A no bake eclair cake recipe that tastes like a creamy and decadent cross between Boston cream pie and a chocolate eclair.
Easy Eclair Cake
If you love eclairs you are going to go crazy for this no bake chocolate eclair cake. It tastes like an eclair but is much easier to make with just 5 ingredients, a bowl, and a spoon. No need to even turn on the oven or break out the electric mixer!
I love easy no-bake cakes are to make. For more no-bake desserts try our strawberry jello pie, blueberry delight, and lemon icebox cake recipes.
Also referred to as Boston cream icebox cake, this decadent dessert is made by alternating layers of graham crackers and vanilla pudding. It is then topped with a rich chocolate frosting before being place in the refrigerator to chill. As it refrigerates the graham crackers absorb some of the pudding, making them soft and cake-like.
The toughest part is waiting for the dessert to chill, which is why I recommend making the cake the day before you plan on serving it. The cake needs at least 6 hours in the fridge. But for the best results, I would recommend letting it chill for 12-24 hours.
This eclair icebox cake is perfect for potlucks, barbecues, and holiday parties. It is easy to transport, serves a crowd, and is always the first dessert to go!
Ingredients
You will find the full recipe with instructions and measurements and all that good stuff at the bottom of this page in the printable recipe card. But first, take a minute to read through the detailed instructions and recipe tips below.
Start by gathering everything that you will need.
- vanilla instant pudding: Vanilla or French vanilla, either work well for this recipe.
- milk: Use whole milk for best results, although you can use 1%, 2%, or skim as well — the pudding just won’t be as thick and creamy.
- whipped topping: Thawed, not frozen. Cool Whip or generic store brands both work well for this recipe.
- graham crackers: Original or honey flavored.
- chocolate frosting: The premade kind that comes in a plastic container. We like to use dark chocolate but milk chocolate would work too.
How to Make No Bake Eclair Cake
You can’t beat how super easy this cake is to make.
First, mix pudding mix and milk. Fold in whipped topping and stir well to combine. Set aside.
Cover the bottom of 9 x 13 pan with a layer of graham crackers. Break as needed to cover the entire bottom with a single layer.
Next, spoon half the pudding mixture over the graham crackers and gently spread into an even layer.
Top with another layer of graham crackers.
Add the remainder of the pudding mixture and spread evenly.
Add a 3rd and final layer of graham crackers.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Uncover frosting and remove foil wrap. Microwave for 25 seconds to make the frosting easier to spread. Stir well.
Remove cake and uncover. Pour chocolate frosting over the top of the cake and spread into an even layer.
Cover and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 6 hours. (The longer you give the graham crackers to soften up the better.)
Slice, serve, and enjoy the creamy goodness!
Recipe Tips & Variations
- Top with chocolate chips for even more chocolatey goodness.
- Try the recipe using cinnamon or chocolate graham crackers.
- Instead of 2 layers of vanilla pudding try making the recipe with one layer of vanilla pudding and one layer of white chocolate or cheesecake pudding.
- For a lighter version use fat-free Cool Whip, sugar-free pudding mix, skim milk, and just a thin layer of frosting on top.
- Don’t care for store-bought frosting? Make your own chocolate ganache by heating 3/4 cup heavy cream until simmering then pour over 1 cup of chocolate chips. Allow to sit for 2-3 minutes, stir well, then pour over cake.
More Easy Dessert Recipes
- Pistachio pudding icebox cake
- Ricotta cake
- No-bake cherry cheesecake
- Lemon lush
- Chocolate cherry dump cake
- Peach blueberry galette
No Bake Eclair Cake
Creamy and delicious no-bake eclair cake tastes like a cross between Boston cream pie and a chocolate eclair. Plus, it is super easy to make with just 5 simple ingredients!
Ingredients
- 2 (3.4 oz) packages vanilla instant pudding mix
- 3 cups milk
- 1 (8 oz) tub whipped topping, thawed
- 1 (16 oz) box graham crackers
- 1 tub chocolate frosting
Instructions
- Mix instant pudding and milk together in a large bowl. Fold in whipped topping, mixing until well combined. Set aside.
- Place a layer of graham crackers in the bottom of a 9 x 13 dish, breaking as needed to cover the entire bottom with a single layer.
- Spoon ½ the pudding mixture over the graham crackers and gently spread into an even layer. Top with another layer of graham crackers and then the remainder of the pudding mixture. Add a 3rd and final layer of graham crackers.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Uncover frosting and remove foil wrap. Microwave for 25 seconds to make the frosting easier to spread. Stir well. Remove cake from refrigerator and pour over cake and spread into an even layer.
- Replace the plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 6 hours. (The longer you give the graham crackers to soften up the better.)
Notes
Pin for Later:
Husband loved. Was very light
Can you squeeze anymore chemicals into one recipe? This would be 100x better is made from scratch.
So what???? Don’t make it if you don’t like it.
Then make it from scratch.
Rude – Rude – Rude
Why even read it
I don’t see how pudding, frosting and cool whip are considered “chemicals.” Please do not leave reviews if you haven’t actually tried the recipe. That said, I’ve made this a few times and it’s always delish.
Loved! Will make again! Thanks!!
I think this sounds like I’ll be bringing home an empty pan from our work luncheon.
What do you think about adding a little cream cheese into the pudding + cool whip mix?
Honestly I the recipe is perfect as is but I am sure that it would also taste amazing with some cream cheese in there 🙂
Can’t tell you how much I loved this. My mom used to make this for my birthday every single year until she passed, but she called it something else so I could never find the recipe. This is exactly it, and it brought back a lot of great memories. Thank you so much. And the best part is that it’s so EASY. I will now be making it for my kids.
Another easy one & I can’t wait to make this one. . Tonight I’m making the strawberry pie & can’t wait till tomorrow for tasting.
Would this be ok if made a day in advance?
Yes! I usually make it the day before I plan on serving it to give it plenty of time for the graham crackers to get nice and soft.