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.
Update: This post was originally published in 2022 and has been republished with some new photos and updates to the recipe information.
This incredible no bake dessert
What is icebox cake?
The classic icebox cake 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), cream layers (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 a no bake dessert and requires minimal effort. It’s a perfect easy summer dessert that just takes some time to set in the refrigerator.
This cake 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 easy Chocolate Eclair Cake come to life. I’ve heard little ones call it dessert lasagna and I love that comparison so much!
And if you’re looking for more no bake recipes, also check out these No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies, this Strawberry Fluff Salad, these No Bake Avalanche Cookies, or these Healthy Peanut Butter Truffles that I know you’ll love, too!
FEATURED COMMENT
– Jodi
Recipe Ingredients
- Honey Graham Crackers – The classic sized graham crackers work perfectly to fit into the pan for this Eclair Icebox Cake.
- Cool Whip – Mixed with the pudding for a fluffy, creamy eclair filling.
- Vanilla Instant Pudding – e sure to buy instant pudding mix, otherwise this refrigerator cake will not set as planned. Sugar free pudding, or regular are both fine.
- Chocolate Frosting – Betty Crocker does frosting right and I am sticking to it.
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!
- Graham Cracker Layer: Instead of layers of graham crackers, do layers of cookies like vanilla wafers or chocolate wafer cookies. Try
- Creamy filling: Give it a richer, cheesecake like flavor by whipping 1/2 cup of cream cheese into the fluffy pudding layer.
- Play with different flavors!
- Use lemon pudding mix and vanilla frosting for a tasty lemon icebox cake.
- Add banana slices between the cake-like layers to make a fantastic banana pudding icebox cake
- Try chocolate pudding and chocolate graham crackers for a chocolate lovers version.
How to Make This Recipe
1. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to whisk together cold milk and instant vanilla pudding. Mix it together until the pudding mix is fully dissolved. Fold in cool whip and mix again until fluffy soft peaks form.
2. Carefully break the graham crackers in half if they are not already. Place 5 full graham cracker sheets + 5 ½ squares on the bottom of the pyrex dish.
3. Then spread 1/2 of the creamy vanilla pudding mixture evenly across the top of the graham crackers.
4. Layer the same number of graham cracker on top of the pudding. Add the next even layer of pudding.
5. In another mixing bowl, add the chocolate frosting and microwave for 20-30 seconds. Be careful not to burn the frosting! Pour the rich chocolate frosting on top of the final pudding 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 total time it takes to set).
6. To serve, slice your Eclair Refrigerator Cake in 12 equal pieces cutting in line with the graham cracker squares to minimize graham cracker crumbs. Remove from the baking dish with an offset spatula and enjoy!
PRO TIPS
Be conservative when microwaving the fudgy frosting. We want it to get melty and pourable (like a chocolate glaze), but even just 5 seconds too long in the microwave and it’ll burn and become stiff.
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, we will use Vanilla Pudding.
This simple dessert is a blank canvas for a variety of your favorite toppings! Add fresh fruit like raspberries, fresh strawberries or blueberries. Add mini chocolate chips on top of the chocolate ganache. Feel free to also put additional whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder on top, too!
Serving suggestions
Having a summer cookout? Whip up this Hot Honey Pasta Salad, grill some Spinach Feta Turkey Burgers and serve your Pudding Icebox Cake for dessert and you’ve got yourself a crowd pleasing spread!
More Recipes You’ll Love
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating and comment in the recipe card below. Thanks for visiting!
Eclair Icebox Cake
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring Cups
- 9 x 13 inch STAUB Baking Dish
- Spoon
Ingredients
- 15 full sheets Honey Graham Crackers
- 1 tub Cool Whip, 8 oz
- 1 ¼ cup milk, I use Fairlife Skim Milk
- 1 packet instant vanilla pudding, 3.4oz
- 1 container chocolate frosting, I use Betty Crocker
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to whip together milk and vanilla instant pudding. Mix it together until the vanilla pudding is fully dissolved. Fold in cool whip and mix again until fluffy.
- Carefully break the graham crackers in half if they are not already. Place 5 full graham cracker sheets + 5 ½ squares on the bottom of the pyrex dish.
- Then spread 1/2 of the pudding mixture evenly across the top of the graham crackers.
- Layer the same number of graham cracker on top of the pudding. Add the next layer of pudding.
- In another mixing bowl, add the chocolate frosting and microwave for 20-30 seconds. Be careful not to burn the frosting!
- Pour the rich chocolate frosting on top of the final pudding 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 total time it takes to set).
- To serve, slice your Eclair Refrigerator Cake in 12 equal pieces cutting in line with the graham cracker squares to minimize crumbling. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Video
Notes
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!
This is a childhood dessert for me! I love how easy it was to make.
no bake cake, count me in! never underestimate the power of cool whip – TASTY
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?
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
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. 🤔