The Best Simple Eclair Pudding Dessert

Creamy eclair dessert is very easy to make and tastes simply delicious. Vanilla pudding layered with graham crackers and topped with decadent chocolate ganache is sure to be a crowd pleaser!

An eclair is a French dessert pastry – choux dough is piped into an oblong shape and baked, then filled with pastry cream or custard and topped with chocolate icing or fondant.

Instead of all that complicated baking and such, how about turning it into a simple copycat dessert like this one?

We both grew up eating eclair dessert at the family dinner table occasionally, so it’s a favorite of ours. And so simple to make! This recipe calls for common ingredients, which you probably already have in your kitchen.

If we’re asked to bring a dessert for an extended family reunion, eclair dessert is always a convenient option, and it’s rare that the dish doesn’t get scraped clean. Not only is it a great option to make and take somewhere, eclair dessert is an easy solution for a dessert at your dinner table tonight!

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Supplies you may need

• A 9 by 13 pan
• Stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment
• Measuring spoons
• Smaller mixing bowl

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Ingredients

Graham crackers: (The Honey Maid graham crackers are the best in our opinion!)

Instant vanilla pudding: or another option, you can buy instant vanilla pudding in bulk at certain stores.

Milk: we generally use whole milk, though any will work.

Whipped Topping: better known as Cool Whip!

Melted butter: Salted or unsalted, you choose – we actually use salted butter usually.

Cocoa powder: A very important ingredient in the topping on Eclair Dessert.

Powdered Sugar: (Of course!) A staple ingredient in most frostings.

More milk: the same applies here – use what you have! We prefer whole milk.

Oil: Canola, vegetable, corn… whichever you please.

Vanilla: MMMM… last but not least, the delicious flavor of vanilla.

Find the full recipe on the recipe card below!

How to make The Best Simple Eclair Pudding Dessert

First and foremost, break out your 9 by 13 pan or serving dish, and put a single layer of graham crackers in the bottom, breaking some as necessary to fill in the edges.

Secondly, dump the milk and the vanilla pudding into the bowl of the stand mixer and mix until well combined, approximately 2 or 3 minutes.

After the pudding and milk are mixed sufficiently and no lumps remain, fold in the whipped topping. This completes the pudding mixture!

Spread half of the pudding mixture on top of the layer of graham crackers in your pan.

Now add another layer of graham crackers on top of the pudding layer.

Next add the rest of the pudding mixture.

Add a final layer of graham crackers on the top.

Alas, you are ready to mix together the chocolate ganache for the top! In a smaller microwave safe dish, melt the butter. (You can also use a saucepan and melt the butter on the stovetop.) Once butter is melted, add in the remaining ingredients: cocoa powder, powdered sugar, milk, oil, and vanilla. Mix with a whisk or a handheld electric mixer, until shiny and smooth.

Finally, spread the chocolate ganache on top of the last layer of graham crackers. Cover and refrigerate, until ready to serve!

Eclair dessert keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Tips and Notes

In our opinion, eclair dessert gets better the longer it’s been refrigerated before serving! We like to let it in the fridge at least a few hours or overnight to allow the crackers to soften.

You can substitute chocolate pudding for the vanilla, though we prefer vanilla.

Most likely you will have 2 or 3 graham crackers left over when you’re all finished.

Have you tried Eclair Dessert?

Leave a comment below!

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Thanks for visiting our small town!

Check out more small town faves…

Homemade Strawberry Dessert

Raspberry Jello Dessert Cups

and can’t forget our personal favorite Perfect Simple Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Enjoy.🧡

’til next time,

Julie