Don’t sleep on an icebox cake or a.k.a. a refrigerator cake. They’re so easy to make, no baking required, and have minimal ingredients! This Pudding Icebox Cake has eclair inspired flavors with a graham cracker base, layers of vanilla pudding and cool whip, all topped with a chocolate frosting that is impossible to resist.
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About this Cake
What is icebox cake?
Icebox cakes became popular with the introduction of home refrigerators, which is why they're also known to some as refrigerator cakes. Icebox cakes are typically comprised of a wafer cookie layer (in this case graham crackers), a cream layer (in this case cool whip), and any other additional add-ins tailored to the specific recipe. For our Eclair Icebox Cake, we will also add vanilla pudding and chocolate frosting to mimic a classic eclair dessert cake.
Why you'll love it
The best part of this Pudding Icebox Cake is that it’s no bake and requires minimal effort. It’s a perfect easy summer dessert that just takes some time to set in the refrigerator. This No Bake Eclair Refrigerator Cake recipe is also lightened up with sugar free pudding mix, light cool whip, and adding in some chocolate protein powder.
This No Bake Pudding Icebox Cake with Graham Crackers is also FABULOUS to make with kids. It’s so darn simple, even the youngins can help mix and layer the ingredients to make your Chocolate Eclair Dessert Cake come to life.
And if you're looking for more no bake recipes, also check out these No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies, these No Bake Avalanche Cookies, or these Healthy Peanut Butter Truffles that I know you'll love, too!
Recipe Ingredients
- Honey Graham Crackers - The classic sized graham crackers work perfectly to fit into the pan for this Eclair Icebox Cake.
- Lite Cool Whip - Mixed with the pudding for a fluffy, creamy eclair filling.
- Sugar Free Vanilla Instant Pudding - Be sure to buy instant, otherwise this refrigerator cake will not set as planned.
- Chocolate Frosting - Betty Crocker does frosting right and I am sticking to it.
- Chocolate Protein Powder - Totally optional mixed in with the frosting. I used iHeartMacros Chocolate Brownie Batter and you can use code APAIGE10 for 10% off!
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Modifications and Variations
The ingredients for this Pudding Icebox Cake were chosen to mimic a chocolate eclair, but feel free to make this no bake icebox cake your own!
Base: Switch up the honey graham crackers and try chocolate. Or ditch the graham crackers all together and try Nilla Wafers, Oreos, or Lorna Doone Cookies
Pudding: Don’t feel like you have to stick to vanilla! Try chocolate, tapioca, butterscotch, cheesecake, or even banana cream.
Chocolate Ganache Frosting: I love the way the chocolate frosting forms a ganache on top of this Eclair Pudding Icebox Cake but feel free to use vanilla, butter cream, cheesecake, or even strawberry frosting! Betty Crocker frostings are my FAVORITE and work so well for this recipe.
How to Make This Recipe
1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together room temperature cool whip, vanilla almond milk, and vanilla instant pudding. Mix it together until the vanilla pudding is fully dissolved. It should be a fluffy mixture and easy to spread.
2. Then carefully break the graham crackers in half if they are not already. Place six square crackers on the bottom of the cake dish.
3. Then spread ⅓ of the pudding mixture evenly across the top of the graham crackers. Layer six more graham cracker squares on top of the pudding. Then add another ⅓ of the pudding mixture. Add the last layer of the graham crackers and the remaining ⅓ of the pudding mixture.
4. In another mixing bowl, add the chocolate frosting and microwave for 20-30 seconds. Be careful not to burn the frosting! Remove the frosting from the microwave and whisk in the protein powder until combined. The mixture will be THICK. If needed, add 1-2 tablespoons of almond milk to ensure that the protein powder is distributed throughout. Pour the chocolate frosting on top of the final cracker layer and cover it with tinfoil.
