Chocolate Eclair Cake (No Bake, 6 Ingredients)
This classic chocolate eclair cake is an easy no-bake dessert that’s perfect for potlucks and family gatherings. Layers of creamy filling, graham crackers, and rich chocolate frosting come together for a simple, crowd-pleasing treat everyone loves.
Love no bake desserts? Try my chessman banana pudding and chocolate lasagna next!
What you’ll love about this recipe:
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 and ½ boxes graham crackers
- 2- 5.1oz. boxes instant vanilla pudding mix
- 5 cups milk, whole or 2%
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ of an 8oz. tub of cool whip, thawed
- 1 16 oz. tub chocolate frosting
How to Make This Easy Chocolate Eclair Cake
STEP ONE – In a large bowl add pudding mix, and milk, whisking thoroughly.
STEP TWO – Add the sour cream and Cool Whip to the pudding mixture.
STEP THREE – In the bottom of a 9×13 pan, place a single layer of graham crackers.
TIP: The crackers may not fit in perfectly and that is okay! Break the crackers but hand, or cut them with a serrated knife and fit them in as best as possible.
STEP FOUR – Scoop 1/3 of the pudding mixture onto cracker layer, about 2 cups, spreading into even layer with spoon or offset spatula.
STEP FIVE – Repeat layering twice, ending with a graham cracker layer.
STEP SIX – Stir tub frosting to loosen, alternately microwave frosting for 15-20 seconds to help make easier to spread. Top graham cracker layer with frosting, spread into an even layer, so no pudding or crackers show.
STEP SEVEN – Cover cake, and refrigerate for 3-4 hours, until crackers have softened and can be sliced. Enjoy!
My Top Tips for Making this Recipe
This recipe is very easy to make. The secret to a perfect no-bake eclair cake is to allow it to chill for the full time. The graham crackers will soft and combine perfectly with the pudding layers.
Make-Ahead Instructions
You sure can! Chocolate Eclair Cake is the perfect make-ahead dessert because it is required to chill.
Prepare it a day in advance and it will be ready to impress your guests when you need it!
Storage & Freezing Instructions
Storage: Cover the dessert with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Freezing: You can freeze this easy no-bake dessert by covering it with plastic wrap, then a layer of foil and freezing for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator to enjoy the following day.
Chocolate Eclair Cake (No Bake, 6 Ingredients)
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
Description
This classic chocolate eclair cake is an easy no-bake dessert that’s perfect for potlucks and family gatherings. Layers of creamy filling, graham crackers, and rich chocolate frosting come together for a simple, crowd-pleasing treat everyone loves.
Ingredients
1 and 1/2 boxes graham crackers
2– 5.1oz. boxes instant vanilla pudding mix
5 cups milk, whole or 2%
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 of an 8oz. tub of cool whip, thawed
1 16oz. tub chocolate frosting
Instructions
- In a large bowl add pudding mix, and milk, whisking thoroughly.
- To pudding mix, add sour cream and cool whip, whisking until combined.
- In the bottom of a 9×13 pan, place a single layer of graham crackers, breaking or cutting crackers with a serrated knife, to cover the bottom.
- Scoop 1/3 of the pudding mixture onto cracker layer, about 2 cups, spreading into even layer with spoon or offset spatula.
- Repeat layering twice, ending with a graham cracker layer.
- Stir tub frosting to loosen, alternately microwave frosting for 15-20 seconds to help make easier to spread. Top graham cracker layer with frosting, spread into an even layer, so no pudding or crackers show.
- Cover cake, and refrigerate for 3-4 hours, until crackers have softened and can be sliced. Enjoy!
Notes
Ingredients Notes:
The smaller 3.4oz box of instant pudding can be used, will need 3 boxes, and same amount of milk.
- Any graham cracker flavor could be used, this recipe calls for regular graham crackers, but honey or even chocolate could be used.
- This recipe only works with “instant” vanilla pudding, not the cook and serve variety.
- Milk alternatives like soy, almond, or oat, can be used in place of regular milk. This will affect the set of the pudding though, and less milk will be used. Pudding will have a softer set than with regular milk.
- If using the 3.4 oz box of pudding mix, the recipe will use 4 boxes instead of 3 with still 5 cups of liquid milk alternative.
- If using the 5.1oz box of pudding, the recipe will use 3 boxes instead of 2 with 6 ½ cups of milk alternative.
Storage: Cover the dessert with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Freezing: You can freeze this easy no-bake dessert by covering it with plastic wrap, then a layer of foil and freezing for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator to enjoy the following day.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chill Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 helping
- Calories: 286
- Sugar: 43.7 g
- Sodium: 387.3 mg
- Fat: 8.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48.7 g
- Fiber: 0.6 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 6.3 mg
