No-Bake Eclair Cake (+Video)
No-Bake Eclair Cake is a dessert that has layers of graham crackers, vanilla pudding, whipped topping and topped with chocolate frosting!
AN EASY LAYERED DESSERT
This Easy No-Bake Eclair Cake is not only simple to make but it is absolutely scrumptious. Absolutely no stovetop or oven is needed! The hardest part? Waiting to eat it! This is a great dessert for a crowd.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Graham crackers, instant vanilla pudding, whipped topping, milk and chocolate frosting. Only five ingredients and can be made in just a few minutes!
It’s really easy to switch up the flavors. You could use chocolate graham crackers and vanilla pudding. You could substitute the vanilla pudding with chocolate or cheesecake pudding. So many flavor combinations you can experiment with! I’ve seen folks use strawberry pudding with a strawberry frosting. Or a cheesecake pudding with a strawberry frosting. Lots of options here!
This dessert does not take long to prepare but it definitely needs time to set up. Make this the night before you actually need to serve it. It helps the graham crackers to soften and gives time for everything to set up.
No. Freezing eclair cake is not recommended. It does not defrost well and the texture becomes unappetizing.
This dessert can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
- instant vanilla pudding
- whipped topping (Cool Whip)
- milk
- graham crackers
- chocolate frosting
HOW TO MAKE ECLAIR CAKE:
In a medium bowl, mix together the pudding mix, milk and Cool Whip.
In a 9×13-inch baking dish, arrange a single layer of graham cracker squares on the bottom. You may have to break them up a bit to get enough crackers to cover the bottom of your dish.
Spread half of the pudding mixture on top of the crackers. Layer another layer of graham crackers over the pudding mixture. Then layer the other half of the pudding mixture on top of crackers. Top with a final layer of graham crackers. Put plastic wrap over dish and put in fridge for about 30 min to an hour to allow pudding to set.
When pudding has set up, put the tub of chocolate frosting in the microwave for about 15 seconds to soften slightly (remove lid and aluminum foil top before microwaving.) Take out and stir frosting. It should be easily spreadable now. Remove plastic wrap from dish and evenly spread chocolate frosting all over the top layer of graham crackers.
Place plastic wrap over top of dish and put back in fridge. Now, forget about this dessert until tomorrow. This dessert gets better over time. The graham crackers need time to soften up.
When ready to serve, slice in squares and enjoy cold!
CRAVING MORE DESSERTS?
Originally published: February 2011
Updated and republished: December 2021
No-Bake Eclair Cake (+Video)
Ingredients
- 2 (3.5 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3 cups milk
- 8 ounce tub whipped topping, thawed (Cool Whip)
- 2 sleeves graham cracker squares (see notes below)
- 16 ounce container chocolate frosting
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix together 2 (3.5 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix, 3 cups milk and 8 ounce tub whipped topping, thawed.
- In an 9×13-inch baking dish, arrange a single layer of the 2 sleeves graham cracker squares on the bottom. You may have to break them up a bit to get enough crackers to cover the bottom of your dish.
- Spread half of the pudding mixture on top of the crackers.
- Layer another layer of graham crackers over the pudding mixture.
- Then layer the other half of the pudding mixture on top of crackers.
- Top with a final layer of graham crackers.
- Put plastic wrap over dish and put in fridge for about 30 min to an hour to allow pudding to set.
- When ready, put the 16 ounce container chocolate frosting (with the top removed) in the microwave for about 15 seconds to soften (remove lid and aluminum foil top before microwaving).
- Take out and stir frosting. It should be easily spreadable now.
- Remove plastic wrap from dish and evenly spread chocolate frosting all over the top layer of graham crackers.
- Place plastic wrap over top of dish and put back in fridge and let it chill overnight.
- This dessert gets better over time. The graham crackers need plenty of time to soften up.
- When ready, slice and serve!
Video
Notes
- You must use INSTANT pudding so be very careful when purchasing. The instant pudding is right near the cook and serve pudding. The cook and serve pudding will not work in this recipe.
- This dessert does not take long to prepare but it definitely needs lots of time to set up. Make this the night before you actually need to serve it. Try using chocolate graham crackers with white chocolate pudding!
- UPDATE: Since first sharing this recipe in 2011, it appears different brands put different amounts of graham crackers in each sleeve. Some brands are also making smaller sleeves so you don’t have to open a whole full sleeve. And some brands are also getting cheap and putting less graham crackers in a box. So, it is possible you will need more graham crackers than what I stated above. Be prepared to potentially use the entire box you purchased.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
This looks amazingly yummy! What a perfect dessert for a football crowd!
I've never seen this one, but it will make for the perfect Super Bowl dessert!
Thanks!
Kristi
This is a classic I grew up on. Love it. So easy and it ALWAYS impresses!
I gaped at that picture when I saw it. I think I may have made an ooh and awe sound too. It looks so delicious yet it so simple. I am saving this one to try later.
So simple yet so delish…Yumm-o
no bake cake, wow, i haven't had any in years. thanks for reminding me. Yours sure look delicious.
Have a wonderful Wednesday evening.
You are right, this looks like such a simple yet delectable dessert. I am definitely saving this, thank you!
Brandie, this is such a wonderful dessert! Someone from my church brought it to a potluck one time and it was a huuuge hit. So yummy and so easy. Thank you for the reminder! Candace
YUM-O, and so simple to whip up, love it! =)
This looks delicious. I love eclairs and so I am going to have to make this recipe when I have company-otherwise I'd eat it all.
Absolutely a family favorite. Folks always want the recipe too!
do the graham crackers get a little soggy or do they stay crisp
Hi Brandie- You and I must share the same love of Cool Whip desserts. Remember my angel food cake, with the cool whip, and fresh strawberries?…well, I think I would choose your super amazing eclair cake first, and than the srawberry angel food cake second…we are all chocolate lovers, and this is a winner!…Yummm!
I bookmarked the recipe, to make…seriously!
I love the way this sounds. I'd rename it "Poor Man's Tiramisu". This was a great idea. I hope you have a wonderful day. Blessings…Mary
This is my absolute favorite recipe from growing up! My grandmother still makes it every time we go to visit.. its so delicious! I'm glad to see it making its way into the blog world 🙂
yum, yum, YUM! I love this recipe…the chocolate grams and white chocolate version may be the next thing I try!!
Oh so yummy!
I love this recipe. Thanks for reminding me of it! So yummy!
Yum! My husband will freak out over this. He loves eclairs and a whole cake of them!
This looks sooo yummy! Is it bad that I like Cool Whip better than real whipped cream? I know the food police will come after me for saying that – ha! Great and easy recipe!
This is so so so so cool! I would never think of make it this way! Love it!!!!
You beat me to this! I have made this recipe forever! Yum!
Oh, I love this recipe….so fun and I'm betting a potluck hit 🙂
Blessings!
Gail
My son is going to love this! Eclairs are his fav!
Oh, this looks yummy! I might steal it for the next shower i have to go to! Thanks for sharing!!
Wow!! So good!