham crackers. Spread about ⅓ of the apple mixture over the filling.
- Top with the remaining graham crackers, then the remaining cream cheese mixture. Finish with the remaining apples.
- Refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
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This is the perfect fall dessert!
Thank you!
This looks like such a light and fresh apple dessert! Perfect for a hot fall day.
Thank you
I have never had an icebox cake. Never even heard of an icebox cake. Thanks for the education…and the recipe!
They are so easy to put together and the flavor combinations are endless!
Yes please! Even though the weather has gotten a little cooler, this caramel apple icebox cake sounds so delightful. I kind of like your idea of using gingersnaps instead of graham crackers for a change. I think that I'm going to have to try that.
I think they would be a lovely swap and add a whole extra layer of flavor
This sounds and looks delicious, and just right for Fall! We will be trying this, for sure!
I hope you love it!
This looks heavenly!
It is!
A great dessert to welcome fall!
I think so too!