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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. Melissa says:

    This was a bust for me. Was the pudding supposed to be prepared because directions were basically just dump in bowl with milk. I used less milk and let it sit 15 minutes. The chocolate just fell thru everything. So disappointed. Sounded so easy and nummy.

    1. Jill says:

      Hi Melissa. So sorry to hear this. The pudding mix is just added to the milk. It will usually thicken and then you fold in the cool whip.

  2. Michelle says:

    5 stars
    Easy to make and delicious a family favorite!

    1. Jill says:

      Thank you Michelle!

  3. Jennifer says:

    Could I add peanut butter to this recipe somehow?

    1. Carla says:

      After the first layer of Graham Crackers melt the peanut butter enough to thick pour. Pour it on to Graham Crackers let it set and cool. Then cover with pudding/cool whip mixture. Peanut butter must be cold or it will curdle the pudding. Sound delicious!

  4. Doreen says:

    5 stars
    This is so easy and delicious

    1. Jill says:

      Thanks Doreen!

  5. Vickie Baggett says:

    5 stars
    Thank you can’t wait to make it looks so good

  6. Cheryl says:

    Can you freeze eclair cake?

    1. Jill says:

      Hi Cheryl. Yes, this cake will freeze well.

    2. Carla says:

      Yes

  7. Liz S says:

    Good flavor, but too much cool whip. I suggest using 8oz tub only. It was soupy and very sweet. Otherwise it was super easy and good.

  8. Mar says:

    5 stars
    I’ve made this many times and everyone loves it. My question…
    Can I make this in advance and freeze it?
    Has anyone tried freezing it?

    1. Jill says:

      Thanks Mar. Yes, this cake will freeze well in an airtight container. Hopefully our readers will chime in with their experience with freezing as well.

  9. Chelle says:

    5 stars
    OMG!!! This dessert was Amazing and super easy to make.
    Sofa King Good!

    1. Jill says:

      Thanks Chelle!

  10. jb says:

    5 stars
    This cake always gets rave reviews. I’m wondering if it can be made in advance and frozen???

    1. Jill says:

      Thanks JB. Yes, this will freeze well. It will be best to thaw in the refrigerator the day before you want to eat it.