Easy, no-bake chocolate eclair dessert

As a busy mom, my favorite recipes are the kind that are fast, easy, and super yummy.  This is one of those favorites.

This chocolate eclair dessert is so simple to make, and my family loves it.  As a no-bake recipe, you can whip up this fabulous layered dessert in just a few minutes and then place it in the refrigerator overnight.  It has to be made at least 12 hours in advance of serving it so the graham cracker layers have time to soften to the perfect consistency.

For fun, you can use the basic chocolate eclair dessert recipe and mix it up a bit each time.  I’ve used different types of graham crackers – regular, cinnamon, and chocolate – and they all tasted great with this recipe.

  • To make this dessert most similar to actual eclairs, use the regular graham crackers.
  • I got a lot of compliments using the cinnamon graham crackers because the cinnamon adds an extra bit of pizzazz.
  • My family likes this dessert best with the chocolate graham crackers.  I used the chocolate graham crackers for the photos shown here.  I call this version double chocolate eclair dessert.

I like taking this chocolate eclair dessert to potluck meals since I can make it in advance.  It’s always a popular dessert.  It tastes so good!Easy no-bake chocolate eclair dessert - AMerryMom.com

No-bake chocolate eclair dessert recipe

(Scroll down for a printable version of this recipe.)

Ingredients

  • 2 packages of instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4-ounce size)
  • 1 cup of powdered sugar (confectioners sugar)
  • 3 cups of milk
  • 1 container of Cool Whip (8-ounce size) – thawed
  • 1 package of graham crackers (16-ounce size)
  • 1 container of chocolate frosting (16-ounce size)

I like to use the Betty Crocker Hershey’s milk chocolate frosting since it doesn’t contain unhealthy trans fat or partially hydrogenated oils.  (Even though this is dessert, I prefer to make it less unhealthy if I can!)  You could also make your own frosting.

No-bake chocolate eclair dessert recipe ingredients - amerrymom.com

Directions

  1. Empty the pudding mix into a large bowl.
  2. Add the powdered sugar.
  3. Add the milk and whisk together until smooth.
  4. Gradually fold in the Cool Whip.
  5. In a 9×13-inch pan, place a layer of graham crackers.
  6. Cover the graham crackers with half of the pudding mixture.
  7. Add another layer of graham crackers.
  8. Cover with the remaining half of the pudding mixture.
  9. Place a final layer of graham crackers over the pudding mixture.
  10. Frost over the top layer of graham crackers.  To make this easier with canned frosting, remove the lid and seal from the plastic can.  Microwave the frosting for 20 seconds.  The warmed frosting should be easy to spread evenly over the top layer of graham crackers.
  11. Cover and refrigerate at least 12 hours before serving.

No-bake chocolate eclair dessert - AMerryMom.com

Enjoy!

Note:  I’ve heard about the dangers of microwaving food in plastic containers, but when I looked it up online, an article on WebMD said it’s safe.  So I feel OK about microwaving the frosting container for a few short seconds.

No-bake chocolate eclair dessert
Author: 
 
This yummy, no-bake dessert is great using your choice of plain, chocolate, or cinnamon graham crackers!
Ingredients
  • 2 packages of instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4-ounce size)
  • 1 cup of powdered sugar (confectioners sugar)
  • 3 cups of milk
  • 1 container of Cool Whip (8-ounce size) - thawed
  • 1 package of graham crackers (16-ounce size)
  • 1 container of chocolate frosting (16-ounce size)
Instructions
  1. Empty the pudding mix into a large bowl.
  2. Add the powdered sugar.
  3. Add the milk.
  4. Whisk together until smooth.
  5. Gradually fold in the Cool Whip.
  6. In a 9x13-inch dish, place a layer of graham crackers.
  7. Cover the graham crackers with half of the pudding mixture.
  8. Add another layer of graham crackers.
  9. Cover with the remaining half of the pudding mixture.
  10. Place a final layer of graham crackers over the pudding mixture.
  11. Frost over the top layer of graham crackers. (To make this easier with canned frosting, remove the lid and seal from the plastic can and microwave the frosting for 20 seconds. The warmed frosting should be easy to spread evenly over the top layer of graham crackers.)
  12. Cover and refrigerate at least 12 hours before serving.
Notes
I like to use the Betty Crocker Hershey's milk chocolate frosting since it doesn't contain unhealthy trans fat or partially hydrogenated oils. (Even though this is dessert, I prefer to make it less unhealthy if I can!) You could also make your own frosting.

 

This recipe was shared at some of these link parties.

17 thoughts on “Easy, no-bake chocolate eclair dessert

  1. AvatarKim @ The Baking ChocolaTess

    Drooling! I could lick right through that screen!!! :) Pinned! Visiting from Creativity Unleashed.

    Reply
  2. AvatarMegan Elford

    Pinned and shared this one on Facebook – that way I know I’ll be able to find it when I need it. It just looks SO yummy!!

    Reply
  3. AvatarKim @ The Cookie Puzzle

    This looks absolutely amazing. I was searching for a dessert to take to a church pot-puck, and this would be perfect. Pinning now. We would love for you to share with us at Party in Your PJs…I am sure all of our guests would love this recipe too. I wonder how it would be with pumpkin pie pudding? I have seen that in the store recently.

    http://www.thecookiepuzzle.com/2014/11/party-in-your-pjs-30.html

    Reply
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