The History of the Nabisco Icebox Cake

The Nabisco Icebox Cake dates back to the 1940s, when the original recipe was printed on the back of boxes of Nabisco’s Famous Chocolate Wafers. The recipe called for combining the cookies with freshly whipped cream mixed with sugar and vanilla flavoring, then letting it sit in the refrigerator to meld together and set. It was specifically advertised to housewives looking for a convenient, affordable way to make a cake without having to do so from scratch — or having to heat up the oven in the summertime! The cake quickly became an American classic, and over time, it became known as the Famous Icebox Cake or Famous Refrigerator Roll. Notably, although Nabisco helped popularize icebox cakes in the United States, the company didn’t invent them. Printed recipes for icebox cakes date back to at least 1920. However, it was Nabisco’s recipe that helped make this style of dessert popular in the 20th century. Families made the Nabisco Icebox Cake, but also began creating their own icebox cakes using their favorite flavors and ingredients. Today, many people still make these cakes, especially in the summertime, but because Nabisco’s Famous Chocolate Wafers have recently been discontinued, fans of the classic Nabisco Icebox Cake are now forced to use alternative cookies to make their sweet treats.