No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Cake
Make this easy, creamy, layered dessert that tastes like classic chocolate eclairs without ever turning on your oven. It is a perfect make-ahead potluck dessert.
- 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
- 2 (3.4 ounce) boxes instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3 cups cold milk
- 1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
- 1 (14.1 ounce) box graham crackers (about 36 full sheets)
- 1 (12 ounce) container chocolate frosting
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted (optional, for richer frosting)
Instructions
- Prepare the vanilla pudding: In a large 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 pudding mixture until fully combined. This creates your creamy filling.
- Prepare the first layer: Arrange one layer of graham crackers on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. You may need to break some crackers to fit the edges.
- Add the filling layer: Spread half of the creamy vanilla pudding mixture evenly over the graham cracker layer.
- Add the second cracker layer: Place a second layer of graham crackers over the pudding.
- Add the remaining filling: Spread the rest of the pudding mixture over the second cracker layer.
- Add the final cracker layer: Top with a final layer of graham crackers.
- Frost the cake: Warm the chocolate frosting slightly if needed (you can microwave it for 10-15 seconds, or stir in the melted butter for a smoother texture). Spread the chocolate frosting evenly over the top layer of graham crackers.
- Chill: Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. Chilling allows the graham crackers to soften, creating a cake-like texture.
- Serve: Cut the chilled cake into squares and serve cold.
Notes
- For the best cake-like texture, you must chill this dessert for a minimum of 4 hours. Overnight chilling yields the softest layers.
- If you want a richer chocolate topping, stir 1 tablespoon of softened butter into the canned chocolate frosting before spreading it on top.
- This recipe is an excellent make-ahead dessert for parties or gatherings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 35
- Sodium: 320
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 11
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 15