Description
Rich chocolate eclair cake brings classic French pastry elegance to an easy no-bake dessert. Creamy layers of graham crackers, pudding, and chocolate frosting create a delightful treat you can quickly assemble for any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boxes (3.4 oz / 96 g each) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3 cups (720 ml) cold milk
- 1 cup (240 ml) whipped topping (e.g., Cool Whip)
- 1 box (14.4 oz / 408 g) graham crackers (about 3 sleeves)
- 4 oz (120 g) semisweet chocolate, chopped
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps corn syrup (optional, for shine)
Instructions
- Pudding Preparation: Vigorously whisk pudding mix with cold milk in a large bowl until achieving a silky, lump-free consistency.
- Creamy Fusion: Gently fold whipped topping into the pudding base, maintaining a light and airy texture.
- Foundation Layer: Create the first base by arranging graham crackers across the bottom of a rectangular dish, ensuring complete coverage.
- Initial Cream Layer: Spread half of the pudding-whipped topping mixture evenly over the graham cracker foundation, covering completely.
- Intermediate Structure: Position a second layer of graham crackers atop the initial cream layer, pressing softly to establish a stable tier.
- Second Cream Application: Distribute remaining pudding mixture uniformly, thoroughly concealing the graham cracker layer.
- Final Cracker Placement: Complete the dessert structure with a concluding layer of graham crackers.
- Chocolate Topping: Whisk chocolate frosting until achieving a smooth, glossy texture and delicately spread across the top surface.
- Chilling Process: Refrigerate the eclair cake for a minimum of 4 hours, allowing flavors to harmonize and texture to solidify.
- Serving Preparation: Remove from refrigerator 10 minutes prior to serving, permitting the dessert to reach an optimal creamy consistency.
Notes
- Prevent Lumpy Pudding: Whisk ingredients thoroughly and use cold milk to ensure a smooth, lump-free base for optimal texture and taste.
- Gentle Folding Technique: Use soft, light folding motions when mixing whipped topping to maintain the dessert’s airy and delicate structure.
- Cracker Placement Matters: Arrange graham crackers carefully and evenly to create a stable foundation that absorbs the creamy mixture perfectly.
- Chill for Best Results: Allow minimum 4-hour refrigeration to let flavors develop and achieve the ideal eclair cake consistency, enhancing overall taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 298
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 145 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg