icebox cake
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A dessert made by layering cookies or wafers with whipped cream or pudding, then chilling it until firm, without baking: An "icebox cake" is a no-bake dessert that sets in the refrigerator ("icebox"). It is typically constructed from alternating layers of crisp biscuits (like chocolate wafers or graham crackers) and a creamy filling, which softens the biscuits as it chills. 2. A molded ice cream dessert shaped like a cake: In some contexts, "icebox cake" can also refer to a dessert where ice cream is molded or layered to resemble a traditional cake.
Usage Examples
- (For the molded ice cream meaning):
Advanced Usage
- The term is somewhat historical, directly referencing the icebox (a non-mechanical, insulated cabinet that used a block of ice for cooling), which was common before modern electric refrigerators. Using it today evokes a sense of classic, homemade simplicity.
- The concept relies on the moisture from the filling softening the biscuits over several hours of chilling, transforming the separate layers into a sliceable, cake-like texture.
Variants and Related Words
- Refrigerator cake: A direct synonym, using the modern term "refrigerator" instead of "icebox."
- Cream biscuit cake: A descriptive term sometimes used for this type of dessert.
- No-bake dessert: The general category to which an icebox cake belongs.
Synonyms
- Chilled dessert
- No-bake cake
- Refrigerator cake (as noted above)
Related Phrases
- To set in the fridge/icebox: The key preparation step for this dessert.
- After assembling the layers, you must let the icebox cake set in the fridge overnight.
Related Idioms
- (As) easy as pie / a piece of cake): While not containing the word "icebox cake," this idiom describes something very simple, which is often the appeal of making an icebox cake.
- Don't worry about baking; this recipe is a piece of cake.
Noun
- ice cream molded to look like a cake