No-Bake Eclair Dessert (original and low sugar versions)

This no-bake éclair dessert is creamy, with the softened graham crackers giving the consistency of a spongy Boston Cream cake, or pastry shell of an éclair.  It is very easy to assemble, with the most difficult part being the wait time before it is ready to be eaten.

 

No-Bake Eclair Dessert

Original Recipe

Ingredients:

2 (3.4 oz.) boxes vanilla instant pudding mix

3 cups milk

1 (8 oz.) container whipped topping, thawed

1 (16 oz.) box original flavor graham crackers (3 packs containing 9 crackers each)

1 (16 oz.) milk chocolate frosting (dark chocolate would be too overpowering in flavor)

Preparation:

Whisk instant pudding and milk together, in a large bowl, until it begins to set; fold in whipped topping, mix well and set aside.

Place a layer of graham crackers in the bottom of a 9” x 13” dish, breaking as needed to cover the entire bottom with a single layer.

Spoon half of the pudding mixture over the graham crackers and gently spread into an even layer; again, break crackers as needed to fill in spaces. Top with another layer of graham crackers and other half of the pudding mixture. Add one final layer of crackers to finish off top.

   

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Uncover frosting and remove foil wrap. Microwave for 30 seconds to make the frosting easier to spread; stir well. Remove pan from refrigerator and pour frosting over top layers of crackers; use a spatula to spread frosting evenly, and edge to edge.

 

   

Replace the plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 6 hours. The longer the dessert sits, the more the crackers soften up to have a cake-like consistency

Makes 15 servings

Optional Frosting: Make a chocolate ganache by heating ¾ cup heavy cream, over medium-high heat, until bubbles form around edge of liquid.  Add 1 cup of milk chocolate chips; allow chips to melt for 2-3 minutes, mix well, then pour over cake.

For a lower sugar version, substitute:

4 (1 oz.) boxes sugar free vanilla instant pudding mix

3 and ½ cups 2% milk

1 (8 oz.) container sugar free or lite whipped topping, thawed

1 (16 oz.) box original flavor graham crackers

1 (16 oz) container milk chocolate frosting (if you can find sugar free variety, use instead) (dark chocolate would be too overpowering in flavor)

Preparation directions are the same.  This is not a completely sugar free version as finding sugar free graham crackers and sugar free frosting can be a challenge.  Serve smaller portions and you will not feel as if you are missing out on dessert.

Mary Cokenour