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No Bake Eclair Cake is the perfect dessert to whip up in a snap and serve for any occasion. Rich vanilla pudding mixed with whipped cream and layered between graham crackers then topped with sweet chocolate frosting, everyone will enjoy this easy icebox cake!

No Bake Eclair Cake on a white plate with whipped cream

This is a layered version of our other Easy Eclair Cake recipe that is also a huge hit.

No Bake Eclair Cake

No need to heat up the oven, dessert can be made without it! No Bake Eclair Cake is so easy to make and yet it’s the thing everyone is always asking me to make. I love that I can make it the night before serving and it’s made from ingredients that are almost always in the pantry and refrigerator.

If you love easy dessert recipes, these will be perfect for you! 4-Ingredient Almond Joy Cookies | Easy Banana Pudding Cookie Cups | 2-Ingredient Apple Pie Cups | Reese’s Stuffed Brookies

The Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make the No Bake Eclair Cake (the exact measurements and full recipe instructions are below in the printable recipe card):

  • Graham crackers
  • French vanilla instant pudding
  • Cool Whip – be sure to thaw before making the recipe.
  • Milk – I used whole milk.
  • Chocolate frosting – our 5-minute frosting recipe is delicious and quick, but you can also use store bought. One whole tub of chocolate cake/cupcake frosting from the baking aisle is just right for this recipe.
ingredients to make No Bake Eclair Cake

How to Make No Bake Eclair Cake

Start by whisking together the milk and instant vanilla pudding until well combined. Set the pudding aside to thicken, stirring occasionally.

Once the pudding is thick, fold in the thawed Cool Whip.

mixing vanilla pudding and Cool Whip together in a teal bowl

Place a single layer of the graham crackers in the bottom of a 9×13-inch pan.

a single layer of graham crackers in a pan

Next, add half of the pudding mixture.

pudding over top of the graham crackers

Add another single layer of graham crackers.

next layer of graham crackers

Spread on the remaining vanilla pudding mixture.

final layer of vanilla pudding

Add one last single layer of graham crackers.

topping the cake with graham crackers

Melt the chocolate frosting in the microwave in 15 second increments until it is completely melted. Pour the frosting over top of the eclair cake.

pouring melted chocolate frosting over the eclair cake

Refrigerate the eclair cake for 30 minutes to allow the frosting to set, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8 hours.

finished eclair cake

The refrigeration period is when the layers of graham crackers become soft and cake-like. After the cake has chilled for at least 8 hours, slice into 12 servings.

a slice of No Bake Eclair Cake

Variations

Cinnamon Graham Crackers – Try making this eclair cake with cinnamon graham crackers instead of plain. It’s delicious!

Cheesecake Pudding – Instant cheesecake flavor pudding is a really good alternative to the French vanilla pudding.

Chocolate Pudding – To make a double chocolate eclair cake, use chocolate pudding instead of the French vanilla.

How to Store Leftovers

Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and keep the leftover eclair cake in the refrigerator for up to three days.

No Bake Eclair Cake

More Recipes You’ll Enjoy

5 from 88 votes

No Bake Eclair Cake

No Bake Eclair Cake is the perfect dessert to whip up in a snap and serve for any occasion. Rich vanilla pudding mixed with whipped cream and layered between graham crackers then topped with sweet chocolate frosting, everyone will enjoy this easy icebox cake!
Prep: 20 minutes
Chill time: 8 hours
Total: 8 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
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Ingredients 

  • 3 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 2 boxes (3.4 ounces each) instant French vanilla pudding mix
  • 16 ounce tub Cool Whip (this is 1 large tub, or use small 8-ounce tubs), thawed
  • 1 box graham crackers
  • 1 tub chocolate frosting

Instructions 

  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the milk and instant vanilla pudding until well combined. Set aside to thicken for a few minutes, stirring occasionally. Once thickened, fold in the Cool Whip.
  • Place a single layer of graham crackers in the bottom of a 9×13-inch pan. Top with half of the pudding mixture. Add another single layer of graham crackers, then the remaining pudding mixture. Top with a final layer of graham crackers.
  • Scoop the chocolate frosting into a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 15-second increments until melted, stirring well between each cooking interval. Pour the frosting over top of the eclair cake.
  • Refrigerate the eclair cake for about 30 minutes until the chocolate frosting is set, then cover with plastic wrap and chill overnight, or 8 hours.
  • Slice the eclair cake into 12 servings and serve chilled.

Nutrition

Calories: 464kcalCarbohydrates: 77gProtein: 6gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 451mgPotassium: 295mgFiber: 2gSugar: 55gVitamin A: 174IUCalcium: 152mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Jill

About Jill Mills

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5 from 88 votes (38 ratings without comment)

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134 Comments

  1. Janice says:

    Yummy

  2. Priscilla pthibhorn@aol.com says:

    5 stars
    I’ve made this several times and always a hit! I am bringing it to a family reunion and wondering if I could freeze it the night before? The drive will be over 2 hours.

    1. Jill says:

      Thanks Priscilla. Yes, I think you could freeze and it would thaw ok for the drive.

  3. Darla says:

    I’m going to try this

  4. Michelle says:

    I used pecan coconut frosting because it was all I had but turned out great

  5. Teresa says:

    5 stars
    Awesome my family loved it ❤️

  6. Debbie Elliott says:

    5 stars
    I have made this for years after my ex sister in law shared recipe with me. All of a sudden I became this amazing dessert maker because of it!!! Everyone always loves it and I take home an empty pan!!
    ***One thing to note***
    The Graham cracker companies all began to make the crackers ‘narrower’ and 1 box does not complete a 13×9 pan anymore! It takes 1 full box and 1 pack out of a second box. Should be noted on the recipe ingredient list!!!

    1. Patti says:

      Thank you

  7. Jo says:

    5 stars
    A family favorite after trying this. I have made it many times. So easy, delicious and great for summer because no baking!
    HOW LONG IN ADVANCE CAN I MAKE THIS?

    1. Jill says:

      Thanks Jo! It will store well for several days, so you can make it a day or two in advance but will always do better making it the morning of or night before.

  8. Jane says:

    5 stars
    I love this recipe, it’s easy to make, I make homemade chocolate icing for the top.

  9. Maggie says:

    5 stars
    At a family reunion this was served and I fell in love. Being diabetic I needed to modify so I could enjoy it. Sugar free French vanilla pudding, 2% milk, sugar free Cool Whip, low sugar graham crackers, a quarter tsp pure vanilla, and sugar free whipped chocolate cake icing tinned with a touch of 2% milk. Refrigerated it overnight and perfect! Don’t bring any leftovers home when I bring to a get together.

  10. Brooke says:

    5 stars
    I made this for my in-laws get together for Mother’s day. It was a hit!! I was honestly very surprised at how good it tasted. Tasted like smores!