Old-Fashioned Chocolate Eclair Cake

Indulge in the delectable delight of an easy, no-bake dessert that the whole family will love – the Old-Fashioned Chocolate Eclair Cake! This crowd-pleasing recipe features layers of honey graham crackers, creamy vanilla Instant pudding, fluffy whipped topping, and luscious canned chocolate frosting. Perfect for potlucks, BBQs, gatherings, and any occasion worth savoring!

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What is Eclair Cake?

Eclair Cake, also referred to as an Icebox Cake, is an easy to make, layered dessert that includes graham crackers, Instant vanilla pudding, Cool Whip, and chocolate frosting. It was made famous around 1980’s when the recipe was posted in several newspapers and referred to as the perfect dessert to bring to church potlucks. No luck on just where it was created, but it is an old-fashioned recipe that has been around for many generations in some form or another.

Ingredients needed for Chocolate Eclair Cake

See printable recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and step by step directions.

• Instant Vanilla Pudding-make sure it says Instant and not the cook and serve, I use the 3.5 oz boxes
• Milk– any type works, I use 2%
• Whipped Topping– make sure its thawed so it mixes easily into pudding
• Graham Crackers– you’ll use just about the entire box, either honey, regular, or chocolate works great
• Chocolate Frosting– canned is the shortcut I use, you can also use Choc-O-Bake if you have access to it, or homemade chocolate frosting

Variations

• Use homemade vanilla pudding in place of the Instant pudding mix.
• Lemon Instant Pudding in place of the vanilla.
• Different flavored graham crackers instead of original or honey.
• Use banana pudding in place of vanilla and add banana slices throughout the layers for a banana pudding eclair cake.
• Use chocolate pudding, chocolate graham crackers, and chocolate chips for a Death by Chocolate Eclair Cake.
• Vanilla wafers can be used in place of the graham crackers.
• Swap out chocolate frosting for vanilla, coconut, German chocolate, or any other flavor desired.

How to make Old-Fashioned Chocolate Eclair Cake

Making these easy eclair cake takes no time and results in a flavor packed sweet treat!

1. In a large bowl, whisk together pudding mix and 3 cups milk. Fold in the whipped topping (not whipped cream as its not as thick).
2. Layer bottom of a 9×13 cake pan with graham crackers.
3. Pour half the pudding mixture over graham crackers.
4. Put another layer of graham crackers down.
5. Add remaining pudding mixture to create another layer.
6. Add one more layer of graham crackers (you should have 3 layers of crackers when finished).
7. Place plastic wrap over dish and put in fridge for about 30 min to an hour to allow pudding to set.
8. When ready, put the tub of chocolate frosting in the microwave for about 15 seconds to soften.
9. Take out and stir frosting. Remove plastic wrap from dish and evenly spread chocolate frosting all over the top layer of graham crackers.
10. Place pan in the refrigerator for 24 hours. 48 hours is the best, but minimum 24 Serve and enjoy!

How to store No Bake Chocolate Eclair Cake

• Cover and place the eclair cake in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• If freezing, place in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw before serving!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Old-Fashioned Chocolate Eclair Cake ahead of time?

Yes! In fact, it needs to be chilled a minimum of 24 hours in advance so the graham cracker layers soften and the flavors combine.

Can I freeze Chocolate Eclair Cake?

Yes! As long as you store in a freezer safe container, you can freeze individual pieces or the whole cake for up to 3 months. Thaw when ready to serve!

How far in advance can I make this Eclair Cake?

You can make this up to 48 hours in advance and store covered in the refrigerator.

What is the best way to slice this cake?

Use a sharp knife and wipe the knife clean in between each slice. This will ensure you get clean layers and pieces to serve!

More Dessert Recipes to try

Strawberry Pretzel Salad– an old-fashioned treat everyone will enjoy! A perfect blend of salty and sweet.

Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding– rich and creamy vanilla pudding, combined with layers of crunchy vanilla wafers and perfectly ripe bananas. Easy to assemble and packed with flavor.

Strawberry White Chocolate Pie– creamy, delicious, and perfectly sweet! Next time that sweet tooth craving hits, this is just the pie to try.

Death by Chocolate Dump Cake– a decadent dessert that combines rich chocolate flavor with the ease and convenience of a “dump” cake recipe. Using only 5 ingredients, this cake is quick to prepare and a sweet tooth favorite for the serious chocolate lover!

Easy Chocolate Raspberry Dump Cake– only 5 ingredients needed to make this mouthwatering sweet treat! Chocolate Raspberry Dump Cake comes together in no time and is perfect for that sweet tooth craving!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Pudding Cake– delicious layered dessert with a cookie base, followed by a cream cheese layer, pudding layer, and topped with whipped cream and chocolate chips!

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4.25 from 20 votes

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Eclair Cake

This Old-Fashioned Chocolate Eclair Cake is a no bake sweet treat everyone will enjoy! Layers of honey graham crackers, creamy Vanilla pudding, whipped topping, and chocolate frosting combine into a dessert perfect for any occasion!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Chill Time1 day d

Total Time1 day d 10 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cake, chocolate, chocolate eclair, no bake chocolate eclair cake, old fashioned eclair cake

Servings: 16

Calories: 284kcal

Author: The Cookin' Chicks

Equipment

• Mixing Bowls
• 9x13 baking pan

Ingredients

• 2 boxes Instant Vanilla Pudding * 3.5oz boxes
• 3 cups milk
• 8 oz whipped topping
• 1 box Graham crackers
• 16 oz chocolate frosting

Instructions

• In a large bowl, mix together pudding mix, cool whip, and 3 cups milk.
• Layer bottom of a 9×13 cake pan with graham crackers.
• Pour half the pudding mixture over graham crackers. 
• Put another layer of graham crackers down.
• Add remaining pudding mixture to create another layer.
• Add one more layer of graham crackers (you should have 3 layers of crackers when finished).
• 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 tub of chocolate frosting in the microwave for about 15 seconds to soften.
• Take out and stir frosting. Remove plastic wrap from dish and evenly spread chocolate frosting all over the top layer of graham crackers.
• Place pan in the refrigerator for 24 hours. 48 hours is the best, but minimum 24 Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 291mg | Potassium: 129mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 134IU | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 1mg

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