Salted Caramel Ritz Cracker Icebox Cake Recipe

So you’re craving something ridiculously tasty but the mere thought of turning on the oven makes you want to take a nap? Same. What if I told you that the most legendary, crowd-pleasing dessert of your life involves zero baking and is basically just… assembling things? Meet your new best friend: the No-Bake Ritz Cracker Salted Caramel Icebox Cake. It’s the salty, sweet, crunchy, creamy miracle you didn’t know you needed.

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Why This Recipe is Awesome?

Let’s cut to the chase. This recipe is basically idiot-proof. I didn’t mess it up, and my culinary skills peak at microwaving leftovers without setting off the smoke alarm. It requires zero baking, meaning you can look like a dessert wizard without ever sweating over a hot stove. It’s the ultimate make-ahead dessert, so you can be smugly prepared while everyone else is scrambling. Plus, it uses Ritz crackers—the humble snack cracker—in a way that will completely blow your mind. Savory, salty, buttery crackers layered with sweet, fluffy cream? Trust me, it’s a genius-level move.

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Ingredients

Gather your squad. This is all you need for a 9×13 pan of pure joy.

Ritz Crackers (about 3 sleeves): The salty, buttery star of the show. Don’t you dare substitute a sweet cracker like graham crackers. The whole point is the magical sweet-and-salty contrast.
Heavy Whipping Cream (2 cups): For making that glorious, cloud-like whipped cream. Don’t try to use half-and-half or something sad like that. Go for the full fat. You’re making a dessert, not a salad.
Cream Cheese (8 oz, softened): This gives our whipped cream layer some structure and a delicious tang. Pro tip: Take this out of the fridge at least an hour beforehand. Unless you enjoy wrestling with lumpy cream cheese.
Powdered Sugar (1 cup): Sweetens the filling without any grittiness.
Vanilla Extract (1 tsp): The flavor booster. The better the vanilla, the better the cake. IMO.
Store-bought Caramel Sauce (1 cup, plus more for topping): The cheater’s best friend. Get the good, thick stuff in the jar near the ice cream toppings. And make sure you get one that is salted caramel. This is non-negotiable for maximum flavor.
Sea Salt Flakes (for garnish): Because we’re fancy like that. A little sprinkle on top makes it look professional and tastes amazing.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Whip the Good Stuff. In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream with a hand mixer or stand mixer until you get soft peaks. You’ll know it’s ready when it looks like a delicious cloud and you can drag the beaters through it leaving a defined trail.
Make the Filling. In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it’s completely smooth and lump-free. Beat in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Now, gently fold in your freshly whipped cream until everything is combined and fluffy. Don’t over-mix and deflate all that air you just whipped in!
Start Layering. Grab your 9×13 inch pan. Spread a super thin layer of the cream mixture on the bottom—just enough to act like glue for your first layer of crackers.
The First Layer. Place a single layer of Ritz crackers down. You might have to break a few to fill in the gaps. It’s like a delicious, edible puzzle.
The Cream & Caramel Drizzle. Spread a generous layer of the cream cheese filling over the crackers. Then, drizzle a healthy amount of that salted caramel sauce all over the cream. Try to make sure every bite will get some caramel goodness.
Repeat! Repeat the layers: crackers, cream, caramel. Keep going until you run out of ingredients, ending with a final layer of the cream mixture and a good drizzle of caramel on top.
Chill Out. This is the hardest part: waiting. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but ideally overnight. This is NOT a suggestion. This is mandatory. This time allows the crackers to soften and transform into a legit cake-like layer that will make you question reality.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not Softening the Cream Cheese: You’ll be left with a lumpy, chunky filling, and no one wants that. Plan ahead. Take. It. Out. Of. The. Fridge.
Skimping on Chill Time: Impatience is the enemy of flavor here. If you don’t let it sit, you’ll have crunchy crackers and separate layers. Let the magic happen. Overnight is always best.
Using a Sweet Cracker: I’m saying it again. The entire soul of this recipe is the sweet-and-salty combo. Graham crackers or vanilla wafers will make it cloyingly sweet. Be brave. Use the Ritz.

Alternatives & Substitutions

Dairy-Free? Use your favorite plant-based cream cheese and whipping cream (coconut cream often works well for whipping!).
Want More Chocolate? Feel free to add a layer of chocolate sauce or shaved chocolate between the cream layers. A drizzle of chocolate shell topping on top would be insane.
Not a Caramel Person? (Weird, but okay). You can use the same amount of strawberry or raspberry sauce for a different vibe.
Add Some Crunch: Sprinkle some chopped toasted pecans or peanuts between the layers for an extra textural surprise.

FAQ

Can I make this in a different pan?

Absolutely! A round springform pan would make it look more like a traditional layer cake. Just adjust your cracker-breaking strategy accordingly.

How long does this last in the fridge?

It’s best enjoyed within 2-3 days. The crackers will continue to soften, but it’s still delicious. After that, it might get a little too soft.

My cream cheese was lumpy! Help!

If you forgot to soften it, you can try to beat the lumps out with a little of the heavy cream on a low speed. If it’s a total lost cause, you can try pushing the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve. Better to just avoid the problem altogether next time!

Can I use Cool Whip instead?

Sure, if you’re in a pinch. Just beat the softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar and vanilla, then fold in an 8-oz tub of thawed Cool Whip. The texture will be slightly different, but still tasty.

Is it really that good?

Yes. It’s a weird concept that yields a spectacular result. Just try it. You’ll see.

Final Thoughts

And that’s it! You’ve just unlocked the secret to the easiest, most surprisingly delicious dessert that will have everyone begging for the recipe. It’s the perfect treat for a hot day, a last-minute potluck, or just because you deserve something awesome. Now go impress someone—or, let’s be real, just yourself—with your no-bake genius. You’ve totally earned a slice (or three). Enjoy

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