The Perfect Salted Caramel Icebox Cake Recipe for Sweet Cravings

A ritz cracker salted caramel icebox cake elevates simple ingredients into a magnificent dessert experience.

Sweet and salty flavors dance together in this magical no-bake creation.

Crisp crackers provide unexpected texture against silky smooth caramel layers.

Creamy and decadent, this dessert breaks traditional boundaries of classic confections.

Each bite promises a delightful balance between buttery, crunchy elements and rich, golden sweetness.

Minimal effort yields maximum satisfaction with this impressive treat.

Prepare to wow friends and family with this irresistible confection.

Ritz Cracker Salted Caramel Icebox Cake: Sweet and Decadent

• Create a No-Bake Dessert Delight: This icebox cake delivers maximum flavor with zero oven time, making it perfect for busy home bakers who want a quick and impressive sweet treat.
• Luxurious Layer Symphony: Each spoonful offers a harmonious blend of crispy Ritz crackers, creamy cheesecake-like filling, and rich salted caramel sauce that creates an irresistible texture contrast.
• Decadent Indulgence with Minimal Effort: Requiring only simple mixing and layering techniques, this dessert transforms basic ingredients into a sophisticated, restaurant-worthy experience that looks and tastes much more complicated than its straightforward preparation suggests.
• Make-Ahead Magic: The overnight chilling method allows flavors to develop and meld beautifully, making it an excellent make-ahead dessert for parties, potlucks, or stress-free entertaining that lets you prepare in advance.

What You’ll Need for Ritz Cracker Salted Caramel Icebox Cake

• Ritz Crackers: Crispy, buttery base that provides a salty crunch and structural foundation for the cake.
• Cream Cheese: Creamy, tangy ingredient that creates a rich and smooth filling texture.
• Heavy Cream: Adds lightness and helps create a fluffy, airy cream cheese mixture.

• Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese mixture and balances the salty cracker base.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic flavor depth to the cream cheese mixture.
• Caramel Sauce: Provides rich, sweet-salty drizzle that enhances the overall dessert flavor.
• Salted Caramel Sauce: Offers additional caramel flavor with a hint of saltiness for garnish.

• Whipped Cream: Light topping that adds extra creamy texture and visual appeal.
• Crushed Ritz Crackers: Provides extra crunch and decorative element for serving.

How to Make the Ultimate Ritz Cracker Salted Caramel Icebox Cake

Step 1: Whip the Creamy Base

In a mixing bowl, blend softened cream cheese, heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and silky. Use an electric mixer for the best, lump-free consistency.

Step 2: Layer the Delicious Cake

• 1/3 of Ritz crackers
• 1/3 of cream cheese mixture
• 1/3 of caramel sauce

Repeat this layering process 2 more times, creating a total of 3 delectable layers.

Step 3: Chill and Set

Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. This resting time allows the flavors to blend and the cake to set perfectly.

Step 4: Add Final Touches

• Extra salted caramel drizzle
• Dollop of whipped cream
• Crushed Ritz crackers sprinkled on top

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Slice the chilled icebox cake and serve immediately. Enjoy the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and creamy flavors!

Tips for the Best Ritz Cracker Salted Caramel Icebox Cake

• Chill Cream Cheese Perfectly: Let cream cheese sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing to ensure ultra-smooth, lump-free texture.
• Layer with Precision: Use a spatula to spread cream cheese mixture evenly, creating clean and consistent layers for a professional-looking dessert.
• Drizzle Caramel Strategically: Warm caramel sauce slightly to make it easier to drizzle and help it settle into the cracker layers more smoothly.
• Refrigerate Patiently: Allow minimum 4 hours of chilling time to let crackers soften and flavors develop fully, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
• Garnish Creatively: Sprinkle crushed Ritz crackers just before serving to maintain their crunch and add delightful textural contrast.

