{"id":2073156,"date":"2025-03-17T16:20:37","date_gmt":"2025-03-17T21:20:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?post_type=recipe&p=2073156"},"modified":"2025-03-17T16:20:37","modified_gmt":"2025-03-17T21:20:37","slug":"easy-chocolate-eclair-cake","status":"publish","type":"recipe","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/recipes\/easy-chocolate-eclair-cake\/","title":{"rendered":"Easy Chocolate Eclair Cake"},"content":{"rendered":"
Where the classic French eclair is finicky and high-level, the eclair cake takes a much more simplistic approach, with all the same great flavors and one-third of the time. This cake uses graham-cracker cake layers to mimics the pate a choux from traditional eclairs, and replaces the pastry cream filling with instant vanilla pudding. It\u2019s not a chocolate eclair\u2014or even a cake, for that matter\u2014without chocolate frosting on top, so we keep things easy and use a store-bought chocolate frosting (but feel free to make yours from scratch). Eclair cake is creamy and decadent with a luxuriously chocolatey bite, just like any good chocolate eclair<\/a> should be.<\/p>\n In a large bowl, whisk together the whole milk and the instant vanilla pudding mix for two minutes.<\/p>\n Fold in the thawed frozen topping until everything is well-combined.<\/p>\n Editor’s Tip:<\/em> Switch to a rubber spatula when folding in the frozen topping.<\/p>\n In a 13×9-inch baking dish, layer the graham crackers evenly over the bottom. Spread half of the pudding mixture evenly over graham crackers, then repeat the layers once more. Top the pudding mixture with the remaining graham crackers.<\/p>\n Spread the chocolate frosting over the top of the graham crackers.<\/p>\n Editor\u2019s Tip:<\/em> Let the frosting come to room temperature so it\u2019s easy to spread. Otherwise you’ll end up dragging and breaking the graham crackers.<\/p>\n Cover the pan tightly with storage wrap, and refrigerate the eclair cake for at least three hours. Once the cake is thoroughly chilled and set, cut the cake into squares and serve.<\/p>\n Keep the eclair cake in its pan and cover the top tightly with storage wrap. Refrigerate the cake for up to four days.<\/p>\n No, eclair cake does not freeze well. Pudding-like fillings tend to not thaw very well, and doing so will ruin the texture of the cake.<\/p>\n Yes, you can make eclair cake ahead of time. I recommend only making it up to a day in advance, though, because the graham crackers will soften and take on a cakey texture the longer they sit. Some people prefer that, though!<\/p>\n Unfortunately, I don\u2019t recommend using homemade whipped cream in place of the whipped topping. Whipped toppings like Cool Whip have stabilizers that help the topping keep its shape. Homemade whipped cream is much more delicate and can easily fall.<\/p>\n Yes, this chocolate eclair cake recipe can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free graham crackers. I recommend double-checking all of the packaged ingredients to ensure that they\u2019re certified gluten-free and weren’t made in a facility that processes wheat and gluten.<\/p>\n Eclair cake is perfect by itself, but feel free to serve it with fresh berries, ice cream or chocolate sauce. It\u2019s lovely with espresso-based drinks, coffee, or sweet after-dinner drinks<\/a> like dessert wine or Kahlua cocktails<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" With 15 minutes of prep and a short chill in the fridge, our no-bake eclair cake tastes just as great as the fancy French chocolate eclairs that are harder to make.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7955,"featured_media":2120719,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"ep_exclude_from_search":false},"tags":[303972,303971,305744,304173,304328,304288,305487,304338,304515,303966,304368,303887,304347,304348,304268,304193,304553,304558,305793,324623,304150,303883],"categories-v2":[308503,308500,311389,309455,308988,308984,308481,259620,310796,308992,308880,308495,308745,308478,308998,309000,259483,309541,308908,308910,311436,309177,309434,308476],"coauthors":[342012],"recommended_recipes":[],"acf":{"long_pin_file":{"ID":2124806,"id":2124806,"title":"Eclair Cake Ft25 52876 Jr 0225 8 Long Pin","filename":"Eclair-Cake_FT25_52876_JR_0225_8_Long-Pin.jpg","filesize":226355,"url":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Eclair-Cake_FT25_52876_JR_0225_8_Long-Pin.