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I might have lost a few of you when I titled this The Famous Chocolate Wafer Icebox Cake, however I am sure that once you saw the photo, 99% of you knew exactly what this recipe is.
How to Make Icebox Cake
This icebox cake is that famous whipped cream and Nabisco Famous chocolate wafer cookie roll, log or cake that ALL of our moms and Grandma’s made. Everyone has their own name for this cake. We called it the whipped cream log. Mike’s family called it a Yule Log and only ate it at Christmas.
- Combine the whipping cream, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl. Beat until light
and fluffy. - On a large serving platter, swirl a couple of tablespoons of whipped cream onto the
plate. This will hold the bottom cookies in place. - Place 8 wafers in a circle on the plate, leaving room to place 4 on top to make a
solid layer. ( see the how-to video!) - Top with whipped cream. Repeat for another 10-11 layers. Finish with whipped cream on top, then sprinkle with leftover broken cookies.
- Wrap lightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight until the next evening.
- Remove and slice carefully to serve!
No matter the name, everyone LOVES this cake. It’s one of my fondest childhood food memories. My mom would make this in a log shape – and usually cobble together two boxes- and we would impatiently wait until the next day.
You simply must leave it in the fridge overnight for the best results.
The secret is the length of time you let it sit in the fridge. This whipped cream and chocolate wafer cake WILL slice beautifully if you let it sit overnight until the next evening. The cookies and the whipped cream soften up together and form a cohesive cake.
Magic, I tell ya!
Now I know that a lot of people use Cool Whip in this – and the taste is completely different. It’s still good – and to be honest, way less fat and calories if you use the Light Cool Whip and if you want to, go right ahead. It’s your cake!
Now apparently Magnolia bakery in New York popularized the round version of The Famous Chocolate Wafer Icebox Cake around 5 or 6 years ago, but it’s the same cake that our Grandma’s have been making all these years. People were paying a hefty price for it as well!
Let’s be honest though ; they didn’t invent this cake, but popularized it enough that those wafers can be found easier now in the States. I find mine at Safeway or Sobeys! ( I know you are going to ask !)
So the deal is:
You can make this refrigerator cake in tiny stacks in trifle cups.
You can make it in freestanding stacks.
You can make this in a big round cake like I did.
You can make logs that are straight and logs that are in an “s” shape like my Mom did.
Babes, it’s STILL the original Nabisco The Famous Chocolate Wafer Icebox Cake, no matter how you stack it!
Love you more than this cake ( but barely….oh so barely….) 😉
Karlynn
The Famous Chocolate Wafer Icebox Cake
- Prep Time
- 30 minutes
- Total Time
- 30 minutes
- Course
- Dessert
- Cuisine
- American
- Servings
- 12
- Calories
- 70
- Author
- Karlynn Johnston
Ingredients
- 3 boxes of Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers
- 4 cups of whipping cream
- 3 tablespoons sugar or to taste, I don’t like mine too sweet
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine the whipping cream, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl. Beat until light and fluffy.
- On a large serving platter, swirl a couple of tablespoons of whipped cream onto the plate. This will hold the bottom cookies in place.
- Place 8 wafers in a circle on the plate, leaving room to place 4 on top to make a solid layer. ( see the how-to video!)
- Top with whipped cream.
- Repeat for another 10-11 layers.
- Finish with whipped cream on top, then sprinkle with leftover broken cookies. There are always broken cookies.
- Wrap lightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight until the next evening.
- Remove and slice carefully to serve!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Information
All calories and info are based on a third party calculator and are only an estimate. Actual nutritional info will vary with brands used, your measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
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Darlene Milton says
I used Oreo thins because we can no longer find the Nabisco wafers, and the thins worked great! Really liked stacking like a cake instead of trying to make a log. With one package of thins I was able to make it 7 or 8 layers. The cake was about 5 inches round. Would probably have 6 or 8 servings. Worked well for what we needed.
Linda Venczel says
Can you substitute chocolate cake for the cookies that I can’t find?
Tatiana says
You can, but then it would just be a chocolate cake with whipped cream frosting. The whole thing with this cake is that the crisp cookies soak up the whipped cream and become soft like a super-thin layer of cake.