How to Keep Your Ritz Cracker Salted Caramel Icebox Cake Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store the icebox cake in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap to prevent absorbing other refrigerator odors. Keeps fresh for up to 3-4 days when properly sealed.
• Freeze: Wrap the entire dessert or individual slices in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen icebox cake maintains best quality for 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Serve Chilled: Always keep the dessert refrigerated until ready to enjoy. Remove from the fridge about 5 minutes before serving to soften slightly, allowing the creamy layers to reach the perfect, silky texture that melts in your mouth.

Best Pairings for Ritz Cracker Salted Caramel Icebox Cake

• Brew the Perfect Coffee Companion: Rich, dark espresso or smooth cappuccino beautifully cuts through the sweet and creamy layers of this icebox cake, creating a delightful balance that awakens your taste buds.
• Pop Open a Sweet Sipper: Pair this dessert with a chilled glass of moscato or sweet riesling wine, whose fruity notes complement the salted caramel and enhance the cake's luxurious texture.
• Create a Creamy Contrast: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream to amplify the dessert's cool, velvety profile and add an extra layer of indulgence.
• Toast with a Dessert Drink: A salted caramel martini or butterscotch liqueur makes an elegant accompaniment, echoing the cake's flavor profile and elevating the entire dessert experience.

Fun Twists on Ritz Cracker Salted Caramel Icebox Cake

• Chocolate Lovers' Version: Swap caramel sauce with melted dark chocolate and add chocolate chips between layers for an intense cocoa experience.
• Nutty Crunch Remix: Sprinkle chopped roasted almonds or pecans between layers to introduce extra texture and nutty depth to the icebox cake.
• Berry Bliss Edition: Replace caramel sauce with strawberry or raspberry preserves and top with fresh berries for a fruity summer-inspired dessert.
• No-Bake Cheesecake Style: Use graham crackers instead of Ritz, and add a touch of lemon zest to the cream cheese mixture for a classic cheesecake flavor profile.

Salted Caramel Icebox Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Ritz Cracker Salted Caramel Icebox Cake delivers layers of rich, creamy indulgence with salty-sweet crunch. Crumbled crackers, whipped cream, and caramel create a no-bake dessert that promises cool comfort and delightful textures you’ll savor to the last bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1.5 sleeves (48 crackers) Ritz crackers
• 2 (8 ounces / 226 grams) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream

Sweeteners and Sauces:

• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. In a spacious mixing bowl, whip softened cream cheese, heavy cream (236 milliliters or ), granulated sugar, and pure vanilla extract using an electric mixer until the mixture transforms into a silky, uniform consistency with no visible lumps.
2. Lightly grease an 8×8 inch (20×20 centimeters) baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
3. Methodically create the first layer by arranging a single, even row of Ritz crackers along the bottom of the prepared dish, ensuring complete coverage.
4. Carefully spread approximately one-third of the cream cheese mixture over the crackers, creating a smooth, uniform layer that completely conceals the crackers underneath.
5. Drizzle one-third of the salted caramel sauce across the cream cheese layer, using a spoon or squeeze bottle to distribute evenly.
6. Repeat the layering process two more times: crackers, cream cheese mixture, and caramel sauce, building height and complexity with each subsequent layer.
7. Once layering is complete, securely cover the dish with plastic wrap, ensuring no air can penetrate.
8. Refrigerate the dessert for a minimum of 4 hours, though overnight chilling is recommended to allow flavors to fully integrate and crackers to soften.
9. Before serving, optionally embellish the top with additional salted caramel drizzle, a dollop of freshly whipped cream, or crushed Ritz crackers for textural contrast.
10. Slice into neat squares and serve thoroughly chilled for optimal taste and texture.

Notes

• Chilling this dessert overnight intensifies the rich, buttery caramel and cream cheese flavors, creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Layering technique is crucial for even distribution of creamy filling and crackers, ensuring each bite combines sweet and salty elements.
• Plastic wrap prevents moisture loss and helps ingredients blend seamlessly during refrigeration.
• Serving cold keeps the cake’s structure firm and enhances the luxurious caramel and cream cheese taste.
• Garnishing with extra crushed crackers adds delightful crunch and visual appeal to the dessert.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 600 kcal
• Sugar: 50g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 45g
• Saturated Fat: 25g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 65g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 120mg