Day 49 - Eclair Cake

Friday, April 20, 2012

Today I am making an Eclair Cake. I had actually never heard of an eclair cake before until I saw it on a blog called "Chef in Training" this week. I love classic eclairs; the light, fluffy dough, sweet cream center, and thick chocolatey topping. What's not to love? So when I saw the recipe for an eclair cake that had the same basic ingredients in a cake form, I was thrilled.

The cake is simple (and actually requires no baking!). It is formed by layers of graham cracker and a vanilla cream mixture. Like the classic eclair, it is topped with a thick chocolate frosting. I started by making the "cream" mixture which is just two packages of vanilla instant pudding and a tub of cool whip. I prepared the pudding according to the package, mixing the powder with about 3 1/2 cups of milk. I whisked the pudding for about 2 minutes until it thickened and then folded in the cool whip.

Vanilla Pudding

Pudding mixed with cool whip 

In a 9x13 pan, I lined graham crackers to create the bottom layer, and then spooned half of the cream mixture over the top of that. A second layer of graham crackers and cream are added and it is topped off with a final graham cracker layer. Chocolate frosting tops the cake and I decided to take the easy way out with this part by using store bought chocolate frosting. I heated the frosting in the microwave so it was pourable, and spread it evenly over the top of the cake.

Graham cracker base 

Layering graham cracker over the cream 

Topped with chocolate frosting

The trick to this cake is that it needs to sit in the refrigerator over night, hence why I am "baking" on a Friday night.

Ready for the refrigerator!

Can't wait to see how this turns out tomorrow!

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Today my Dad and I decided to try the cake. As soon as I cut into it I could tell the graham cracker had softened perfectly. One bite and I was in heaven; it was amazing. The cream and graham cracker together was amazing, so creamy and delicious and really did resemble the taste of an eclair! My only criticism (and I'm nit-picking here) would be that the chocolate was possibly a little bit too sweet. It may have been worth making my own topping with melted semi-sweet chocolate as it probably would be a little less sweet. Still, this dessert is definitely worth a try!

Stay tuned until next time :)