Yes, you read that right. You can make an exquisite chocolate éclair cake with only five ingredients and you don’t even have to do any cooking! It’s like a combination of chocolate eclairs and Boston cream pie in flavor, and it’s incredibly easy to make.
The filling is made using pudding mix and Cool Whip. Make this for any occasion (you will want to find any occasion to make it!) It’s lovely for potlucks, holidays, family gatherings, and any kind of party. It’s a fabulous dessert that everyone is going to love. And don’t be surprised if you get asked for the recipe.
So, what do you need to make it? Well, all you will use is instant pudding, milk, Cool Whip, chocolate frosting, and graham crackers. With just those five ingredients you can make this stunning no-bake cake which will leave your guests in awe!
Why You’ll Love the Recipe:
There isn’t anything not to love about this easy dessert. It’s super-easy to make, you only need 5 ingredients and there’s no baking at all. Seriously, this is the perfect dessert!
How to Serve It:
Serve chilled, and be prepared for everyone to want a second helping!
Can You Make It Ahead?
You need to make it ahead, since it has to sit for at least 6 hours for the graham crackers to soften. Make it up to 2 days ahead if you want.
Storage Instructions:
Keep this dessert refrigerated and eat within 2 days.
Variations and Substitutions:
Sugar-free pudding mix and fat-free Cool Whip lower the calories significantly, if that’s a concern. You can use regular graham crackers or try chocolate or cinnamon ones. The recipe is made with vanilla pudding but you can experiment, perhaps making one layer with cheesecake pudding or white chocolate pudding and the other with vanilla pudding or any other flavor you want to try!
Ingredients:
- Whole milk
- Chocolate frosting
- Graham crackers
- Vanilla instant pudding mix
- Cool Whip (or similar whipped topping)
How to make Chocolate Eclair Cake:
Step 1. Whisk the milk and instant pudding mix together, then fold in the Cool Whip and set aside.
Step 2. Cover the bottom of a 13×9-inch baking dish with graham crackers. You can break some up if needed to cover the bottom.
Step 3. Spoon about half the pudding mixture over the layer of graham crackers and spread until more or less even.
Step 4. Now add another layer of graham crackers on top.
Add the rest of the pudding mixture and then the rest of the graham crackers.
Step 5. Cover using plastic wrap and then refrigerate for half an hour.
Step 6. Open the pot of frosting and discard the foil lid.
Step 7. Microwave for 15 seconds, stir, and microwave for a further 10 seconds if needed.
Step 8. Stir and pour over the cake, then spread out in one layer to make it even.
Step 9. Now put the plastic wrap back on
Then chill overnight or for at least 6 hours so the graham crackers can soften.
This is a wonderful recipe to know because it’s quick and easy to make and, despite only having 5 ingredients and not being cooked, turns out really impressive! Everyone has to make this at least once – it really is that delicious!
PrintChocolate Eclair Cake
With just those five ingredients you can make this stunning no-bake cake which will leave your guests in awe!
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 15 1x
Ingredients
- 3 cups whole milk
- 16 ounces chocolate frosting
- 16 ounces graham crackers
- 2 boxes (3.4 ounces each) vanilla instant pudding mix
- 8 ounces thawed Cool Whip (or similar whipped topping)
Instructions
- Whisk the milk and instant pudding mix together, then fold in the Cool Whip and set aside.
- Cover the bottom of a 13×9-inch baking dish with graham crackers. You can break some up if needed to cover the bottom.
- Spoon about half the pudding mixture over the layer of graham crackers and spread until more or less even.
- Now add another layer of graham crackers on top. Add the rest of the pudding mixture and then the rest of the graham crackers.
- Cover using plastic wrap and then refrigerate for half an hour.
- Open the pot of frosting and discard the foil lid.
- Microwave for 15 seconds, stir, and microwave for a further 10 seconds if needed.
- Stir and pour over the cake, then spread out in one layer to make it even.
- Now put the plastic wrap back on and then chill overnight or for at least 6 hours so the graham crackers can soften.
Notes
plus 6 hours chilling time
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
Marie Rayner is a retired Chef, freelance writer, recipe developer, food blogger, and Cookbook author. She makes her home in Chester, UK, where she lives with her husband, Todd, and their much beloved English Cocker, Mitzie. Her motto is “Life is far too short to eat bad food,” and her goal is to share delicious and easy recipes which anyone can enjoy and cook in the comfort of their own home.