Easy Lemon Icebox Dessert
This easy lemon icebox dessert is light, creamy, and refreshingly tangy, with no baking required. It’s the perfect make-ahead treat for warm days, holidays, or anytime you want something sweet without turning on the oven.
Ingredients:
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (8-ounce) container whipped topping, thawed
1 box graham crackers or vanilla wafers
Optional Garnishes:
Extra lemon zest
Crushed graham crackers
Fresh berries
Instructions:
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
Add the sweetened condensed milk and mix until fully combined and silky.
Stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest. The mixture will thicken slightly as the lemon juice reacts with the condensed milk.
Gently fold in the whipped topping until light and fluffy, being careful not to deflate the mixture.
Spread a thin layer of the lemon filling in the bottom of an 8×8-inch or similar-sized dish.
Add a single layer of graham crackers or vanilla wafers, breaking them as needed to fit.
Spread another layer of lemon filling over the crackers. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of lemon cream on top.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the dessert to set and soften the crackers.
Before serving, garnish with extra lemon zest, crushed crackers, or fresh berries if desired.
Helpful Tips:
Fresh lemon juice gives the best flavor, but bottled can work in a pinch.
Chilling overnight gives the cleanest slices and best texture.
For extra lemon flavor, add a few drops of lemon extract.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve chilled straight from the refrigerator.
Pairs beautifully with iced tea or coffee.
Perfect for potlucks, BBQs, and family gatherings.
This easy lemon icebox dessert is cool, creamy, and bursting with bright citrus flavor — a simple classic that never disappoints.