Black Forest Icebox Cake recipe is a quick and easy, no-bake refrigerator dessert made like a layered lasagna with a sweet fruit-flavored twist. 

This cool and creamy black forest cake is loaded with alternating layers of a velvety cream cheese cherry mixture and chocolate Oreo cookies, all sandwiched between a bottom and top base of whipped cream.

Black Forest Icebox Cake hero image
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About Our No-Bake Black Forest Icebox Cake

Our Black Forest Icebox Cake is a delightful twist on the classic German dessert, combining layers of Oreo cookies, whipped cream, and cherry filling for a truly indulgent treat.

This no-bake delight is perfect for those warm summer days when you want a luscious, crowd-pleasing dessert without turning on the oven.

Not only is it incredibly easy to prepare, but its stunning presentation also makes it an ideal choice for special occasions or casual get-togethers.

This chocolate cherry icebox cake is a rich and decadent dessert that makes the ultimate summer slice! –  why heat up your house when it’s already hot outside?

Why We Love This Black Forest Icebox Cake Recipe

  • Quick and easy to make.
  • Uses a handful of simple ingredients.
  • A cherry Oreo icebox cake merges chocolate sandwich cookies with cherry cheesecake to make the best no bake sweet and tangy treat.
  • Cool, creamy, refreshing twist on a classic black forest cake.
  • Fuss-free, make-ahead dessert that tastes delicious and looks fancy.
  • Perfect for potlucks, backyard BBQs, summer parties, or when you don’t want to heat up the house.
Black Forest Icebox Cake ingredients

Black Forest Icebox Cake Ingredients

  • Cream cheese
  • Granulated sugar
  • Pure almond extract
  • Pure vanilla extract
  • Cherry pie filling
  • Whipped topping
  • Chocolate Oreo cookies: You can use Oreo brand or store brand.
  • Whole milk

Substitutions and Additions

  • Use Other Oreos: You can substitute plain Oreo sandwich cookies, dark chocolate Oreos, or even Oreo cakesters for the chocolate Oreo cookies.
  • Pick Your Pie Filling: You can substitute strawberry pie filling or your favorite fruit flavor for the cherry pie filling. 
  • Tasty Toppings: Add some coconut flakes, chopped nuts, chocolate shavings, fresh cherries, a drizzle of chocolate sauce, or crushed Oreos to the top of your cake in addition to or instead of the cherry pie filling if you prefer.
top shot of Black Forest Icebox Cake
  • Stand mixer or handheld mixer
  • Mixing bowl
  • Offset spatula

How to Make Black Forest Icebox Cake

  1. Make The Cream Cheese Mixture: Beat together the cream cheese, sugar, almond extract, and vanilla extract until completely incorporated and smooth. Fold in cherry pie filling followed by whipped topping. Set it aside.
  2. Assemble: Spread whipped topping in the bottom of the baking dish and top with a layer milk-dipped Oreos. Spread the cream cheese cherry mixture over the bottom layer of Oreos. Top with another layer of Oreos and cream cheese cherry mixture. Evenly spread the remaining whipped topping over the cream cheese mixture layer.
  3. Chill: Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours to overnight.
  4. Slice And Serve: Spread the remaining cherry pie filling on top of the whipped topping layer. Slice 4 slices x 3 slices and serve immediately. Enjoy!
collage black forest icebox cake

Tips For Making Black Forest Icebox Cake

  • Be sure that the cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing. This will ensure a smooth cream cheese mixture layer.
  • This cake needs to chill for at least 6 hours so the cream cheese mixture can set and the Oreos can absorb the moisture to become soft.
  • An offset spatula is a perfect tool for smoothing each layer into the pan.

How to Store Icebox Cake

  • To Store: Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • To Freeze: You can freeze the cake for up to 2 weeks. Allow the cake to thaw overnight before topping, slicing, and serving.
black forest icebox cake

More Easy Icebox Cake Recipes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an icebox cake?

Simply stated, an icebox cake is a layered dessert of crispy cookies and fluffy whipped filling. When placed in the fridge to firm up, it transforms into something truly magical and complex, as the cookies absorb the cream, softening into something cake-like and luscious.

Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of a store-bought container?

Yes, it is easy to make a homemade whipped topping with heavy cream and powdered sugar. Whip the whipping cream until stiff peaks form, then add the powdered sugar and whip again until combined. See our delicious recipe for Homemade Whipped Cream.

Can I make an icebox cake in advance?

Yes, you can make this icebox cake a few days ahead of time. This recipe calls for a minimum 6 hours of time in the refrigerator before serving to allow the cookies to soak up the cream cheese mixture. It’s a great make-ahead dessert recipe.

Eating one sliced of Black Forest Icebox Cake

Other Easy Cake Recipes

5 from 2 votes
Black Forest Icebox Cake featured image

Black Forest Icebox Cake

Serves — 12
A Black Forest Icebox Cake is a quick and easy way to create a no-bake, decadent layered dessert. Made with Oreo cookies, cream cheese, and cherry pie filling, it's a refreshing change from the classic chocolate cherry cake.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Chill Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounce package of cream cheese softened to room temperature
  • 5 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon pure almond extract
  • ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 42 ounce (2 21-ounce) cans of cherry pie filling divided into 1¼ cups and remainder
  • 16 ounce (2 8-ounce) containers of whipped topping thawed, divided into 3 cups, ¼ cup, and remainder
  • 50 chocolate Oreo cookies Oreo brand or store brand. A family-size package, 20 ounces, contains 39 cookies
  • cup whole milk

Instructions
 

  • Using either a stand mixer or a medium-sized mixing bowl and a handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat together the cream cheese, granulated sugar, almond extract, and vanilla extract for 1½-2 minutes until completely incorporated and smooth.
  • Fold in 1¼ cups of cherry pie filling.
  • Fold in 3 cups of thawed whipped topping. Set it aside.
  • Spread ¼ cup of the thawed whipped topping in the bottom of a 9×9 baking dish.
  • Dip ½ of the chocolate Oreos, one at a time, in the whole milk. Line the dipped cookies on top of the bottom layer of whipped topping.
  • Use an offset spatula to spread ½ of the cream cheese cherry mixture over the bottom layer of Oreos.
  • Repeat the milk and Oreos layer on top of the cream cheese mixture layer.
  • Evenly spread the remaining ½ of the cream cheese mixture layer over the top of the Oreo layer.
  • Evenly spread the remaining whipped topping over the cream cheese mixture layer. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours to overnight. Just before you are ready to serve, spread the remaining cherry pie filling on top of the whipped topping layer. Slice 4 slices x 3 slices and serve immediately.

Jenn’s Notes

Storage:
  • To Store: Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • To Freeze: You can freeze the cake for up to 2 weeks. Allow the cake to thaw overnight before topping, slicing, and serving.
Tips:
  • Be sure that the cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing. This will ensure a smooth cream cheese mixture layer.
  • This cake needs to chill for at least 6 hours so the cream cheese mixture can set and the Oreos can absorb the moisture to become soft.
  • An offset spatula is a perfect tool for smoothing each layer into the pan.

Nutrition Info

Calories: 525kcal | Carbohydrates: 79g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 304mg | Potassium: 305mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 508IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 6mg

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