No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Cake: An Easy, Creamy Crowd Favorite
You can make this incredibly satisfying No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Cake quickly. It features layers of graham crackers, smooth vanilla pudding, and rich chocolate frosting, tasting just like classic eclairs without ever turning on your oven.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 4 hr 15 min
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (3.9 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
- 1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
- 1 (14.4 ounce) box graham crackers (about 36 crackers)
- 1 (12 ounce) container chocolate frosting
Instructions
- Prepare the pudding: In a medium bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk for two minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Fold in the whipped topping: Gently fold the thawed whipped topping into the thickened pudding until fully combined. This creates your creamy filling.
- Layer the crackers: Arrange a single layer of graham crackers on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. You may need to break some crackers to fit the space.
- Add the filling layer: Spread half of the creamy pudding mixture evenly over the layer of graham crackers.
- Create the second layer: Top the pudding with another layer of graham crackers, breaking them as needed to cover the surface.
- Add remaining filling: Spread the remaining half of the pudding mixture over the second layer of crackers.
- Top with frosting: Place the final layer of graham crackers on top of the pudding. Spread the entire container of chocolate frosting evenly over the top layer of crackers.
- Chill the cake: Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least four hours, or preferably overnight. Chilling allows the graham crackers to soften, giving the cake its tender, cake-like texture.
- Serve: Slice the chilled eclair cake into squares and serve this easy chocolate dessert immediately.
Notes
- For the best, softest texture, let this make ahead dessert chill for a full eight hours or overnight.
- If you prefer a slightly firmer chocolate topping, you can gently warm the canned frosting for 15 seconds before spreading it on top.
- This recipe is perfect for potlucks because it travels well when kept chilled.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 32
- Sodium: 280
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 44
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 10