Death by Chocolate Icebox Cake

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This Death by Chocolate Icebox Cake was a huge hit! Layers of chocolate ganache, chocolate mousse and chocolate graham crackers are topped with chocolate sauce for a decadent treat that’ll put you in a chocolate coma!

If you’re a chocoholic like me, you should also check out my Hot Chocolate Cake and my Drunken Chocolate Truffle Cake!

A Big Slice of Death by Chocolate Icebox Cake on a plate

Death by Chocolate Icebox Cake

So you know what I don’t love? Jeans shopping. If I want to feel not so hot about myself, jeans shopping will surely do it. That must be why I usually wear my jeans until they start to have holes in them before I’m willing to go shopping for them again.

I did a little jeans shopping on Sunday and Monday and the experience was as expected. I tried on mountains of jeans and barely found some that actually fit. Seriously, why is it that every. single. pair. fits differently. I could try on the same size of jeans but because they’re different styles they’d all fit differently. Some big, some so small I can’t put them on.

What is up with that?

And then I find a pair that actually fits well and they come with holes in them. That’s the exact problem I was trying to get rid of to begin with.

Rich Chocolate Icebox Cake in a Pan with a couple slices removed
The Best Chocolate Mousse Cake on a Plate

Fortunately I was able to find a couple pairs. My favorites were from Express, surprisingly enough. They fit quite well.

Then I did some shoe shopping, which I sometimes have the same problem with. I love shopping for fun shoes like heels. I could buy those babies all day long. But when looking for the basics that I wear most of the time, it’s hard to find stuff I like that fits well.

I finally walked holes right into the bottoms of my favorite flats so I had to get new ones. I literally got the same brand and size assuming they’d fit just as comfortably. Then I wore them for a little bit yesterday and already had problems with them rubbing. Grrr.

I’d rather shop for cute dresses, tops and heels any day. I just don’t like to wear those every day. Darn it!

Chocolate Icebox Cake Slice on a Plate
A Slice of Death by Chocolate Icebox Cake on a Plate

I would eat this chocolate icebox cake every day, however. Only problem is, I’d end up jeans shopping again because they wouldn’t fit me anymore if I ate this every day. I will certainly eat my share though.

Tips for Making This Decadent Chocolate Icebox Cake

I absolutely love the simplicity and ease of making icebox cakes. And you can mix up the flavors, making them fun to play with.

This time around I decided to go all in with the chocolate. I mean, when is tons of chocolate not a good idea?

The chocolate mousse-like layer is not a true mousse, but is very mousse-like in texture. It’s also delicious. The chocolate ganache is thicker, so they contrast each other nicely.

The chocolate graham crackers help give the cake it’s structure and hold everything together. Plus, they’re more chocolate.

Death by Chocolate Icebox Cake in a Pan
A Serving of Death by Chocolate Icebox Cake on a plate

Then it’s topped with chocolate sauce and mini chocolate chips. Heavenly, I tell you. And if you wanted, you could totally add more chocolate sauce between the layers. You know, if that’s your kind of thing.

This cake was a big hit. All my taste testers were fans. Some of my favorite taste testers are my co-workers kids and I hear there was an argument over who got the last piece of this particular cake. 🙂

Other Chocolatey Treats to Try

Nutella Biscoff Icebox Cake
Cinnamon Apple Icebox Cake
Chocolate Cake Recipes for Any Occasion
Reese’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Icebox Cake
Death by Chocolate Devils Food Cake

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Death By Chocolate Icebox Cake slice on white plate close up
Recipe

Death by Chocolate Icebox Cake

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 minutes
  • Total Time: 28 minutes
  • Yield: 15-18 slices
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Microwave
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Death by Chocolate Icebox Cake was a huge hit! Layers of chocolate ganache, chocolate mousse and chocolate graham crackers are topped with chocolate sauce for a decadent treat that’ll put you in a chocolate coma!


