NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE ECLAIR DESSERT

With layers of graham crackers and fluffy vanilla pudding, this classic No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Dessert is creamy, delicious, and comforting.  And it's ALWAYS a big hit!

 I've actually posted this deliciously creamy, comforting No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Dessert before.  Back in the first couple of months of the blog.  When I had like 2 followers.  And I had absolutely no idea what I was doing.  (Not that I really know what I'm doing now, either ... but I have learned at least a little bit in the past year!)   So since this is one of my all-time favorites, I decided it was worthy of posting again.

And now back to our No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Dessert.

I mean seriously, can you say comfort food? And super easy? And super yummy? And chocolate-y??

Well, all those things are wrapped up together in this one creamy dessert.

 With layers of graham crackers and fluffy vanilla pudding, this classic dessert is creamy, delicious, and comforting.  And it's ALWAYS a big hit!

This is one of those been-around-forever recipes.  Somehow, though, I didn't learn about it until just a couple of years ago.  I was introduced to it by my mother-in-law, and after just one bite, I knew exactly why it's been around forever. Because it just plain tastes so good!

Just look at those gorgeous, creamy layers.  And a fudgy chocolate topping sure doesn't hurt.

Now, I love to bake, and I certainly don't shy away from complex dessert recipes. But sometimes I want something tasty that just so happens to be easy, too.

This creamy dessert sure fits the bill when it comes to the easy category.

For this No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Dessert, you simply start with graham crackers, instant vanilla pudding, and Cool Whip . Mix the pudding and Cool Whip together - then resist the urge to dive in with a spoon and eat it all up at this point ... wait for the final product ... it's worth it, I promise. 

 I love to bake, and I certainly don't shy away from complex dessert recipes. But sometimes I want something tasty that just so happens to be easy, too. This creamy dessert sure fits the bill when it comes to the easy category. 

Then layer this fluffy pudding mixture with the graham crackers. You just lay the whole graham cracker sheets in the pan and spread them with the pudding. How easy is that?

Once you're done your graham cracker and pudding layers, boil together some sugar with cocoa and milk, and then add butter and vanilla.

Pour all that chocolatey yumminess over the top graham cracker layer.

Now lick the spoon ... and the pudding bowl ... you deserve it.

Refrigerate the dessert over night, and then dig in!

You'll be surprised how yummy and satisfying this super-simple concoction is.  It's totally fabulous for pot-lucks.  

And in our house it's not at all relegated to dessert ... Mark says it makes a great breakfast.  I certainly wouldn't know what he's talking about on that, though.  Okay, okay ... I may be fibbing about that ...

NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE ECLAIR DESSERT

With layers of graham crackers and fluffy vanilla pudding, this classic No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Dessert is creamy, delicious, and comforting. And it's ALWAYS a big hit!

INGREDIENTS:

Filling:

• 2 (3.5 oz.) boxes vanilla instant pudding**
• 3 c. milk
• 1 (8 oz.) container Cool Whip non-dairy whipped topping {or 3 c. homemade whipped cream}
• 1 (14.4 oz) box graham crackers

Topping:

• 1/3 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 c. granulated sugar
• 1/4 c. milk
• 1/2 c. butter {1 stick}
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. FOR THE FILLING: Combine dry pudding mix and 3 cups milk; beat until well mixed. Stir in Cool Whip.
2. Place a layer of graham crackers in the bottom of a 9x13" dish. Spread 1/2 of the pudding mixture over the graham crackers. Repeat with another layer of graham crackers and pudding; then top with a final layer of graham crackers.
3. FOR THE TOPPING: In a medium-sized saucepan, bring cocoa, milk, and sugar to a full rolling boil; boil about 1 minute, stirring very frequently. Remove from heat and cool one minute. Add butter and vanilla; stir until butter is melted.
4. Pour chocolate topping over the top layer of graham crackers. Spread evenly to completely cover graham crackers.
5. Refrigerate over night.

TRACEY'S NOTES

1. Keep in mind when making, this dessert must chill overnight.
2. **PLEASE NOTE: As of October 2016, I have heard from some readers that the size of the pudding package has changed. CHECK your package size!! You may need to buy an extra package of pudding to be sure you have a total of 7 ounces of dry pudding mix ... if you don't, the filling may be soupy and not set up. (Or, you could reduce the amount of milk proportionally to the "new" amount of pudding you have if your packages are smaller ... but then you would have less filling.)
3. Enjoy! (Seriously, enjoy! ... this stuff is soooooo good.)