Layers of cheesecake, apple pie filling, and graham crackers make this Cinnamon Apple Icebox Cake a delicious dessert. It is an easy no bake recipe to make for fall and holiday dinners.
Usually when fall hits, I can't wait to bake all the things with pumpkin. But this year I have been all over apple desserts. This Apple Praline Cake started all the apple madness in our kitchen this year!
Sometimes I just want a quick and easy treat that I can put together in minutes. That is where no bake desserts come in handy. An icebox cake only uses a few ingredients. It can honestly be chilling in the refrigerator in under 15 minutes.
Adding cream cheese to an ice box cakes gives them a little bit more of a cheesecake feel. You know how much I love my cheesecakes!!!
What is an icebox cake?
Years ago icebox cakes were just chocolate wafer cookies and whipped cream layered on a plate and then refrigerated. As the cake sat in the fridge (or icebox), the cookies got soft and the texture became cake like with “frosting”. These cakes were also called dessert lasagna, lush dessert, or dream dessert.
Of course, now icebox cakes are a little more modern. You can use pudding, pie filling, cheesecake and any cookie or sweet cracker you like for the layers in these easy no bake cakes. One of our favorites is this Cherry Oreo Icebox Cake made with layers of dark chocolate Oreos and cherry mousse.
Normally, icebox cakes are a summer dessert, but this time I added a homemade Apple Pie Filling to give it a little bit of fall flair! The cinnamon apple cheesecake layered with graham crackers turned out to be a great idea.
I'm thinking this easy apple dessert would be perfect for Thanksgiving dinner. With all the food prep that has to happen this week, adding an easy no bake apple dessert sounds good, right?
How to make Cinnamon Apple Icebox Cake:
- Beat the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon until creamy.
- Stir some apple pie filling into the mixture and then fold in Cool Whip. Pro Tip: You can also make and use a triple batch of this Homemade Whipped Cream instead.
- Place graham cracker squares in the bottom of a square dish.
- Spoon half the cheesecake layer on top of the crackers and spread out gently.
- Repeat with more crackers and the rest of the cheesecake.
- Top with a layer of graham crackers and Cool Whip.
- Refrigerate for a few hours until softened.
More easy apple desserts:
- Apple Nachos - add lots of toppings to apple slices for a fun and easy snack
- Crock Pot Cinnamon Strawberry Applesauce - this easy three ingredient recipe is a great way to use up extra apples
- Apple Snickers Cheesecake Trifle - layers of angel food cake, apples, and caramel cheesecake creates an impressive no bake dessert
- Peanut Butter Apple Pizza - a cookie crust and no bake peanut butter cheesecake topped with apple chunks is a delicious fall treat
- Apple Cinnamon No Bake Energy Bites - these easy little no bake treats are great for snacking on when you get the munchies
Recipe
Cinnamon Apple Icebox Cake
Layers of cheesecake, apple pie filling, and graham crackers make this Cinnamon Apple Icebox Cake a delicious dessert. It is an easy no bake recipe to make for fall and holiday dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon + extra
- 2 cups apple pie filling , divided
- 2 sleeves cinnamon graham crackers (27 squares)
- 1 (16 ounce container) Cool Whip, thawed and divided*
Instructions
- Beat the cream cheese, brown sugar, vanilla, and 2 teaspoons cinnamon until creamy.
- Stir in 1 cup diced apple pie filling into the cream cheese mixture. Fold in 3 cups of Cool Whip.
- Spread a thin layer of Cool Whip on the bottom of a 9 inch square baking dish.
- Place 9 cinnamon graham squares on the bottom. Gently spread half the cheesecake filling on the graham crackers.
- Place another layer of crackers on the cheesecake filling, then top with one last layer of crackers.
- Cover the top with 2 cups of Cool Whip. Refrigerate for one to two hours.
- Cut into squares. Top with remaining pie filling and sprinkle with cinnamon. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 9 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 326Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 129mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 1gSugar: 27gProtein: 2g
*The post for Cinnamon Apple Icebox Cake was first published November 2, 2015. The post has been updated and republished November 24, 2020.
Crystal G.
I subbed in S'moreables Gluten Free Graham Crackers and used Cool Whip Lite. Made a little more, enough to fit a 9 x 13 inch pan. Still came out good. i just used my Dairy Digestive aids to prevent the lactose intolerance.
ChiChi
Agree with you about breaks from work out routines. Always hard to get back into it. Speaking of this cinnamon apple icebox cake, I will happily tuck into some and spend one hour on the treadmill (no complaints)
Jocelyn
A big slice of this apple goodness is definitely a good way to recover from working out. LOL!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
I definitely need to get back into the workout routine. It's been WAY too long! This icebox cake is absolutely gorgeous, Jocelyn! I love the apple flavor!
Jocelyn
This was definitely a fun flavor of icebox cake to make...and eat. LOL! Getting back to working out is so tough, but it definitely makes you feel better in the long run!!!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting
I really admire your workout routine and how you balance out all your desserts!!
Jocelyn
Thank you, Julianne. Some days I wonder what I'm doing to myself, but then the clothes keep fitting better, so it makes it all worth it.
Jessica @ Sweetest Menu
Gorgeous Jocelyn! And I couldn't agree more. I have a raging sweet tooth and love to eat out but all things in moderation. Exercise for me is a necessary evil, I still don't like it even though I always feel better afterwards. Meanwhile, I am drooling over this gorgeous icebox cake! Cinnamon is the best!
Jocelyn
Thank you so much, Jessica. I totally think moderation with food and exercise is best. I don't like it either, but I like my jeans to fit, soooo...it has to happen here too!
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats
YES! If I'm in the groove it's so easy to do the working out. Once I get off that beaten path it's a train wreck and so hard to get back into it. I totally agree that the sweet tooth will always be there and it's moderation. Hopefully everything went well with the trip! 🙂 I'll start practicing moderation with these delicious treats!
Jocelyn
Practicing moderation with this cake was truly a hard feat...I may have failed. There is always tomorrow to do better, right?
Joanne
I love no bake desserts, and this one looks so creamy and delicious!
Karen @ The Food Charlatan
Breaks in your routine are so hard!! I feel ya. Impressive that you have been doing so well since school started! You rock! And I'm the same way about restaurants, if someone else is cooking for me, I have to order the most amazing-sounding thing on the menu 🙂 This icebox cake looks amazing Jocelyn!!
Jocelyn
You would think that since I know getting back to workouts is so hard, that I would never stop. But no, I still do it anyway. And good to know I'm not alone in ordering the best sounding thing when out to eat 😉
Aimee @ ShugarySweets
Oh my word this one sounds DIVINE. Like seriously, I want to crawl in those layers and eat my way out 🙂
Jocelyn
Hahaha! Seriously best comment of the week! This was one of my all time favorite icebox cakes for sure!!!!
Mir
I'm mainly at peace with my sweet tooth these days. I figure it's not going away, so if I just exercise and eat really cleanly when I'm not having dessert, it'll all balance out. Either way, I'm tired of feeling guilty for loving chocolate. We only live once, and a lifetime of deprivation and guilt seems like a waste.
This cake is so great! I'd be chowing down on it if it were in front of me, for sure! Maybe a workout recovery snack? 🙂
Jocelyn
I think balance is the best way to enjoy eating and exercise. It's the easiest way to stay happy and enjoy life. You got it right!!! And this as a workout recovery snack...yes, please!!