Ingredients

  • 14.4 oz box of Chocolate Graham Crackers

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

  • 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 3 tbsp milk
  • 1/2 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 8 oz cool whip (or homemade whipped cream*)

CHOCOLATE GANACHE

  • 11 oz semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips (about 2 cups)
  • 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

CHOCOLATE WHIPPED CREAM AND TOPPINGS


Instructions

TO MAKE THE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

1. Combine cream cheese, sugar and milk together in the bowl of a stand mixer, or with a hand mixer. Mix until completely combined.
2. Add cocoa and mix until smooth.
3. Fold in the cool whip.

TO MAKE THE CHOCOLATE GANACHE

1. Place chocolate chips in a metal bowl.
2. Microwave the heavy cream until it starts to boil. Remove from microwave and pour over chocolate chips.
3. Cover bowl with saran wrap for 5-7 minutes.
4. Whisk chocolate and cream until smooth.

TO MAKE THE CHOCOLATE WHIPPED CREAM

1. Add the heavy whipping cream, cocoa and powdered sugar to a large mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.
2. Whip on high speed until stiff peaks form.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

1. Place a single layer of graham crackers in the bottom of a 9×13 pan.
2. Top graham crackers with half of the mousse mixture and spread evenly.
3. Spread half of the chocolate ganache on top of the mousse mixture and spread evenly.
4. Place another layer of graham crackers on top of the chocolate ganache
5. Spread remaining mousse mixture on top of graham crackers.
6. Pour remaining ganache on top of mousse mixture and spread evenly.
7. Top ganache with one more layer of graham crackers.
8. Top cake with chocolate whipped cream and spread into an even layer.
9. Finish cake off with chocolate sauce and mini chocolate chips, if desired.
*If making homemade whipped cream, I recommend 1 1/4 cups whipping cream and 1/2 cup powdered sugar.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Slice
  • Calories: 452
  • Sugar: 36.1 g
  • Sodium: 168.5 mg
  • Fat: 27.8 g
  • Carbohydrates: 50.7 g
  • Protein: 5.1 g
  • Cholesterol: 35.6 mg

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Enjoy!

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90 Comments
  1. A

    This was SO good! Instead of graham crackers, I used these dry chocolate cookie things that a local store sells. They worked perfectly for it. I followed the recipe without making any changes, and it was perfect. The mousse was the perfect consistency, and so rich and delicious. I did have some trouble getting the ingredients combined by folding it, so in the end I just whipped it quick with a hand mixer and it didn’t seem to affect it too much. I topped the icebox cake with fudge sauce and mini chocolate chips. I let it sit in the fridge for a few hours before serving it. It was delicious that way, but after tasting it the next day, it was definitely better after sitting overnight. This recipe is definitely a keeper!






  2. Meg

    My son’s favorite birthday cake!
    I’ve been making this for several years, maybe 5+, for my oldest son. He loves this super chocolatey dessert! It isn’t overly complicated to make, although it is a labor of love! It’s our go-to birthday cake for him now! 🙂






  3. Eve

    My family loved this recipe but I did make a few modifications. I couldn’t find chocolate graham crackers so I make an Oreo crust and used Oreo cookies crumbs in place of the two graham cracker layers. It made it a little difficult to spread the mousse and whipped cream but no one would ever know when looking at the finished product.






  4. Lisa

    This was AMAZING! My oven went out right before my son’s birthday. But I’m adamant about making my own birthday cakes. This was a perfect substitute. Super easy. And very well received by my fellow chocolate lovin’ son. This one has earned a spot on the “Oh Yeah!” List. Thank you.






  5. Heather Underwood

    I made this last night, it was so rich! This is better than most regular cakes! ???????????? Thank you so much!

