Lately we’re all trying to maximize our precious outdoor time, and nothing goes better with a healthy serving of sunshine than a delicious chilled refreshment. Enter icebox cakes: the fabulous retro dessert that’s a cool, creamy godsend on hot days when you’d rather forget you own an oven. Stack crispy cookies between scoops of freshly whipped cream, stick in the fridge and—sweet alchemy! In a few hours, the cookies transform into tender, cakey layers.
I originally made these single-portioned grasshopper icebox cakes to solve a portability problem: how to make a treat I could tote to a birthday picnic. The humble canning jar provided the solution, and DIY-ing a flavored whipped cream lent a fresh, minty twist to the classic. Infusing cream is as easy as thinking ahead. You’ll need to chill your cream and mix-ins at least 12 hours for the best results, so it’s good to start a day in advance. Luckily, the hardest work is waiting—these individual mason-jar icebox cakes require just 20 minutes of hands-on prep time. Here’s how it’s done!

Mini Grasshopper Icebox Cakes
Using standard pint jars yields two ample portions, or you can split up the layers into half-pint jars for four smaller cakes.
You will need:
- 1 cup heavy cream (sometimes called whipping cream)
- 2 tablespoons sugar (or more, to taste)
- 1 cup fresh mint, stems removed
- Green food coloring (optional, for that authentically retro touch)
- 1 package chocolate wafer cookies (like Nabisco Famous Wafers)
- Plastic wrap
- Strainer
- Large bowl
- Handheld mixer, stand mixer, or whisk
- 2 pint-sized (or 4 half-pint) jars
Step 1: Infuse the cream



Combine heavy cream with the chopped mint in a measuring cup or small bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let chill overnight in the fridge.
Step 2: Strain and whip



After the mixture has chilled, strain the cream into a large bowl. Add the sugar and a few drops of food coloring, if you’re using it. Whip the cream with a mixer, or use a whisk and put some old-fashioned muscle into it (if you want to skip arm day). Whip until soft peaks form.
Step 3: Assemble the cakes



Dollop a spoonful of cream in the bottom of the mason jar. Place a cookie on top, and press lightly to spread the cream. Add another layer of cream, and another cookie, pressing them each time to spread the cream evenly.
Continue layering until you reach the top of the jar. Top with a final layer of cream and an optional mint sprig as garnish. Cover and chill for at least four hours, or up to overnight before serving.
Step 4: Complete your picnic preparations

Make your outdoor eating area extra-cute and comfy with a few simple accessories. Then grab a spoon and enjoy!
Fan of flavored whipped cream? Here are three more inspired infusions to try.

