Dreamy Chocolate Mocha Icebox Cake Recipe by Ina Garten

A chocolate mocha icebox cake whispers decadent promises of pure indulgence.

Luxurious layers of creamy goodness melt together in a tantalizing dance of flavor.

Deep chocolate and bold coffee notes swirl seductively, creating a dessert that transcends ordinary expectations.

Silky textures beckon with each tempting spoonful, blending comfort and sophistication effortlessly.

Carefully selected ingredients sing in delicious harmony, transforming simple components into a culinary masterpiece.

The interplay of sweet and robust elements creates an irresistible symphony that will captivate your taste buds.

This dessert stands ready to transport you to a world of pure, unapologetic deliciousness.

Instructions for Mocha Icebox Cake Prep

• Whip Up Creamy Mocha Magic

Grab your mixer and blend heavy cream, mascarpone, sugar, Kahlúa, cocoa, espresso powder, and vanilla until luscious peaks rise and swirl dramatically.

• Craft Cookie Foundation

Nestle chocolate chip cookies across the bottom of your springform pan, breaking pieces to create a seamless, delectable base that covers every inch.

• Build Decadent Layers

Create a tantalizing tower by alternating smooth mocha cream and crisp cookie layers. Spread cream evenly across each cookie level, building five luxurious tiers that promise pure indulgence.

• Chill and Transform

Seal the cake with plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator overnight. During this time, flavors will dance and mingle, creating a harmonious dessert masterpiece.

• Unveil and Celebrate

Release the cake’s edges with a gentle knife run, sprinkle delicate chocolate shavings across the top, and slice into elegant wedges. Serve cold and watch faces light up with pure joy.

Icebox Cake Variations and Adjustments

• Boost Mocha Magic: Creative Twists for Irresistible Layers
• Customize Cookie Base: Swap chocolate chip cookies with graham crackers, Oreos, or biscotti for unique flavor profiles and exciting texture variations.
• Liqueur Love: Experiment with different liqueurs like Bailey's, amaretto, or rum to create personalized mocha cream variations that match your taste preferences.
• Decadent Decorations: Top the dessert with chocolate-covered espresso beans, cocoa nibs, or caramel drizzle to enhance visual appeal and add extra flavor complexity.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this dessert up to 3 days in advance, storing it covered in the refrigerator to simplify party planning and maximize convenience.

Serve Ina Garten’s Mocha Icebox Cake with Style

• Serve with Decadent Coffee Companions: Pair this mocha-infused dessert with a freshly brewed espresso or cappuccino to enhance the rich coffee undertones.
• Elevate with Chocolate Drizzle: Create an elegant presentation by drizzling warm chocolate sauce or melted dark chocolate over each slice just before serving, adding a luxurious touch.
• Garnish with Flavor Boosters: Sprinkle crushed espresso beans, cocoa nibs, or additional shaved chocolate on top to provide delightful texture and intensify the mocha experience.
• Serve as Sophisticated Dessert Course: Present this elegant layered treat at dinner parties or special occasions as a show-stopping finale that combines creamy indulgence with bold coffee notes.

Save and Chill Mocha Icebox Cake

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Advance Prep Power: Whip up this dessert 24 hours before serving, giving flavors time to blend and cream to set perfectly in the refrigerator.
• Portion Perfection: Slice and store individual servings in airtight containers to maintain freshness for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezing Finesse: Wrap the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing in the freezer for maximum 2 weeks without losing texture or taste.
• Serving Strategy: Always remove from refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving to soften slightly, allowing the mocha whipped cream to reach ideal creamy consistency.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 8

All You Need for Ina Garten Chocolate Mocha Icebox Cake

• Heavy Cream: Select organic, high-fat cream for richer texture and smoother whipping.
• Mascarpone Cheese: Choose creamy, fresh Italian-style cheese for luxurious smoothness.
• Sugar: Use fine granulated sugar for seamless blending and sweetness.
• Kahlúa: Opt for authentic Mexican coffee liqueur for deep, robust flavor.
• Cocoa Powder: Select high-quality dark cocoa for intense chocolate notes.
• Espresso Powder: Choose finely ground, premium instant espresso for robust coffee essence.
• Vanilla Extract: Pick pure, Madagascar bourbon vanilla for authentic, complex flavor.

• Chocolate Chip Cookies: Select crisp, buttery cookies with generous chocolate chunks for sturdy foundation.

• Shaved Chocolate: Use dark chocolate with high cocoa content for elegant, rich chocolate shavings.

Equipment for Assembling Chocolate Mocha Icebox Cake

• Electric mixer: Essential for whipping cream to perfect peaks quickly and evenly.
• Large mixing bowl: Spacious container for combining and beating cream ingredients smoothly.
• 8-inch springform pan: Removable sided pan perfect for creating layered desserts with clean edges.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise tools for accurately portioning ingredients.
• Knife: Needed for running around pan edges and slicing cake.
• Plastic wrap: Used to cover and protect cake while chilling.
• Grater or vegetable peeler: Helpful for creating chocolate shavings as garnish.
• Spatula: Assists in spreading cream evenly between cookie layers.

Dreamy Ina Garten Chocolate Mocha Icebox Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s chocolate mocha icebox cake melds rich mascarpone cream with espresso-soaked chocolate wafers. Layers of creamy indulgence chill into a luxurious dessert perfect for intimate gatherings and elegant dinner parties. You’ll savor each silky, coffee-infused bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 packages (8-oz or 226 g) Tate’s Bake Shop chocolate chip cookies
• 12 oz (340 g) mascarpone cheese
• 2 cups (480 ml) cold heavy cream
• ½ cup (100 g) sugar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) Kahlúa liqueur
• 2 tbsps unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp instant espresso powder
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• Shaved semisweet chocolate (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Whip Mixture: Combine heavy cream, mascarpone, sugar, Kahlúa, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer, progressing from low to high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form.
2. Layer Foundation: Line an 8-inch springform pan with chocolate chip cookies, breaking cookies to fill gaps completely and create a uniform base.
3. Cream Application: Spread one-fifth of the mocha cream evenly over the cookie layer, ensuring total and consistent coverage.
4. Layering Technique: Systematically alternate between cookie layers and cream, creating precise, flat arrangements. Build five complete layers, finishing with a cream topping.
5. Smoothing and Chilling: Carefully smooth the surface and wrap the entire cake in plastic. Refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to develop and texture to set perfectly.
6. Finishing Touches: Remove springform pan sides by running a knife along the interior edges. Garnish with delicate chocolate shavings across the top.
7. Serving: Present the cake chilled, cutting into elegant wedges that showcase the beautiful layered composition.

Notes

• Ingredient Quality Matters: Use high-quality chocolate chip cookies and fresh mascarpone for the most luxurious taste and smooth texture.
• Whipping Technique: Start mixing at low speed and gradually increase to prevent splattering and achieve perfect, glossy cream peaks.
• Chilling is Crucial: Overnight refrigeration allows flavors to develop and helps the cake set into a cohesive, creamy dessert.
• Cookie Placement Precision: Break cookies strategically to create a tight, even layer without gaps for a professional-looking finish.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 27 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg