Home > Desserts > Eclair Cake Eclair Cake June 25, 2020 | 7 Comments SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Jump to Recipe This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. Eclair Cake tastes just like an eclair but needs only a fraction of the work to prepare it! This simple-to-make cake starts with layers of graham crackers and French vanilla cream. It’s topped with a three-ingredient chocolate ganache and then chilled in the fridge until ready to eat. No baking is required! This icebox Eclair Cake is the perfect make-ahead dessert. It stores well, transports nicely, and is a great treat to make when you don’t want to turn on the oven. Eclair Cake This cake couldn’t be much easier to make — it only takes minutes to whip together and honestly tastes like you’ve slaved away all day in the kitchen! The flavors mimic a chocolate eclair — the vanilla pudding layer tastes just like the vanilla pastry cream filling you’d find in an eclair. The filling has a prominent vanilla flavor without being too sweet. It’s smooth, creamy, and not very heavy (thanks to the whipped topping lightening it up!). The chocolate ganache topping this cake tastes similar to the chocolate icing you’d find on an eclair. It’s rich, thick, and smooth — the perfect topping for this cake. While making chocolate eclairs from scratch can take many hours and quite a few more ingredients, Eclair Cake is the perfect shortcut recipe. There are only eight ingredients in this cake and each aspect of the cake takes less than 10 minutes to whip together. How to make Eclair Cake Prepare the filling. The filling of Eclair Cake uses only three ingredients! Vanilla pudding mix, milk, and whipped topping. We love French vanilla pudding mix in this cake–but regular vanilla works just as well. Layer the ingredients. Once the filling is prepared, it’s all about the layering. Graham crackers form the first layer, and then we add half of the pudding/filling mixture. Another layer of graham crackers and spread the rest of the pudding/filling on top. Finally, we add one more layer of graham crackers. Prepare the chocolate ganache topping. Once the cake is layered, the ganache goes on top. The ganache is only three ingredients — chocolate chips, heavy cream, and butter. Microwave the ganache until smooth and spread it evenly over the cake. Homemade “Cool Whip” If you want an alternative to frozen whipped topping, you can make your own whipped topping. Depending on how sweet the pudding mix is, you might want to reduce the amount of sugar. Here’s the recipe: 1 cup heavy cream 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract In a mixing bowl attached to a stand mixer (with a whisk attachment) add the 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat to combine, and then increase the speed and whip until firm peaks form, about 2-4 minutes. With a spatula, fold the whipped topping into the vanilla pudding. Eclair Cake Tips Thoroughly whisk pudding and milk. To avoid any unpleasant textures, take time to briskly and thoroughly mix the pudding with the milk. Allow for plenty of chilling time. For best results, this cake needs 8 hours to fully chill and set up. This allows time for the graham crackers to soften into a cake-like consistency — a must for an icebox cake. Chilling time also allows the ganache to set up and the pudding layer to thicken. We use whole milk to ensure an ultra-thick, creamy, and rich filling. If you are watching calories or fat, 1% or 2% milk will work. I don’t recommend skim milk or milk alternatives; in my experience, these kinds of milk don’t thicken up enough. Make sure the frozen whipped topping is completely thawed. If the whipped topping is at all icy, it won’t fold in nicely to the pudding. Ganache tips Melt the chocolate slowly: To avoid burning or seizing the chocolate, make sure to take your time when melting the chocolate ganache mixture. Make sure to stir in between each burst of microwaving the mixture. Remember, the chocolate is still melting even outside of the microwave. For cleaner and easier slicing, between slices, run the knife under hot water and then wipe off with a towel. QUICK TIP Don’t worry if the ganache doesn’t look perfect; you can add on some miniature chocolate chips or crushed graham crackers to cover up any imperfections. Eclair Cake variations Sugar-free: If you are watching calories or sugar, sugar-free pudding mixes can be used in place of the regular pudding mix. You can also use a sugar-free or lite frozen whipped topping. Add chocolate frosting. Feel free to use your favorite chocolate frosting recipe (or even store-bought frosting) in place of the chocolate ganache topping. More dessert bars 7 Layer Bars with a graham cracker crust Carmelitas oatmeal-chocolate caramel bars S’mores Bars sticky graham cereal and chocolate bars Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats with chocolate topping Oatmeal Bars peanut butter-oat bars FOLLOW ALONG! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates, recipes and content. Eclair Cake 5 from 5 votes - Review this recipe Eclair Cake tastes just like an eclair, but needs only a fraction of the work to prepare it! This simple-to-make cake starts with layers of graham crackers and French vanilla cream. We top it with a three-ingredient chocolate ganache and then chill it in the fridge until ready to eat. No baking required! SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe Eclair Cake 5 from 5 votes - Review this recipe SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe Eclair Cake tastes just like an eclair, but needs only a fraction of the work to prepare it! This simple-to-make cake starts with layers of graham crackers and French vanilla cream. We top it with a three-ingredient chocolate ganache and then chill it in the fridge until ready to eat. No baking required! Course Dessert Cuisine American Keyword Eclair Cake Prep Time 25 minutes Chilling Time 8 hours Total Time 8 hours 25 minutes Servings 24 servings Calories 190kcal Author Chelsea Lords Cost $5.72 IngredientsEclair Cake▢ 2 boxes (3.4 oz. EACH) French vanilla instant pudding or regular vanilla flavor▢ 3 and 1/2 cups whole milk (1% or 2% will also work)▢ 1 package (8 oz.) frozen whipped topping, completely thawed (like Cool Whip)▢ 1 package (14.4 oz.) honey graham crackers (See Note 1)Chocolate Topping▢ 1 and 1/4 cups milk chocolate chips (or semi sweet chocolate chips work)▢ 2/3 cup heavy cream▢ 1 tablespoon unsalted butterUS - Metric USMetric InstructionsPUDDING FILLING: Pour the milk into a large bowl. Add in both packages of pudding mix and whisk to combine. Briskly whisk until completely smooth and no lumps remain, about 2-3 minutes. A hand mixer can be used instead of a whisk, if desired. With a spatula, gently fold in the completely thawed whipped topping until well incorporated.ASSEMBLE CAKE: Lightly spray a 9x13-inch pan with non-stick cooking spray. Add a layer of whole graham crackers on the bottom of the pan. (You will likely need to break some graham crackers in half to cover the entire bottom of the pan.) Add half of the pudding mixture on top of the graham crackers. I like to add big spoonfuls all over the graham crackers and then use the back of a spoon or spatula to gently spread into an even layer. This takes some patience to keep graham crackers from sliding.REPEAT LAYERS: Add another layer of graham crackers on top of the pudding. Add the rest of the pudding mixture and again, smooth into one even layer. Add the last layer of graham crackers on top, making sure to cover all of the pudding. Place cake in the fridge while preparing the ganache.CHOCOLATE GANACHE: In a medium-sized microwave safe bowl, combine the milk chocolate chips, heavy cream, and the butter. Microwave for 30 seconds. Remove and stir for at least 20 seconds. Return to the microwave in bursts of 15 seconds, stirring after each burst for 15-20 seconds until completely melted and smooth. Let stand at room temperature for 5 minutes to slightly cool. Pour over the cake and gently spread over the graham cracker layer. CHILL: Cover bars and chill 8 hours or overnight in the fridge. This allows the pudding to thicken and to soften the graham crackers into a cak- like consistency. Let cake stand for 5 minutes at room temperature before cutting and serving. Use a hot, sharp knife (run it under hot water, dry with a towel) to make cuts into the bars. Use a metal spatula to pull out bars. Serve and return any leftovers (covered tightly) to the fridge. Video Recipe NotesNote 1: Graham crackers: I usually buy two boxes of graham crackers since there will usually be a few graham crackers crushed up or broken to the point of not being useable in the cake. With two boxes, you can be sure you'll have enough crackers for the cake. Nutrition FactsServing: 24servings | Calories: 190kcal | Carbohydrates: 31.1g | Protein: 3.2g | Fat: 5.9g | Cholesterol: 7.8mg | Sodium: 269.8mg | Fiber: 1.4g | Sugar: 19.4g We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed. DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? I love hearing from you when you've made one of my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @ChelseasMessyApron or leave me a comment below.
what a fun version of an eclair, which I would not have had a clue how to make, nice use of graham crackers so thank you Reply
Can stabilized whipped cream be used rather that Cool Whip or a pkg. of dry cool whip type? I know, give me a a diet DP with my cake, please. Trying to cut out processed food. Thanks. Reply
if i may offer a tip – i don’t use nonstick spray, but i smear just a bit of the pudding mixture on the bottom of the pan (literally just a “smear”) to help hold the bottom layer of graham crackers in place when adding the next layer of pudding mixture. Reply