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/recipes\/easy-chocolate-eclair-cake\/eclair-cake_ft25_52876_jr_0225_8_long-pin\/","alt":"Vertical shot of Chocolate Eclair Cake;","author":"7948","description":"","caption":"","name":"eclair-cake_ft25_52876_jr_0225_8_long-pin","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2073156,"date":"2025-03-17 12:05:24","modified":"2025-03-17 12:11:00","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1000,"height":1500,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Eclair-Cake_FT25_52876_JR_0225_8_Long-Pin.jpg?resize=150,150","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Eclair-Cake_FT25_52876_JR_0225_8_Long-Pin.jpg?fit=300,300","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Eclair-Cake_FT25_52876_JR_0225_8_Long-Pin.jpg?fit=768,0","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":0,"large":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Eclair-Cake_FT25_52876_JR_0225_8_Long-Pin.jpg?fit=700,1024","large-width":700,"large-height":1024,"web-stories-poster-portrait":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Eclair-Cake_FT25_52876_JR_0225_8_Long-Pin.jpg?resize=640,853","web-stories-poster-portrait-width":640,"web-stories-poster-portrait-height":853,"web-stories-publisher-logo":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Eclair-Cake_FT25_52876_JR_0225_8_Long-Pin.jpg?resize=96,96","web-stories-publisher-logo-width":96,"web-stories-publisher-logo-height":96,"web-stories-thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Eclair-Cake_FT25_52876_JR_0225_8_Long-Pin.jpg?fit=150,9999","web-stories-thumbnail-width":150,"web-stories-thumbnail-height":9999}},"ncv_override_generic_settings_option":false,"ncv_autoplay_option":"","ncv_stickyplay_option":"","ncv_ads_option":"","ncv_mute_option":"","ncv_comscore_option":"","ncv_autoplay_mobile_option":"","ncv_viewable_threshold_option":"","ncv_sticky_offset_option":"","ncv_autopause_option":"","ncv_sticky_offset_mobile_option":"","ncv_autopause_mobile_option":"","ncv_sticky_mobile_option":"","ncv_remove_player_option":false,"ncv_moat_option":"","long_pin":"https:\/\/tmbidigitalassetsazure.blob.core.windows.net\/rms3-prod\/attachments\/37\/1200x1200\/Easy-Chocolate-Eclair-Cake_EXPS_FT25_52876_JR_0225_8.jpg"},"recipe_schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Recipe","@id":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/recipes\/easy-chocolate-eclair-cake\/","name":"Easy Chocolate Eclair Cake","datePublished":"2025-03-17","dateModified":"2025-03-17","prepTime":"PT15M","cookTime":"PT0M","totalTime":"PT15M","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Easy-Chocolate-Eclair-Cake_EXPS_FT25_52876_JR_0225_8.jpg","height":1200,"width":1200},"recipeCategory":["Desserts"],"description":"With 15 minutes of prep and a short chill in the fridge, our no-bake eclair cake tastes just as great as the fancy French chocolate eclairs that are harder to make.","recipeIngredient":["2 cups whole milk","2 packages (3-1\/2 ounces each) instant vanilla pudding mix","1 container (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed","1 package (14.4 ounces) whole graham crackers","1 container (16 ounces) chocolate frosting"],"recipeInstructions":[{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Prepare the pudding mixture","text":"In a large bowl, whisk together the whole milk and the instant vanilla pudding mix for two minutes. Fold in the thawed frozen topping until everything is well-combined. Editor's Tip: Switch to a rubber spatula when folding in the frozen topping.","image":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Eclair-Cake_FT25_52876_JR_0225_2.jpg"},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Build the cake","text":"In a 13x9-inch baking dish, layer the graham crackers evenly over the bottom. Spread half of the pudding mixture evenly over graham crackers, then repeat the layers once more. Top the pudding mixture with the remaining graham crackers.","image":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Eclair-Cake_FT25_52876_JR_0225_4.jpg"},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Add the chocolate frosting","text":"Spread the chocolate frosting over the top of the graham crackers. Editor\u2019s Tip: Let the frosting come to room temperature so it\u2019s easy to spread. Otherwise you'll end up dragging and breaking the graham crackers.","image":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Eclair-Cake_FT25_52876_JR_0225_5.jpg"},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Chill and serve the eclair cake","text":"Cover the pan tightly with storage wrap, and refrigerate the eclair cake for at least three hours. Once the cake is thoroughly chilled and set, cut the cake into squares and serve.","image":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Eclair-Cake_FT25_52876_JR_0225_6.jpg"}],"recipeYield":"15 servings","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Val Goodrich"}],"nutrition":{"@type":"NutritionInformation","calories":" 359 calories","fatContent":"12g fat (5g saturated fat)","cholesterolContent":"3mg cholesterol","sodiumContent":"339mg sodium","carbohydrateContent":"61g carbohydrate (41g sugars","fiberContent":"1g fiber)","proteinContent":"3g protein."