  6. Jennifer Danielson

    This is now my go to desert when we go to friends for dinner every one loves it I think we even tryed alcohol in it and made and adult version ty for posting this we love this recipe

  7. Kristin

    I’ve discovered icebox cakes this summer, just because I’m really trying to NOT use my oven much since I live in a place that has triple digits most of the summer. I’ve tried a few different icebox cakes, and this one is my new favorite! I just love all the chocolate. Thanks for a great recipe that I can add to my no-bake-summer-dessert repertoire!

    1. Lacey

      I’ve made this a couple times with chocolate graham crackers and have now been unable to find them anywhere. According to honey maid website, chocolate graham crackers have been discontinued. I think I used a store brand one time but can’t find those either. The last 2 time I made this, I used oreo thins. These worked well. Delicious recipe!






      1. Lindsay

        I’m so glad you enjoy it! I didn’t realize they had discontinued chocolate graham crackers. The Oreo thins sound great. There’s also those classic chocolate wafers that would work well.

  8. Erica

    I have made this cake several times over the past two years for church fellowships and it’s always a huge hit. I always use hot fudge for the top since the only other thing my grocery carries is chocolate syrup. Also, I find it tastes better when it sits for two nights- perhaps that’s because the only time I usually have to cook is right before bed. It’s still delicious after one night, but I find two to be ideal. Thanks so much for sharing! 

      1. KRISTEN

        I HAVE NOT MADE YET I HAVE A QUESTION I CANT FIND CHOC GRAHM CRACKERS ANYWHERE SO WHAT CAN I SUBSTITUTE IT WITH

      2. Lindsay

        You could try chocolate wafer cookies or Oreos. Walmart usually has things like chocolate graham crackers.

  9. Nancy Ainslie

    Have you made this ahead of time and frozen ? I was thinking of putting it all together except the whipped cream topping, and adding that at the last minute ?
    Thanks

  10. Savannah LaTour

    I have a question about this: So you said we need this for the Chocolate Ganache
    11 oz semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips (about 2 cups)
    3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
    3/4 tsp vanilla

    When your explaining how to do it you never mentioned when to put the vanilla in:
    To make the chocolate ganache
    1. Place chocolate chips in a metal bowl.
    2. Microwave the heavy cream until it starts to boil. Remove from microwave and pour over chocolate chips.
    3. Cover bowl with saran wrap for 5-7 minutes.
    4. Whisk chocolate and cream until smooth.

    Should you put the vanilla after you poor the heavy cream over the chocolate chips? Also are you talking about vanilla extract?

    1. Lindsay

      Thanks for pointing that out Savannah! You don’t actually need the vanilla extract. It certainly won’t hurt it, but it’s not necessary. I’ve removed it from the ingredient list.

  11. Valerie

    I’m making this tomorrow trying to impress my son’s future in-laws (hopefully someday) we’re meeting for the first time. I even splurged and bought all Ghirardelli chocolate. I hope I don’t screw it up. Thanks for sharing!

  12. Willa Flannery

    To make the chocolate whipped cream
    1. Freeze metal bowl and whisk for 15-20 minutes to get them good and cold.

    What the heck is “them”?

    1. lifeloveandsugar@gmail.com

      “Them” is the bowl and whisk that you put in the freezer. It helps with the whipping process to have them cold, though the cream would still whip if you skipped that step and used room temperature bowl and whisk attachment.

    1. lifeloveandsugar@gmail.com

      I like to leave mine overnight, just to make sure it has plenty of time for the graham crackers to soften. I’d say 4-5 hours to overnight would be ideal.

  13. Elizabeth

    I made this for the weekend and was not impressed. It would be better without the ganache. My husband and I just ate the whipped cream off the top, which is by far the best part. Also, this was relatively expensive to make. Just the graham crackers cost $5.

  14. Cookies and Cups Death By Chocolate Recipe Round Up - Cookies and Cups

    […] Death by Chocolate Icebox Cake from Life, Love & Sugar […]

  15. Jill Gallina

    hi I am making this as I write and see it says to add vanilla in the ingredients for the ganache but can’t find when o add it in the instructions. Can you specify? Thanks do much!

