Hello. My name is Christina and I’m addicted to recipes. I can’t seem to stop clipping, printing, and scrawling ingredients and instructions down on napkins. I’ve always loved recipes. In fact, for my bridal shower, my sister sent blank recipe cards to all of my guests and asked them to share their favorite recipe with me. I started my new marriage with over 70 tried and true favorite recipes from all of my friends and family. What a treasure!
The other day, I needed to take a dessert to a party I was going to. And, even though my husband was BEGGING me to make a chocolate peanut butter pie, I wanted to make something a little bit lighter. I started flipping through my recipe boxes — all four of them — and came across this recipe for Chocolate Eclair Cake. It was one of the recipes I received at my shower (my sister used very distinct recipe cards so I could easily tell that’s where it came from).
I hadn’t had this dessert in a very long time, so I thought I would give it a whirl!
Chocolate Eclair Cake
Compliments of It’s a Keeper
www.everydaytastes.com
Compliments of It’s a Keeper
www.everydaytastes.com
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter (1-stick)
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup water
4 large eggs
2 pkgs. (3.4 oz) Vanilla Instant Pudding
2 1/2 cups cold milk
8 ounces cream cheese, softened (room temperature)
1 container (12 oz) Cool Whip
Chocolate syrup for drizzling
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bring the water, butter and salt to boil until butter is melted. Add the flour all at once and mix rapidly with a wooden spoon. Remove from heat and stir until the mixture leaves the sides of pan and forms a ball. Add eggs, one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition until completely smooth. Spread in an ungreased 10- by 15-inch baking pan. Bake until golden brown, about 35 minutes. Crust will puff up the sides of the pan while in the oven. When removed from the oven, prick bubbles with a fork. Let cool.
For filling, use an electric mixer to beat the pudding mix, milk and softened cream cheese together until thoroughly blended. Spread pudding mixture over the baked and cooled eclair crust. Spread Cool Whip over pudding mixture. Drizzle with chocolate syrup.
Is It a Keeper?
This cake was incredible! Incredibly delicious! And, incredibly easy to make. And, I mean SUPER easy. And you wanna know what the best part was? It was all free-form. No perfectionists allowed. The crust, which is just like a cream puff pastry, kinda takes its own shape. And, the filling is just spread on top. Just slap it on. Then slather on the Cool Whip. And drizzle the chocolate syrup on top. Absolutely zero skill required.
You can try to be fancy if you want to, but why? It’s just going to be devoured. And, believe me…after you taste this cake, you’ll forget all about how it looks! It’s that good. Oh, and don’t try to be demure by cutting yourself a small piece of this billowy, heavenly, blissfulness. Go ahead and take a big ‘ole slice. It’s super light and goes down easy. Trust me.
Now, when you make this cake for yourself (you’re silly if you don’t!), here are a couple of tips. First, because I’m always looking for an easier way to do things (read: lazy) I added the butter, water and salt to a small sauce pan and heated it until the butter melted. Then I added the butter/water mixture to the bowl of my stand mixer and added the flour. Mix until combined.
Next, when I added the eggs, I made sure they were room temperature. They incorporate into the batter much easier that way. And, if you’re like me, and forget to take them out of the fridge in time to make the cake, just put the eggs into a bowl of warm tap water for a few minutes. They’ll warm up quite nicely! Add the eggs just like the recipe says, but instead of stirring with a wooden spoon, use your mixer! It’s MUCH easier that way! And, I always say, work smarter, not harder!
The other thing I tried with this recipe is using sugar free pudding mix. And, with all of the other delicious goodness going on, no one even missed the sugar! And, by using sugar free pudding, you can allow yourself a larger slice! Believe me, you’ll want a larger slice.
I don’t know if you’ve gotten my hints or not, but you really need to make this cake. I highly recommend you take some cream cheese out of the fridge immediately so you can whip one up for yourself!
Oh, and just in case you were feeling sorry for my chocolate peanut butter pie deprived husband…I made him a pie too. It would just be mean to tease him like that!
** SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT **
Do you have a recipe, craft, project or product review that’s a “keeper”? Next week, I’ll be launching a recipe swap/blog hop where you can share them with the rest of us! Stay tuned for more details!
68 Responses to Chocolate Eclair Cake
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About Me
Hi! I'm Christina, the chief cook and bottle washer at It's a Keeper. I love to cook and am a self proclaimed recipe hoarder who reads cook books cover to cover like most people read a juicy novel. Join me as I cook and bake my way through the pile of recipes that I've collected. Read more.Find It’s a Keeper on:
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OMG, my mind is just spinning with the possibilities for this dessert!
