Here is the classic no-bake Chocolate Éclair Cake—creamy, chocolaty, and ridiculously easy. Perfect for potlucks, holidays, or a quick dessert fix!
🍫✨ No-Bake Chocolate Éclair Cake
Serves: 12
Time: 15 minutes prep + 4 hours chilling (best overnight)
Difficulty: Very easy
⭐ Ingredients
Filling Layers
- 2 boxes instant vanilla pudding (3.4 oz each)
- 3 cups cold milk
- 1 (8 oz) tub Cool Whip or 1 batch homemade whipped cream
- 1 box Graham crackers
Chocolate Frosting (homemade)
- 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp butter, melted
- 3 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
(Or use 1 can of chocolate frosting—softened 10 sec in microwave.)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Make the Filling
- In a bowl, whisk together pudding mix + cold milk for 2 minutes.
- Fold in Cool Whip until smooth.
2. Assemble the Cake
- In a 9×13 dish, lay down a solid layer of graham crackers.
- Spread half the pudding mixture over the crackers.
- Add another layer of graham crackers.
- Spread the remaining pudding mixture on top.
- Finish with a final layer of graham crackers.
3. Make the Chocolate Frosting
- In a bowl, whisk cocoa + powdered sugar.
- Add melted butter, milk, and vanilla.
- Mix until smooth and pourable.
- Pour evenly over the top graham layer.
4. Chill
Refrigerate at least 4 hours, but overnight is best.
The crackers soften into a cake-like texture—this is what makes it amazing!
🍽️ Tips & Variations
- Extra chocolaty: Add a thin layer of chocolate pudding with the vanilla.
- Mocha version: Add 1 tsp instant coffee to the vanilla pudding.
- Banana twist: Add sliced bananas between layers.
- Lighter version: Use sugar-free pudding and light whipped topping.
If you want, I can give you:
- 🍫 Chocolate-only éclair cake
- 🥜 Peanut butter éclair cake
- 🍓 Strawberry éclair cake
- 🎂 Bake version with choux topping
