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Did you really think I would put this dessert on our Sunday dinner menu and then not share it with you? Wow, was this ever good (and hard to stop eating)! It is simply an ice box cake of homemade vanilla pudding that is lightened up with whipped cream, then layered between graham crackers and topped with a chocolate glaze.
Once assembled and refrigerated, the crackers become soft like the pâte à choux of a traditional éclair. The mousse-like filling is deliciously creamy and light while the chocolate glaze tops it all off.
Made in a 9 x 13-inch baking pan, this dessert feeds a crowd. Whether that crowd is big or small, I guarantee that there will not be a crumb or spot of cream left in that pan.
Any leftovers will be stealthily removed and given a very temporary home in a dark corner of the fridge. One bite and you will understand the middle of the night, first thing in the morning, and just about all day temptation to dig right into the pan with a spoon– no plate or forks required!
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Chocolate Eclair Cake
Equipment
- 9 x 13-inch baking dish
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 5 cups whole milk
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into Tablespoon pieces
- 5 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 ¼ teaspoons unflavored gelatin powder
- 2 ¾ cups heavy cream, divided
- 30 whole graham cracker rectangles
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 5 tablespoons light corn syrup
- ¼ teaspoon espresso powder, optional
Instructions
- In a large saucepan combine sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Whisk in milk and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, scraping bottom and sides continuously with a rubber spatula. Immediately reduce the heat to medium-low, continuing to scrape bottom and sides, until thickened and large bubbles appear on the surface, about 4-6 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in butter and vanilla. Transfer pudding to a large bowl and place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until completely chilled, about 2-3 hours.
- In a small bowl, stir together water and gelatin and let sit until gelatin softens, about 5 minutes. Microwave until the mixture is bubbling around the edges and the gelatin is completely dissolved, about 15-30 seconds. Using a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, a hand held beater, or a wire whisk, whip 2 cups of chilled heavy cream until soft peaks form. Add the gelatin mixture and beat until stiff peaks form.
- Whisk half of the whipped cream into the cooled pudding, then gently fold in the remaining whipped cream until combined. Cover the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking pan with 10 graham crackers, breaking as needed to fit in the pan. Top with half of the pudding mixture (about 5 1/2 cups), smoothing the top with an off-set spatula.Top with another 10 graham cracker squares, breaking as needed to fit. Repeat with the remaining pudding and crackers. Refrigerate until ready to glaze
- In a medium bowl, combine the remaining 3/4 cup cream, chocolate chips, corn syrup, and espresso powder. Microwave, stirring occasionally, until melted and smooth, about 1-2 minutes. Cool the glaze to room temperature, about 10 minutes. Pour the glaze over the top layer of graham crackers, spreading evenly with an off-set spatula. Refrigerate the cake for 6-24 hours. Cake can be made and refrigerated up to 2 days in advance. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
My mom just made this the other night for dessert! I actually stole her copy of the magazine so I could make it at home. So good, and so much better than with all that artificial junk. Yours looks perfect!
This looks incredible! I always love your photos! I think we share a similar taste in food because so often I click on my favorite food photos on foodgawker and tastespotting and so often they link me to your site =). You are an amazing cook! I'm going to have to pin this one to my pinterest, thanks!
It looks amazingly beautiful and delicious!
Love it
I made this recipe a couple of months ago, it was amazing! I love the taste and texture, especially when the filling is still chilled yet creamy. Definitely a winner, I plan on making this dessert again in the not so distant future. Thanks for sharing the recipe.