Consider cheesecake pudding mix with strawberry ice cream topping — yummm…
Maybe finely chopped nuts…
Chocolate pudding… Caramel topping…
I think I just found a dessert recipe for my sister’s baby shower ;~))
Barb
Great suggestions, Barb! Thanks for sharing! Be sure to let me know if you try any of them!
Found you blog on Blog it forward Tuesday! Love Love your recipes, can’t wait to get a chamce to look further! If you like to follow back you can do so @ http://singlecountrychick.blogspot.com/
Thanks
Welcome, Mindy! Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to come back often!
I’m also following your blog, too!
New follower here from Blog it Forward Tuesday!
The cake sounds AWESOME! I think I gained 5 pounds just reading about it! Thanks for sharing!!
Welcome, Brea! Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to come back often!
This cake is so light — and, if you make the sugar free version, it’s not really that bad for you!
YUMMY !!! I am your newest follower and have money saving tips at:
http://joannasavesmoney.blogspot.com/
I would love you to follow me !!
Welcome, Joanna! Thanks for following! Be sure to visit often!
BTW, I’m now following your blog too!
New follower — happy to find a fellow cook/baker!
Welcome, Mary! Thanks for stopping by and be sure to visit often!
Yes please. This sounds and looks AMAZING.
<3, New Follower
Welcome, Tanya! Thanks for stopping by and be sure to visit often!
Your newest follower via Follow Me Back Tuesday blog hop.
Come follow me..
http://www.livingsmartgirl.com
http://www.sitedandblogged.com
I am always on the look for blog contributors to join Sited and Blogged. If you are ever interested in joined a fast growing blog and sharing your blog posts let me know. It is a great way to get your blog out there, gain more followers and be part of a great blog
Sheila
Welcome, Sheila! I’m now following your blogs too! I just emailed you about Site and Blogged. Looking forward to hearing back from you.
This looks amazing. I used to make a vegan version of chocolate eclair cake. I’m not vegan anymore though. I should try your version!
Great blog – I’m your newest follower!
Welcome, Jess! Thanks for stopping by and be sure to visit often!
OH. My. Heavens. I am SO happy I clicked your link on the Wondering Wednesday blog hop!! WOW you have a DELICIOUS blog!!! I’m your newest follower!
http://alililly.blogspot.com
Well, I’m happy you clicked too!!
Thank you for the kind words about my blog. I stopped by yours too — love it! 
I’m now following you, too! can’t wait to see what you have coming up!
um yeah this looks absolutely fantastic. It’s totally on my to make (soon) list.
Can you put the pudding mixture on in advance or do you need to wait until right before you serve?
You sure can!!! I would hold off on putting the chocolate syrup on until right before serving, though.
Good luck!
What a wonderful recipe – it looks and sounds so good! And I just love what your sister did for your bridal shower with the recipes – that has to be one of the best gifts ever!
Love it! Thank you for linking up with Masterpiece Monday. Have a great week, Mary :O)
This looks AMAZING! I’m definitely bookmarking it for a not-too-distant-future event.
This looks absolutely DE-LISH! Gonna have to try it fo sho!
Your newest follower via Follow Me Back Tuesday, Jessica @ http://myworldmadebyhand.blogspot.com/
Thanks, Jessica!
I’m following you too! Great site! 
I’m definately saving this one! It looks like it would be difficult to make but you made it sound so easy that maybe even I could do it! Thanks for linking this up to Gettin’ Krafty With It!
This looks beautiful! My dad would absolutely love this cake, eclairs are his fave… definitely bookmarking this one!
I featured this on my blog today! I’d love if you stopped by and grabbed a button. OR if you linked this or any other project you made in January up to our Blogger of the Month Party. One blogger will win some AWESOME prizes for their project!
Amanda
http://www.todaystoptwenty.blogspot.com
Thanks, Amanda! That’s fantastic news!
Thanks so much for linking to THIS WEEK’S CRAVINGS. This cake looks so YUMMY! (please, don’t forget to leave a link back in your post to our linky party.. so everyone can find Super Bowl recipes this week!) We appreciate you linking up and hope you come back next week for Valentines Cookies & Treats!
http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/2011/01/this-weeks-cravings-linky-party-14-and.html
New follower from WEDS Hop. I couldn’t believe it when I saw this recipe on your blog. My mother has been making this for 40 + years & her mother used to make it to…small world. Bringing back lots of great memories. I love your blog. Looking forward to trying some new recipes.
