No Bake Peanut Butter Icebox Cake – this easy lush dessert layers peanut butter sandwich cookies with peanut butter pudding! This is the ULTIMATE peanut butter no bake dessert recipe!
Summer is already kicking my behind when it comes to work and, well, life. I love that Jordan is off school because I don’t have to make lunches or worry about homework but I am totally missing the schedule already. School got out two weeks ago and we were gone for half of that. Since we’ve been back she’s had a pool party, dance rehearsal, FOUR dance shows, a visit from the grandparents, and two play dates. She’s having the time of her life…and I’m exhausted.
I don’t know why summer always surprises me. I know it’s coming; I look forward to it. I plan a ton of trips and activities to keep her happy…and then I remember I also need to work. I’m so glad that I’m heading to Canada this week to visit Holly. We have zero plans, our kids like to hang out with each other, and we know we both have work to do, so I know I’ll get caught up. (And drink a lot of wine, lol.)
Luckily, I had the foresight to see summer coming even though I didn’t remember it’s full impact; I made this peanut butter lush recipe weeks ago and have been saving it for the perfect time. Now, when it’s been over 100°F for days and days, it’s the perfect time to share an easy no bake icebox cake, don’t you think?
Especially when it’s allllll peanut butter like this no bake peanut butter icebox cake is!
Icebox cakes, dream desserts, lush recipes, no bake dessert; no matter what you call it they’re all amazingly good and simple. They have three basic components:
- Crust
- Creamy filling
- Topping
Sometimes there is more than one layer, sometimes there are more than one creamy filling, it all depends on the flavor you’re making.
THIS No Bake Peanut Butter Icebox Cake is completely peanut butter, from the cookie layers to the pudding to the candy topping.
I call it an icebox cake because it’s more of the “layered” cookie cake that people associate with an icebox cake. Instead of graham crackers or Oreos, THIS icebox cake uses peanut butter sandwich cookies (i.e. Nutter Butters or the generic equivalent). It’s a peanut butter cookie sandwich with peanut butter filling. Because the lush needs to cut and slice like a “cake” I wanted to make sure the cookies would soften enough, so I dipped the cookies in milk before layering them in the pan. Once it’s layered with the creamy filling and soaks awhile, it slices just like a cake.
Then, on top of the cookies, I made an easy peanut butter pudding layer. It’s sweet and perfectly peanut buttery. Peanut Butter Lovers ONLY for this dessert!!
There are two layers of the pudding and then you have the creamy whipped topping and Reese’s Pieces on top. Chopped peanut butter cups would be amazing too! Just chill and then serve…this goes down SO easy. I’ve been known to take a fork to the pan. (Don’t do that unless you’re prepared to eat it all!)
This no bake peanut butter icebox cake is the perfect summer no bake dessert recipe. I can’t wait to make it for my next cookout!
No Bake Peanut Butter Icebox Cake
Yield: 9-12 servings
Total Time: 20 minutes plus chill time
No Bake Peanut Butter Icebox Cake – this easy lush dessert layers peanut butter sandwich cookies with peanut butter pudding! It’s the ULTIMATE peanut butter no bake dessert!
Ingredients:
- 27-36 peanut butter sandwich cookies (such as Nutter Butter or a generic equivalent)
- 1 3/4 cups milk, divided
- 1 box (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla or cheesecake pudding mix
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 8 ounces (1 container) Whipped Topping
- 1 cup Reese’s Pieces, for topping
Directions:
- Place 1/2 cup milk in a small bowl or measuring cup. Dip 1/3 the peanut butter cookies quickly in the milk and then place in the bottom of an 8×8” pan.
- Whisk 1 1/4 cups milk with the pudding in a large bowl. Let set until set, then stir in the peanut butter and half of the whipped topping.
- Spread 1/2 of the peanut butter mixture on top of the cookie layer. Dip another 1/3 of the cookies in milk and place on top the peanut butter mixture. Top with remaining pudding, then dip the remaining cookies in milk and place on top.
- Spread the rest of the whipped topping over the cookies and sprinkle with Reese’s Pieces.
- Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
If you’re as crazy for peanut butter desserts as I am, this lush dessert will become addictive! I can also see an obsession with Peanut Butter Cup Rice Krispie Treats Pinwheels, Peanut Butter Cup Pie, and Chocolate Ganache Filled Peanut Butter Cookie Cups. Peanut butter love for everyone!
No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Cream Pie
Hi there! I’m Dorothy! Welcome to Crazy for Crust, where I share recipes that are sometimes crazy, often with a crust, and always served with a slice of life. 
No bake desserts are the best! Summer and life and everything is kicking my butt right now too! I cannot wait to go on vacation and I know you’re probably feeling the same! Have a wonderful time and have some drinks for me 🙂
I wish there would have been some of this when we were there… lol
This looks easy enough. I would try it out for my kids. Thanks for sharing.
Can you just double for a 9x 13 ?
I doubled the recipe for a 9×13 and it worked great. This recipe is very good- my family loved it and I’m sure I’ll have to make it again. I did make one change- instead of layering the cookies whole I crushed them and mixed with melted butter to make a crust and placed that in the bottom of the pan before the cream and cool whip layers. This made eat easy to cut and serve.
Did you crush them for each layer or just for bottom crust
I made this last night but instead of using peanut butter cookies, I used oreos and I thought it was really good – thank you for the recipe!
For some reason I can’t see the actual recipe. Any way you can email it to me?
Oops, now that I commented, I can see the recipe. 😊
mmmm so peanut buttery!!! And the texture looks to die for!
Can’t wait to make this♡
Mine is chilling as I type. After the 2nd layer of cookies went in, I mixed some chocolate syrup in the pudding mixture and will top with crushed oreos. I am looking forward to digging into it this evening!
Here’s a few alterations that I would suggest now that I’ve made it. I would increase the milk in the pudding by a half a cup and then increase the Cool Whip – buy the 12 ounce container and still use half in the pudding mix to make it fluffier. The other thing that I didn’t think turned out too well – I let it sit overnight and the Reese’s Pieces basically became melty and their color bled into to the Cool Whip. Next time I will put those on just before I service it.
Can you freeze
No bake desserts are the best seriously! This looks really easy to make. I would definitely try it out for my friends. Loved the colors actually. Bookmarked this recipe of yours. Looking forward to more recipes, Thanks for sharing this with us. Best wishes and Regards.
A great and new dish from the familiar ingredients. Most importantly, you teach very detailed and easy to understand. Thanks a lot. I will cook for my family.