  16. deb

    I’m sure you’ll have a chuckle about this. I’m not much if a cook or baker, but this just looked like heaven, so I really studied the recipe. I was stumped trying to figure out how, in the chocolate whipped cream instructions, to put the bowl in the freezer and whisk (verb) for 15-20 minutes while it’s in there. It took me 15-20 minutes for the AHA moment – whisk (noun)! I’ll let you know how I do when I make this. Thanks.

    1. lifeloveandsugar@gmail.com

      Oh gosh – too funny! Sounds just like something I’d do! So glad you had that AHA moment! 🙂

      1. Avi

        I am not getting it at all:( I put the metal bowl in the freezer, and then I whisk the other things in another bowl? I am completely blank.

      2. Lindsay

        There are 3 separate things used to layer in this recipe. For the chocolate mousse – those ingredients are all mixed together. The bowl from the freezer is used to make the whipped cream, which is separate.

  17. Cindie

    Wow, lots and lots of chocolate, grins happily. I love chocolate and I totally plan to make this one for my birthday party, but since I am Danish I have to ask how many people is the cake, we are going to be ten, possible eleven people and I know that at least three of them, possible more if they really likes it, can eat a lot of cake.
    Looks forward to making it, and also eating this one. Of to see what other recipes that might be used for the party.

  18. Helen

    Looks gorgeous want to try this for guest’s at the weekend don’t have Graham crackers in uk can you suggest a alternative?

      1. Marilyn

        In Ottawa, Canada we don’t have chocolate graham wafers….would you suggest using plain honey graham waffer crackers OR a round chocolate cookie. Wondering which would taste better in this dessert.

      2. lifeloveandsugar@gmail.com

        I would suggest the round chocolate cookie. A chocolate wafer cookie would be best, if you can find one.

  19. PhyllisG

    Thanks so much! I am taking this to a homeless shelter for their dinner Monday night. I’m sure they will love it!

  20. Jodi

    Do all of the 11oz bag of chocolate chips go in the ganache? It says about 3 cups divided. I know some are used for topping. Just don’t want my ganache not to turn out right! 🙂

    1. lifeloveandsugar@gmail.com

      I’ve removed the divided part. It should all go into the ganache. The topping is a separate chocolate sauce. Thanks Jodi!

    1. lifeloveandsugar@gmail.com

      It’s a chocolate sundae sauce, which is usually thicker than chocolate syrup. It was store bought – I use this one.

  21. rebecca hernandez

    This looks divine! One question though. The ganache calls for 11oz chocolate chips (about 3 cups) but I think 11 oz is a little less than 2 cups, if I’m not mistaken. Could you clarify? I’m hoping to make this for a large dinner at my church 🙂 Thanks!

  22. cindy

    I made this death by chocolate cake today & will probably not go thru the trouble again!! First of all it is impossible to spread the mousse over Graham cracker crumbs!! Mine is in clumps as it wouldn’t spread evenly at all. Would love to know how you spread it evenly?? Then having to have to attempt to do again on second layer!! Finally the chocolate whipped topping also did not spread on top either!!! So glad I didn’t make for guests because it looks awful!!!

    1. lifeloveandsugar@gmail.com

      Hi Cindy, I’m sorry you had trouble with it. You should actually be using the graham crackers in whole form, not crumbs. I imagine it was difficult to spread over crumbs. I looked back over the instructions – was there a part that was confusing and led you to think it would be crumbs? I’d like to fix it, if so. Thanks.

      1. Cindy

        Hi Lindsay, me bad! I do so apologize for my comment on the graham cracker crumbs! I did not read the recipe correctly. I should have known that I was doing something way wrong & reread it. It still was good as my husband & I spooned it into bowls & ate every bit of it:)

  23. Amy @ Amy's Healthy Baking

    Girl, I’m right there with you with the jeans shopping!! It’s why I love full-time blogging so much… I can wear yoga pants or leggings or dresses with tights and nobody judges me. Well, unless I reveal that little detail on the blog… But you’re right, jeans never fit the same. Even the same brand, same line will change their cut from year to year. It drives me nuts! I’d totally eat your cake until it disappeared though… All that chocolate is a chocoholic’s dream! 🙂 Pinned!

  24. Niki

    Love all the chocolate in this dessert! Never enough in my opinion!!

    As for jeans, I have been told that sizes can vary within sizes because they cut the jeans in a stack, say like 20 pairs at a time, thus providing a lot of variance. (I have even seen video, bascially think of a saw cutting through materiral) Since I learned this I always grab several of the same size to see how each fits – the length is usually what frustrates me the most. too short to be average, too tall to be petite.

    1. lifeloveandsugar@gmail.com

      That makes perfect sense. I’ve noticed that too – that the same size can vary. I’ve been having the same problem with length too. What a pain!

  25. Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking

    Chocolate is definitely the way I want to go! This cake looks easy and so chocolatey!! Gorgeous photos as always!
    Ugh jeans shopping is pretty much a guarantee that I will leave feeling depressed and fat…usually without jeans…I’m glad you found some!!

  26. Angelyn+@+Everyday+Desserts

    just had death by chocolate ice cream on Monday and now I feel like this death by chocolate icebox cake is the next overly chocolately thing that I need to consume. love this!

  27. Michelle @My California Kitchen

    I can see why this cake was a huge hit! It’s really hard to say no to all that chocolate! I would probably have fought someone over the last slice, too!

  28. Julia @ Sprinkled With Jules

    I hate jean shopping too. My last experience was just like yours. I picked out a couple all in the same size, some I couldn’t even get one, and some were too big! I’ll have to check out Express for jeans, I have a giftcard there that I need to use! 🙂 Maybe I should wait until AFTER eating this to try on jeans though… It looks dangerously delicious.

  29. Sheri Nudelman

    This looks like a professionally prepared cake — totally perfect! You set a high bar, but I am going to give it a shot.

    Question — how long do you suggest refrigerating the cake before serving it so it’s optimal for company?

    Thank you!

  30. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom

    I seriously want to go to your house for dessert. . like everyday. Can we make this happen?! 😛 and the fact that this is no-bake is dangerous!! Looks SO good!! I always used to have the hardest time with jeans shopping but now The Gap is my go-to. . I like their skinny jeans! 🙂

    1. lifeloveandsugar@gmail.com

      I’ve always liked Gap too! I actually went to the mall to go to Gap, but they were closed down. 🙁

  31. Cassie

    This looks amazing! I can’t wait to try it! I can totally relate about the jean shopping. You are right…how come none every fit! That is why I like to buy purses so much!

  32. Melanie @ Carmel Moments

    I definitely think this will be the death of me! Oh my! I’m such a chocolate girl that I’ve got to give this cake a try.

  33. Renee@Two+in+the+Kitchen

    This looks amazingly decadent Lindsay! Thanks so much for the shout out on my donuts!! 🙂

  34. Jacklyn Jessa

    As I’m reading your post, it almost sounded as though it was one of my own! I am exactly like you when it comes to shopping, especially for jeans/pants. And the ONLY kind I have found that fit are from Express! That’s the only place I go for pants (I have found a couple pairs from Target too, but not jeans). That chocolate ice box cake looks awesome! Can’t wait to try it!

  35. Mir

    Lindsay, you are not alone. I hate jeans shopping. It sends me into a downward spiral of anger. Worse than shopping for bathing suits!
    Chocolate can cure all, though. This looks amazing! Love the pattern on top, too.

  36. Chichi

    I can so relate to jeans shopping Lindsay. Jeans shopping is torture for me.lol
    Speaking of this death by chocolate ice box cake, i love it.

Lindsay
About Lindsay

I'm a wife and a mom to twin boys and a baby girl! And I've got a serious sweets addiction! Bring on the treats!

Scripture I’m Loving

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29