Thanks
Michele
http://www.musings-by-michele.com
Thanks for the kind words, Michele! This is really a great recipe — I’m so glad it was shared with me at my shower! I’m now following you too!
Eclair and cake together? What more can a girl ask for! This is such a beautiful cake and I’m sure it tastes just as wonderful!
Sounds and looks VERY yummy!
Thanks for linking up!
I love the look of this cake sounds delicious I am a new follower of yours as well find time come see me at Annies Home at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
Thanks, Angie! I’m following you back!
I have GOT to make this sometime soon. It looks easy and absolutely yummy! Thanks so much for sharing and for linking up to Making Your Home Sing Monday!
This looks like an interesting and yummy treat!
Tnx so much for linking up at my party!
Mmmmm, I can just about taste this. It looks so good.
I’d love for you to share this on my linky, Sweet Tooth Friday. I hope to see you there!
http://alli-n-son.com/2011/02/03/chocolate-toffee/
All linked up, Allison! Thanks for the invite! What a great site you have! THanks for stopping by!
OK!…gotta go get my fix on,I’m a chocoholic!…thing I’ll go make a chocolate treat like this, and double duty with some hot chocolate,yum!
~JO
Now you’re talkin!
Enjoy!
This recipe looks wonderful and easy. I love the name of your blog
.
Hugs, Kim
Mmmmm…this recipe sounds absolutely divine. I saw your link-up at “Naturally Me Creations” and just had to come by to check it out!
Your newest follower,
Jenn/Rook No. 17
Welcome, Jenn! Thanks for stopping by and be sure to visit often! I’m now following your site too — it’s awesome!
outside of your photo being gorgeous…this recipe looks delicious! i could use a slice or two right now. thank you for sharing with tuesday night supper club!
Thanks, Christy! I’m sure my hubby will appreciate the compliment on the photo (he’s my resident photog!) Thanks for hosting the linky!
Oh, wow, I love the concept of your blog. Lucky for us, you do all the testing, lol. Well, I love eclairs, and making a cake out of it, just sounded way to good to pass up.
Thanks for the recipe!!! This looks fantastic. Excited about your new party, make sure to come link it up in my directory on my blog, so I can come link up. I love cooking, and have some KEEPERS.
I would LOVE if you came to link up to my party **Amaze me August** I am trying to reach 100 linkups, and then I will have a special giveaway, something made my me, lol. I’m pretty excited!!!
Oh and just in case you were curious, how I clean my stove, check this out, he he.
Cleaning my stove with Shampoo
Thanks a ton girl, and hope to see you soon!!!!
Bella
I’m heading over now! Thanks for sharing!
Ohooo this recipe must be saved by me and made soon!
For sure this is different and sounds simple to make. Thanks for going through all your files and finding this to share with us.!
Good timing on this one! This would be a perfect V Day dessert. Thanks so much for linking it up to Inspiration Friday this week! I’m glad you found us over at our new location and I hope we will see you coming back again!
Vanessa
You Have been featured on CraftOManiac, thanks a bunch winks- jen
My mouth was watering before I could even finish reading the post! Those look DI-VINE! Thanks for linking up to Fine Finds Friday!!!!
Wish I had this right now! Looks yummy. Thanks for linking up to Making It With Allie! I can’t wait to see what you have for next week!
AllieMakes.Blogspot.com
My daughter used to ask for this on her birthday. It’s so good. Thanks for sharing it.
New follower here – I love the setup of this blog!
And oh my, this looks delicious! My kiddos will be happy with you this week, I think.
Thanks, Danielle! I’m following you too! Love your blog!
This is a dessert my Mom and Aunt made all the time while I was growing up. It is wonderful! We actually melted chocolate chips with a little shortening to put on top which gave it a little more texture. It’s great!
Yummm! That sounds like a great twist! Thanks for sharing!
I just wanted you to know I featured your scrumptious looking cake tonight!
Fantastic recipe. This looks so delicious. Thanks for sharing and I hope you share more of your fantastic recipes with us again!
This looks wonderful! Thanks for linking up for Friday Favorites! I’m featuring you this week! Come by and grab my featured button if you’d like one!
Hello Christina. My name is Susan and I am a recipe addict too. Your eclair cake looks divine. Might I say I am a foodie too?
I have a blog link-up and I would love it if you would share your recipe. Here is the link, if you are interested:
http://permanentposies.com/2011/04/meatballs-and-potatoes/
All linked up! Thanks for the invite!
Found you on pinterest & am making this tonight for our family reunion tomorrow! Can’t wait to sneak a taste
I hope you liked it as much as we do!
It’s always a huge hit!