Sensational Sweet-Tooth Ina Garten’s Mocha Icebox Cake Recipe

Layers of rich chocolate and coffee dance together in this mocha icebox cake that promises pure indulgence without turning on the oven.

Silky whipped cream intermingles with delicate chocolate wafers, creating a dessert that feels both elegant and effortless.

Ina Garten’s style brings sophistication to this no-bake treat that will impress even the most discerning dessert lovers.

The combination of deep espresso and chocolate delivers a decadent flavor profile that melts smoothly on your tongue.

Chilled to perfection, this icebox cake develops a luxurious texture that makes every bite feel like a moment of pure culinary bliss.

Each slice promises a cool, creamy escape from ordinary desserts.

You’ll love how simple ingredients come together to create something truly spectacular.

Get ready to savor a dessert that turns an ordinary evening into a gourmet experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 430 kcal

Servings: 8

What You’ll Need for Ina’s Mocha Icebox Cake

• Heavy Cream: Provides silky, luxurious texture and creates the foundation for the cake's dreamy structure.
• Mascarpone Cheese: Adds rich, velvety smoothness and helps stabilize the whipped cream for perfect layering.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a stable whipped cream with beautiful peaks.
• Coffee Liqueur: Introduces deep, sophisticated coffee undertones and enhances overall flavor complexity.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers intense chocolate essence and beautiful mocha color.
• Espresso Powder: Amplifies coffee flavor and adds robust depth to the cream.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out flavors and provides subtle aromatic warmth.

• Chocolate Chip Cookies: Creates delightful, crisp layers that soften beautifully when absorbing the mocha cream.

• Semisweet Chocolate: Adds elegant chocolate shavings for a professional finishing touch and extra chocolate intensity.

Utensils and Dishes to Chill & Serve This Cake

• Electric Mixer with Whisk Attachment: Essential for creating perfectly whipped mocha cream with smooth, firm peaks.
• Springform Pan (8-inch): Key for building layered cake and easy removal without breaking the dessert.
• Small Sharp Knife: Needed to cleanly release cake edges before serving.
• Mixing Bowl: Helps combine whipped cream ingredients smoothly.
• Grater or Vegetable Peeler: For creating chocolate shavings to garnish the top.
• Plastic Wrap: Used to cover and chill the cake overnight.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.

Building Ina’s Icebox Layers the Easy Way

• Cookie Foundation

Lay chocolate chip cookies in a single layer across the bottom of a springform pan, filling all available space by breaking cookies to cover gaps completely.

• Mocha Magic Cream

Whip together heavy cream, mascarpone, sugar, coffee liqueur, cocoa, espresso powder, and vanilla until luscious peaks form, creating a rich mocha-flavored cloud.

• Layering Dance

Alternate cookie layers with generous swoops of mocha cream, building five delectable tiers that promise creamy decadence. Ensure each layer is evenly spread and visually tempting.

• Chilling Transformation

Cover the assembled dessert with plastic wrap and allow it to rest in the refrigerator overnight, letting flavors meld and texture soften into a dreamy, elegant treat.

• Elegant Presentation

Carefully release springform pan sides, delicately sprinkle shaved chocolate across the top, and slice into wedges that reveal stunning layers of cookies and cream.

Tips for Enhancing the Chocolate or Coffee Layers

• Perfectly align cookies edge-to-edge for a seamless, professional-looking cake that ensures each bite has the right cookie-to-cream ratio.
• Experiment with different coffee liqueurs like Kahlúa or homemade coffee-infused spirits to personalize the mocha flavor profile and add a unique twist.
• Swap chocolate chip cookies with other varieties like chocolate wafers, graham crackers, or espresso-flavored cookies for exciting texture and taste variations.
• Prepare this cake up to 2 days in advance, allowing flavors to meld and develop a rich, luxurious taste that becomes more delicious with time in the refrigerator.
• Enhance the presentation by garnishing with chocolate-covered espresso beans, cocoa powder dusting, or drizzling melted dark chocolate over the top before serving.

Serving This No-Bake Favorite with Style

• Savor Sophisticated Dessert Moments
• Elegant Dinner Party Finale: Slice this mocha icebox cake after a gourmet meal, serving alongside espresso or dessert wine for a refined touch.
• Comfort Gathering Treat: Present the cake at casual get-togethers with friends, cutting into neat wedges that showcase beautiful cookie and cream layers.
• Weekend Indulgence Delight: Enjoy a chilled slice during afternoon coffee break or as a decadent weekend dessert, paired with a creamy cappuccino.
• Make-Ahead Entertaining Hack: Prepare the cake a day in advance, allowing flavors to meld and creating stress-free dessert preparation for any occasion.

Chill Time & Storage for Icebox Cake Success

• Refrigerate Strategically: Store the icebox cake in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping its texture and flavor intact. Ensure the cake remains covered to prevent moisture loss and absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Wrap the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to freeze for 2-3 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to maintain its delicate whipped cream structure.
• Slice and Separate: When storing individual slices, place wax paper between each piece to prevent sticking. Keep separated slices in a sealed container for easy grab-and-go dessert moments.
• Serve at Perfect Temperature: Remove the cake from the refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving to soften slightly, allowing the flavors to bloom and the texture to become wonderfully creamy.

Elegant Mocha Icebox Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s mocha icebox cake delivers rich chocolate and coffee flavors without baking. Chilled layers of whipped cream and chocolate wafers create a luxurious dessert perfect for cool summer evenings you’ll savor.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 (8-oz/225 g each) packages chocolate chip cookies
• 12 oz (340 g) Italian mascarpone cheese
• 2 cups (480 ml) cold heavy cream
• ½ cup (100 g) sugar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) coffee liqueur
• 2 tbsps (15 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp (2 g) instant espresso powder
• 1 tsp (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
• Shaved semisweet chocolate (for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Whip Mocha Cream: Combine heavy cream, mascarpone, sugar, coffee liqueur, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and vanilla in an electric mixer. Whisk on low, then increase speed until peaks form with a luxurious, velvety consistency.
2. Layer Foundation: Arrange chocolate chip cookies across the bottom of a springform pan, breaking cookies to cover completely. Spread a fifth of the mocha cream evenly over the cookie base.
3. Build Cake Structure: Alternate layers of chocolate chip cookies and mocha cream, creating a strategic five-layer composition. Ensure each layer is uniformly spread, maintaining precise coverage.
4. Finalize and Chill: Top the final layer with remaining mocha cream, smoothing the surface for an elegant finish. Wrap securely with plastic and refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to meld and texture to set.
5. Serve and Garnish: Remove springform pan sides, carefully separate cake edges with a sharp knife. Adorn with delicate semisweet chocolate shavings, slice into wedges, and present this decadent mocha icebox cake.

Notes

• Chill Equipment: Ensure all mixing bowls and whisk attachments are thoroughly chilled before whipping cream for maximum volume and stability.
• Cookie Placement: Break chocolate chip cookies strategically to create a seamless, gap-free base that supports even layers and consistent texture.
• Overnight Magic: Refrigerate the assembled cake for at least 8-12 hours to allow cookies to soften and flavors to harmonize, transforming the dessert into a creamy, cohesive treat.
• Garnish Elegantly: Use a vegetable peeler to create delicate chocolate shavings, ensuring a professional and visually appealing finish that elevates the dessert’s presentation.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 430
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg