This No Bake Eggnog Icebox Cake has layers of a light and airy eggnog mousse, classic shortbread and whipped cream. It’s easy to make and perfect for the holidays!
Looking for an old fashioned eggnog drink? Try my easy homemade eggnog recipe.
No Bake Eggnog Icebox Cake
This post is sponsored by Walkers Shortbread, but all opinions are my own.
I don’t know about you, but we’ve been indulging in eggnog since it arrived in stores. I’m pretty sure we’ve been through at least 10 cartons of it already. I’m not even kidding. If you can’t tell, we are big eggnog fans. So naturally the idea of eating it in a delicious icebox cake was perfect! 🙂
We are also shortbread fans. The hubs loves dipping shortbread into tea and I love baking with it. So I was obviously excited to work with Walkers Shortbread on incorporating their tasty cookies into this icebox cake. They compliment it perfectly!
So let’s talk a little bit about how to put this tasty cake together.
How to Make This Easy Icebox Cake
To start, you’ll want to make the eggnog mousse. Eggnog can be a subtle flavor if you don’t use enough and I wanted to be sure that the eggnog shined bright. You’ll use 3/4 cup of eggnog and heat it on the stove with one tablespoon of cornstarch. Once it gets hot and starts to simmer and thicken, you’ll sprinkle the powdered gelatin on and whisk to incorporate it.
If you aren’t real familiar with gelatin, do not fear. It’s really easy to use, especially in this recipe. Once it’s added to the eggnog, you’ll just whisk it into the mixture until smooth.
Once everything is well combined, set it aside to cool. It doesn’t have to cool all the way to room temperature, but you do want it to be cool enough that it won’t melt or soften the other ingredients too much. I usually put it into another bowl and place it in the fridge for maybe 4-5 minutes. Don’t let it get too firm, or it’ll be lumpy when you add it to the rest of the ingredients.
While the eggnog mixture cools, combine the cream cheese, sugar and nutmeg until smooth. When ready, add the eggnog mixture and mix until it’s all well combined. The final step for the mousse is to add the whipped cream. You’ll want to gently fold it in so that you don’t deflate it.
With the mousse ready to go, it’s time to put everything together! You’ll want to have a 9-inch springform pan. With the removable sides, it makes it much easier to remove the cake once it’s ready. I also find it’s best to line the sides of the pan with parchment paper to be sure nothing sticks. Then when you remove the cake, you can just peel the parchment back. Another option is to use cake collars, if you have them on hand.
The first layer begins with Walkers Shortbread. Dip each cookie into the eggnog and milk mixture and hold it there for 3-4 seconds. You might be temped to use all eggnog, instead of the eggnog and milk mixture but take it from me that the mixture is the better way to go. Eggnog alone is quite thick and doesn’t soak into the shortbread and soften it as well.
Assembling Your Eggnog Icebox Cake
Make a full layer of shortbread cookies, then top the shortbread with half of the eggnog mousse. Repeat another layer of shortbread and the remaining eggnog mousse, then finish off the cake with the whipped cream.
The icebox cake needs to be refrigerate for 5-6 hours before removing from the pan so it’s nice and firm. I actually froze mine first, to make it easier to remove from the pan, then placed it in the fridge. You can do it either way, I just felt like it was easier to work with when taking it out of the pan when frozen. It’s plenty firm when refrigerated too. I certainly prefer eating it when refrigerated over frozen. The mousse is light and eggnog-y, the shortbread softens up and the buttery cookies add the perfect flavor.
This really is the ideal holiday treat! It’s so easy to make – which is important this time of year when there is so much to do – but it still makes a great presentation. And it’s made with one of my favorite flavors of the season. Plus, Walkers Shortbread. Yum!
No Bake Eggnog Icebox Cake
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 43 minutes
- Yield: 14-16 slices
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stove
- Cuisine: American
Description
This No Bake Eggnog Icebox Cake has layers of a light and airy eggnog mousse, classic shortbread and whipped cream. It’s easy to make and perfect for the holidays!
Ingredients
EGGNOG MOUSSE
- 3/4 cup eggnog
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 0.25 oz bag powdered gelatin
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 3/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1 3/4 cups heavy whipping cream
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
WHIPPED CREAM
- 1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS
- 6 tbsp eggnog
- 6 tbsp milk
- 2 1/2 packages (5.3 oz) of Walkers Shortbread
Instructions
Notes
Cake can be made ahead and frozen until ready to serve. Defrost cake in refrigerator before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Slice
- Calories: 318
- Sugar: 17.4 g
- Sodium: 103 mg
- Fat: 24.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 22.2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 75.4 mg
Keywords: icebox cake recipe, eggnog cake, no bake cake, no bake dessert recipe, christmas cake recipe, christmas dessert
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Enjoy!
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Did you add nutmeg to your whipped cream to decorate the cake? It’s a different shade. Thanks
I didn’t add any to the whipped cream, but I sprinkled a little over the top.
Hi! I just discovered your blog and your cakes looks awesome. Would you be kind enough to tell my where I can find this tin cake stand? Thank you!
I actually got this cake stand a while ago on pickyourplum.com. I don’t think it’s available anymore though.
Hi Lindsay,
I was little confused about the amount of cookies. Is each package 5.3oz or is 2.5 packages equal 5.3oz? Looking forward to making this cake!
Sorry for the confusion Tiffany. Each package is 5.3 oz. So it’s 2 1/2 5.3 oz packages.
Thanks!
I have a question about the amount of gelatin – the recipe calls for .25oz & my envelope says 1oz – I just use part of it ? Thank you
Yes, use part of it. My gelatin comes in .25 oz packets. I think it’s about 2 1/4 tsp.
Can you make these as individuals in cupcake papers (will cookie fit?)
It’s possible. Not sure how it’d turn out without trying it.
What an elegant and festive dessert!
Thanks Laura!
Lindsay, this is such a beautiful dessert! I love eggnog, make it regularly during fall and winter. And I love Walker’s shortbread.
I wish Dell would eat this, because I feel a little guilty make a whole cake just for myself! Maybe I will have to bring it not work!
This looks amazing! I also love eggnog and I think you’ve paired it incredibly well with the shortbread cookies. Walkers are my favorite too! Yum!
10 cartons?! You don’t play, Lindsay! 🙂
This looks great. Love the idea of doing it as an icebox cake. Then it can set happily in the fridge and come out gorgeous!