No Bake Lemon Eclair Cake (Printable)
Refreshing layers of graham crackers, creamy lemon pudding, and whipped topping with silky lemon glaze.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Cake Base
01 - 1 box (14.4 oz) honey graham crackers
→ Lemon Cream Filling
02 - 2 boxes (3.4 oz each) instant lemon pudding mix
03 - 3 cups cold whole milk
04 - 1 cup heavy whipping cream
05 - 1/3 cup powdered sugar
06 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Lemon Glaze
07 - 1 cup powdered sugar
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
09 - 1 tablespoon milk
10 - 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
# How to Prepare:
01 - Whisk together the instant lemon pudding mixes and cold milk in a large mixing bowl for 2 minutes until mixture thickens considerably.
02 - In a separate bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract using an electric mixer or whisk until stiff peaks form.
03 - Gently fold the whipped cream into the prepared lemon pudding mixture until smooth and fully incorporated, taking care not to deflate the cream.
04 - Arrange a single layer of graham crackers in a 9x13-inch baking dish, breaking crackers as needed to cover the bottom completely.
05 - Spread half of the lemon cream mixture evenly over the initial graham cracker layer using an offset spatula.
06 - Top with another layer of graham crackers, then spread the remaining lemon cream mixture evenly across the surface.
07 - Complete the cake with a final layer of graham crackers, ensuring complete coverage.
08 - Whisk together powdered sugar, fresh lemon juice, milk, and grated lemon zest until completely smooth and pourable.
09 - Pour the lemon glaze evenly over the top layer of graham crackers, using a spatula to spread coverage to the edges.
10 - Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, allowing crackers to soften and flavors to meld.
11 - Cut into squares and serve chilled directly from the refrigerator.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The lemon flavor hits differently after chilling overnight, becoming more pronounced and somehow brighter than when you first assemble it
- You get all the satisfaction of a layered dessert without turning on your oven once
02 -
- The crackers will still feel slightly crunchy even after four hours, and that texture contrast is actually intentional and wonderful
- Cutting this cake works best when it is very cold, so run your knife under hot water and wipe it clean between each slice
03 -
- Buy an extra box of graham crackers because you will inevitably break more than expected while fitting them into the pan
- Toast some coconut and sprinkle it over the glaze right before serving for incredible texture contrast