No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Cake
You can make this creamy, layered dessert that tastes like a classic chocolate eclair without turning on your oven. This easy recipe uses graham crackers, vanilla pudding, and a simple chocolate glaze, making it perfect for potlucks or make-ahead convenience.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 4 hr 15 min
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (3.4 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 pre-made chocolate frosting or glaze
Instructions
- Prepare the vanilla pudding: In a medium bowl, whisk the instant vanilla pudding mix with the cold milk for two minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Fold in the whipped topping: Gently fold the thawed whipped topping into the thickened pudding mixture until just combined. This creates your creamy filling.
- Layer the crackers: Arrange one layer of graham crackers in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. You may need to break some crackers to fit the dish edges.
- Add the filling: Spread half of the creamy vanilla pudding mixture evenly over the graham cracker layer.
- Create the second layer: Top the pudding layer with a second layer of graham crackers.
- Add remaining filling: Spread the remaining half of the pudding mixture over the second cracker layer.
- Top with frosting: Spread the pre-made chocolate frosting or glaze evenly over the top layer of pudding.
- Chill the cake: Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the graham crackers to soften and the layers to set.
- Serve: Slice the **refrigerated dessert** into squares and serve cold.
Notes
- For a richer chocolate topping, you can make a simple ganache using semi-sweet chocolate chips and heavy cream instead of pre-made frosting.
- If you want a slightly firmer cake, use only half the amount of milk when preparing the pudding mix.
- This **make ahead dessert** tastes best when chilled for 8 hours or more, as the graham crackers fully absorb moisture from the pudding.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 30
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 15
Find it online: https://devourdish.com/chocolate-eclair-cake-recipe/