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Chocolate eclair cake is a crowd-favorite no-bake dessert with layers of graham crackers, vanilla pudding, whipped topping, and chocolate frosting.
Try my Peanut Butter Pie recipe or my Bananas Foster next!
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What is chocolate eclair cake?
It's a no-bake, refrigerated cake made with layers of whipped topping, graham crackers, and topped with a frosting or sauce. Overnight refrigeration is where the magic happens with this cake, turning it into a creamy, cloud-like dessert that no one can refuse.
Ingredients you'll need
- vanilla instant pudding & pie filling
- milk
- whipped topping
- chocolate graham crackers
- sugar
- cocoa
- butter
- kosher salt
How to make chocolate eclair cake
First, make the graham cracker crumb topping.
Make instant pudding and fold in whipped topping.
Layer pudding mix and chocolate graham crackers in a dish.
Sprinkle the crumb topping on the top layer of pudding.
Next, top it with my easy, chocolate frosting.
Then sprinkle more graham cracker crumb topping, then sprinkle a little Kosher salt. Then refrigerate for 6-8 hours. The waiting is the hardest part!
Can I freeze chocolate eclair cake?
You can freeze refrigerator cake, but not right after assembly. You'll need to refrigerate it overnight so the cookies or crackers can properly absorb the moisture. Once fully set up, wrap the baking dish tightly in plastic wrap and store in the freezer up to 30 days. To serve, allow the cake to the overnight in the refrigerator and served chilled.
Recipe tips
- Use chocolate graham crackers instead of plain graham crackers...because chocolate.
- You can substitute packaged chocolate frosting (but I don't recommend it when it's so easy to make! (see recipe below)
- Always dust the surface of this cake with finely crushed graham cracker crumbs instead of leaving it as a plain frosting.
- Garnish the frosting with sprinkles of Kosher salt. Mmmm, sweet and salty!
How big is this refrigerator cake?
I intentionally sized this recipe down to accommodate smaller events with 4-6 people. This may (or may not) yield a leftover piece or two.
If you're entertaining 8-12 people, you'll want to DOUBLE my recipe and increase the size of the baking dish to a 9 x 13 inch pan.
How long does icebox cake last in the refrigerator?
If covered properly with an airtight seal, this cake will easily last about 3 or 4 days before it starts looking ugly. Although this cake won't last more than about 4 hours once it gets served because it's utterly scrumptious!
More easy dessert recipes
- No Churn Berry Ice Cream
- How to Make Chocolate Ganache
- Strawberry Greek Frozen Yogurt
- Orange Olive Oil Cake
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Eclair Cake
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Video
Note about scaling
When scaling, the light gray ingredient notes after the comma don’t change. Adjust as needed.
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1 (3.4 ounce box) Vanilla Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
- 2 cups 2% Milk
- 1 (8 ounce tub) Whipped Topping, thawed
- 2 sleeves Chocolate Graham Crackers, or honey graham crackers
For the Chocolate Frosting
- ¼ cup Milk, any kind
- ½ cup Sugar
- ⅓ cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, sifted
- 2 tablespoons Butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
Make the filling
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together VANILLA PUDDING MIX and MILK. Allow to rest 5 minutes to set.
- Fold in WHIPPED TOPPING until well-combined.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Prep the crust
- In a food processor, pulse 1 sleeve of GRAHAM CRACKERS into coarse crumbs. Set aside.
Cake assembly
- In a 10" x 7" baking dish, line bottom with enough whole GRAHAM CRACKERS to cover the surface. This is the crust.
- Spread half of the pudding mixture to cover the first layer of graham crackers.
- Add another layer of crackers followed by pudding mixture.
- Sprinkle crumbled GRAHAM CRACKERS over entire surface.
- Cover and refrigerate while you prepare frosting.
Cake frosting
- Heat a small saucepan on medium; add and whisk MILK, SUGAR, and COCOA just until gentle boil occurs. Remove from heat and whisk in BUTTER until smooth; allow to cool briefly.
- Gently pour this over cake and spread evenly.
- Dust the top with more graham cracker crumbs and a few sprinkles of SALT.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight. Serve chilled.
