Is it odd that until a week ago I had never heard of or tried eclair cake (yes, those two need to be separated in my book because I have an awful memory)? I thought this was some new, brilliant concept, but after sharing the cake with friends I realized almost all of them had tried some form of eclair cake in their lives.

Well, basically now I know that this cake is still brilliant, but definitely not new. It's also incredibly easy to make. I think I've said that about pretty much all of my recent posts, but this is what happens when I don't have time to bake. The good news is, my birthday is Monday and I plan on making myself a dessert that's a bit more fancy. It's my 21st, so I'd say that's deserving of something good. Any suggestions?

For the eclair cake, I chose to make homemade chocolate icing instead of using store-bought . I didn't have any store-bought laying around anyways, so I figured mixing up a batch of this was just as easy. It was delicious. The graham crackers lose all of their crunch, but keep all of their flavor. What you end up with is a creamy, dreamy eclair-tasting cake. I wish I had taken prettier pictures, but as you can imagine eclair cake isn't the most photogenic of cakes. If you can stand to keep something this good in your fridge for 24 hours without touching it, you have to put this on your to-make list!

Chocolate Eclair Cake
Recipe from Baking Junkie

1 Box graham crackers (not all will be used)
2 large boxes (5.1 oz) vanilla instant pudding
2 ½ cups skim milk
16 oz reduced fat or fat free cool whip
1 container chocolate frosting

Line the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch pan with graham crackers. You will need to break some up to fit the edges. In a medium sized bowl combine pudding, milk and cool whip. Spread half the pudding mixture over the graham crackers. Cover with another layer of graham crackers, the remaining pudding mixture, and top with final layer of graham crackers. Remove aluminum top of frosting and place in microwave for 45-60 seconds, until it becomes melted and thin. Pour over top of cake. Refrigerate for 12 hours before serving.


Chocolate Frosting*
1/2 stick butter
1 1/2 oz. unsweetened chocolate
2/3 c sugar
5 oz evaporated milk
dash salt
1 t vanilla
Melt butter w/ chocolate in sauce pan – add sugar then milk and salt. Boil for 5 minutes or so. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Let cool a bit then pour over Eclair Cake.

*If you choose to sub out the store bought variety.

15 comments

Ivan D said... @ March 10, 2011 at 7:06 AM

I've had this before but never knew it was so easy to make! Thanks Sarah, I'll be trying this over the weekend!
As for the Birthday, Happy 21st!
Now I'd think that all those lucky people that get to enjoy your obsession with baking and all things food, should get together and take you out to treat you to a fine dinner of your choice and a fantastic desert buffet : )

briarrose said... @ March 10, 2011 at 1:19 PM

What a great, easy recipe. Yum!

Sarah said... @ March 10, 2011 at 10:32 PM

Thanks Ivan and briarrose!

Ivan-Although I'm pretty sure my friends and family have something good planned for my birthday, I can't resist making a birthday dessert on anyone's birthday–not even mine! But thank you for the birthday wishes! And this eclair cake is definitely an easy recipe to try. Hope it turns out well!

Medeja- CranberryJam said... @ March 11, 2011 at 1:07 AM

I have hear about eclairs nad like them.. but I have never heard of Eclair cake too.. but it looks and sounds very nice, im sure its worth trying

Jill Colonna said... @ March 11, 2011 at 4:41 AM

Me too. Never heard of this but it sounds just amazing! Easy, too? This is a MUST to try, then! Thank you :-)

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said... @ March 13, 2011 at 7:39 AM

I've been given this recipe, but never made it... How simple and lovely...and I know my family would love it!

Miriam of Sometimes I Veg said... @ June 10, 2011 at 11:26 AM

It looks fantastic. Now for me to figure out how to make it vegan :-)

And have fun at your upcoming birthday.

Paddy Abroad! said... @ June 10, 2011 at 12:07 PM

I can't wait to try it...thanks for posting!

Farida said... @ June 11, 2011 at 11:44 PM

I like chocolate, what can chocolate for therapy? and for the treatment of sick? thanks

farida
http://kitchensuperfood.com

Viv said... @ November 23, 2011 at 8:28 AM

This looks grrrrreat, wondering what a Graham cracker is though??...(I live in the UK) and what is a stick? an ounce ?? thanks for any help:O)

Joanne said... @ May 1, 2012 at 6:22 PM

I make this recipe and I like to use different flavors of pudding like butterscotch or chocolat. I sometimes mix in 3/4 cup of peanut butter to pudding mixture before adding Cool Whip....

Anonymous said... @ March 27, 2014 at 1:00 PM

I have been making a recipe similar to this for over 35 years. It has gotten more raves than I can count. After all these years I still see eyes lite up when I pull this from the fridge.

Sarah said... @ March 28, 2014 at 2:28 PM

I love the idea to use different flavors of pudding. I bet the peanut butter variety is amazing!

Unknown said... @ May 26, 2014 at 5:01 AM

I like so much Chocolate Eclair Cake is one of the best cake concept with unique recipe.I am delighted to find a review of this recipe.I would like to make these tonight!Thanks for sharing.
http://goo.gl/okBCwx

Unknown said... @ June 25, 2014 at 4:25 PM

I've done this before, but with cinnamon flavored graham crackers and french vanilla puddings.

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