This no-bake eclair cake is made from scratch and it’s not that difficult. Homemade pastry cream makes this dessert superior. The step-by-step instructions will help your create this elegant dessert at home. Make it a day in advance.
No-Bake Eclair Cake
If I can pick one no-bake recipe for the hot summer days, this no-bake eclair cake from scratch comes to the top. I know many people rave about the easy, hassle free, and quick eclair cake that is made with instant vanilla pudding mix and a box of coolwhip. Sorry, but I am not one of them.
To be honest, I can taste the artificial flavor from those processed materials in the cake and It is “no thank you” for me and in my household.
I like to make my no-bake eclair cake from scratch. I made the pastry cream, which is combination of homemade vanilla pudding and the whipped cream, and it is not as difficult or complicated as it sounds.
Yes, it takes a couple of more steps than the instant pudding mix version, but the taste is far more superior and it is worth every moment you spent. Actually it is a simple process and all you need to do is just waiting for the cake to chill in the fridge.
This recipe makes a large batch of eclair cake and feed at least 12 people. Plan to make this cake one day in advance. Chilling the cake in the fridge makes the graham cracker to moisten and creates soft cake-like texture that is so delicious.
This is one of the most seek-after dessert recipes that my family raves often. And I hope it will be the same at yours.
No-Bake Eclair Cake From Scratch Instructions
1) Make vanilla pudding
You will need to use whole milk for a thicker and creamier texture.
- Combine milk and egg yolks together.
- In a pan whisk together the sugar and cornstarch.
- Pour the milk mixture into the starch mixture and bring it to boil over medium heat, whisking constantly, until they thickens, about 4-5 minutes.
- Remove the pudding from the heat and add the butter and vanilla. Stir well.
- Transfer the pudding into a large bowl and cover the surface with a piece of plastic wrap to prevent the skin forming. Chill the pudding for 2 hours.
2) Add the stabilized whipped cream to make a pastry cream
- Mix the gelatin powder with water and microwave for 15 seconds. Cool slightly.
- Whip the heavy cream until soft peak forms.
- Add the gelatin into the whipped cream and continue to whip until the stiff peak forms.
- Fold the stabilized whipped cream into the pudding mixture and combine until smooth and creamy.
Eclair cake assembly with graham crackers and chocolate ganache
- Cover the bottom of the pan with graham crackers and spread the half of pastry cream over.
- Top with more graham crackers and repeat the layer again.
- Finish the top with graham crackers and drizzle with chocolate glaze.
How to store the no-bake eclair cake
Keep the cake in the fridge at all time. The graham crackers will be moisten and become soft crumb-like texture. They will be ready to serve in 24 hours. The cake will last in the fridge up to 4-5 days.
Try other desserts. Some of my favorites summer desserts are:
No-Bake Eclair Cake from Scratch
Ingredients
- 1 box (14 oz) graham crackers
For vanilla pastry cream
- 4 cup whole milk
- 4 egg yolks
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 3 tbsp butter sliced
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1-1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp unflavored gelatin
- 1 1/2 tbsp water
For chocolate ganache
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3 tbsp corn syrup
Instructions
To make the vanilla pastry cream
- Combine milk and egg yolk. In a saucepan, mix the sugar and cornstarch. Pour the milk mixture into the sauce pan and bring it to boil over medium heat whisking constantly, about 4-5 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat and add the butter and vanilla; mix well. Transfer to pudding into a large mixing bowl and cover the surface with a piece of plastic wrap. Chill the pudding for 2 hours in the fridge.
- Mix the gelatin and water in a small bowl and heat in the microwave to 15 seconds; cool slightly.
- Whip the heavy whipping cream until the soft peak forms. Add the gelatin mixture into the cream and continue to whip until stiff peak forms. Fold the whipped cream into the pudding and combine until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy; set aside.
To make the chocolate ganache
- Melt the chocolate chips with the heavy whipping cream in a microwave for about 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. Add the corn syrup and stir well. Chill the glaze in the fridge for 15 minutes.
To assemble the eclair cake
- Put a few pieces graham crackers to cover the bottom of a 9×13 pan. Spread 1/2 amount of the pastry cream on top. Layer more graham cracker to cover the cream and repeat the step again ending with graham crackers on top.
- Pour the chilled cooled chocolate glaze on top and spread to cover evenly on top. Chill the cake for at least 24 hrs and serve cold. The cake will keep fresh in the fridge for about 4-5 days.
The cake looks so enticing with layers of goodness!
No-bake? Perfect for summer! Excellent recipe — easy, tasty, gorgeous. Thanks!
I’m currently living somewhere without an oven, and I’m making a simple Christmas Eve meal for some friends. I still have to work the day of, so I have to make almost everything ahead of time, so this is perfect! Really looking forward to trying this recipe out.