No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Cake
This No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Cake is a luscious, layered dessert combining creamy vanilla pudding, soft graham crackers, and rich chocolate frosting. Perfect for hot days or quick preparation, this indulgent yet effortless treat requires no baking and is ideal for gatherings, celebrations, or simple sweet cravings. Chilling overnight improves the texture and melds flavors into a decadent, crowd-pleasing dessert.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Pudding Mixture
- Instant vanilla pudding mix – 2 packages (3.4 oz each)
- Milk – 3 cups (room temperature)
- Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon
- Whipped topping (such as Cool Whip) – 12 oz container
Layers
- Graham crackers – approximately 2 sleeves (about 30-40 crackers)
Topping
- Chocolate frosting – 1 container (16 oz)
Instructions
- Prepare the pudding mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix, milk, and vanilla extract until thickened, about 2 minutes. Gently fold in the whipped topping to create a creamy, airy base.
- Layer the graham crackers: Spread a thin layer of the pudding mixture evenly at the bottom of a 9×13 inch dish. Arrange a single layer of graham crackers on top, breaking pieces as necessary to fit.
- Add pudding layers: Spread half of the remaining pudding mixture evenly over the graham crackers. Add another layer of graham crackers, then spread the remaining pudding mixture on top for a smooth, even surface.
- Top with chocolate frosting: Generously spread the chocolate frosting over the final pudding layer, smoothing it with a spatula to create a rich chocolate glaze.
- Chill and set: Cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the graham crackers to soften and the layers to meld together.
Notes
- Chill thoroughly: Letting the cake chill overnight enhances texture and flavor melding.
- Use room temperature milk: It helps the pudding mix thicken evenly for a smoother finish.
- Softening the crackers: Don’t rush layering; the pudding will soften the graham crackers as it sets.
- Even frosting layer: Spread chocolate frosting gently to avoid breaking delicate pudding layers.
- Serve chilled: This dessert tastes best cold right out of the fridge, keeping its structure perfect.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of recipe)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: no bake cake, chocolate eclair cake, instant pudding dessert, graham cracker dessert, easy layered dessert
Find it online: https://cherrycooks.com/no-bake-chocolate-eclair-cake/