No-Bake Eclair Cake Recipe

This no-bake eclair cake is a total crowd pleaser! Super easy to put together and so delicious! 

Jump to:

• No-Bake Eclair Cake
• Ingredients For the Cake
• Kitchen Tools Needed
• How to Make the No-Bake Eclair Cake
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Variations of a No-Bake Eclair Cake
• Tips to Make the No-Bake Eclair Cake
• Recipe
• Discussion

No-Bake Eclair Cake

Layers of the crispy biscuits with the dreamy pudding and some whipped cream, and all of that topped with dark chocolate frosting is what this no-bake eclair cake is all about.  Plus, it is incredibly easy to make, and the perfect easy dessert to make when you’re planning to entertain. 

If you prefer something with less chocolate, you might prefer this white chocolate no-bake layer cake or this delicious no-bake Italian cream cake recipe!

Ingredients For the Cake

You’ll need just a few ingredients for this no-bake eclair cake. 

• 1 (14.4 oz/400 gr) box cinnamon graham crackers
• 2 (3.4 oz) packages vanilla instant pudding mix
• 8 oz Cool Whip
• 3 cups milk
• 1 (16 oz) tub dark chocolate frosting

Kitchen Tools Needed

• Mixing bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Hand mixer
• 9"x9" baking dish

How to Make the No-Bake Eclair Cake

In a large bowl, beat the instant pudding mix with the milk for 2 to 3 minutes until beginning to thicken.

Fold in the Cool Whip until it is well combined.

Cover the bottom of a 9"x9" baking dish with an even layer of Graham crackers.

Spread ½ of the pudding mixture over the crackers.

Cover this first layer of pudding with a second layer of crackers.

Top the second layer of crackers with the remaining pudding mixture and spread evenly.

Then add a third layer of cookies on top of the pudding.

Spread the chocolate frosting over the top of the crackers.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing to serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Variations of a No-Bake Eclair Cake

The pudding, frosting, cream, and graham crackers are the absolute essentials that make up this dessert, but that doesn’t mean you can’t bring in a bit of variation. Based on your preference and taste, you can also add a layer of fresh fruit or fruit compote for a bit of texture. 

• Some sliced bananas can be a good addition if you’re sticking to the classic vanilla and chocolate flavors. 
• If you’re using strawberry flavored pudding, you can add a layer of sliced strawberries too. 
• If you’re making this dessert during fall, you can sneak in a bit of cinnamon powder or pumpkin pie spice and use gingersnaps, cinnamon-flavored biscuits, or crackers instead of your regular graham crackers. 
• If you’re a peanut butter lover, you can mix a bit of it with the frosting, or into the pudding to lend your dessert that nice flavor touch that you are looking for. 
• You could also top off the chocolate frosting with some chopped nuts (think pistachios and walnuts) if you want your no-bake eclair cake to have a bit of crunchy texture. 

Tips to Make the No-Bake Eclair Cake

All set and ready to give the recipe a try? Keep these little tricks in mind to make sure you get it right. 

• When adding the pudding layer, allow the dish to refrigerate for 30 minutes or more. This will give time for the pudding to set, and the cake will turn out just the way you want it to structurally. 
• The refrigeration time for this cake may seem like a long and painful wait, but it is an absolute must. It doesn’t just help the individual ingredients that make up the cake set well but also allows the flavors to develop and blend together, resulting in that perfect texture and flavor that you’re looking for. 
• You can use store-bought frosting if you really want to whip the dessert up quickly, but then again, scratch-made frosting is also a good idea. 
• To make the frosting from scratch, you can set up a double boiler and combine some cooking chocolate with a bit of butter, vanilla essence, sugar and allow it all to melt together nicely until it turns into an even and smooth mixture. 
• If you’re making the frosting from scratch, allow it to cool down a bit before you pour it over the cake. Using frosting that’s too hot might break down and melt the cracker and pudding layers. 
• To lend the no-bake eclair cake a bit of extra fluffiness, you can add some marshmallow fluff to the cool whip too!

Loved how easy it was to make this no-bake dessert? Looking for some more creamy, dreamy, and easy dessert recipes to try out? You might want to check these out! 

• Decadent Creamy Vanilla Caramel Pudding
• No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie
• No-Bake Chocolate Oreo Lasagna Recipe