Ritz Cracker Salted Caramel Icebox Cake

Cream cheese, sugar, heavy cream, Ritz crackers, and homemade salted caramel come together in this ridiculously addictive no-bake Ritz Cracker Salted Caramel Icebox Cake.

this Recipe

Let’s rewind to a Thursday night that was supposed to be productive. I had plans—big plans!—to finally organize the pantry. You know, toss the expired cans, maybe alphabetize the spices if I was feeling wild.

Instead… I made a cake with Ritz crackers. And it might’ve been one of my better life choices, if I’m being honest.

I stumbled on the idea somewhere between a fridge scroll and an “I should be sleeping” Pinterest spiral. Something about salty crackers, fluffy cream cheese filling, and homemade caramel caught my eye. I didn’t even check if I had everything—I just dove in, pajamas and all. At one point, I was barefoot, elbow-deep in caramel, and whispering “please work” to a stack of crackers like some kind of dessert sorcerer.

And guess what? It did work. It more than worked. This Ritz Cracker Salted Caramel Icebox Cake was like a cross between cheesecake, tiramisu, and your favorite snack aisle guilty pleasure. Salty, sweet, impossibly creamy. The next morning, I served it to my husband with coffee and he legit paused mid-bite and said, “Wait… is this made with crackers?”

Yes, sir. And now we don’t speak ill of Ritz in this house.

Why You’ll Love This Ritz Cracker Salted Caramel Icebox Cake Recipe?

Here’s the thing—it sneaks up on you. You don’t expect crackers to be part of your dessert narrative. But then they show up in the best way, bringing their buttery crispness and salty backbone to balance out all that sweetness.

And it’s no-bake. That alone is enough to get me onboard most days. No ovens. No hot kitchen. Just layers of joy and a night in the fridge to do the magic for you. You can make it ahead (actually, you have to), and it’s weirdly elegant for something that involves a box of snack crackers and a whole lot of cream cheese.

Best part? It looks like you worked harder than you did. And don’t we all deserve a little culinary smoke and mirrors every now and then?

Ingredient Notes:

Let’s break it down, friend-style.

• 2 blocks cream cheese: Room temp. Please don’t try to mix cold cream cheese. You’ll hate yourself and your mixer.

• 1 cup sugar: Not subtle. But then again, neither is this cake. And I respect that.

• ¾ cup heavy cream: Whips into the fluffiest filling. I once subbed whole milk. Wasn’t terrible. Wasn’t magical either.

• Pinch of salt + ½ tsp vanilla extract: Don’t skip the salt. It wakes everything up. Vanilla is like background music—soft, but makes a difference.

• Ritz crackers (about 48): Yes, Ritz. Not “similar buttery crackers.” There’s something nostalgic about them that nothing else quite captures.

• Salted caramel sauce (⅔ cup + more for drizzling): Homemade is best. But listen, if it’s 10 p.m. and you’ve had a week, the jarred stuff will get you through.

• Whipped cream (optional garnish): Optional. But also… you know it makes everything look prettier.

How To Make Ritz Cracker Salted Caramel Icebox Cake?

This process is more art than science. There’s no baking, no stressing, just layering and a lot of finger-licking.

Step 1: Line your dish.
I use an 8×8 glass baking dish with plastic wrap so I can lift the whole thing out like a show-off. But honestly, you could just build it straight in the pan and dig in with a spoon later. No one’s judging.

Step 2: Whip the filling.
Beat the cream cheese and sugar together until smooth. Add the cream, salt, and vanilla. Keep whipping until it’s fluffy enough to make you say “oooh.” You’ll know when it’s there.

Step 3: Make the caramel sauce.
Melt sugar and water over medium heat—don’t stir, just swirl the pan gently like you’re in a cooking show. Once it turns amber (think: the color of a fancy leather purse), add cream, salt, butter, and vanilla. It’ll hiss at you. Stay strong.

Step 4: Stack it up.
Lay down your first layer of Ritz crackers. Slather with one-third of the cream cheese mix. Drizzle caramel like your inner dessert artist. Repeat twice more. You’ll end with a layer of cream cheese on top. Don’t worry if the layers aren’t perfect—it adds character.

Step 5: Chill it.
Cover the pan and pop it in the fridge overnight. This step is non-negotiable. The crackers need time to soften into dreamy, cake-like layers. Think of it as the cake finding itself.

Step 6: Slice, serve, and bask in compliments.
Add whipped cream and a heavy caramel drizzle. Then hand over forks and prepare for some serious “you made this?!” reactions.

Storage Options:

Keep it chilled. It’s good for 3-4 days in the fridge, but honestly? I’ve never had leftovers past day two. It might keep longer, but we’ve never tested that hypothesis because… we lack self-control.

Wanna freeze it? Go ahead. Slice first, wrap in plastic, then foil, then tuck it into a freezer bag. It thaws pretty well. Not exactly the same texture, but the flavor? Still dreamy.

Variations and Substitutions:

• Swap in graham crackers if Ritz makes you nervous. It’ll still taste great. Just less salty-sweet drama.

• Layer in banana slices or thin apples between the filling for extra texture. Suddenly it’s health food. Sort of.

• Top with toasted pecans for a little crunch and “I know what I’m doing in the kitchen” energy.

• Make minis in mason jars. Why not? They’re cute, portable, and you can pretend they’re for a picnic when really, they’re for your sofa.

What to Serve with Ritz Cracker Salted Caramel Icebox Cake?

• Hot coffee or strong black tea. Balance out the sweet.

• A cold glass of milk. Throwback vibes. Comforting. Like a hug in a cup.

• Espresso martini. Not traditional, but chef’s kiss.

• Silence and alone time. For those nights when you’re not in the mood to share. Been there.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
Yep! It won’t have the same depth as homemade, but it’ll still be delicious. Go for a salted version if you can.

What if I don’t have Ritz crackers?
Okay, you can use graham crackers. Or digestive biscuits. But the salty-sweet combo with Ritz? It’s kinda the whole point.

Do I really have to wait overnight?
Look… technically you could serve it after 6 hours. But it’s not the same. The flavors need time to chill and mingle. It’s worth the wait.

So there you go. A cake made with crackers, cream cheese, and caramel that somehow ends up feeling like it belongs on a fancy dessert table and a midnight snack plate.

Try it. Play with it. Mess it up and make it again. And if it ends up being your new go-to when life gets weird (or when company comes over)? Well… I’d say that’s a win.

Tag me if you make it—I wanna see those layers. Or just drop me a note and let me know what you think. Either way, I’ll be here. Probably making another pan.

Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:

Key Lime Pound Cake

Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler

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Ritz Cracker Salted Caramel Icebox Cake

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 12 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Immerse yourself in the world of our Ritz Cracker Salted Caramel Icebox Cake, a masterpiece that combines the unexpected crispness of Ritz crackers, with the luscious creaminess of a decadent cream cheese filling. Each layer showcases the contrast, between the buttery foundation provided by the crackers and the velvety smoothness of the cheese all embraced by a homemade salted caramel sauce. This no-bake marvel effortlessly blends. Elegance, creating a captivating harmony of textures and flavors. Every bite is an invitation to savor indulgence in a realm where sophistication meets pleasure.

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9 Servings

Ingredients

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• 16 oz cream cheese two blocks, at room temperature
• 1 c granulated sugar
• 3/4 c heavy cream
• A pinch of salt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 48 Ritz Crackers
• 2/3 c salted caramel sauce plus more for garnish
• Whipped cream for garnish

For the caramel sauce:

• 1 c granulated sugar
• 1/4 c water
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 3/4 c heavy cream
• 3 tablespoon butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

 

1. Take an 8x8 inch glass baking dish and line it with plastic wrap.

Create the Filling:

1. In a bowl combine cream cheese and sugar until they form a mixture. Add cream, salt and vanilla extract. Whip everything together until it becomes thick and fluffy.

Make the Caramel Sauce:

1. Using a saucepan melt sugar along, with water over medium heat. Let it gradually turn into an amber color. Whisk in sea salt and heavy cream (be prepared for bubbling). Then incorporate butter and vanilla while stirring continuously until you achieve a smooth consistency.

Assemble the Cake:

1. Place 16 Ritz crackers at the bottom of the dish as a base.
2. Spread one-third of the cream cheese mixture over them.
3. Drizzle around 1/3 cup of caramel sauce, on top.
4. Repeat this process two times making sure to end with a layer of cream cheese.
5. Cover the dish securely with a lid or wrap and refrigerate for 12 hours or overnight to allow all flavors to meld together perfectly.
6. When ready to serve cut into desired pieces. Top each serving with whipped cream and an additional drizzle of caramel sauce.

Notes

Making our Salted Caramel Icebox Cake using gluten-free ingredients is incredibly easy and allows those, with gluten sensitivities to indulge in its deliciousness. The trick is to replace the Ritz crackers with a gluten-free option. Luckily there are brands that offer crackers with the same buttery flavor and crispy texture as Ritz minus the gluten. Just choose your brand of gluten-free crackers that provide a similar texture and buttery taste.

Audrey

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Let me know! Mention @nodashofgluten or tag #nodashofgluten

Bitty

I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!

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