Chamomile: A side of herbaceous infused cream complements peak-season strawberries. Maybe you place them atop pound cake or a cream scone, or maybe you eat the berries and cream right out of the bowl!
Earl Grey: A spoonful of fragrant, lightly bitter (in a good way) whipped cream makes a delicious counterpoint to a wedge of flourless chocolate cake.
Coffee: Whipped cream infused with whole coffee beans takes chocolate pudding (store bought or homemade) to the next level. For an easy twist on a Mudslide, add a splash of coffee liqueur to the mix.
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Recipe photographed by Aravis Moore.
39 comments
Oksana from LetaHome said 285 days ago
Thank you!! Yum-Yum, I think it is very tasty. And so simple, I’ll definitely try to cook as soon as our summer comes))
Pani Helenka from GiftForHimAndForHer said 285 days ago
It's so interesting! They look delicious! Thank you!
Alyona Prikhodchenko from Ezoflin said 285 days ago
This dessert looks delicious even through the screen! And judging by the composition and in reality it is very tasty. I will definitely try to do it!
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 285 days ago
Awesome recipe and great way to transport them to picnic spots. Thanks for sharing!
Mariya from MagicArtForYou said 284 days ago
Delicious recipe! Simple and convenient to prepare, the serving is simply gorgeous! I also really liked the coffee option! I rewrote my recipe and will definitely cook it. Thank you for such a favor!
kimberly Rush from MindsetGym said 284 days ago
Oh my gosh how cool is this! YUM!!
Lizz Underthesamesky from UnderTheSameSky1 said 284 days ago
Add this to my list for the summer. It looks delicious!
Julia from FavoriteToyStore said 284 days ago
I love cooking, thank you for the idea
Nicole from KarmaCodeOne said 284 days ago
Yum ~!~ I think I can do this one Thank You for sharing the recipe ❣
Anna from LissiKids said 283 days ago
I love cooking with my daughter. we will definitely try to cook this recipe with her this weekend. Thanks for sharing!!
Jeeda from AndersonDesignsLLC said 283 days ago
Thank you for the recipe, can't wait to try it!
Nadeshda Romanova from MoreSoutacheJewelry said 283 days ago
mmm !! Thank you so much !! I love sweet, and soooo!))
Terry said 283 days ago
This looks SO good and refreshing for the summer, which is coming right up! Love the canning jar. Suggestion: For more of a single serving, if you have any small, wide-mouth canning jars, those would work great too, I'd think. I have a few of those jars that I use to give small-sized jam gifts. Thank you!
Jennifer Tyson from LadyInPurpleBoutique said 283 days ago
I love mint and chocolate! This recipe is perfect for me!
Olga Mironova from PorcelainKingdom said 282 days ago
thank you for the recipe! sounds delicious and i am in love with mint color. will definitely try as soon as we are allowed to go outside XD
Olga Sinitsina from ArtDollsandCreatures said 282 days ago
Thank you very much for such an interesting article!
Tanya from Blessedcountrycrtns said 282 days ago
Will be trying this for sure. Thank you
Chara from WallDecorAddict said 282 days ago
You make my day! So tasteful...
branda Moreno from branda said 282 days ago
Great picnic!! ;-) :-)
Anna Mizin from MiLeoStore said 282 days ago
It looks very tasty. Thanks for the recipe.💕 I can’t wait when I try to cook it!😊
ciaffi from ciaffi said 282 days ago
Rico!!! :-) :-)
Anna from OneHatStore said 282 days ago
thanks for this receipt! looks yummy!
Traci Mceldery from TracisDeliciousCakes said 281 days ago
Well, when I looked at this picture and I was thinking about red velvet cake??? I was thinking about making it with cream cheese frosting on my shop!!!!
Agnieszka from Makramianki said 281 days ago
Awesome recipe. This dessert looks very delicious, thank you for this recipe. :)
Veera Nummi from IllustratingTheWorld said 281 days ago
Delicious looking! Definitely I will try out making these for my kid.
Anita from thelavenderyard said 280 days ago
Thank you! Your recipe has inspired me to use another herb: culinary lavender. Lavender and chocolate are divine!
I V from CrackerjackSalon said 280 days ago
THANK YOU! xx YUM
Erin from theindoorgardenshop said 280 days ago
I do these with peanut butter whip cream. Delicious. My grandmother made these cakes for my mom when she was a child and my mom made them for us.
Stacey Amaro from AllThingsAmore said 279 days ago
Delicious! Love grass hopper pie so I'm gonna make this! Thanks for sharing!
Jeanne said 279 days ago
Your ice-box cookies brought me back 60 years when my Mom made them. The stores sold square chocolate wafers specifically for that purpose. She made 6 piles of 6-8 cookies in each pile, placed the piles side by side in two rows, forming a square and frosted the entire cake with whipped cream! Oh so yummy! Thanks for the memories.
Carolynne DeLisle from NonnasNuttyKrafts said 278 days ago
How cool is this! The kids always like something different or adults to...lol. Makes things more fun and surprising to mix things up a little.
Eva Miller from KapKaDesign said 277 days ago
I have so much mint in my garden. Going to try this, looks so delicious. You can't go wrong with mint and chocolate :)
Barb from Blingyourdoorandmore said 274 days ago
Thank you for sharing this refreshing treat.
Mariia Shevchenko from MariUkraine said 274 days ago
Looks amazing! I will definitely try to make them! :3
Jennifer from IceBreakerPrintables said 271 days ago
What!?!?! Really wonderful!
Ana C. Gomez from MixBerryDesignsShop said 265 days ago
Wow! The flavored whipped cream idea is fantastic! I´ll try it! I love the mint flavor and those cookies look so delicious. Thanks for sharing this!
Irina Shcherbinina from AmiguRinaDesigns said 255 days ago
Thank you! It's so unusual
Alyssa from AlyssaNapierDesign said 231 days ago
Wow, I've never tried infusing cream like that before! Definitely looks interesting and like it would be a great addition to any picnic. Thank you for sharing!
Carrie Wood from MoreLoveMama said 1 day ago
Chocolate Mint is my absolute favorite! I am making these for our first trip to the beach this year! I am so ready for summer!!!