If you’re someone who loves all things peanut butter, prepare yourself for the ultimate treat: Nutter Butter Ice Box Cake. This chilled, creamy, and downright dreamy dessert combines everything you love about the classic cookie—plus a fluffy peanut butter filling and ultra-silky whipped cream—layered to perfection. Every bite is a nostalgic hug of childhood flavors, yet the finished cake is so showstopping you’ll want to bring it to every barbecue or summer potluck. Whether you’re a confident baker or new to making no-bake desserts, this dish is as easy as it is spectacular.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Nutter Butter Ice Box Cake is just how simple the ingredient list is. Each item plays an important role: the cookies create those signature layers, creamy filling brings dreamy richness, and a few key mix-ins add balance and texture.
- Nutter Butter cookies: The star of the show, these cookies provide irresistible peanut butter flavor and soften beautifully as the cake chills.
- Heavy whipping cream: Whipped up to fluffy, cloud-like perfection, this adds lightness and richness to the filling.
- Powdered sugar: Just enough sweetness to balance the peanut butter and help stabilize the whipped cream.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warm, fragrant depth that rounds out all the creamy flavors.
- Cream cheese: Offers a subtle tang and beautifully creamy texture that pairs perfectly with peanut butter.
- Creamy peanut butter: Infuses the cake with bold, unmistakable peanut flavor and a touch of saltiness.
- Milk: Helps blend the filling and makes it extra smooth for easy spreading.
- Whipped topping (like Cool Whip): Convenient, extra-fluffy, and helps the cake hold together in those lovely layers.
- Crushed Nutter Butters and chopped peanuts (optional): Sprinkle these on top for added crunch, texture, and a polished look.
How to Make Nutter Butter Ice Box Cake
Step 1: Whip the Cream
Start by pouring your heavy whipping cream into a large bowl. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then whip everything until you have stiff peaks—this means your cream will stand up on its own and be delightfully fluffy. This whipped cream gives the entire Nutter Butter Ice Box Cake its signature airy, soft texture, so don’t skimp on the whipping!
Step 2: Make the Peanut Butter Cream Filling
In a separate mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and creamy peanut butter until the mixture is silky smooth. Drizzle in the milk, continuing to beat until everything is well mixed and no lumps remain. This luscious peanut butter filling is what makes every bite so satisfyingly rich.
Step 3: Fold Everything Together
Next, gently fold the tub of whipped topping into the peanut butter-cream cheese mixture, followed by your freshly whipped cream. Use a gentle hand and a spatula for this step, as you want to keep all that beautiful air you just whipped in. The result is a cloud-like filling you’ll want to eat right off the spoon.
Step 4: Layer the Cookies and Cream
Now for the fun part: assembling your Nutter Butter Ice Box Cake! In a 9×13-inch baking dish, arrange a single layer of Nutter Butter cookies. Spread one-third of your peanut butter cream mixture over the cookies. Repeat this layering process two more times, ending with a generous layer of the cream on top. Each layer gets cozier as the cookies soak up all the creamy goodness.
Step 5: Finish and Chill
Finally, crush a few cookies and sprinkle them over the top of the cake. Add chopped peanuts if you’d like an extra touch of crunch. Cover the dish and refrigerate the whole cake for at least six hours, or overnight if you can wait. That chilling time is where the magic happens: the cookies soften and meld with the filling for that classic ice box cake texture.
How to Serve Nutter Butter Ice Box Cake
Garnishes
Don’t skip the finishing touches! A generous sprinkle of crushed Nutter Butters and chopped peanuts will make your Nutter Butter Ice Box Cake look irresistibly inviting. If you want to take it a step further, a light drizzle of melted peanut butter or chocolate syrup adds an extra layer of decadence.
Side Dishes
Since the cake is quite rich and creamy, pair it with some fresh, sliced strawberries or bananas for a light and colorful contrast. Or, offer a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate indulgence. A hot cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk is a classic pairing that lets the peanut butter flavors shine.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re serving a crowd, try assembling individual Nutter Butter Ice Box Cakes in small mason jars or dessert glasses for easy, mess-free portions. For special occasions, pipe a little extra whipped cream on each slice and add a whole Nutter Butter cookie as a charming garnish. You can even freeze the whole cake for a firmer, ice cream cake-style treat that slices beautifully!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Nutter Butter Ice Box Cake stays delicious in the fridge for three to four days. Be sure to cover your dish tightly with plastic wrap or a lid to keep everything fresh. The longer it sits, the softer the cookie layers become—making it even creamier!
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze this dessert for even longer storage. Wrap the entire baking dish with plastic wrap and then foil, or transfer individual slices to airtight containers. Thaw the Nutter Butter Ice Box Cake in the refrigerator before serving. Frozen slices have a semifreddo-like texture that’s wonderfully refreshing on hot days.
Reheating
Unlike a traditional cake, this treat is meant to be enjoyed cold. Simply slice and serve straight from the fridge or allow a frozen piece to come to temperature in the refrigerator for a few hours—no reheating required! If you like, give your slice a few minutes at room temperature for extra creaminess.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Dessert
Of course! While the classic Nutter Butter flavor is what gives Nutter Butter Ice Box Cake its charm, you can experiment with similar sandwich cookies or even chocolate peanut butter cookies for a twist. Just keep the overall structure of the recipe the same.
What’s the best way to soften the cream cheese?
Let the cream cheese sit out at room temperature for about an hour before using, or microwave it for 10-15 seconds at half power to quickly soften. This ensures a smooth, lump-free peanut butter cream filling for your Nutter Butter Ice Box Cake.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, Nutter Butter Ice Box Cake is even better when made the day before serving. The resting time in the fridge helps the cookies soften and all the flavors meld together for the creamiest, dreamiest result.
Is there a way to make this dessert lighter?
To lighten up the cake, you can use light cream cheese, low-fat Cool Whip, or even swap out the heavy cream for light whipped topping. The cake will still taste wonderful, though the texture may be slightly less rich.
What if I don’t have a 9×13 inch dish?
No worries! Use two smaller pans or even a deep square baking dish. You can also assemble individual Nutter Butter Ice Box Cakes in ramekins, mason jars, or dessert cups for a fun personal twist.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re craving a peanut butter dessert, need an easy make-ahead treat for a crowd, or just want an irresistible reason to break out those Nutter Butter cookies, this Nutter Butter Ice Box Cake delivers pure joy. I hope you’ll give it a try—it might just become your new favorite no-bake dessert to share and savor.
