Thursday, May 26, 2011

Chocolate Eclair Cake


I thought this was a cool dessert to try out when I saw it on Plain Chicken.  I did make everything from scratch since I was low on graham crackers and don't keep instant pudding on hand.  I made a chocolate version....because chocolate makes everything better of course.  ;)

The chocolate filling is based on a Betty Crocker recipe.  The recipe for the graham crackers I found here.


Chocolate Eclair Cake

Chocolate Filling:
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/3 cup cornstarch
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups skim milk
4 egg yolks, lightly beaten
1 tbs vanilla
2oz unsweetened chocolate, melted
8 oz Cool Whip Free

Mix together sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a large saucepan.  Whisk milk into eggs.  Add milk mixture to sugar mixture and combine.  Stir in chocolate.  Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens and begins to boil.  Cook one minute before removing from heat.  Stir in vanilla.  Pour into a bowl and press plastic wrap to the surface of the mixture to prevent a skin from forming.  Chill. Fold in Cool Whip.

Graham Crackers:
2 cups white whole wheat flour
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cups butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup raw honey
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup milk

Cream together the butter, brown sugar and honey.  Mix in all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Mix in milk and vanilla.  Add in whole wheat flour.  Chill dough.

Roll dough out and use a pizza cutter to slice into rectangles.  Transfer pieces to a greased cookie sheet and prick the dough with a fork.  Bake at 350 for 15 minutes until cookies are lightly browned on the edges.  Cool. 

Form a layer of graham crackers on the bottom of a 9x13 pan.  Spread half the pudding mixture on top.  Layer in another row of graham crackers.  Spread the remaining half the pudding mixture.  Top with a final row of graham crackers.

Chocolate Fudge Topping:
14oz non fat sweetened condensed milk
6oz semi sweet chocolate chips
6oz dark chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla
 
Mix together sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, and vanilla. Heat on high in the microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval until mixture is melted and smooth.

Pour chocolate across the top of the graham crackers and spread it evenly.  Chill for several hours before serving.

37 comments:

  1. Wow, this cake is to die for, crunchy, chocolatey, gooey.

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  2. WOW!! This is divine!! I die to get a tiny piece of your awesome cake right now :)

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  3. Oh Noooo... No, I don't want it just 1 piece ^,^

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  4. ha, i make this cake! and freak out about it. it's a long time favorite which makes it easy for me to declare love for this! thanks for sharing! as i said, i totally love this, shockingly as i seem to love most all things i find on your page. always looking forward!
    -meg
    @ http://clutzycooking.blogspot.com

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  5. Man, a chocolate version? You've caught my attention :) YUM!

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  6. This cake looks like a thick, giant eclair, which is just simply delicious!

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  7. I would definitely eat this, if you wanted to bring me some. ;)

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  8. YUM! I love that you even made the graham crackes from scratch. I think I could eat the whole thing in one sitting!

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  9. This is what I wise chocolate eclairs were really like. Where I see them the only chocolate is a frosting or ganache on top.

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  10. Fudgy and chocolatey, sure is yummy!

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  11. Oh so heavenly...looks fabulous! yum!

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  12. Chocolate does make everything better! This looks delicious!

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  13. Oh yum! Chocolate,chocolate eclair cake??? Heaven in cake form!! Absolutley fabulous!!

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  14. Great picture! This looks decadent-- totally my kind of dessert!

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  15. Eclairs are a big favorite in my house, so this cake would be a hit!

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  16. awesome idea all chocolate this looks wonderful!

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  17. Gosh! We go away fro a few days and look what we come back to, another decadent, irresistible confection from the queen of Adam's sweet tooth! This looks so creamily and deliciously yummy, can't wait to try it.

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  18. This looks like a neat little cake. We love eclairs in this house!

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  19. MMM this looks like a delicious and creamy chocolate cake. Great for summer time.

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  20. These are gorgeous with that smooth topping!

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  21. This looks delicious! What a fabulous idea!

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  22. OH MY GOODNESS (I don't think more needs to be said.)

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  23. I am going to dream about this one! WOW!

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  24. Wow, that's an insanely tempting treat, and I'm so impressed that you made everything from scratch! P.S. what's cool whip?

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  25. OMG - this is one decadent dessert! A must try! Enjoy the long holiday weekend.

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  26. That looks absolutely decadent and inviting! And I am so impressed that you made your graham crackers from scratch! Awesome :) Thanks for sharing this!

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  27. That is so true: Chocolate makes everything better :).

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  28. Cool Whip is a whipped cream type topping.

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  29. Very impressive! Your version looks fantastic!

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  30. My oh my, you made your own graham crackers...you are amazing. Really can't wait to try the cake...I'll probably use graham crackers from my pantry...I bet yours are better!
    KC Quaretti-Lee
    KCintheKitchen

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