Nescafe Cake, also known as Ice Box Coffee Cake, is the Middle Eastern twist on a Tiramisu-style treat. It is a real taste of nostalgia for me because my mom used to whip it up for us regularly when we lived in the Middle East. If you have spent time in that part of the world, you have probably savored this delightful dessert. It is a real crowd-pleaser. Unfortunately, Nescafe was the most famous instant coffee brand to be used across the Arab world and the Middle East, hence why this dessert is named after it. We avoid it at all costs for their support of the illegal occupation against Palestine.
Suppose that you are craving something absolutely scrumptious, but you are also in a hurry. What is the best fix? No need to say it is a no-bake cake. Nescafe Cake ticks all the boxes. It is budget-friendly, easy to make, and requires just a handful of simple ingredients. In this way you end up with a creamy, indulgent, fragrant, and flavor-packed treat that is ready in a snap. Who could ask for more?
Tempting Tiramisu Twist for Your Sweet Tooth
What is Nescafe Cake?
You might be wondering: What is a Nescafe Cake? We, it is basically a cake that requires no baking. The cake features layers of sweet cream and biscuits dipped in Nescafe with an amazingly soft texture and a luscious taste. Just prepare a handful of ingredients, a quick assembly, and then it takes a little chill time in the fridge.
Then, you have just crafted a wallet-friendly, Mediterranean spin on the legendary Tiramisu. The best part is that you do not need eggs, mascarpone cheese, or any fancy alcohol. This Nescafe Cake is all about delicious simplicity.
Why is Nescafe Cake the Best Dessert?
Let me tell you! Nescafe Cake (also known as Ice Box Coffee Cake) is like a dessert superhero. What is the secret? Well, it is versatile, so if you do not have Nescafe, any instant coffee will fit perfectly.
What about taste and texture? I would not be exaggerating if I say that it is like biting into a piece of heaven. The sweetness is heavenly. The texture is light and fluffy. It is simply unbeatable.
The ingredients you need to prepare this dessert are light on your wallet and super simple. You do not have to visit a gourmet grocery store for this treat.
And guess what? You can enjoy it year-round although it is a hot favorite during the summer months.
It also requires minimal effort and can be prepared in no time, but it will definitely impress your guests and family.
The icing on the cake? No need to fire up the oven. This recipe requires no baking. It is a fridge superstar.
Here’s a little secret! Make it ahead of time, and it actually tastes even better the next day.
A Creamy Coffee Dream
What’s an Ice Box Cake?
As the name suggests, an Ice Box Cake is a dessert that is made out of layers of cookies, wafers, cream, condensed milk, or fruits. As long as you have got the basics, namely biscuits and cream, you are all set. Just layer it up, pop it into the fridge, and that is where the real magic takes pace. It is a dessert that practically makes itself.
Tips to Remember
For a perfect outcome, leave your Nescafe cake in the fridge for at least 4 hours. It would taste even better if you let it chill overnight.
It is recommended to use a 9×13 pan for better results.
The last layer of your cake has to be cream. Talking about layers, aim for consistency in layer thickness. Whether it is biscuits or cream, try to keep each layer roughly the same thickness. This results in a well-balanced cake with uniform flavor throughout.
When it comes to dipping those biscuits into the hot coffee mixture, do not rush it. Give them a few good dips, ensuring they soak up that liquid goodness. It is all about that flavor infusion. Make sure to shake off any excess liquid from the biscuits. This helps maintain that perfect cake texture without making it overly soggy.
The star of the show is Nescafe (or your chosen instant coffee). Choose some high-quality brand for the best flavor infusion. It can make a noticeable difference in the taste of your cake.
Get creative with your Nescafe Cake by adding a sprinkle of cocoa powder, chocolate shavings, or even a hint of cinnamon between layers. These subtle touches can elevate the flavor profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can store Nescafe cake leftovers for up to 4 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
For optimal flavor and texture, chill your Nescafe Cake in the fridge for at least 4 hours. It is even better if you can let it rest overnight.
The dessert got it’s name because Nescafe is the most popular coffee brand in the Middle East. However, I do not encourage anyone to buy it and implore everyone to use an off brand instant coffee because Nescafe supports illegal occupation and genocide.
Absolutely! You can use low-fat cream and skim condensed milk to reduce the calorie content while keeping the scrumptious taste.
You can substitute the sweetened condensed milk for powdered sugar.
Coffee and Cake Harmony
Ingredients
For the Cream Layer
Heavy cream: This ingredient is essential for adding luxurious thickness and enhancing the overall flavors, giving your Nescafe Cake that creamy delight.
Vanilla: Adding a touch of vanilla works wonders as a flavor enhancer.