},"aggregateRating":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"AggregateRating","ratingValue":5,"reviewCount":1,"worstRating":1,"bestRating":5},"review":[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Review","datePublished":"2025-03-19","author":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Person","name":"bette12345"},"reviewBody":" I've made this desert for years. One of my co workers brought this in for us, and ever since I've been making it. The only thing I've changed was the topping. I use a good kind of chocolate \ud83c\udf6b bittersweet, any kind and heavy whipping cream to make a ganauch.<\/p>","reviewRating":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Rating","ratingValue":5,"worstRating":1,"bestRating":5}}]},"video":{"data":{"status":204},"message":"No shortcode found in recipe"},"rms_legacy_id":"52876","romance_copy_dek":"With 15 minutes of prep and a short chill in the fridge, our no-bake eclair cake tastes just as great as the fancy French chocolate eclairs that are harder to make.","enhanced_recipe_title":"Easy Chocolate Eclair Cake","rms_legacy_data":{"RecipeCategories":null,"Ingredients":[{"CampaignId":"","IsBrandedIngredient":false,"Ingredient":"2 cups whole milk","IngredientText":"2 cups whole milk"},{"CampaignId":"","IsBrandedIngredient":false,"Ingredient":"2 packages (3-1\/2 ounces each) instant vanilla pudding mix","IngredientText":"2 packages (3-1\/2 ounces each) instant vanilla pudding mix"},{"CampaignId":"","IsBrandedIngredient":false,"Ingredient":"1 container (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed","IngredientText":"1 container (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed"},{"CampaignId":"","IsBrandedIngredient":false,"Ingredient":"1 package (14.4 ounces) whole graham crackers","IngredientText":"1 package (14.4 ounces) whole graham crackers"},{"CampaignId":"","IsBrandedIngredient":false,"Ingredient":"1 container (16 ounces) chocolate frosting","IngredientText":"1 container (16 ounces) chocolate frosting"}],"FeaturedImage":"https:\/\/tmbidigitalassetsazure.blob.core.windows.net\/rms3-prod\/attachments\/37\/1200x1200\/Easy-Chocolate-Eclair-Cake_EXPS_FT25_52876_JR_0225_8.jpg","RecipeId":52876,"AttachmentSourceId":null,"AttachmentSource":"Taste Recipes","PhotoCredit":"Easy Chocolate Eclair Cake Recipe photo by Taste Recipes","VideoCode":null,"RecipeAttachmentFileName":"Easy-Chocolate-Eclair-Cake_EXPS_FT25_52876_JR_0225_8.jpg","ContributorId":null,"Firstname":"Lori","Lastname":"Teeple","City":"Carpentersville","StateDescription":"Illinois","IsCommunityCook":false,"TimeCallout":"Prep\/Total Time: 15 min. + chilling","MinimumServingQuantity":15,"MaximumServingQuantity":15,"Yield":"15 servings.","DigitalTitle":"Easy Chocolate Eclair Cake","SubmittedTitle":"Easy Chocolate Eclair Cake","RecipeTypeId":1,"AverageRating":5,"WebPublishedDate":"3\/17\/2025 4:20:37 PM","ContestPlacementId":null,"FbImage":"FB_FT25_52876_JR_0225_7.jpg","PreparationTimeInMinutes":15,"CookTimeInMinutes":0,"TotalTimeInMinutes":15,"ServingDescription":null,"IsTestKitchenCertified":true,"IsContestWinner":false,"IsCommunityRecipe":false,"PublishedProjectTitle":"Easy Chocolate Eclair Cake","OriginalSourceProject":"Easy Chocolate Eclair Cake","ContestPlacement":"","Trailer":null,"Metadescription":null,"DigitalHeadnotes":"One of the guys I work with shared this dreamy, creamy eclair cake recipe with me and I love it! 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Josh Rink for Taste Recipes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\n
Directions<\/h2>\n
Step 1: Prepare the pudding mixture<\/h3>\n
Josh Rink for Taste Recipes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Josh Rink for Taste Recipes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Step 2: Build the cake<\/h3>\n
Josh Rink for Taste Recipes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Step 3: Add the chocolate frosting<\/h3>\n
Josh Rink for Taste Recipes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Step 4: Chill and serve the eclair cake<\/h3>\n
Josh Rink for Taste Recipes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Eclair Cake Variations<\/h2>\n
\n
How to Store Eclair Cake<\/h2>\n
Can you freeze eclair cake?<\/h3>\n
Can you make eclair cake ahead of time?<\/h3>\n
Eclair Cake Tips<\/h2>\n
Josh Rink for Taste Recipes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Can you use homemade whipped cream instead of whipped topping?<\/h3>\n
Can this eclair cake be made gluten-free?<\/h3>\n
What do you serve with eclair cake?<\/h3>\n