A ridiculously easy no-bake lemon icebox cake recipe, made using just 4 simple ingredients: lemon pudding mix, milk, Cool Whip, and graham crackers.
While some people (like me) no-bake desserts like these icebox cakes, I have seen them also referred to as a lemon lush or lemon dream dessert.
But, typically a lush has a cream cheese layer, which this particular recipe does not. (I do also have a lemon lush recipe if you would like something with a cream cheese layer.)
So, I think lemon icebox cake or no-bake lemon pudding cake would be better-suited names for this delicious treat.
Looking for a no-bake cheesecake? Check out this amazing no-bake cherry cheesecake or these no-bake strawberry cheesecake bars.
Lemon Icebox Cake
I know, I know, who really cares what you call it? What matters is how it tastes, right?
Well, I can assure you that this lemon cake tastes incredible. Cool, light, and creamy lemon goodness. I love how it has just the right amount of lemon flavor so that it isn’t too lemony.
Related: 3-Ingredient Lemon Cake Mix Cookies
If you love lemon desserts, you won’t be able to resist this lemon pudding icebox cake.
And just like our no-bake eclair cake and strawberry icebox cake, you won’t believe how easy it is to make.
The cake is made by simply alternating layers of graham crackers, lemon pudding, and Cool Whip.
That. Is. It!
A Word of Warning
Be careful when covering your cake.
I used the lid that came with my 9 x 13 glass baking dish, and I guess it just wasn’t high enough.
When I removed the lid the following day, there was a large hole in the top layer of my cake. Ugh.
Luckily, I was able to salvage my lemon cake by patching the hole with the whipped topping from the lid and then camouflage my patchwork with graham cracker crumbs.
You can hardly tell, right?
But, you can be smarter than I was and use more care when covering your cake. Toothpicks are great for helping to ensure plastic wrap doesn’t stick to your cake.
Or, use one of these. I am going to order one for next time I make a no-bake cake (which will probably be next week, knowing me).
Speaking of other no-bake desserts, have you tried this pistachio icebox cake or this strawberry Jello pie? Both are incredible and super easy just like this recipe.
Lemon Icebox Cake
The absolute BEST lemon icebox cake recipe! All you need are 4-ingredients to make this easy and delicious no-bake lemon dessert.
Ingredients
- 2 (3.4 oz) packages lemon instant pudding mix
- 2 ½ cups milk
- 1 tub (16 oz) whipped topping, thawed and divided
- 1 (16 oz) box graham crackers
- graham cracker crumbles and/or fresh berries, for garnish (if desired)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk instant pudding mix and milk together for 2 minutes. Fold in ½ of the whipped topping.
- Cover the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish with a single layer of graham crackers. Add ½ the pudding mixture, spread into an even layer. Repeat with another layer of graham crackers and then the rest of the pudding. Top with a 3rd layer of graham crackers and then the remaining whipped topping.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 4 hours.
- Garnish with fresh berries and/or graham cracker crumbles, if desired. Slice and serve.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 15 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 389
Hi! We don’t have tubs of whipped topping where I liv and it’s also hard to find graham crackers. Not sure if using one packet of dream whip and preparing it myself will be enough? Also, can I use digestive biscuits as a substitute to the graham crackers? Super excited to try this!
Hi Zoya! While I have not tried preparing an icebox cake with Dream Whip or digestive biscuits, I just looked them both up and they seem like they would be good alternitives to Cool Whip and graham crackers! If you do decided to give it a try pleasae come back and let us know how it comes out 🙂 Enjoy!
Thank you! I’ll definitely let you know how it turns out. ❤️
I made this and folded in the juice of 2 very small lemons and a little lemon zest to the Cool Whip. It brought the dessert up a notch in my opinion. Also, I used the Lite Cool Whip and it worked great, nobody could tell any difference. I took this to work and just a few minutes before time to get the desserts out, I had put some whole fresh strawberries in a single layer on a baking and let them get really cold and firm, but not completely frozen. I slit an X on each strawberry & put just a tad of the lemon pudding (that I had “stolen” from the bottom layer of the dessert LOL!) in each strawberry slit. If I do say so myself, it dressed up the dessert and getting a strawberry in every slice of the dessert was wonderful. I only wish I had taken a pic before the vultures struck, LOL! People, even several men, begged me for the recipe! That always makes me feel good! I think the next time I make it, and if strawberries are still in season, I may put a whole layer of sliced strawberries as a middle layer. I may even venture out & add some confection powdered sugar & cream cheese to the cool whip. Lemon & strawberry are my fav flavors for pie-like desserts. So many great variations can be made to this outstanding dessert! But it is definitely a perfect dessert just as it is written- no changes necesssry. My hubby teased me saying “NO pecans in this dessert?? I’m shocked!” He knows I love pecans & mom’s crop was great this year! Not sure how many quart bags we put up but it was a lot! So glad not to have to buy any this year! Since retiring last year, I have found myself more adventurous in the kitchen- & the hubby is loving it! THANK YOU for a great recipe!!
Hi Jaclyn,
This looks so delicious! I love lemon desserts. I can’t wait to try it!
Thanks for the recipe!
Alison
This dessert looks amazing! It’s making me crave summer and picnics, and all the summer things!
Do you crush the Graham crackers
No, leave them whole and just lay them down in an even layer.
Yes, I made this. Those graham cracker crumbs surely did lie flat while I tried to spread the pudding over them. Same thing with the second layer. Fortunately, I made it in a 9×9 pan, so the mess of crumbs and pudding could resemble a child’s artwork, but I imagine it will taste good anyway. I threw the recipe away.
I am sorry that you had a bad experience but this recipe uses whole graham crackers–not crumbs.
Is this ok to freeze? Then let thaw in fridge for a day or overnight before serving. thx!
Yes, you can wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and freeze the no-bake lemon cake for up to 1 month. Thaw in fridge then enjoy!