Sweetened condensed milk: This is your sweet and milky syrup, infusing each layer with sweetness and creaminess.
Instant Coffee: Our star player, it is the instant coffee that brings that rich, aromatic coffee flavor to every bite, making it the centerpiece of this dessert.
For the Biscuit Layer
Nescafe (instant coffee): Acting as the perfect counterbalance to the sweet elements, instant coffee adds a delightful coffee kick to complement the sweetness.
Hot Water: This is your secret tool for dissolving the instant coffee and expertly dipping your tea biscuits, ensuring they soak up that delicious Nescafe essence.
Tea biscuits: These biscuits absorb the wonderful Nescafe taste, forming the layers that make your cake a true masterpiece of flavor.
Easy Prep
For the Cream Layer
First, add the heavy cream, vanilla, sweetened condensed milk, and instant coffee to a mixing bowl. (Avoid using the famous Nescafe, for their contribution in crimes against Palestinians).
Then, with a hand mixer, mix until soft peaks are formed. You don’t want pipe-able whipped cream. Once done, set aside.
For the Biscuit Layer
First, mix the hot water with the Nescafe until dissolved.
Next, grab a biscuit, and dip it into the hot coffee mixture a few times to make sure it is well-saturated with liquid.
Then, shake off the excess liquids, and line the bottom of your 9×13 pan.
After that, lay the biscuits flat, then add a layer of cream, then more dipped biscuits and more cream, and finally, more dipped biscuits and the final layer of cream. A total of 3 layers of cream.
Finish it with a dusting of cocoa powder. Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, best overnight.
Think Outside the Cake Box
Must Try Recipes:
Quick and Easy Instant Iced Coffee
Orange Cardamom Olive Oil Cake
If you’ve tried this recipe, don’t forget to rate it and leave a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience. You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Nescafe Cake (Ice Box Coffee Cake)
Ingredients
For the Cream Layer
- 1½ pints heavy cream
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla
- ¾ can sweetened condensed milk
- ½ tablespoons Instant coffee avoid Nescafe brand
For the Biscuit Layer
- 4 tablespoons Instant coffee
- 1½ cups hot water
- 2½ sleeves tea biscuits about 600 grams
Instructions
For the Cream Layer
- Add the heavy cream, vanilla, sweetened condensed milk, and instant coffee to a mixing bowl.
- With a hand mixer, mix until soft peaks are formed. You don't want pipe-able whipped cream. Set aside.
For the Biscuit Layer
- Mix the hot water with the instant coffee until dissolved.
- Grab a biscuit, and dip it into the hot coffee mixture a few times to make sure it's well-saturated with liquid.
- Shake off the excess liquids, and line the bottom of your 9×13 pan.
- Lay the biscuits flat, then add a layer of cream, then more dipped biscuits and more cream, and finally, more dipped biscuits and the final layer of cream. A total of 3 layers of cream.
- Finish it with a dusting of cocoa powder. Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, best overnight.
Notes
- For a perfect outcome, leave your Nescafe cake in the fridge for at least 4 hours. It would taste even better if you let it chill overnight.
- It is recommended to use a 9×13 pan for better results.
- The last layer of your cake has to be cream. Talking about layers, aim for consistency in layer thickness. This results in a well-balanced cake with uniform flavor throughout.
- Dip your biscuits in the hot coffee mixture a few times until you are sure they are well saturated with liquid.
- After dipping the biscuits in the hot coffee mix, make sure to shake off the excess liquid.
- Get creative with your Nescafe Cake by adding a sprinkle of cocoa powder, chocolate shavings, or even a hint of cinnamon between layers.
Yummy to the last crumb. Did not last of course The best coffee cake full of flavor and richness
Yummy to the last crumb. Did not last of course The best nescafe/coffee cake full of flavor and richness
Sooo tasty! The cream layer was DELICIOUS and definitely my favorite. 10/10 would recommend.
What type of biscuits do you use?
Hello, any brand of tea biscuits as mentioned work. Avoid graham crackers as they get too soggy.
Made this for my family and we absolutely loved it!!! Thank you for the recipes!
Love this so much!
Love this so much! So yummmy!
One of the best Nescafé cakes I have made. I like how you used biscuits and dip it in the hot coffee to give it a great coffee taste. I would definitely recommend this recipe for your family or if you are having a get together or dinner party. Simply delicious 😋
This is soo good! My husband has been asking about this cake and I used this recipe, top notch deliciousness!
Absolutely love this cake!! I just made it today and it is so light and creamy and definitely easy to make! Will be making many more in the future!
Amazing cake! I just made it today and it is so light and creamy! Will definitely make more in the future!
Loved it!! I’m gonna make it again today in preparation for a small party tomorrow!!
