Christmas Icebox Fruitcake

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Christmas Icebox Fruitcake is a no-bake holiday dessert that sets in the fridge instead of the oven. It is sliced and served cold, which makes it easy during a busy season. This recipe is simple and works well for make-ahead treats.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Close-up of sliced Christmas Icebox Fruitcake with visible pieces of cherries and raisins, garnished with a mint leaf.

Key Takeaways

  • Christmas Icebox Fruitcake is a no-bake holiday dessert that sets in the fridge, making it easy to prepare ahead of time.
  • It firms up while chilling, allowing for clean slicing and easy serving during busy holidays.
  • This recipe saves oven space and can be made a day or two in advance, ensuring freshness when serving.
  • Proper chilling helps the dessert hold its shape, while wrapping it well keeps it fresh for parties.
  • Overall, Christmas Icebox Fruitcake is simple, reliable, and perfect for holiday gatherings and gift trays.

Christmas Icebox Fruitcake

If you had told me that when I was younger, well, even two years ago, that one day I’d like fruitcake, I would have laughed. Then laughed some more.

Visions of hard, dry fruitcake come to mind when I think of fruitcake. Before.

But then I had no-bake fruitcake, and my whole opinion changed. Let me back up, I ran across a recipe for no-bake graham cracker blondies and peanut butter graham cracker blondies made with crushed graham crackers. They are phenomenal. Christmas Icebox Fruitcake is similar, but includes fruit and nuts.

This Christmas Icebox Fruitcake dessert is easy to make. Mix everything together, press it into a pan, and refrigerate until set. It firms up as it chills, so planning ahead matters. When cold, it will slice clean and hold its shape. It’s moist, sticky, chewy, and sweet – not at all what you typically think of fruitcake.

A stack of Christmas Icebox Fruitcake bars with visible pieces of dried fruit sits on a plate, garnished with fresh mint leaves.

How to Make Christmas Icebox Fruitcake

Time needed: 10 minutes

This recipe is quick and easy to mix together.

  1. Prep

    Crush the graham crackers into fine crumbs.
    Chop the nuts; drain and halve the cherries (if they are whole).

  2. Melt

    Melt marshmallows and butter.

  3. Combine.

    Mix all ingredients together. Pack into a 8×8 or 9×9-inch baking pan.

  4. Refrigerate overnight.

    Cut with a sharp knife.

Close-up of several square oat bars with visible red and dark dried fruits, reminiscent of Christmas Icebox Fruitcake, topped with small sprigs of fresh mint and arranged on a plate.

Cooking tips and substitutions

Line the pan or wrap tightly so the loaf releases clean and holds together.

Chill overnight (12 hours) so it cuts into neat slices without crumbling.

If you prefer smaller servings, shape it into two shorter logs for easier slicing.

Add one cup of shredded coconut if desired.

Why you’ll ❤️ this recipe.

🍳No bake

🍽️Easy to make ahead

🍰Slices clean for serving

🎉Great for holiday trays

🥪Simple process with reliable results

A stack of four beige dessert bars with red and dark brown pieces, reminiscent of Christmas Icebox Fruitcake, sits on parchment paper with mint leaves nearby.

Christmas Icebox Fruitcake FAQ

How do I store icebox fruitcake?

This recipe is stored in the refrigerator to keep its shape and texture.

Can I make it in advance?

Yes, it’s better to make it several days ahead. Slice when you’re ready to serve.

Can I freeze Christmas Icebox Fruitcake?

Freezing works well if wrapped tightly, then thawed in the fridge before slicing.

Close-up of sliced Christmas Icebox Fruitcake bars with visible fruit pieces, garnished with a fresh mint sprig on top of one piece.
Close-up of sliced Christmas Icebox Fruitcake with visible pieces of cherries and raisins, garnished with a mint leaf.

Christmas Icebox Fruitcake

Christmas Icebox Fruitcake is an easy no bake holiday dessert that chills in the fridge and slices clean for serving.
Author: Paula
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 minute
Servings: 20 servings

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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Crush the graham crackers into fine crumbs.
  • Chop the nuts; drain and cut cherries in half (if they are whole).
  • Melt marshmallows and butter
  • Mix all ingredients together.
  • Pack into regular sized loaf pan.
  • Refrigerated overnight and cut with a hot knife.
  • Coconut is an optional ingredient.
  • Cook time is refrigeration time.

Nutrition

Calories: 271kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.05g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 189mg | Potassium: 196mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 90IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 1mg

Conclusion

Christmas Icebox Fruitcake is a practical holiday dessert that fits busy schedules. It is simple, reliable, and easy to plan ahead. This makes it a good choice for holiday gatherings and gift trays.

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A stack of sliced Christmas Icebox Fruitcake bars with visible red and dark fruit pieces, garnished with fresh mint leaves.

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