Magic Chocolate Éclair Cake (No-Bake!)

Magic Chocolate Éclair Cake Recipe (No-Bake!) – This easy layered dessert tastes just like a French éclair, but is made with graham crackers, French vanilla pudding, and a quick chocolate ganache to create a simple no-bake “cake!”

Chocolate Eclair Cake

Sometimes people assume that because I am a recipe developer and avid home chef I always do all of my own cooking. Ab. So. Lute. Ly. Not.

Don’t get me wrong, I obviously love being in the kitchen… But, next to cooking up a new wonderful dish for my family and friends, my next favorite thing in the whole world is having someone else make me something special and delicious. It’s pretty magical.

And speaking of sharing magic, my friend Sherrie is one of the lovely folks that often treats me to her own culinary creations. She is a great cook, a busy mom, and is a whiz at coming up with effortless family-friendly recipes!

For my birthday this year, Sherrie made me a dessert that all the members of her family request for their birthdays… Magic No-Bake Chocolate Éclair Cake. It is so wonderfully creamy and chocolatey and tastes just like a French éclair. I had to share this no-bake pudding cake recipe with you and your family!

Magic No-Bake Chocolate Éclair Cake

This easy no-bake treat is made with French vanilla pudding, graham crackers, and chocolate icing that mimics the flavors of classic French éclairs. The graham crackers absorb the moisture from the “pastry cream” layer, making them soft and cake-y. Every bite is like that perfect section of an éclair that’s loaded with creaminess and thick chocolate ganache.

It takes very little time to put together the ingredients in this Éclair Cake recipe, and then it just sits in the fridge until chilled and ready to serve.

Not only is it simple to make, but a cool and rich no-bake chocolate éclair pudding cake is also a true crowd-pleaser! It’s terrific to bring to a potluck or to serve to the family as a fun weekend dessert. And I can attest to the fact that it is an excellent twist on a classic birthday cake!

What Ingredients You Need

This Éclair Cake recipe is one of my favorites because of how few ingredients are needed. Most of them are pantry staples, too!

Here is everything you need to make the best no-bake Chocolate Éclair Cake:

• Graham crackers
• French Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix
• Milk
• Cool Whip
• Semisweet chocolate chips
• Half and half
• Corn syrup

Note: The corn syrup adds a lovely shine to the Éclair Cake frosting, but it is not necessary if you’d prefer to leave it out.

How to Make Easy No-Bake Éclair Cake

You only need a couple of minutes to put together this no-bake pudding cake, and then it chills in the fridge for a few hours until ready to serve. It’s great to make ahead in the morning and enjoy it as dessert that night!

Here’s how to make our super-simple, incredibly satisfying Chocolate Éclair Cake recipe:

First, set out a 9X13 inch baking dish. Lay graham crackers over the bottom of the dish, in a single layer. You can break them if you need to in order to fit in the pan.

In a large bowl, combine the boxed instant vanilla pudding mix and milk. Beat with an electric mixer, on medium-high, until thick and smooth. Then use a spatula to gently fold in the Cool Whip. You don’t want to overwork the pudding mixture to ensure that it stays fluffy and creamy.

If using homemade pudding, just fold the Cool Whip into your readymade pudding. It doesn’t need to be chilled, but should be cooled to at least room temperature.

Next, spread the pudding and Cool Whip mixture evenly over the graham crackers. Then lay the second layer of graham crackers over the top.

Then, make the chocolate ganache: In a clean microwave-safe mixing bowl, combine the chocolate chips, half & half, and corn syrup (if using). Microwave for 1 minute, then stir to melt the chocolate chips. If needed, microwave another 30-60 seconds. Stir again until smooth.

Pour the thick chocolate ganache topping over the final layer of graham crackers.

Get the Complete (Printable) Magic No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Cake Recipe Below. Enjoy!

Smooth the ganache into an even layer. Then cover and refrigerate the no-bake Chocolate Éclair Cake for at least 4 hours, until chilled and firm.

In a pinch, you can skip the chocolate ganache topping a use a tub of chocolate frosting or quick “brownie frosting”.

Serve cold, with a dollop of homemade whipped cream on top, if you like.

RECIPE HACK: I love this ganache-style chocolate topping because it reminds me of the chocolate on real French Éclairs. However, you can also use a southern-style brownie frosting, or in a pinch, even a tub of chocolate frosting from the grocery store.

How to Make Chocolate Brownie Frosting from Scratch

What ingredients you need:

• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 ½ tablespoons corn syrup, or honey
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 ¾ cup powdered sugar
• 5 tablespoon heavy cream
• 1 pinch salt

1. In a medium bowl, use a hand mixer on medium speed to beat the softened butter and cocoa powder together until very smooth.
2. Scrape the bowl, and then beat in the corn syrup or honey and vanilla extract. Turn the mixer on low, and beat in the powdered sugar and a pinch of salt.
3. Next, add one tablespoon of heavy cream at a time while continuing to blend, until the frosting is perfectly smooth.

I hope you give Sherrie’s fabulous No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Cake recipe a try soon, and that your family loves it as much as we do!

Looking for More Easy Dessert Recipes?

• Best Easy Tiramisu Recipe
• Layered Banana Pudding Cake
• Strawberry Brownies with Chocolate Brownie Frosting
• Smores in the Oven
• Fluffy No-Bake Strawberry Cream Pie
• Chocolate Eclair Puffs by Sugar Spices Life

See all Nutrition Facts such as Calories, Carbohydrates, Protein, Cholesterol, and Sodium in the recipe below.

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