Description
Indulgent Ritz cracker salted caramel icebox cake blends sweet and salty layers for a delightful dessert experience. Creamy textures and rich flavors make this no-bake treat perfect for summer gatherings where you will delight guests with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 blocks (16 oz each) cream cheese (at ambient temperature)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar (for caramel sauce)
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup heavy cream (for caramel sauce)
- 48 pieces Ritz crackers
- 2/3 cup salted caramel sauce (+ additional for garnishing)
- 1/4 cup water
- 3 tbsps butter
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for caramel sauce)
- 1 pinch salt
- whipped cream
Instructions
- Prepare an 8×8 glass baking dish by lining it completely with plastic wrap, ensuring the wrap extends over the sides for easy removal later.
- In a large bowl, blend cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add heavy cream, salt, and vanilla extract. Whip the mixture for approximately 3 minutes until thick and fluffy.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt sugar and water. Gently swirl the mixture until it turns amber-colored.
- Whisk sea salt and heavy cream into the caramel, which will bubble intensely. Continue whisking until smooth. Incorporate butter and vanilla extract, stirring until fully combined.
- Create the first layer by arranging 16 Ritz Crackers in three straight lines at the bottom of the prepared dish. Spread 1/3 of the cream cheese mixture over the crackers.
- Drizzle 1/3 cup of caramel sauce over the cream cheese layer. Repeat the layering process two more times: crackers, cream cheese mixture, and caramel sauce.
- For the final layer, spread the remaining cream cheese mixture on top. Cover the dish and refrigerate for 12 hours or overnight.
- When serving, slice the dessert and garnish with whipped cream and an extra drizzle of caramel sauce.
Notes
- Softening cream cheese at room temperature beforehand ensures smoother mixing and prevents lumpy texture.
- Use a hand mixer or stand mixer for faster and more consistent whipping of cream cheese mixture.
- Select high-quality sea salt for enhanced caramel flavor and balanced sweetness.
- Experiment with alternative crackers like graham crackers or chocolate wafers for diverse taste profiles.
- Avoid overheating caramel sauce to prevent burning; watch color carefully during sugar melting process.
- Create gluten-free version by substituting Ritz crackers with gluten-free alternative crackers or cookies.
- Prepare caramel sauce in advance and store in refrigerator for up to one week for convenient assembly.
- Freeze individual slices wrapped in plastic wrap for convenient make-ahead dessert option.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 352 kcal
- Sugar: 29 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg