Snickers Cake
This creamy no-bake Snickers cake is stacked with creamy layers of homemade chocolate and peanut butter pudding along with some graham crackers softened to a cake like texture. Draping the mad goodness of the creamy layers is a heavy pouring of caramel and chocolate ganache sauce. Of course I can never just stop at good enough, I had to take it over the top and chop up some Snickers for added authenticity and then finish that off with some caramel and chocolate drizzle.
It’s cakery for the lazy. I love icebox cakes because they require no baking and always seem so much easier. But you know what is not easier, making nice even layers. I just don’t have that cake carving skill nailed down yet.
These days I don’t have time to practice that. I’m sure you’ve noticed the spotty posting. Life is just getting in the way and I’m not sure how to get the multiplying-to-do list to chill the freak out before I have a freak out.
I should stop now – I’m being a whiner.
Okay, one last thing, that second picture is admittedly hideous. But as much as I dislike the picture I wanted you guys to see the Snickers Cake fully assembled. Don’t let the bad picture convince you this cake is anything but to-die for.
A few notes:
- The recipe yields one 8×8 cake. For the picture I sliced the cake in half for two cake loaves.
- Variations: Change out the graham cracker for chocolate ones. Switch out the peanut butter with Nutella for a Nutella Icebox Cake. For a Twix version replace the peanut butter with some homemade caramel or melt down some Kraft caramels for a caramel pudding and then top with chopped Twix instead of Snickers.
- Cake can be fully assembled and kept in freezer or refrigerator for up two days.
- I froze my cake for a more ice cream like texture and it also makes for nice clean slices.
Snickers Icebox Cake
Makes one 8×8 cake or two 4×8 cake loafs
Ingredients:
- 16 whole crackers
Pudding
- 2/3 cup cornstarch
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 6 cups cold whole milk
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cups dark chocolate, chopped
- 3/4 cups creamy peanut butter
Caramel sauce
- 1 cup sugar
- 6 tablespoons water
- 4 tablespoon butter
- ¼ c heavy cream
Ganache pouring sauce
- 2/3 cups dark chocolate
- 1 tablespoons heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons powdered sugar, sifted
- 4-5 tablespoons water, warm
- 12-14 mini Snickers, chopped
Instructions:
To make pudding
- Combine cornstarch, sugar, salt and milk in a blender or food processor and pulse until well blended. Alternatively, combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk vigorously. Transfer mixture to a heat proof bowl and place over (not on) simmering water for approximately 20-25minutes stirring occasionally. Pudding is ready when it it is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon and leave ribbons when pudding is drizzled on top of itself.
- Add vanilla to mixture. Split mixture in half and add chocolate to one half and whisk to combine. Add peanut butter to remaining half and whisk to combine.
To make caramel sauce
- Place sugar and water into a saucepan over medium low heat and stir the until sugar has dissolved. Dissolve any crystals forming on the side with a wet pastry brush.
- Once sugar has dissolved increase heat to high.
- At this point do not stir the mixture directly. Now and then, using the handle, give the pot a swirl to keep the mixture moving. The mixture will start to bubble after a minute or so.
- Once the mixture starts to turn a light golden shade, add the butter and heavy cream. The mixture will bubble wildly. Whisk to combine (bubbles will subside upon cooling). Set aside to cool completely.
To make ganache pouring sauce
- Place chocolate and heavy cream in a bowl over simmering water. Let chocolate and cream sit for 2-3 minutes to melt without stirring. Then slowly stir mixture to combine. Add powdered sugar and mix to combine. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing after each addition until pouring consistency is reached. Set aside and let sauce cool to warm.
To assemble
- Create a foil sling by placing a piece foil in the pan with a 1 inch overhang on each side.
- Place graham crackers side-by-side until bottom of pan is covered. Spread a thin layer of chocolate pudding on top. Place second layer of graham cracker on top of chocolate pudding. Spread a thin layer of peanut butter pudding on top. Continue alternating layers with chocolate and peanut butter pudding while separating each pudding layer with a graham cracker layer.
- Pour cooled caramel sauce on top and set aside to set. Pour cooled ganache sauce on top and add chopped Snickers on top. Finish with caramel and chocolate drizzle.
- Place cake in refrigerator or freezer for at least 8 hours to set or overnight. (Freezer will create a pudding texture closer to ice cream).
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Naomi, this is absolutely a work of art! WOW! It looks so beautiful..the layers are perfect!!
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I seriously need a slice of that cake this minute! Amazing!
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This does not look like a lazy cake, and that second pic is gorgeous. But, I still love you!
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Whoa. This is one fiiiiiine cake! Love it!
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I love your second picture! The only bad thing about it, is that the slices are too small… LOL
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Wow that looks intense. Looks fancy too.
