Easy Icebox Dessert: No-Bake Slice of Heaven:

My Summer Secret

I want to share my favorite summer dessert. It is called a No-Bake Slice of Heaven. But we do bake it a little. I still laugh at that. It is the easiest, messiest cake you will ever make. You just dump everything in a pan.

This recipe matters because it brings people together. It is not fancy. It is just good, honest food. It always makes me think of my grandkids running through the kitchen. They could not wait for a slice. What is your favorite dessert to share with family?

A Funny Little Story

The first time I made this, I was in a big hurry. I had friends coming over. I forgot to add the butter on top. I just mixed it all together. The result was a sweet, sticky mess. We ate it with spoons straight from the pan.

Everyone loved it anyway. That is the beauty of this dessert. It is very hard to ruin. It taught me that cooking does not have to be perfect. The best meals are the ones made with a happy heart. Do you have a funny kitchen mistake that turned out okay?

Let’s Build Some Layers

First, you spread the pineapple and strawberry filling. Doesn’t that smell amazing? The red and yellow look so pretty. Then you sprinkle the dry cake mix right on top. It looks like a winter snowfall on a fruit garden.

Next comes the cold butter. Slice it thin. Lay the pats all over the cake mix. This part is important. The butter melts and makes the topping crispy. *Fun fact*: This method is called a “dump cake” because you dump the ingredients. No mixing bowls needed!

The Toasty, Crunchy Top

Now for the coconut and walnuts. You sprinkle them over the butter. In the oven, they get all toasty and brown. The smell fills your whole house. It is the best welcome home smell.

Let the cake cool when it comes out. This matters because the fruit filling is like lava. It needs time to settle. Then you slice the bananas on top. The cool bananas with the warm cake are perfect. Are you a fan of walnuts, or would you use a different nut?

Why This Simple Cake is Special

This cake is more than just sugar and fruit. It is about taking it easy. You do not need to be a fancy baker to make something wonderful. It is a recipe that says, “Relax, enjoy your day.”

It reminds me that the simplest things can bring the most joy. A slice of this cake with a cup of tea is pure happiness. I hope you try it and share it with someone you love. What is one simple thing that always makes you happy?

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Crushed pineapple	20 ounces	juice included
Strawberry pie filling	21 ounces
White cake mix	1 package
Salted butter	½ cup	cold
Shredded coconut	1 cup	sweetened
Walnuts	1 cup	chopped
Bananas	2 to 3	medium

Easy Icebox Dessert: No-Bake Slice of Heaven

Hello, my dear! Come sit with me. Today we are making a special treat. It is called an icebox dessert. This one is my favorite. It is like a little slice of heaven.

I first made this for my grandson’s birthday. He still asks for it every summer. The best part is you do not need to turn on the oven. It is so simple and cool. Let me show you how it is done.

Ingredients

• 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained
• 1 can (21 oz) strawberry pie filling
• 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow or white dry cake mix
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter, sliced thinly
• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 2-3 bananas, sliced

Instructions

Step 1: Grab your favorite baking dish. A 9×13-inch one works perfectly. Spread the crushed pineapple right in the bottom. Do not drain the juice! That sweet juice is the secret. Then, pour the strawberry pie filling over it. I love the bright red color. It makes me so happy.

Step 2: Now, sprinkle the dry cake mix over the fruit. Just shake it gently from the box. Try to make an even, white blanket. This will make our topping. (A hard-learned tip: do not stir these layers together! Just let them be.)

Step 3: Time for the butter. Use it straight from the fridge. Cold butter is much easier to slice. Lay the thin pats all over the cake mix. Try to cover as much as you can. This will make our magic crust. I still laugh at how simple this is.

Step 4: Now for the crunch! Sprinkle the sweet coconut over the top. Then add the chopped walnuts. The walnuts add a nice, toasty flavor. Do you like nuts in your desserts? Share below! Now, it is ready for the oven.

Step 5: Bake it at 350°F for about 40 minutes. You will know it is done when the top is golden. The fruit will be bubbling around the edges. Doesn’t that smell amazing? Let it cool for a good, long while. This is the hardest part, waiting!

Step 6: Just before everyone sits down, slice your bananas. Arrange them nicely over the warm cake. The bananas add a fresh, creamy touch. Then, just scoop it into bowls. It is pure comfort in every bite.

Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 12 servings
Category: Dessert

Three Fun Twists to Try

This recipe is like a good friend. It is happy to change things up! Here are some fun ideas for you. You can make it your own.

Berry Blast: Use blueberry pie filling instead of strawberry. It is so good with the coconut.

Tropical Dream: Add a cup of chopped maraschino cherries. It will taste like a tropical vacation.

Chocolate Lover’s: Use a chocolate cake mix and skip the walnuts. A little chocolate never hurt anyone!

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Your Slice of Heaven

This dessert is wonderful all on its own. But I love to make it extra special. A little scoop of vanilla ice cream on top is perfect. The cold ice cream melts into the warm cake. You can also add a dollop of fresh whipped cream.

What should you drink with it? A cold glass of milk is always my first choice. For the grown-ups, a sweet dessert wine pairs beautifully. It is a lovely way to end a meal. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Slice of Heaven Fresh

This dessert is best enjoyed the day you make it. But sometimes you have leftovers. Cover the pan tightly and put it in the fridge. It will stay good for about two days.

I remember my first time making this for a church potluck. We had so much left over. I learned the bananas get too soft if you add them all at once. Now I only add banana slices to the pieces we are serving right away.

You can also freeze portions for a sweet treat later. This is a great way to have dessert ready for surprise guests. Storing food well means less waste and more joy. It is a simple way to be kind to your future self. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Easy Fixes for Common Hiccups

Sometimes the topping does not brown evenly. If this happens, just move your pan to a higher oven rack. The heat at the top will help toast that coconut and walnuts perfectly.

I once forgot to use cold butter. It was a sticky mess. Slicing cold butter is so much easier. It makes little squares that cover the cake mix well. This matters because it helps create a delicious, crumbly topping.

Another issue is a soggy bottom. Make sure your fruit layer is spread evenly. This stops dry pockets of cake mix. Fixing small problems builds your cooking confidence. You learn that little changes make a big difference in flavor. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Quick Questions, Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Yes! Just use a gluten-free cake mix. It works just the same.

Q: Can I make it ahead?
A: You can prepare the first layers. Wait to bake it until you are ready.

Q: What if I do not like walnuts?
A: Use pecans instead. Or just leave them out completely.

Q: Can I make a smaller batch?
A: Sure. Just cut the recipe in half. Use a smaller square pan.

Q: Any other tips?
A: A scoop of vanilla ice cream on top is wonderful. Fun fact: This is often called a “dump cake” because you just dump the ingredients in! Which tip will you try first?

Thank You for Baking With Me

I hope this recipe brings a smile to your family’s table. It is a simple joy to share food made with love. I would love to see your beautiful creations.

Please share a photo of your finished dessert. It makes this old grandma’s heart so happy. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!

Happy cooking!

—Lena Morales.