🍫 Chocolate Éclair Cake
No-Bake • Crowd Favorite • Chill & Serve
Serves 10–12
Ingredients
Layers
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2 sleeves graham crackers
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2 (3.4 oz) boxes vanilla instant pudding mix
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3 cups cold milk
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1 (8 oz) container Cool Whip, thawed
(or 2 cups freshly whipped cream)
Chocolate Topping
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1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
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½ cup heavy cream
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1 tbsp butter
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1 tsp vanilla extract
🥣 Instructions
1. Make the Filling
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Whisk pudding mix and cold milk for 2 minutes until thick.
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Fold in Cool Whip gently until smooth and fluffy.
2. Assemble the Cake
In a 9×13-inch dish:
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Single layer of graham crackers (break to fit)
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Half the pudding mixture
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Another layer of graham crackers
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Remaining pudding mixture
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Final layer of graham crackers
3. Make the Chocolate Ganache
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Heat cream and butter until just steaming (not boiling).
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Pour over chocolate chips.
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Let sit 2 minutes, then stir until glossy.
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Stir in vanilla.
4. Finish & Chill
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Pour ganache evenly over top.
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Refrigerate at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.
👉 This is where the magic happens—the crackers soften into “cake.”
🍽 Serving Tips
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Slice with a sharp knife
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Wipe blade between cuts
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Serve cold for clean layers
🤔 Q & A (Éclair Cake Success)
Q: Why does it need to chill so long?
A: The graham crackers absorb moisture and transform into tender cake layers.
Q: Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?
A: Absolutely. Whip cream to soft-medium peaks for best texture.
Q: Can I use chocolate frosting instead of ganache?
A: You can—but ganache tastes richer and slices cleaner.
Q: How long does it keep?
A: 3–4 days refrigerated, tightly covered.
Q: Can I freeze it?
A: Yes! Freeze up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
🔁 Easy Variations
Chocolate Lover’s
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Use chocolate pudding
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Dark chocolate ganache
Peanut Butter Éclair Cake
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Add ½ cup peanut butter to pudding mix
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Chocolate + peanut butter drizzle on top
Lighter Version
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Use sugar-free pudding
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Light whipped topping
🧠 Pro Tips
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Don’t overspread pudding—gentle layers stay neat
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Overnight chill = best flavor + texture
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Thin ganache pours smoother than thick frosting