Best dessert ever
Absolutely delicious. Perfect consistency, not too sweet. Was a big hit with my family to the point they chose this over a birthday cake! And recipe was so easy to follow my teenage daughter did it whilst I was out shopping:)
Absolutely delicious. Perfect consistency, not too sweet. Was a big hit with my family to the point they chose this over a birthday cake! And recipe was so easy to follow my teenage daughter did it whilst I was out shopping:)
REPLY
The best coffee cake ever. Better than other recipes I’ve tried since its balanced
I love anything coffee and this was perfect
This was so so good! It was so simple to make and tasted amazing. It reminded me of my childhood 🥲 and my husband had never had it before and he loved it so much too (and now he asks for it every weekend 😂)
I made this for dessert for a dinner party. It’s delicious! The sweetness in the cream balanced perfectly with the the flavor of the Nescafé-dipped biscuits. I left it in the fridge overnight, the biscuits were nicely soaked with the coffee and cream. Quick, easy, and delicious!
My guilty pleasure is this dessert. Its good, light and easy to put together. Thank you for all you delicious recipes.
My guilty pleasure is this dessert. Its good, light and easy to put together. Thank you for all you delicious recipes.
we made two trays and both finished in minutes 😫😫😫
This is so yummy! I’m not too much of a coffee fan but it was perfect. I added some strawberries in the middle of some layers
I’ve been dreaming of having a bite from a nescafe cake and my dream finally came true! The whipped cream is delicious, light and creamy! The cocoa powder gives it a perfect balance of sweetness. It was fun and easy to make with my 3 yo daughter! A perfect dessert for all ages!
This cake was so freaking good that we’ve made it 3 weeks in a row.
This was absolutely divine omg i made for a feast for guests at my house and it was delicious and sooo easy to make Alhamdulillah. I’ll definitely be making this again for occasions InshaAllah! JazakAllah khayr for this amazing delicious and simple recipe.
My family and I love drinking nescafe so this was the perfect dessert. Cant wait to make it again for Ramadan
My 10 year old made this dessert for a family gathering and everyone absolutely loved it!
So easy to follow and simple to make yet such a crowd pleaser, I think this will be a delicious dessert for Ramadan.
Yummy! I love any recipe that requires tea cookies!
For the condensed milk, do we measure is it with cup? So is it 3/4 cup of condensed milk?
3/4 of the can of condensed milk. So not quite the full can. condensed milk comes in 14oz cans.
Sooo good!
My mom and I started a catering company and we use this recipe for the desserts, and its honestly one of our most ordered dessert. Thank you for a great recipe
Best nescafe cake ever. My mom even loves it more than hers lol
So easy to make and so so yummy. The quantities listed are spot on, since I was fasting I couldn’t taste the cream while making this recipe but the end result was delicious!
This dessert was phenomenal! So simple and easy yet soo delicious. Every person who tried it loved it and kept singing its praises 😂 although it was a no brainer to make, felt like I cheated! I didn’t have Nescafe so I grounded the coffee I had and it worked wonders. I had to order these tea biscuits from Amazon as I haven’t seen them in our local supermarket. What does everyone else in the UK use? Thank you Fatimah for this recipe will definitely be using again and again!
I loved this recipe, made it in ramadan a day before and it was delicious!! One of my fav desserts that doesnt require baking! So easy
Delicious i loved it! Made it in ramadan so easy and so satisfying
Made it like 5 times already!! My family always asks for it and it’s a delicious dessert to serve guests!! 💯 recommend!!
The easiest dessert to make. Tastes so good. It was a hit with the children. I used decaf coffee
This was the best! The perfect sweetness and super light and fluffy. I felt like I was going eating a tasty cloud 😂 would remake 100 times over. Thanks!
I’ve made this twice now and it’s so easy and such a crowd pleaser! JazakAllah khayrun for the recipe!
Delicious! I don’t like coffee but loved this cake
Looks delicious I’m in
Finally decided to make it while back as a celebration cake and it was a big hit. Everyone loved it even kids with the coffee flavor and the prep and make was easy. Definitely will make again and will be my new go to for guests.
This recipe is amazing and easy to make. My whole family loved it! Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Just made this and it turned out perfect! So yummy! I used the whole can of sweetened condensed milk (mostly so I wouldn’t eat the rest of the can with a spoon…lol) and used Nescafé Gold (instant espresso) because that’s what I have. 100% will make again! I’m going to freeze a piece to see how that goes. Thank you for a wonderful recipe!
So delicious and addicting! I make them in cups and it’s perfect for individual servings! Always a hit at dinners!
I needed a quick dessert for a family get together and I stink at baking – this was perfect and everyone loved it!