Easy Chocolate Eclair

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Easy Chocolate Eclair

Our no-bake chocolate eclairs are just as delicious as those more difficult to make. It only takes 15 minutes for the preparation and about 10 minutes in the refrigerator.

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The classic French eclair can be finicky, and requires a high level of skill. However, eclair cakes are much simpler, and have the same delicious flavors, but only take a third as long to make. The cake is made with graham cracker cake layers that mimic the traditional pate-a-choux filling. Instead of pastry cream, the cake has instant vanilla pudding. We use store-bought frosting because it’s impossible to have a chocolate cake or eclair without chocolate on top. The Eclair Cake is rich and creamy with a delicious chocolate bite.

Eclair cake ingredients

Josh Rink, Taste of Home

Whole Milk: Instant vanilla pudding is hydrated with rich and creamy whole-milk, transforming it into an incredibly delicious custard.
Instant pudding mix Instead of the traditional homemade vanilla pastry cream, we use easy instant pudding that is just as tasty. Be sure to check the packaging for “instant,” not “cook-and-serve.”
Frozen whip topping Use a frozen topping like Cool Whip to make this recipe for eclair cakes.
Graham Crackers There’s no need for a complicated pate achoux! Graham crackers are used as a bready, easy base for this chocolate eclair.
The chocolate frosting is a delicious treat. The chocolate frosting is the final touch to this eclair. This recipe can be made with homemade chocolate frosting or you can make it easy and use the best chocolate frosting from the store.

Driving Directions

Preparation of the pudding mix

Josh Rink, Taste of Home

Whisk the vanilla instant pudding and whole milk in a large mixing bowl for 2 minutes.

Josh Rink, Taste of Home

Then fold in the frozen top that has been thawed until it is all well combined.

Editor’s Tip: When folding the frozen topping, use a rubber spatula.

The second step is to build the cake

Layer the Graham Crackers in a baking dish measuring 13×9 inches. Repeat the layering by spreading half the pudding evenly on top of the grahams crackers. The remaining grahams crackers can be layered on top of the pudding.

The chocolate frosting is added in Step 3.

Sprinkle the chocolate frosting on top of graham crackers.

Editor’s Tip: Allow the frosting to reach room temperature before spreading. You’ll break the crackers if you drag them.

The eclair is ready to serve!

The eclair should be chilled for three hours. When the cake has been chilled, it will be ready to cut into squares.

Eclair Cake Variations

You can use another flavor of instant pudding: Choose something bolder than vanilla instant pudding, such as chocolate, lemon or French vanilla.
Fresh fruit can be added to the mix. Add fresh berries to the mixture or place banana slices on the top of grahams crackers, for banana pudding.
You can change the flavor of frosting: Use any frosting flavor you like. You can use any flavor of frosting you like. We chose chocolate because it is traditional for French eclairs. However, other flavors such as strawberry, vanilla, or lemon would also be delicious. Pour a chocolate ganache over the top.

What to do with Eclair cake?

Cover the cake tightly in storage wrap. The cake can be refrigerated for four days.

Is it possible to freeze the eclair?

Eclairs do not freeze very well. The texture of the cake will be ruined if you use pudding-like fillings.

Is it possible to make the eclair cake in advance?

You can certainly make the eclairs ahead. It’s best to make it no more than a day ahead, as the graham crackers soften over time and develop a cakey texture. But some people like it that way!

Eclair Cake Tips

Josh Rink, Taste of Home

You can use homemade whip cream in place of the whipped topping.

It is not recommended that you use homemade whipping cream instead of the Cool Whip. Cool Whip and other whipped toppings, like Cool Whip, contain stabilizers to help them keep their shape. The homemade whipped cream can fall easily because it is more fragile.

This eclair can be made gluten free.

This chocolate eclair recipe is gluten-free when you use gluten-free Graham crackers. Double-check all packaged ingredients, to make sure they are gluten-free.

What can you serve alongside eclair cakes?

Eclairs are delicious on their own, or with berries, chocolate sauce, ice-cream, etc. You can serve it with coffee or espresso drinks or even sweet drinks after dinner like Kahlua or dessert wine.