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Shows how much I know…I thought the second picture was good :)
This looks delicious!
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Looks delicious! And no worries–that second pic is not hideous! Maybe just slightly dark, but the cake still looks fantastic!
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This is BEAUTIFUL! Really gorgeous photos! I am sure this tastes amazing as well!
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The second pic looks as good as the first, cuz I’m thinking about the yummy layers, and now can see the topping better! Yum! This looks amazing! I’m gonna try it! Thanks!
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I am not a sweet tooth person at all but that cake and the way you presented it is making me crave for a slice right now!
The fist pic is absolutely gorgeous :)
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You are insane. In a really really good way. This looks Ahhhhhmazing!!!
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I’m not sure why you think the second picture is hideous, maybe a little too dark to show the show the drizzle?
Who cares this looks like an amazing cake!
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Naomi, we are always our harshest critics. It’s gorgeous and probably over-the-top delicious!
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This is what love looks like – - I’m positive, this IS what love looks like ;)
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That picture is totally not hideous. This is a snickers dream! I wish I could dive right in!
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I’d love to try this, instead I shared your link on my Friday Favorites!
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I’m in LOVE :) looks WONDERFULLY delicious!!!!
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This looks SOOO amazing!! Gorgeous, gorgeous!!
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I know I already told you this but I love these two shots! And this is my kind of cake too! Yum.
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I love your recipes! They are amazing and your photography really really does do them justice! Thank you so much!
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Lazy cake? Are you kidding me?!? That’s a beautiful cake with luscious flavors. Want some :)
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I am trying to stop myself from running to the store at 6:15am on a Saturday morning to buy the ingredients for this cake. It looks that good. And your photos capture it perfectly!
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Did you ever know that you’re my hero?
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omg amazing!!!
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This looks fabulous! I’m checking now to see if I have everything on hand for it. I have one question though. Do you have weight equivalents for the chocolate in the pudding and ganache? Thanks!
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Naomi, you know I always love your posts, and you’ve never disappointed, but, wow, this is amazing! I love the textures and I can only imagine how incredible this tastes. The images are stunning, as well. Love this! xo
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Wow…that is beautiful. And I can only imagine how tasty! I hope life chills out for you very soon…
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The cake and the photos are both beautiful. This cake is a true work of art. Oh my yumminess. I do not know if I can pull it off, but I sure do want to try.
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I am at a loss for words! This is beautiful. Oh, and also my dream cake. Love it, you are so very talented!
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You are just incredible… Seriously, this looks to-die-for! Amazing, Naomi!
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I’m a huge snickers cake fan. And yours is beautiful and there’s no doubt it probably tastes like a trip to the moon and back.
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First, I think your second picture is just fine…I know it makes me want to dive right in; don’t be so hard on yourself.
Second; I know those feelings of trying to fit it all in and I’ve let the ‘pressure’ of the blog get to me when I’ve missed a post or two and, oh my gosh…it didn’t implode! You do a beautiful job; I’m just happy to see something when you do get it done; no pressure.
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I’m not usually a “candy in dessert” fan, but this cake is just stunning. And while you may not be so thrilled with that 2nd photo, it was the 2nd pic that drew me in the most. This cake is absolutely gorgeous and sounds divine! I hope I have an occasion to make it sometime!
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Me, oh, my! I just saw this on Tasteologie and it almost made me cry. So darn gorgeous!
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Pretty much the most brilliant cake I’ve seen in a long time. You are… genius!
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I can’t even get over this. AH.maaazing.
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Oh, my!!! Perfect dessert for a hot, summer’s night.
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I love your pictures, the green/blue background enhance the main subject of the photo – it looks like a very very greedy treat
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Loved the recipe and the photograph!! You are so talented!http://cosmopolitancurrymania.blogspot.com
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OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG! This is an amazing cake!!! A Snickers cake!!! I swear you can package this and sell it! So many people will buy it~ Thanks for sharing!
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N! This is a killer.
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This doesn’t even look real, it looks too good!! I know I would eat almost all of that in one sitting..
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I havnt a clue how you could call that second picture hideous!!!! You obviously have exceptionally high standards, but for anyone else that picture would be a beaut :) GORGEOUS recipe! Love the idea and would be a winner in this house for sure!
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This looks totally delicious! I definitely want to try it sometime!
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You, my dear, are a genius. This looks incredible!!
xx
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you and i obviously have different definitions of the word ‘hideous.’ :)
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That is an amazing cake! I love how sinfully delicious it looks – I wish I could come over for a slice. ;)
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Snickers is one of my favorite candy bars! This looks incredible!!!
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i must have done something good to deserve this. looks SO good, like our favorite candy bar on steroids!
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