Michele C. says
I just bought the stuff to make this! My mom always called them refrigerator cookies, since she fixed them like Oreos, then individually wrapped them in foil…I found the Nabisco cookies at Buehlers in the baking aisle next to the puddings. These were a family favorite every year growing up and I’m thrilled that I can make them as an adult!!!
Marla says
WHERE IS THE ‘HOW TO’ VIDEO FOR ASSEMBLY? I’m so frustrated I couldn’t find it…..
Lin G. says
Not in stores anymore. But they’re on Ebay for an exhorbitant amount of money and shipping costs. Some sellers take advantage of shortages to rip people off. Shame on them. I’m going to try to split thin Oreo cookies in two to see if they will work. They’re pretty thin, I’m hoping.
Zaida says
Nabisco has a product locator through http://www.snackworks.com. I found packages of the cookies at my local Von’s.
Romell Suden says
I just found them in Safeway. The store said during the shut down they had to stop ordering and could only order necessities. But dont worry they’re back!!!
Cathy Buchanan says
My mom made this as a log, and sliced it on an angle so each slice had zebra stripes. I don’t think I ever saw anyone turn down a slice.
lilly p. says
wipping cream or whipped cream?
Angir says
Whipping cream is what whip cream is made from… basically you are making homemade whip cream for between the layers and homemade whip cream is soooooo good…
angie081379@hotmail.com says
Whipping cream is what whip cream is made from… basically you are making homemade whip cream for between the layers and homemade whip cream is soooooo good…
Sally says
You make mention of a how-to video, but I don’t see it anywhere. Am I missing something? I didn’t quite understand your description of how to arrange the cookies (putting 4 on top..??).
Brenda says
I wondered the same thing 🙂
Dar says
You can find the wafers in the grocery store near the pudding and our filling ,baking section.
Dar. says
Pudding or pie filling .
Mony says
WAY better to use THIN Oreos it’s amazing!
BRenda Collom says
Hurry and get the cookies because Safeway is discontinuing them. I do resets for Safeway and Albertsons and I’ve taken them out of every store we go to work at this month.
Chuey Bluey says
Would this work the same if you just used “aerosol” whip cream in a can? Cookie, squirt o’ cream, cookie, squirt o’ cream, etc??? I was thinking it would be even easier and thats whst i have on hand. Plus even the tiniest carton of whipping cream is more than i would need for a couple of people. Thought i would try in individual teacups or a pretty glass.
Brenda Smith says
My Mom made this years ago and I believe she added a little
Lemon juice to her whipped cream. She made it in a log shape and we loved it.
Denise McDonald says
I put creme de menthe liqour in to the whip creme.. delish!
Josephine Guild says
My Aunt Pauline always made this when we would visit her. She was not the “from scratch” baker than my Mom was. Always loved this and occasionally make it. Always loved it! I can find the wafers at most stores in my area, guess I’m lucky. Try Acme or Stop N Shop. I think I might just make this over the weekend to share with my friends who are coming over to celebrate my birthday with me. I could not celebrate last weekend (Saturday) because I had the flu. Better late than never! Enjoy everyone! I hope you find the wafers.
Oh – on a separate note – I made the picked pot roast and it is wonderful. Please look up Kitchen Magpie’s recipe. It is so worth it! I froze part and defrosted portion last night for dinner over rice. Having another portion for lunch today. So yummy! I shared with my sister and she loved it so much that she requested the recipe right away.
susan says
I am so excited to see this recipe. I loved it as a child. Can you tell me where to find these cookies I don’t have a safeway or the other one near me. Thanks.
Therese Lang says
I suppose you already found the wafers after 2 years….but…for others I found them online at WEGMANS here in Midlothian, Va. They are from NABISCO, Famous Nabisco Chocolate Wafers should get you there..as well as the when looking for the recipe. I am going to make it as soon as I pick up ALL the ingredients that I do NOT have yet, the wafers and whipping cream.
Kat says
Can not get the wafers anymore.
Gayle says
Try the ice cream section of your grocery store.
Dar. says
You can find the wafers in ant grocery store . Usually in the section where the pudding ,pie filling and baking things are found. You have to look but they are there
J says
Giod day Karlynn..just found your site!!..with this most beautious recipe..can’t wait to try..for a brbq..oit luck..however..wondering!!??.how nany servings would you say….!??
Thankyou.Judi