Black Forest Icebox Cake

Recipe posted in: Flex Meals & Snacks, Snacks, Desserts
Black Forest Icebox Cake

Beat the heat with this no-bake Black Forest Icebox Cake, a perfect summer dessert that layers chocolate graham crackers with a creamy mix of Greek yogurt, whipped topping, vanilla, and cherries. Topped with dark chocolate shavings, this easy-to-make cake offers a delicious twist on the traditional Black Forest flavors, ideal for any gathering or a sweet personal indulgence. Join us as we dive into the recipe and show you how to whip up this delightful treat in no time!

Black Forest Icebox Cake: A No-Bake Dessert Recipe

This no-bake Black Forest Icebox Cake is the perfect treat to satisfy your dessert cravings without turning on the oven. Ideal for serving up to 10 people, each serving contains only 104 calories, making it a guilt-free indulgence. On the Nutrisystem plan, it counts as three Extras.

Simple Ingredients

For this healthy cherry recipe, you’ll need pitted cherries (fresh or frozen), cornstarch, nonfat plain Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, light whipped topping, chocolate graham crackers or chocolate tea biscuits, and dark chocolate shavings for garnish.

How to Make a Black Forest Icebox Cake

Begin by lining a loaf pan with plastic wrap for easy removal once the cake is set. Cook the cherries in a small pot over medium heat; if using fresh cherries, add a little water to help them cook down. Cover the pot and allow the cherries to soften and release their juices.

Stir in the cornstarch and continue cooking for an additional minute or two to thicken the juices slightly. Once done, transfer the cherries to a blender or food processor and give them a quick chop to break them into smaller pieces, then let the mixture cool completely.

In a mixing bowl, combine the Greek yogurt and vanilla extract with the cooled cherry mixture, mixing well. Gently fold in the whipped topping to keep the mixture light and airy.

Start assembling the cake by placing a layer of chocolate graham crackers at the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread a third of the cherry and yogurt mixture over the crackers. Continue layering with more graham crackers and the cherry mixture, finishing with a cherry layer.

Finally, garnish the top with dark chocolate shavings. You could also add some additional chopped cherries to the top if you have any left.

Creative Variations

To make your Black Forest Icebox Cake even more special, consider adding one or more of the following ingredients to the layers or as a topping. Just be sure to refer to the Nutrisystem Grocery Guide for more information on counting these add-ins.

  • Chopped nuts: Almonds or hazelnuts provide a crunch and nutty flavor that complements the chocolate and cherries beautifully.
  • Chocolate chips or chunks: Sprinkle these between layers or on top for extra chocolaty goodness.
  • Espresso or coffee liqueur: Mix a small amount into the cherry mixture to enhance the chocolate flavor with a hint of coffee.
  • Coconut flakes: Toasted coconut flakes can add a tropical twist and textural contrast.
  • Mascarpone cheese: Mix this in with the Greek yogurt for a richer, creamier texture.
  • Berry mix: Along with cherries, include raspberries or blackberries for additional color and berry flavor.

Chilling and Serving Your Black Forest Icebox Cake

Refrigerate the cake for at least six hours, or ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the cake to firm up. This delightful Black Forest Icebox Cake offers a refreshing twist on the classic dessert, combining the rich flavors of cherries and chocolate in a light, creamy cake that’s sure to be a hit at any gathering. Enjoy the lush taste of summer any time of the year with this simple recipe!

Looking for more black forest inspired desserts? Be sure to try our recipe for Black Forest Cupcakes! You’ll also love our Black Forest Chocolate Cherry Protein Shake recipe

Servings: 10

Calories per Serving: 104

On Nutrisystem, Count As: 3 Extras

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup pitted cherries, fresh or frozen
  • ½ tsp. cornstarch
  • 1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 cup light whipped topping
  • 10 chocolate graham crackers sheets (or chocolate tea biscuits)
  • Dark chocolate shavings, for garnish

Directions:

  1. Line a loaf pan with plastic wrap.
  2. Place the cherries in a small pot over medium heat. If using fresh cherries, add a little bit of water. Cover and cook until the cherries are soft and release their juices.
  3. Add cornstarch to the cherries and cook for another minute or two.
  4. Place cherries in a blender or food processor to chop up the cherries. Let it cool completely.
  5. In a bowl, mix together yogurt, vanilla extract and cooked cherries. Fold in the whipped topping.
  6. Line the bottom of the loaf pan with graham cracker sheets. Spread ¹⁄₃ of the cherry mixture on top of the graham crackers.
  7. Add another layer of graham cracker sheets, followed by another ¹⁄₃ of the cherry mixture on top. Repeat process one more time for a total of three layers.
  8. Garnish cake with some chopped cherries and dark chocolate shavings.
  9. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight before serving.
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