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Eclair No Bake Cake without Graham Crackers

How to make a no bake cake that everyone will love! This eclair cake with pudding and graham crackers (or without) is simple enough for kids to make. Yes, it’s essentially a pudding cake and if you’ve never made one of these OH MY are you in for a real treat.

No Bake Cake

I mean, what busy Mom doesn’t love a tasty treat that’s EASY but nobody will know you didn’t bake it? If you’re anything like me, this no bake eclair cake is going to “take the cake” for you too. 😉 (affiliate links present, originally published 4/21)

Eclair Cake without Graham Crackers

We have used a two different things to help it stay together. You will need some sort of sweet binder. If you don’t want to use grahams that is okay. Really any sort of plain cookie will work, Nilla Wafer eclair cake is a wonderful tweak to this one too. Works the same way, just swap out 1 1/4 cups of crushed cookies.

No Bake Pudding Cake

Just one of our favorite quick easy dessert recipes here on The Typical Mom site, let us show you just how simple this is. What you need is shown here below. Let’s get started:

pudding cake

No Bake Eclair Cake with Chocolate Ganache

You could use ganache or melt chocolate chips like we did here. Either one is an amazing choice, but one takes longer to make and you can’t always find it in the stores.

NO Bake Eclair Cake

You could call it kinda’ like one of those vanilla pudding type of long donuts, it kinda’ tastes like that. You’ll need the following ingredients to get started:

  1. Vanilla instant pudding mix
  2. Graham crackers – honey is better than cinnamon, or without them use Nilla wafers
  3. Whipped topping like Cool Whip in a tub – thawed, not frozen
  4. Milk
  5. Chocolate chips – could use white chocolate or dark chocolate, your choice
  6. Butter
  7. Powdered sugar
  8. 13×9″ pan

The bottom 3 items will be used to make the chocolate topping you see here. Get out a large bowl and your long casserole dish so you can start layering.

pudding

Easy No Bake Cake Recipe

You’ll want to let your whipped topping sit on the countertop for a bit so it is no longer frozen. Do NOT microwave to get it softer, it doesn’t take very long. Once that is ready you can get started.

You’ll start with the Graham Cracker Crust, or made with vanilla cookies on the very bottom layer and go from there. It is a bit like making a lasagna. For the final step of cooling you want to allow it to stay in the fridge overnight.

  • That is right, ideally it will get REALLY cold AND allow the crackers to soften nicely.
  • This will create a tender graham cracker pie crust type of consistency you’ll love.
How to make a cake without an oven?

We will show you how to make a no bake eclair cake here. Using crushed cookies or grahams, instant pudding mix, Cool Whip and milk you can get it to set in the fridge well. Enjoy as is or add chocolate to the top for an amazing no bake dessert.

Can you make a no-bake cake without using eggs?

Yes! Our eggless no bake cake is amazing. No need for them to get it to set at all. If you cannot have this ingredient I would try this dessert that requires just 4 ingredients and no oven at all. Just whisk together and let it sit in the refrigerator.

eclair cake

Refrigerated No Bake Cake

Here is a quick rundown but there is a printable recipe card at the bottom of the post as well:

  1. Place 1 layer of graham crackers in the bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish.
  2. Whisk together pudding mix and milk until it’s a thick whipped cream style mix, about 3 minutes. Gently fold in defrosted whipped topping until completely mixed in.
  3. Spoon half of the pudding mixture over the graham crackers and spread into an even layer.
  4. Cover the pudding with a layer of graham crackers and top with remaining pudding in another layer. Top with additional graham crackers to for the final layer.
  5. Place chocolate chips in a medium bowl, heat milk inside a bowl in a microwave until warm, about 30 seconds.
  6. Pour milk over chocolate chips and allow to rest until the chocolate has melted. Stir until well incorporated.
  7. Using a mixer, beat in the melted butter. When well mixed, add the powdered sugar and whip until completely incorporated. Continue to mix for an additional 2 to 3 minutes or until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.

Spread the topping over the final layer of graham crackers. Cover the dessert and refrigerate overnight before serving to allow the crackers to soften.

no bake eclair cake

How can I bake my cake without an oven?

If you do not include eggs in your recipe like this no bake cake recipe here you don’t need to bake it at all. Here are a few questions you might have before you get going on this one:

What does no bake mean?

Exactly that, you do not need an oven or heat source to cook it. Instead, desserts like this Eclair cake here is layered with ingredients that don’t require baking. You just layer, allow to cool in the fridge and enjoy.

Do you refrigerate pudding cake?

Yes, most definitely. Whether you make this one that doesn’t require baking, or our banana pudding cake you need to refrigerate leftovers so they remain in tact.

No Bake Dessert Recipes

Eclair Cake without Graham Crackers

If you have a sweet tooth and having a dinner party but don’t have a lot of time, this easy no bake cake is the ticket! Serve with ice cream on the side and since there’s no baking required it’s a great summertime treat.

Enjoy this ever so moist vanilla and chocolate cake that is so simple even your teens can make it! If you make it with another type of pudding that turns out amazing let us know.

Want to see a few of my favorite things that I am totally obsessed with?? Take a peek and see how many you might already have…twinsies!

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No Bake Cake

How to make a no bake cake that everyone will love! This eclair cake with pudding and graham crackers will be your new favorite dessert.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword cake, chocolate, eclair, no bake, pudding
Prep Time 20 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 375kcal
Author The Typical Mom

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place 1 layer of graham crackers in the bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish. Whisk together pudding mix and milk until thick and creamy, about 3 minutes.
  • Gently fold in defrosted from frozen whipped topping until completely mixed in. Spoon half of the pudding mixture over the graham crackers and spread into an even layer. Cover the pudding with a layer of graham crackers and top with remaining pudding in another layer.
  • Top with additional graham crackers to for the final layer. Place chocolate chips in a medium bowl, heat milk in a microwave until warm, about 30 seconds.
  • Pour milk over chocolate chips and allow to rest until the chocolate has melted. Stir until well incorporated.
  • Using a mixer, beat in the melted butter. When well mixed, add the powdered sugar and whip until completely incorporated. Continue to mix for an additional 2 to 3 minutes or until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
  • Spread the topping over the final layer of graham crackers. Cover the dessert and refrigerate overnight before serving to allow the crackers to soften.

Video

Nutrition Facts
No Bake Cake
Amount Per Serving (2 oz)
Calories 375 Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Fat 10g15%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Cholesterol 18mg6%
Sodium 395mg17%
Potassium 169mg5%
Carbohydrates 66g22%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 44g49%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 235IU5%
Calcium 125mg13%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Recipe Rating




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