5. Refrigerate your Pudding Ice Box Cake for 2-3 hours or until the frosting is hardened. (You can also place in the freezer to expedite the process). To serve, slice your Eclair Refrigerator Cake in 6 equal pieces cutting in line with the graham cracker squares to minimize crumbling. Enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
In the refrigerator, duh! But actually, you can store in the dish you made your Pudding Icebox Cake in for up to 5 days. This cake actually gets better as it sits because the ingredients have time to set and it reaches optimal consistency.
This cake freezes very well! After you’ve assembled your Pudding Icebox Cake, cover it and keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Move to the fridge the day before you plan to serve it for optimal consistency.
Eclairs are traditionally filled with pastry cream which is made up of mainly egg yolks, milk, and sugar. For simplicity reasons and to lighten up this Healthier Chocolate Eclair Icebox Cake, we will use Sugar Free Vanilla Pudding.
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Recipe
Eclair Icebox Cake
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring Cups
- 7.5 x 10.5 inch STAUB Baking Dish
- Spoon
Ingredients
- 9 full sheets Honey Graham Crackers
- 1 cup Lite Cool Whip
- ½ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 3 tbsp sugar free instant vanilla pudding
- ½ cup chocolate frosting
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together room temperature cool whip, vanilla almond milk, and vanilla instant pudding. Mix it together until the vanilla pudding is fully dissolved. It should be a fluffy mixture and easy to spread.
- Carefully break the graham crackers in half if they are not already. Place six square crackers on the bottom of the cake dish.
- Then spread ⅓ of the pudding mixture evenly across the top of the graham crackers.
- Layer six more graham cracker squares on top of the pudding. Then add another ⅓ of the pudding mixture. Add the last layer of the graham crackers and then the rest of the pudding mixture (the last ⅓ ).
- In another mixing bowl, add the chocolate frosting and microwave for 20-30 seconds. Be careful not to burn the frosting!
- Remove the frosting from the microwave and whisk in the protein powder until combined. The mixture will be THICK. If needed, add 1-2 tablespoons of almond milk to ensure that the protein powder is distributed throughout.
- Pour the chocolate frosting on top of the final cracker layer and cover it with tinfoil. Refrigerate your Pudding Ice Box Cake for 2-3 hours or until the frosting is hardened. (You can also place in the freezer to expedite the process).
- To serve, slice your Eclair Refrigerator Cake in 6 equal pieces cutting in line with the graham cracker squares to minimize crumbling. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Notes
- The protein powder mixed into WARM frosting. You may need 1-2 tsp of almond milk.
- Mix the protein powder with the milk BEFORE adding it to the mixture or use a Fairlife nutrition plan milk for even more protein.
- Omit and just enjoyed the lighted up version of this eclair.
Looking for this in MyFitnessPal?
If you're using MyFitnessPal, search 'A Paige Of Positivity' and find Lightened Up Eclair Icebox Cake calories and nutrition facts. Disclaimer: for most accurate macronutrients and caloric breakdown, it is recommended that you input each ingredient into your MyFitnessPal food diary.
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It’s my passion to create dishes that can be shared with others. Tell me something you loved or just say hi!
Courtney Paige says
This is a childhood dessert for me! I love how easy it was to make.
Sydney Van Acker says
no bake cake, count me in! never underestimate the power of cool whip - TASTY
Mollie says
Hi, I'm confused...what happens to the remaining 1/3 cup of pudding mixture? I have three layers of graham crackers, bottom, middle, and top and two layers of pudding mixture? What am I missing?
Courtney Paige says
Hi Mollie! Spread the remaining 1/3 of the pudding mixture on the top of the graham crackers, and then add the frosting. It's been updated to reflect these directions. Hope that helps 🙂 -Courtney
Jodi says
This has minimal ingredients that are easy to find in any grocery story. It took me 5 minutes to prep and I put it in the freezer to expedite the time to when I could eat it! So delicious! Contemplating having another serving for breakfast. 🤔