This chocolate eclair pudding pie is filled with vanilla instant pudding mix combined with whipped topping, layered with graham crackers and topped with a homemade chocolate ganache.
This no-bake dessert recipe is sure to please any chocolate lover, and it's the perfect dessert your whole family is going to love.
Recipe Note: This recipe does not use canned chocolate frosting as other similar recipes you may see online for a no-bake pudding eclair pie.
The chocolate ganache is made with milk chocolate and heavy cream, giving it a smooth and decadent texture very similar to the ganache recipe used in my Chocolate Brownie Cake
This homemade chocolate ganache is spread over the top layer of graham crackers instead of chocolate frosting because let's face it, canned frosting does taste like canned frosting, right?
Make sure you check out all the other easy desserts available here on the site for you!
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Main Ingredients Needed
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
- Jello Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding
- Cold milk; divided
- Cool Whip, thawed
- Graham crackers
- Baker's Unsweetened Chocolate Squares
- Butter
- Powdered sugar
Step-by-Step Directions
Recipe Tip: Even though this is a no-bake dessert, you need to plan ahead so you can chill it long enough for everything to come together properly. Plan around 4 hours of chilling time before serving.
Step 1 | Prepare the Pudding Mix
- Combine the pudding mix with the milk using a wire whisk.
- Then add the Cool Whip and blend together well.
Step 2 | Layer the Dessert
- Begin layering the graham crackers in the bottom of a 9X13 baking pan; breaking the crackers as necessary to fit.
- Spread half of the pudding/Cool Whip mixture on top of the first layer of graham crackers.
- Add another layer of graham crackers on top of the pudding mixture, followed by the rest of the pudding mixture.
- Top with one final layer of graham crackers.
Step 3 | How to make Homemade Chocolate Ganache
- Melt the chocolate squares and the ¼ cup of butter in the microwave. Start at 30 second intervals; stirring after each time until the chocolate is completely melted.
- Then stir in the 1 ½ cups of powdered sugar and the remaining ¼ cup milk.
- Make sure the chocolate mixture is smooth before spreading it on top of your pudding pie.
Step 4 | Spread the Homemade Ganache
- Spread the chocolate mixture over the top of the pudding pie.
- Refrigerate for up to four hours before serving.
Tried any of my recipes? Let me know in the comments!
Like this recipe? Try these other these Easy Dessert Recipes:
- No Bake Pudding Desserts
- Chocolate Sugar Cookies
- Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies
- Four Different Cake Mix Cookie Recipes
📖 Recipe Card
Chocolate Eclair Pudding Pie
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- How to Make the Pudding Layers
- Combine the pudding mix with 1 ¾ cups milk.
- Add the Cool Whip and blend together well.
- Begin layering the graham crackers in the bottom of a 9 X 13 pan; breaking the crackers as necessary to fit.
- Spread half of the pudding/Cool Whip mixture on top of the first layer of graham crackers.
- Add another layer of graham crackers on top of the pudding mixture, followed by the rest of the pudding mixture.
- Top with one final layer of graham crackers.
- How to Make the Homemade Chocolate Ganache
- Melt the chocolate squares and the ¼ cup of butter in the microwave. Starting at 30 second intervals; stirring after each time until the chocolate is completely melted.
- Stir in the 1 ½ cups of powdered sugar and the remaining ¼ cup milk.
- Make sure the chocolate mixture is smooth before spreading it on top of your pudding pie.
- Refrigerate the pie for up to 4 hours or longer.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2014 with new photos and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!
Allyson says
I'm sure this is melt-in-your-mouth goodness ~ pinned!
Kate - Gluten Free Alchemist says
Love this twist on eclairs. Such fun. #CreativeMuster
Terri says
I have made this a couple times. I especially like it in the summertime. Its delicious, easy and affordable. Its definitely a keeper.
Cherryl Ehlenburg says
This sounds amazing! I love eclairs, but I especially love easy eclair recipes. Pinned!
Bernard Kapuscinski says
This looks great, but can I use stabilized whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?
Lois says
I sent you an email as well as this comment. I do think you could use traditional whipped cream, however, I'm not sure how long the pie will last if you have leftovers. The whipped cream might start to get runny. If you do try, please let me know!
Jacquelyn Stager says
I won the dessert contest at our family reunion a couple years back with this dessert. I had never made it before and it was a real hit! Very easy and delicious! I call it Eclaire Cake.
Lois says
I agree, this is a very easy and delicious recipe. Thanks for visiting Jacquelyn!
Joanne DiPalo says
I love this Lois, it's so easy and I can just taste how creamy and delicious it is. I'll have to give this a try, what a great dessert for Mother's Day. Thanks for sharing, pinned/shared.
Joanne
Miz Helen says
Your Chocolate Eclair Pudding Pie looks amazing, we will just love this dessert. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to Ya and thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with Full Plate Thursday!
Come Back Soon,
Miz Helen
Sarah Olson says
This looks so good Lois! I love that there is graham crackers in it! I was thinking that there would be lady fingers, but I bet the graham crackers had a nice crunch to them. Have a great week!
Roberta Blevins says
Oh man! Looks amazing! Come share this at our link party! http://mommylikewhoa.com/2014/03/do-tell-tuesday-14/
April's Homemaking says
Oh my, this looks yummy! I have pinned this to my desserts board, I think my family would be very happy to give this a try! I just started a new link-up, Meal Planning Monday Recipe Link-Up and would love to invite you to share your recipe at my linky party. 🙂 http://www.aprilshomemaking.com/2014/03/meal-planning-monday-recipe-link-up.html
Jamie Koenig says
That seriously looks so good. My coworkers make something similar for birthdays and boy oh boy so rich and delish!
Blair Lonergan says
YUM! This looks easy and delicious. Can't wait to try it! Thanks for sharing. 🙂 Pinned!
Cheryl King says
I stopped by from A Bouquet of Talent to check out your recipe because it looks so delicious! I'm putting it in my yumprint.com dessert cookbook to try soon. Thanks so much for sharing! HUGS
Catherine says
Dear Lois, I want to try this over the weekend. I love how simple it is. Just looks so good! Blessings, Catherine xo
Sugar Cookies to Peterbilts says
I need to try this! It sounds like the perfect dessert!
Eric Pepple says
Uhhh yeah I think I could eat that 😛 Great recipe
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow