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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!
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.
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!
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.
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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PrintDeath by Chocolate Icebox Cake
- 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
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 1/2 tbsp cocoa
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- Chocolate sauce (I used Smucker’s Chocolate Sundae Syrup)
- Mini chocolate chips
Instructions
TO MAKE THE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
TO MAKE THE CHOCOLATE GANACHE
TO MAKE THE CHOCOLATE WHIPPED CREAM
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
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
Enjoy!
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Does the cake need to go in fridge after assembling? Is that why it’s called an icebox cake?
Yes and yes. 🙂
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!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Do u store this in the fridge or freezer?
In the fridge
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! 🙂
So glad to hear he loves it!
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.
I have a question about the cocoa in the recipe? Do you use unsweetened cocoa or a hot cocoa mix? Thank you
Natural unsweetened cocoa powder
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.
That’s awesome! I’m so glad you all enjoyed!
I made this last night, it was so rich! This is better than most regular cakes! ???????????? Thank you so much!
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
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!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
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!
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.
Hi dear.I thank you so much for sharing your fantastic recipes. I made it. So delicious.????
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!
I’m so glad you’ve enjoy it!
Can this be made a day ahead?
Definitely.
I HAVE NOT MADE YET I HAVE A QUESTION I CANT FIND CHOC GRAHM CRACKERS ANYWHERE SO WHAT CAN I SUBSTITUTE IT WITH
You could try chocolate wafer cookies or Oreos. Walmart usually has things like chocolate graham crackers.
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
I haven’t frozen it, only refrigerated it. I’d think it’d be ok though.
I like chocolate cake. Keep sharing such a post.
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?
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.
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!
This looks sinfully delicious! Wow!
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”?
“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.
For the chocolate ice box cake, you don’t say how long to refrigerate it before enjoying.
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.
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.
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Thank you. I LOVE CHOCOLATE! !!!
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!
Hi Jill! Sorry about that! Add it into the heavy cream before you heat it.
Oh my goodness, Chocolate Icebox Cake looks delicious! I’m definitely making this! thanks for sharing!
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.
Oh gosh – too funny! Sounds just like something I’d do! So glad you had that AHA moment! 🙂
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.
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.
Whoah! This looks like a dream!
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.
Happy birthday! This should make about 20 servings.
This looks amazing !
I like chocolate cake.Thanks for the recipe.
Looks gorgeous want to try this for guest’s at the weekend don’t have Graham crackers in uk can you suggest a alternative?
If there are other chocolate wafer cookies you can find, those should work.
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.
I would suggest the round chocolate cookie. A chocolate wafer cookie would be best, if you can find one.
Thanks so much! I am taking this to a homeless shelter for their dinner Monday night. I’m sure they will love it!
What a great thing! I hope they loved it!
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! 🙂
I’ve removed the divided part. It should all go into the ganache. The topping is a separate chocolate sauce. Thanks Jodi!
Is the chocolate sauce you used homemade or store bought? Is this the same thing as chocolate syrup?
It’s a chocolate sundae sauce, which is usually thicker than chocolate syrup. It was store bought – I use this one.
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!
You are correct – it’s about 2 cups. I’ve updated it. Thanks!
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!!!
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.
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:)
It calls for cocoa and cocoA powder I guess I don’t know the difference
Sorry, for the confusion. They are the same.
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!
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.
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!
This cake has made me so so so very happy in life girl lol. Amazing!
Someone pass me a napkin to wipe up the drool.
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!!
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!
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!
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.
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!
I think overnight is best. Gives it plenty of time.
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! 🙂
I’ve always liked Gap too! I actually went to the mall to go to Gap, but they were closed down. 🙁
This is calling my name! It looks delish! Pinned!
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!
Yes, accessories are the way to go! 🙂
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.
This looks amazingly decadent Lindsay! Thanks so much for the shout out on my donuts!! 🙂
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!
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.
omg, bathing suits! Awful!
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.