No-Bake Espresso Martini Icebox Cake Recipe Makes Every Hour Happy Hour (9 Ingredients) by Donna John

My daughter, who lives in sunny California, came into town recently to visit. As usual, my mind immediately went to food, and what to make for her while she was here. One of her favorite cocktails is the espresso martini, so it was a no-brainer to add this creamy, no-bake icebox cake recipe to the ever-growing menu.

Photo credit (all photos): Donna John

This chocolate espresso martini cake recipe is impressive to look at, but is so easy to prepare that I actually made it with the whole family already at the house for a pool party. Chaos! Here is your shopping list for this layered chocolate cake recipe: cream cheese, powdered sugar, espresso powder, kosher salt, heavy cream, dark chocolate chips, coffee liqueur, vodka and graham crackers. If you want to embellish it, grab some cocoa powder and chocolate-covered coffee beans. (Pro Tip: I bought a box of individual espresso powder packets (tubes). Each packet had 1 tablespoon of espresso powder in it, so no measuring or waste.)

This icebox cake does need some time in the refrigerator before being completed and served. The wait is definitely worth it! The luscious espresso-spiked cream, rich dark chocolate ganache and graham crackers meld together to create a rich and delicious cake that's full of coffee flavor, but not overly heavy. This fluffy no-bake dessert recipe was definitely a hit with the family!

Serve this cake for dessert after dinner any day of the week, or pull it out for special occasions or even dinner parties. My daughters could not keep their fingers out of the coffee cream, so it's already in my plans to make an espresso mousse using the same ingredients. I think I'll top it with a dollop of whipped cream – or coffee whipped cream. Stay tuned.

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 30 minutes plus 3 to 24 hours to chill 
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes plus 3 to 24 hours to chill 
Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons espresso powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 1/4 cups heavy cream (divided)
• 8 ounces dark chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur
• 2 tablespoons vodka
• 16 sheets graham crackers (honey or chocolate)

Optional Garnishes

• cocoa powder
• chocolate-covered coffee beans

Here's how to make it:  

1. With an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, espresso powder and salt until fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. While still beating, slowly pour in 1 3/4 cup of the heavy cream until well combined. Set aside.
   
2. Put the remaining cream into a small saucepot and bring to just a simmer over low heat. Add the coffee liqueur and vodka.
   
3. Put the chocolate chips into a bowl. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips.
   
4. Stir until melted and smooth.
   
5. Line a loaf pan with plastic wrap, leaving at least 1 inch of overlap on the sides. Line the bottom of the pan with 4 sheets of the graham crackers. (For a gluten-free cake, use gluten-free graham crackers.)
   
6. Pour one-third of the chocolate over the graham crackers, spreading to evenly cover.
   
7. Top with one-fourth of the cream mixture (about 1 cup). Spread evenly.
   
8. Repeat layers two more times. Set aside the remaining 1 cup of cream for later (cover and put it in the fridge). Cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
   
9. When ready to serve, unwrap the cake and invert onto a serving plate. Cover the cake with the remaining cream. Garnish with chocolate-covered coffee beans and dust with cocoa powder, if desired. Store the cake covered in the fridge.
   

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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