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Easy No-Bake Éclair Cake Recipe Perfect for Crowd-Pleasing Potlucks

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A quick and easy no-bake éclair cake featuring layers of creamy vanilla pudding, graham crackers, and a rich chocolate glaze. Perfect for potlucks and last-minute guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box (3.4 oz / 96 g) instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 3 cups (720 ml) cold milk (dairy or plant-based)
  • 1 tub (8 oz / 226 g) whipped topping, thawed (e.g., Cool Whip)
  • 1 package (14 oz / 397 g) graham crackers (regular or honey-flavored)
  • 4 oz (115 g) semisweet chocolate chips
  • ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp (28 g) unsalted butter, softened

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk the instant vanilla pudding mix with 3 cups (720 ml) of cold milk for about 2 minutes until thickened. Let sit for 5 minutes to set.
  2. Gently fold the 8 oz (226 g) whipped topping into the pudding until smooth and creamy. Do not overmix.
  3. Arrange a single layer of graham crackers in a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish, breaking crackers as needed to fit snugly.
  4. Spread about one-third of the pudding mixture evenly over the graham crackers.
  5. Repeat layering: graham crackers, pudding, graham crackers, pudding, ending with pudding on top (3 pudding layers and 3 graham cracker layers total).
  6. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow graham crackers to soften.
  7. To prepare the chocolate glaze, melt 4 oz (115 g) semisweet chocolate chips with ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream and 2 tbsp (28 g) softened unsalted butter in 20-second bursts in the microwave, stirring until smooth and glossy.
  8. Pour the chocolate glaze evenly over the chilled pudding layers and spread smoothly with a spatula.
  9. Return the cake to the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to set the glaze.
  10. Slice into squares and serve. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Notes

If pudding is too stiff, add a splash of milk and stir gently. Press crackers gently when layering to avoid crumbling. For faster chilling, freeze for 30 minutes but avoid freezing the finished cake. Make chocolate glaze last-minute to prevent seepage. Use gluten-free graham crackers and dairy-free pudding and whipped topping for gluten-free or vegan versions. Ladyfingers can substitute graham crackers for a traditional éclair texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: no-bake éclair cake, easy dessert, potluck dessert, instant pudding cake, graham cracker cake, chocolate glaze, crowd-pleaser

Find it online: https://lenatable.com/easy-no-bake-e-clair-cake-recipe-perfect-for-crowd-pleasing-potlucks/