Description
Ritz Cracker Salted Caramel Icebox Cake brings together salty, sweet layers that dance on your taste buds with zero baking required. Creamy caramel and crisp crackers create a dessert so simple yet impressive, your friends will ask for seconds before finishing their first slice.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 packages (16 oz) cream cheese
- 48 Ritz crackers
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup salted caramel sauce
Garnish and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- Whipped cream
Instructions
- Heat 1 cup sugar and ¼ cup water in a medium saucepan over medium heat at 350°F. Stir until sugar dissolves completely.
- Allow sugar mixture to cook without stirring until it reaches a deep amber color, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Carefully whisk 1 teaspoon sea salt and ¾ cup heavy cream into the caramel, protecting your hands from potential splattering.
- Remove caramel from heat and stir in 3 tablespoons butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth. Set aside to cool.
- Beat 16 ounces softened cream cheese and 1 cup granulated sugar in a large bowl until completely smooth.
- Add ½ cup heavy cream and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to cream cheese mixture. Beat until light and fluffy.
- Line an 8×8-inch dish with plastic wrap, ensuring extra hang over the edges for easy removal.
- Create first layer by placing 16 Ritz crackers across the bottom of the dish.
- Spread ⅓ of cream cheese mixture evenly over crackers, using an offset spatula.
- Drizzle ⅓ of prepared caramel sauce across cream cheese layer.
- Repeat layering process two more times, ending with cream cheese on top.
- Cover dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 12-14 hours at 40°F.
- Remove cake from refrigerator and lift out using plastic wrap edges.
- Slice into 9 squares and garnish each serving with whipped cream and extra caramel drizzle.
Notes
- Always use room temperature cream cheese to ensure a smooth, lump-free filling that blends perfectly with the other ingredients.
- Let the caramel sauce cool completely before adding to the cake layers to prevent melting the cream cheese mixture and maintain distinct layers.
- For a gluten-free version, swap Ritz crackers with gluten-free graham crackers or your favorite gluten-free alternative.
- If the caramel sauce crystallizes while cooling, gently reheat it and whisk until smooth, being careful not to burn the sugar.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Cakes
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 437
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 262 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg