Vietnamese Iced Coffee Ice Box Cake with Condensed Milk Cream
This no-bake icebox cake captures the rich, sweet flavors of Vietnamese iced coffee in an elegant layered dessert. Coffee-spiked chocolate fudge alternates with fluffy condensed milk cream between graham cracker layers, creating a sophisticated treat that requires no oven time. The combination of dark chocolate, strong coffee, and sweetened condensed milk delivers the signature taste of ca phe sua da in cake form. Perfect for summer entertaining or when you want an impressive dessert without the heat of baking. The overnight chilling transforms simple layers into a sliceable cake with complex coffee and cream flavors that intensify as they meld together.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces dark chocolate (72% or darker), chopped
- 6 tablespoons strong coffee, cold brew or espresso
- 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 pinch kosher salt
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 2 ½ cups heavy cream, chilled
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 packet graham crackers
Instructions
- 1
Combine coffee, cocoa powder, salt and chopped chocolate in medium bowl and whisk vigorously
- 2
Heat cream, granulated sugar and corn syrup in saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until mixture boils
- 3
Pour hot cream mixture over coffee mixture and let sit for one minute
- 4
Whisk combined mixture until smooth
- 5
Cool chocolate coffee mixture to room temperature then refrigerate for 45 minutes to 1 hour until fudge consistency
- 6
Whisk chilled heavy cream and vanilla in chilled stand mixer bowl on low speed for 1-2 minutes then increase to medium until soft peaks form
- 7
Add powdered sugar and salt and mix on medium speed until incorporated
- 8
Remove bowl from mixer and slowly drizzle in condensed milk while gently folding with spatula
- 9
Line loaf pan with plastic wrap allowing overhang for easy removal
- 10
Layer graham crackers on bottom of pan, cutting pieces to fill completely
- 11
Spread layer of coffee fudge over crackers
- 12
Add layer of condensed milk cream, reserving 1 cup for serving
- 13
Drizzle condensed milk and top with chocolate shavings
- 14
Continue alternating layers of crackers, fudge, cream, condensed milk and chocolate until pan is full
- 15
Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or at least 12 hours
- 16
Unwrap and flip onto serving platter
- 17
Top with reserved whipped cream and chocolate shavings
Tips
Chill your mixer bowl in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before whipping cream to help achieve better peaks and prevent overwhipping.
Reserve extra graham crackers from the box in case you need to cut pieces to fill gaps in your layers for complete coverage.
The coffee fudge mixture will look like chocolate milk when hot but will thicken to proper fudge consistency once cooled in the refrigerator.
Good to Know
Refrigerate covered for up to 3 days. The flavors continue to meld and improve after the first day.
Can be assembled completely up to 2 days in advance. Keep tightly wrapped in refrigerator until ready to serve.
Slice with a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts. Serve chilled directly from refrigerator for best texture and flavor.
Common Mistakes
Don't skip chilling the mixer bowl as warm equipment can prevent proper whipping of the cream.
Allow the coffee fudge mixture to cool completely before assembly or it will melt the whipped cream layers.
Line the pan thoroughly with plastic wrap or the cake will be difficult to remove intact.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I use instant coffee instead of cold brew?
Yes, dissolve 2-3 tablespoons instant coffee in 6 tablespoons hot water and let cool completely before using in the fudge mixture.
What if my whipped cream becomes too thick?
If overwhipped, gently fold in 1-2 tablespoons of cold cream to restore smooth texture. Stop mixing once soft peaks form.
How long will this cake keep in the refrigerator?
The cake will stay fresh for up to 3 days when tightly wrapped. The flavors actually improve after the first day of chilling.