Decadent Chocolate Éclair Cake
This Decadent Chocolate Éclair Cake is a delightful treat that brings back fond memories of my teenage years when I first learned to make it for a youth activity. It's a rich and creamy dessert layered with a buttery pastry base, luscious vanilla pudding filling, and topped with a smooth chocolate glaze. Perfect for parties, potlucks, or any gathering, this cake is sure to impress your friends and family. Every bite is a sweet reminder of life's simple pleasures, making it a nostalgic dessert worth sharing.
N/A
Servings
200
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Butter
1/2 cup (Melted for the pastry)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (As part of the pastry mixture)
Water
1 cup (Boiling for the pastry)
Flour
1 cup (All-purpose flour for the pastry)
Eggs
4 (Large, room temperature)
French vanilla instant pudding
2 (4 ounce) packages (Dry mix)
Milk
2 1/2 cups (Used for pudding and glaze)
Cream cheese
8 ounces (Softened)
Whipped topping
12 ounces (Extra creamy preferred)
Chocolate chips
1/3 cup (Semi-sweet)
Milk
2 tablespoons (For glaze)
Butter
2 tablespoons (For glaze)
Powdered sugar
1 cup (For glaze)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, salt, and water. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
3
Once boiling, remove from heat and quickly add the flour, stirring vigorously until the mixture forms a cohesive ball.
4
Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. The dough may appear chunky at first, but it will come together smoothly with continuous stirring.
5
Lightly grease a jelly roll pan with nonstick spray. Using a spoon or spatula, spread the pastry mixture evenly across the bottom of the prepared pan. Dipping the spoon in hot water can help make this easier.
6
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown. If there are bubbles in the surface, gently puncture them with a fork. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
7
To prepare the filling, combine the French vanilla pudding mix with the milk in a mixing bowl. Beat until smooth and thickened, then add in the softened cream cheese, mixing until fully blended and creamy.
8
Once the pastry has cooled, spread the pudding mixture evenly over the top.
9
Top with whipped topping, smoothing it out with a spatula to create an even layer.
10
For the chocolate glaze, melt the chocolate chips and butter together in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 30-second intervals and stirring until fully melted. Stir in the milk and powdered sugar until the glaze is smooth.
11
Drizzle the chocolate glaze generously over the whipped topping layer.
12
Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the texture to firm up.
Nutrition Information
12.5g
Fat
16.7g
Carbs
2.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Decadent Chocolate Éclair Cake?
This is a rich and creamy layered dessert featuring a buttery pastry base, luscious vanilla pudding and cream cheese filling, and a smooth chocolate glaze.
What are the main components of this dessert?
The cake consists of four main layers: a baked pastry base, a vanilla pudding and cream cheese mixture, a whipped topping layer, and a homemade chocolate glaze.
What temperature should the oven be for the pastry?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C) for baking the pastry base.
How do I make the pastry base?
Combine butter, salt, and water in a saucepan and boil; remove from heat and stir in flour to form a ball, then beat in eggs one at a time.
How long does the pastry need to bake?
The pastry should bake for approximately 25 minutes or until it is puffed and golden brown.
What should I do if bubbles form on the pastry while baking?
Gently puncture any surface bubbles with a fork to deflate them.
What is the secret to spreading the pastry dough easily?
Dipping your spoon or spatula in hot water can help you spread the pastry mixture evenly across the jelly roll pan.
What type of pudding is used in the filling?
The recipe calls for two 4-ounce packages of French vanilla instant pudding mix.
How is the creamy filling prepared?
Beat the pudding mix with milk until thickened, then add softened cream cheese and mix until fully blended and creamy.
What kind of whipped topping should I use?
A 12-ounce container of whipped topping is needed, with extra creamy variety preferred.
How do I make the chocolate glaze?
Melt chocolate chips and butter together, then stir in milk and powdered sugar until the glaze becomes smooth.
Can I melt the chocolate glaze in the microwave?
Yes, heat the chocolate chips and butter in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until fully melted.
How long does the cake need to chill?
The cake should be refrigerated for at least 2 hours before serving.
Why is chilling the cake important?
Chilling allows the flavors to meld together and ensures the texture is firm enough for serving.
What type of pan is best for this recipe?
A jelly roll pan is the recommended choice for baking the pastry base.
How many eggs are required?
The recipe requires 4 large, room-temperature eggs.
Is the pastry dough supposed to look chunky?
The dough may appear chunky when you first add the eggs, but it will come together smoothly with continuous stirring.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are approximately 200 calories per serving of this cake.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 12.5 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 16.7 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein does this cake provide?
Each serving provides 2.5 grams of protein.
What type of chocolate chips should I use for the glaze?
Semi-sweet chocolate chips are used to create the chocolate glaze layer.
Does the recipe require softened cream cheese?
Yes, 8 ounces of softened cream cheese is necessary to achieve a smooth filling.
How much milk is needed for the entire recipe?
You will need 2 1/2 cups of milk for the pudding and an additional 2 tablespoons for the glaze.
What are the total number of ingredients?
There are 13 total ingredients used in this recipe.
Is this recipe good for large groups?
Yes, it is specifically recommended for parties, potlucks, and large family gatherings.
What is the origin story of this recipe?
The author first learned to make this cake for a youth activity during their teenage years.
What is the texture of the pastry base?
The base is a buttery, puffed pastry similar to a traditional éclair shell.
Can I use all-purpose flour for the base?
Yes, 1 cup of all-purpose flour is required for the pastry mixture.
How should the glaze be applied to the cake?
The glaze should be drizzled generously over the final whipped topping layer before chilling.