Name: Old Fashioned Chocolate Pudding Ice Box Cake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 3 h 25 min
Ingredients: Chocolate Pudding Ingredients:; 4 large egg yolks; 1-1/2 cups whole milk; 1 cup heavy whipping cream; 3/4 cup sugar; 1/4 cup cornstarch; 1 tablespoon unsweetened dark cocoa powder; pinch of salt; 8 (1-ounce) squares semisweet chocolate, chopped; 1 tablespoon butter; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 sleeves (around 16 crackers) Graham crackers or wafer chocolate cookies (also chocolate or cinnamon graham crackers can be used or any kinds of cookies you like IE shortbread, vanilla wafers, etc.); Optional sprinkle the top with mini chocolate chips, chocolate shavings, or chocolate sprinkles; Whipped Cream Ingredients:; 3 - 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1/4 cup powdered sugar or more to taste; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

This Old Fashioned Chocolate Icebox Cake is one of the fondest dessert memory from my childhood.

Mom always let me have the spoon from the cooked cooled chocolate pudding, that I burned my tongue on many occasions because I couldn't wait to sneak some while still hot.

Cooked pudding, graham crackers, or chocolate wafer cookies, layered with whipped cream what could be easier other than using an instant pudding or canned pudding already made, well then nothing right?

Of course, the homemade from scratch cooked chocolate pudding was the ultimate homemade memory for me in this dessert but still simple, it really doesn't take that much more time plus mom always used real whipped heavy cream in our layers.

I love no-bake desserts also so don't be skeptical when in a hurry to use all store-bought products, it will still be a big hit dessert in a quick pinch.

It's really your preference on all homemade or if you use all the quicker versions but even if you don't make it from scratch and all from a box, you'll soon get a very simple tasty dessert.

Check out our other suggestions for pudding combinations if you're not a diehard chocolate fan.

We often use this same recipe to build a large trifle with layers of different pudding, cream, and cookies, so if you want to change the recipe use some shortbread cookies, you'll love it.

Just scroll down to the printable recipe card and check this out.

homemade chocolate pudding layered with graham crackers and whipped cream

Icebox Cakes

The possibilities and combinations are really endless, you may like using vanilla pudding with bananas and whipped cream remember that old-fashioned banana pudding?

Cookies of any kind can be substituted, chocolate, cinnamon or honey graham crackers, any flavored cooked or instant pudding, whipped topping or real whipped cream, sprinkles, fruits, and list goes on and on.

No matter what you add or throw together, this will be a delicious dessert with your favorite combination of flavors.

We love so many desserts you may also like to try our pretzel crust, or as I mentioned our recipe for vanilla wafers we use for banana pudding.

graham crackers in a glass dish with chocolate homemade pudding, and real whipped heavy cream

Shopping List (for complete instructions scroll to the recipe card below)

homemade chocolate pudding cooled (or use your favorite boxed kind regular or sugar-free)
see the ingredients in the recipe card below for how to make homemade chocolate pudding
heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla for whipped cream
any kind of graham crackers(cinnamon, chocolate, or honey graham)
Optional Garnishes: more whipped cream, maraschino cherries, sprinkles, ice cream toppings from a jar, chocolate shavings, mini chocolate chips

Other Combinations

peach and vanilla pudding
cherries chopped or strawberries and chocolate pudding
mango and vanilla or coconut pudding
banana and vanilla pudding
pineapple and vanilla pudding
coconut, diced mango, and pineapple blotted dry and crushed with vanilla pudding
blueberries and vanilla pudding

homemade chocolate pudding cooking in a pot

Tips and Suggestions

boxed puddings of any flavor can be used for homemade chocolate pudding
whipped topping can be substituted
sugar-free products can be substituted
any kinds of cookies IE Nutter butter, shortbread, chocolate wafers, etc can be used
fruits can be layered in the pudding filling as you layer it
cool the pudding if cooked first or the whipped cream will melt
keep leftovers refrigerated
icebox cake will stay fresh 3 days in the icebox

layered pudding, cream and graham crackers in a glass dish

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Easy Desserts

If you that made from scratch all old-fashioned style icebox cake lovers this one dates back to the 1930s.

It was said to be invented Marie-Antoine Carême, who served the royalty during the 19th century, and also called a refrigerator cake.

If you're a pudding lover no matter what flavor, this style with cream and crackers is a great layered dessert.

I would love to hear your favorite creations so if you love this version please leave us a comment.