Caramel Apple Icebox Cake

Caramel Apple Icebox Cake is loaded with the delicious, sweet flavors of apples and caramel layered over graham crackers. This layered dessert is easy to make and is always a big hit for get-togethers and parties.

Slice of caramel apple icebox cake on white plate

Icebox cakes are a big part of our dessert recipe repertoire. If you’ve been reading our blog for very long, you know there are a lot of those delicious layered dessert recipes to be found. There are two reasons for that. They’re easy to make, and they’re so darn good!

We’ve both been making icebox cakes for dessert for as long as we’ve been together. They are delicious not to mention super easy. I mean, they’re so simple, you can make them whenever you get the itch for a sweet treat.

Today, we make them for both weeknight desserts and as special treats for any party or potluck that we attend. We’ve made all kinds of varieties, but because fall is approaching, we’re sharing this delicious caramel apple icebox cake recipe with all of you today. We know you’re going to love it.

Overhead shot of slice of caramel apple icebox cake on white plate

No Bake Caramel Apple Cake!

You all know we love no bake cakes. There is something about being able to throw a dessert together in less than 15 minutes. And then to have it taste like caramel apples is a big plus! No bake ice box cakes are so easy, so tasty, and so versatile! This dessert is an easy way to eat a caramel apple plus get all the flavor. When we go apple picking we make our own filling but using canned apples is just fine and so delicious!

What is an Icebox Cake

We want to stop and take a quick second to talk about icebox cakes because, as you can see, they’re not actually cakes at all. We’re not sure where the term “icebox cake” came from, but these sweet desserts that have been around for decades are actually just layered desserts.

Both of us are of the opinion that the term “icebox cake” came about due to the fact that you put these delicious desserts together in the same kind of baking dish that you’d use to bake a sheet cake.

Whatever the reason, here’s what icebox cakes actually are. They’re layered desserts that almost always feature graham crackers as a base crust and center layer. Another part of this dessert that is almost always present is some form of either whipped cream or sweet cream cheese layer. Other than that icebox cakes feature layers ranging from fruit fillings to chocolate puddings and other sweet layers.

Overhead shot of caramel apple icebox cake in baking dish

Caramel Apple Icebox Cake

This caramel apple icebox cake is loaded with all the staples we know and love in an icebox cake recipe. It starts with a base of graham crackers layered in the baking dish. Then, we add a sweet cream cheese mixture on top of the cracker. From there, two more layers of graham crackers are added, and then apple pie filling is layered over those.

After you’ve chilled this recipe, what you get is a deliciously sweet apple and cream cheese dream that just cannot be beaten. The apple pie filling pairs perfectly with the sweet cream cheese mixture and the graham crackers, creating an almost apple cheesecake flavor in every bite. It’s absolutely delicious, and it comes together in just minutes, making it a great dessert for weeknight meals or last-minute potluck addition.

Batter being poured from a bowl over graham crackers in baking dish

Ingredients

It only takes a handful of ingredients to make this delicious caramel apple icebox cake. You just need four ingredients. FOUR! All it takes is a quick stroll down a couple of aisles, and you have everything you need to make this delicious dessert. Take a look.

  • Graham crackers
  • Apple pie filling
  • Cream cheese
  • Eagle-Brand sweetened condensed milk
  • Caramel sauce

That’s all there is to it. It takes four ingredients that are all easily found at your local grocery store, and you’re good to go.

Spooning apple pie filling over graham crackers

Making Caramel Apple Icebox Cake

Making this caramel apple icebox cake is just as easy as gathering up all the ingredients. You’ll simply do a little mixing, a little layering, and then chill the entire thing overnight. That’s it! You’ll find the complete recipe along with amounts in the recipe card below, but this overview will show you just how easy this recipe is to make.

  • Line baking dish with graham crackers.
  • Mix softened cream cheeese with condensed milk until blended. Spread over graham crackers.
  • Add two more layers of graham crackers.
  • Add a layer of apple pie filling and top with graham crackers chunks.
  • Chill overnight.
  • Enjoy!

And that, as they say, is that! It couldn’t get easier. This recipe is a super easy one that you’ll be able to make in no time flat.

Spoon drizzling caramel sauce onto icebox cake

Tips

This is such a simple recipe, there are next to no tips for it. It’s just that simple. In fact, we only have one tip, and although it’s an important one, it’s super simple. Fully soften your cream cheese. That’s the only tip!

Softening the cream cheese is essential to getting a wonderfully smooth texture to your cream cheese layer. If your cream cheese isn’t fully softened, you’ll end up with a lumpy mixture that has chunks of cream cheese in it rather than a smooth, blended finished product.

Variations

The simplicity theme of this recipe just keeps going. That’s because it is super easy to change it up and make an entirely new recipe by doing just one thing: changing the pie filling you place on top. That’s all you need to do to create an entirely new recipe!

You can use any fruity pie filling you like. We don’t recommend fillings like pumpkin, however. Stick with the fruity feelings, and you’ll be all set. Some great options include:

  • Apple
  • Blueberry
  • Cherry
  • Peach
  • Any fruity filling you find in the store or you can make your own!
Slice of caramel apple icebox cake on white plate with icebox cake in baking dish in background

Serving Caramel Apple Icebox Cake

Just like everything else with this recipe, serving this caramel apple icebox cake is super simple. Just cut out a square and set it on a plate. That’s it! It’s already filled with sweet, creamy deliciousness, so there’s no need to top it with whipped cream or anything else. In fact, we think it takes away from the overall flavor. So just cut out some squares and place them on a plate.

If you’re bringing this dish to a potluck, backyard bash, or holiday gathering, things get even easier. We love to simply set the entire dish out onto the table and let everyone cut a slice for themselves. That’s it!

Overhead shot of slice of caramel icebox cake and fork on white plate

Storing Caramel Apple Icebox Cake

This caramel apple icebox cake will keep well in the refrigerator for about four days. The best way to store it is to tightly cover the dish that you used to make it in cling wrap to keep out as much air as possible.

Freezing this dish is not recommended. You absolutely can freeze it, but the texture will change a little. While it’s still okay, it’s not nearly as good as it is before it’s frozen.

Caramel Apple Icebox Cake is Great

This caramel apple icebox cake is so delicious and so easy to make. It’s the perfect weeknight dessert or addition to any party, potluck, or holiday get-together. Whenever you choose to make it, you’ll be in and out of the kitchen in just a few minutes, and you’ll have yourself a sweet, creamy dessert that everyone always loves. Give it a try!

PIN IT!!

OTHER RECIPES YOU WILL LOVE:

Cream Cheese Mints

Rocky Road Cheesecake

Ritz Cracker Salted Caramel Icebox Cake

Cosmic Brownie Cheesecake 

Cream Puff Cake 

Caramel Apple Icebox Cake

Caramel Apple Icebox Cake combines delicious apple pie filling and a sweet cream cheese mixture. It's delicious and super easy, as well.
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 12 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Author: Rob

Ingredients

  • 1 box of Graham Crackers
  • 1 21 ounce can of Apple Pie Filling
  • 2 8 ounce packages of Cream Cheese – Softened
  • 1 14 ounce can Eagle-Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • 1 jar Caramel Sauce

Instructions

  • Line the bottom of an 8 X 11 dish with 2 layers of graham crackers (I used them lengthwise, and across to fill in and make the crust as solid as possible)
  • In a medium size bowl, place the cream cheese, (make sure it's softened) and mash it with a spoon.  
  • Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the cream cheese, and stir until well blended. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the graham crackers.
  • Add two more layers of graham crackers on top of the cream cheese layer. 
  • Top the graham crackers with the apple pie filling and drizzle caramel sauce over the whole thing. Use as much as you like. Sprinkle the pie filling with crushed chunks of graham crackers.
  •  Place in the refrigerator overnight.  When time to serve, cut in 2 X 3 inch pieces, serve and Enjoy!

Notes

NOTE:  You can also place this in the freezer if you need it to set and chill faster than overnight in the refrigerator.  Remove from the freezer about 15 to 20 minutes before serving.  
ALSO: If you prefer to make this in a 9 X 13 dish, just fill in with more Graham Crackers, add 1 more package of Cream Cheese, and 2 cans of the Apple Pie Filling to top.  The 9 X 13 dish will make approximately 12 servings 

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2 Comments

  1. doug foglietta says:

    Would be nice to have the full recipe an not just a list of ingredients!!

    1. The full recipe is in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.