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Home » Recipes » Meal Types » Desserts » Chocolate Eclair Cake

August 9, 2021 · Updated September 27, 2022 · Leave a Comment

Chocolate Eclair Cake

Chocolate· Desserts· Party Recipes· Recipes

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Inspired by the classic pastry, this chocolate eclair cake is cool, creamy, and chocolately! It’s also super easy to make with only 4 ingredients and no baking needed!

sliced eclair cake made with graham crackers and pudding

No Bake Eclair Cake

My husband LOVES donuts. He’ll often treat our girls to a trip to the donut shop, but I think it is as much for him as it is for them!

One of my favorite things to get at the donut store is an eclair — I love the rich filling and of course the chocolate icing! It’s so decadent!

This chocolate eclair cake is inspired by those donut shop favorites, except this cake is WAY easier to make! There are only 4 simple ingredients and no baking required!

Related: For another donut shop inspired recipe, try our Cherry Jelly Donut Cupcakes! They’re gluten free too!

no bake eclair cake

What is an Eclair?

An éclair is a French choux pasty filled with cream and topped with chocolate. Choux dough is a light and flaky dough also used for cream puffs.

The eclairs that you’d find in a typical donut shop are based on that traditional dessert, but likely use regular yeast donut dough. Still delicious though!!

This cake is based on the three components of an eclair: dough (graham crackers), custard (our whipped pudding), and chocolate topping. When everything is layered, the graham crackers soften and all the flavors start to melt together for a truly mouthwatering experience!

cutting into a piece of eclair cake

Chocolate Eclair Cake Ingredients

For your convenience, I’ve included shop-able ad links to some of the products used to make this recipe; read our disclosure policy here.

  • Whipped Topping — Such as Cool Whip
  • Instant Vanilla Pudding — plus milk to make pudding
  • Graham crackers — One large box should cover it
  • Chocolate frosting — A can of store-bought frosting

Kitchen Tools Used

  • 9×13″ glass baking dish
  • Non-slip mixing bowls

How to Make No Bake Eclair Cake

First, prepare pudding according to the directions on the box. Fold whipped topping into the bowl of pudding and stir until combined.

Now, simply layer your eclair cake:

  1. Graham crackers, topped with half of the pudding mixture
  2. Second layer of graham crackers, topped with remaining pudding
  3. Third layer of graham crackers
  4. Chocolate frosting

step by step photo collage showing how to make no bake eclair cake

Place the cake in the fridge to chill for at least two hours before slicing.

slices of chocolate eclair cake

Can You Use Homemade Frosting?

Absolutely! To be honest, I think homemade tastes even better! It just requires a little extra time to cook the frosting and allow it to set fully, so you’ll want to plan ahead.

Homemade Chocolate Frosting Ingredients

  • Milk
  • Granulated sugar
  • Unsweetened cocoa
  • Salted butter
  • Vanilla extract

In a saucepan over medium heat add milk, sugar and cocoa powder and bring to a boil. Once it starts to boil, allow to cook for 2 minutes.

Turn off heat, add butter and vanilla and stir. Let the frosting cool a bit, so it’s not boiling hot. While still warm, pour over the top of your cake and spread to cover evenly.

Refrigerate for several hours — or even better overnight.

I’ve also included full ingredient amounts and instructions for this frosting in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

bite of eclair cake on fork

More of our favorite easy no bake desserts:

  • No Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake
  • Ice Cream Sandwich Cake (Only 3 Ingredients!)
  • No Bake Cherry Cheesecake
  • Peaches & Cream Trifle
  • No Bake Cookie Monster Cheesecake

No Bake Eclair Cake Recipe

Tried this recipe and loved it? Please rate it!

sliced eclair cake made with graham crackers and pudding
Print Recipe
5 from 5 votes

No Bake Chocolate Eclair Cake

Inspired by the classic pastry, this chocolate eclair cake is cool, creamy, and chocolately! It's also super easy to make with only 4 ingredients and no baking needed!
Prep Time10 mins
Chill Time2 hrs
Total Time2 hrs 10 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cake, chocolate, eclair, no bake
Servings: 12
Calories: 263kcal
Author: Stacey aka the Soccer Mom
Cost: $5

Ingredients

  • 1 Cool Whip regular size container
  • 5 oz Instant Vanilla Pudding plus milk to make pudding
  • 14 oz graham crackers 1 typical box
  • 1 cup chocolate frosting up to one can, as needed

Homemade Chocolate Topping

  • ¼ cup milk
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa
  • ⅓ cup salted butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

No Bake Eclair Cake Instructions

  • Prepare pudding according to directions on box.
  • Scoop whipped topping into mixing bowl with the pudding and use a large spoon or spatula to fold the two together.
  • Cover the bottom of a 9x13 pan with a layer of graham crackers. Top with half of the pudding mixture.
  • Add another layer of graham crackers, then top with remaining pudding mixture.
  • Add a third layer of graham crackers and top with chocolate frosting.
  • Chill for at least 2 hours.

Instructions to Make Homemade Chocolate Topping (Instead of Canned Frosting)

  • In a saucepan over medium heat add milk, sugar and cocoa powder and bring to a boil.
  • Once it starts to boil, boil for 2 minutes.
  • Turn off heat, add butter and vanilla and stir. Allow to cool for a few minutes, then pour over top of graham crackers while the chocolate is still warm.
  • Refrigerate for several hours or overnight.

Video

Notes

Nutrition information is an estimate only; based on using typical canned chocolate frosting. Making your own chocolate frosting will change these values.

Nutrition

Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 330mg | Potassium: 105mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 9IU | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 2mg

Pin this recipe on Pinterest:

homemade eclair cake recipe

You might also like:

This Chocolate Peanut Butter Texas Sheet Cake is a chocolate and peanut butter lover's dream come true! Fluffy chocolate sheet cake topped with rich peanut butter cream and chocolate icing — it's perfection in every bite! If you love Texas sheet cake and you love peanut butter then this is a must try recipe!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Sheet Cake

chocolate twinkie cut in half to show the filling

Homemade Chocolate Twinkies

 

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Stacey aka the Soccer Mom
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom
Stacey is the creator of The Soccer Mom Blog, a Houston Texas mom blog that focuses on positive living for women and families. She loves to share real food recipes, money-saving tips, parenting encouragement, kids activities, DIY tutorials, home hacks, fitness, and so much more! To get to know Stacey even better, click here.
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom
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