Recipe Notes
Equipment
- spatula
- 7-cup food processor to blend graham cracker crumbs
- 10 x 7 casserole dish
- offset spatula or large spoon
Nutrition
Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on brands, ingredients, and portions.
Jane says
For the chocolate eclair dessert - I am unable to find chocolate graham crackers. Can you use honey graham crackers?
Traci says
You most certainly can use honey grahams in this recipe 🙂 Let me know if you have any more questions. Enjoy!!!
Sandra Tofte says
I couldn't find them either. I'm going to try it with chocolate Teddy Grahams 🤞
Traci says
Yes! Great substitute! I have definitely noticed so far this year that chocolate graham crackers are not on the retail shelves anywhere. I hope you can find the Teddy variety. You can always use plain graham crackers 🙂 Thanks for chiming in. Enjoy!!
JB says
This chocolate eclair cake is one of the best desserts I've ever had. Our neighbor is calling it "crack" lol...and he's right! It's easy enough for anyone to make too. Thanks for another winner, KG!
Courtney | Love & Good Stuff says
I had eclair cake recently and absolutely LOVED IT. I'm SO into your chocolate and salt twist on it - I can not wait to try this!
Traci Antonovich says
Awww thanks, Courtney! I had to come up with something different...and it's always been a smash hit 🙂 Hope you love it!
Liz says
To me, it's not dessert if it doesn't have chocolate! Haha this recipe is right up my alley. It looks so creamy and delicious!
Traci Antonovich says
Ha! Me too!! Thanks Liz 🙂
Vicky says
I have never been a fan of eclairs because I don't like the dough. You have eliminated that completely with this recipe and so I know I will love it. Such a great idea to make this with chocolate graham crackers.
Traci Antonovich says
Haha nice! Glad we could help you find a workaround 🙂 Hope you love this eclair cake like we do!
Tatiana says
I don’t’ normally like eclairs, but I feel like I would LOVE this! Looks like the perfect summer dessert.
Traci Antonovich says
Haha thanks, Tatiana! A chilled chocolate eclair cake really is the perfect summer dessert!
Lauren Vavala | DeliciousLittleBites says
This looks amazing! Eclairs are an old favorite of mine - what a fun idea to make a frozen dessert, This is just perfect for summer!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Lauren! Omgosh they're a fav of mine too! This icebox cake tastes just like them...and always gets DEVOURED at parties! 🙂
Danielle says
Good lord. This is my kind of dessert. I just need to figure out how to make room in my fridge - the age old battle.
Traci Antonovich says
Haha, yes Danielle! We made a couple of them for the 4th...they were demolished!
gardenley.com says
Hi Traci Antonovich
loved your recipe. definitely I will make it, it will be very delicious.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks so much! Hope you love it like I do 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Who doesn't want a sexy chocolate dessert?! Tell me! Cause seriously, I'll take their piece 😉 The idea of having this cake inspired by an eclair is brilliant! I gotta give this one a try, Traci 🙂
Traci Antonovich says
Haha thanks Dawn! Love your enthusiasm...I feel exactly the same way about this beauty LOL. The eclair cake was definitely not my original idea, but I embellished the traditional kind with chocolate grahams...and Kosher salt 🙂
Vicky says
I just love no bake desserts. We serve them a lot when we entertain during the summer. For the chocolate lovers, like me, the addition of chocolate graham crackers is welcome.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Vicky! Yes, these are so often made with regular graham crackers, so of course I had to switch it up 🙂
Jessica Formicola says
This cake looks absolutely dreamy! I need a slice or two of this in my life asap!
Traci Antonovich says
Haha thanks Jessica! It's pretty dreamy all right! You'll want two slices, for sure 🙂
Veena Azmanov says
Wow, this dessert looks very tasty! I want to eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner! One of my favs! This is absolutely fantastic! I definitely want to try this! Thank you for sharing this great recipe!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Veena! Love hearing your enthusiasm...hope you get to try this sometime! 🙂
Suzy says
What a treat! And thanks for the great pictures
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Suzy! This dessert IS a treat! Glad you enjoy the pictures 🙂