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!
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!
- 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).
- 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).
- Place 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!
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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Old-Fashioned Chocolate Eclair Cake
Equipment
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
bee61 says
seems like tiramisu, minus the coffee???
Kristin and Adriana says
Yes, it’s very similar 🙂
Anonymous says
I made this cake using the same base cake but I put fruit filling on the top. Next time I will try the chocolate.
Jen says
Just made this for a dinner gathering. Everyone liked it! Used Nestle 4oz semisweet chocolate baking bar instead of Choco bake.
Heather Whoneedsacape says
So yummy! Looks delish!Thanks for linking up to Super Sunday! Stop by next Sunday with some more Super Treats!
Joanne DiPalo says
Just came from Swap N Share Sunday and this cake looks so delicious. I will definitely have to give this a try, I have a feeling that ‘grampy’ will love this. I’ve pinned, am a new follower and sharing this on my FB page.
One TIPsy Chick says
Stopping by from the Super Sunday blog hop!
Mommy Burkholder says
Stopping by from the Super Sunday link party. I make a similar recipe but use strawberries. Either way, you can’t go wrong with this one!
Anonymous says
I make this pretty often but I recently found a recipe for it that was a little different & we like it so much better! It’s different in that for the top layer (the frosting layer) it calls for a box of chocolate instant pudding mix made with 1 1/2 cups of milk. You spread it on top & it thickens up nicely. It’s not as sweet as using the frosting. Give it a try!
Sandy Rowe
Kristin and Adriana says
Great idea about using store bought frosting and adding it to each layer, yummy!!
As for chocolate graham crackers, that sounds delicious! I have a hard time finding them at my grocery store, but if you can find them, I think that would be a great idea!!
Anonymous says
I make the same thing but use bought frosting. I also put choc frosting on the middle layers of the graham crackers. Divine!
Anonymous says
What do you think about using chocolate graham crackers?
Anonymous says
My grocery store does not have a Chocolate chip aisle! (Just kidding)
Kristin and Adriana says
Choc-o-bake is pre-melted, unsweetened chocolate that comes in pre-measured packets. Its typically sold by Nestle and is located in the chocolate chip aisle of a grocery store, : )
Anonymous says
My grocery store doesn’t have Nestle choc-o-bake. Is there something else I could use?
Kristin and Adriana says
You can unsweetened chocolate, you would just need to melt it using low heat 🙂
I have done it that way before and it tastes just as tasty!! 🙂
Terry Mosher says
it’s pre-melted, liquid chocolate. Brilliant!ngsMyti
Anonymous says
What is Neslie choc o bake? Is is like Cocoa?