When my Cook’s Country arrived this week, I immediately looked to the desserts. My blog has had more healthy dishes than usual…salmon, salads, veggie pot au feu…I needed something decadent! Their Creamy Chocolate Éclair Cake gave me pause…in fact, so much pause that I dashed for my shopping list to start writing down the ingredients I needed to purchase. There are many delicious versions of this cake…and I’ve been tempted by them all. They typically contain Cool Whip and instant pudding mixes…and I know I’d be willing to have a slice and return for seconds, but Cook’s Country’s was made with a homemade custard and real whipped cream. You can see why I was instantly captivated.
I know Whip-It is not available in every region, so if you are interested in receiving 5 packets (enough for 10 half pint batches of whipped cream), I will be happy to send some to one lucky commenter. I will also throw in a jar of my new favorite seasoning, Dish D’lish French Seasoning Salt. All you have to do to enter is to leave a comment. If you aren’t a follower, I’d love to have you follow via one of the routes listed in the right hand column, but this isn’t necessary to win. One winner will be drawn on Friday, June 10, at 5 PM using Random.org…and I will contact the winner soon afterward. This is open to ALL…I’m happy to ship internationally…but it may take a while to get to my distant friends~
Chocolate Éclair Cake…adapted from Cook’s Country
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 cups whole milk
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, cut into pieces
5 teaspoons vanilla
2 packets Whip-It (whipped cream stablizer)
2 3/4 cups heavy cream
14 ounce box of graham crackers
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
5 tablespoons light corn syrup
Whisk together sugar, cornstarch and salt in a large saucepan. Slowly whisk in milk, then heat to a boil, whisking, over medium heat. Lower heat and continue to whisk till mixture thickens and large bubbles appear. Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla. Put custard into a large bowl, cover with plastic wrap and cool in fridge for about 2 hours.
After about 2 hours, place one layer of graham crackers along bottom of 9 x 13 baking pan. Use smaller pieces to fill open spaces.
Whip 2 cups of cream with 2 packets of Whip-It till stiff peaks form. (Alternatively, you can use 1 1/4 teaspoons unflavored gelatin, softened in water, to stabilize whipped cream). Fold about 1/3 of whipped cream into cooled custard. When well combined, fold the rest of the whipped cream into custard.
Top graham crackers with half of the custard-whipped cream mixture. Layer with more graham crackers, then top with the rest of the filling. Place a 3rd layer of graham crackers over filling and refrigerate while making the chocolate topping.
Microwave chocolate chips, corn syrup and remaining 3/4 cup of cream for about 60 seconds. Whisk and microwave again till all chocolate is completely melted. Whisk mixture till smooth and allow to cool about 10 minutes. Pour over graham crackers, and using offset spatula, smooth to cover top of dessert. Chill at least 6 hours before serving.
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Congratulations to Carole!!! You’re the winner of this give away!!! #30 via random.org. I’ll be in contact~
Linked to Monday, Mmm Dessert~
Linked to Your Recipe, My Kitchen~
Linked to Hearth and Soul Hop~
Linked to Whisking Wednesdays~
Linked to Full Plate Thursday~
{ 68 comments… read them below or add one }
This looks fabulous, eclairs are one of our favorite desserts, so my family will love this, gorgeous prsentation as usual~
The slice in the photo looks pretty perfect. I’ve never heard of whip it before. I see its made by Dr. Oetker, a German co
The chocolate ganache looks luscious!
It looks just amazing!
I am a big lover of choco eclair..
And the idea of eclair cake sounds yummm..
The first click is awesome..perfectly cut slice:-)
Keeping my fingers crossed for the Whip it:-))
When I saw the post title, I had visions of traditional eclairs topping this cake.. But you know what, your version is even better! I would gladly finish off those sample plates for you, just to help out, you know
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Sounds wonderful! I bet they were creamy, dreamy and delicious! : )
PS… deleted the previous comment because I had a typo. : )
Oh… I wouldn’t mind digging my fork into those sample plates you have in your fridge! This cake looks so delicious! I love that you made the custard from scratch… doesn’t it taste so much better?
I’ve seen recipes for this before, but didn’t want to make it because I can’t stand Cool Whip or instant pudding. I like that this version is made with real food! Sounds perfect for a hot day!
This sounds absolutely fabulous! I adore chocolate eclairs, and a chocolate eclair cake would be very dangerous for me to have around!
The giveaway is wonderful – especially because it’s international!!! Yay! Crossing my fingers and hoping I win! Thanks for a wonderful recipe & a fabulous giveaway, Lizzy!
I always look at the dessert section first of any food magazine I get as well! Ha! This looks delicious.
Oh, I’d like to try this completely homemade version. I bet it tasted amazing!! I really enjoy the Cool Whip/Instant Pudding version so I imagine a homemade custard would just make this Outta This World-good!!!
I have been looking out for the Whip-It around here since you mentioned it. I haven’t been to the specialty food store yet though. Maybe I’ll be fortunate and win it!! lol
What? You were taken more with the chocolate recipe? You, Lizzy? Looks another spectacular recipe for eclair lovers, cake lovers, chocolate lovers – well, everyone, non? Fab.
This looks wonderful, Lizzy! I’ve never had anything like it – and I’ve never heard of “Whip It” – the things we learn from each other! I love homemade custard, so I’m going to have to try this – it looks so elegant, too!
Great dessert especially if you’re not in the mood to bake the small choux
I’ve always made this with pudding but this looks good! I’ve never even heard of a wihpped cream stabelizer!
Oooh, girl! These look incredibly good. I love sneaking graham crackers into dessert recipes, this one’s already got it! Well done
What a great recipe and another beautiful photo, Lizzy! That really is the “perfect” slice! I have seen whip it around here, but not lately.
I’ve been eagerly awaiting this post, Liz. Eclairs are one of my very favorites. Every once in a while I get one of the mini ones from Taylors… kate@kateiscooking
Liz, yay, I can comment when I’m at Joe’s
. WHERE do you find these things like Whip-It and the seasoning, LOL?
Hope I win them; I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to live without them now, hehe.
I could go for a piece of your cake. It looks so yummy.
I was going to ask you where you get Whip-It because I’ve never even heard of it but I lament constantly about how regular whipped cream just can’t hold up the way Cool Whip can. You were right to run out to the store and buy the ingredients for this cake. It looks and sounds fantastic.
Sounds great! Love to have one now. Thanks for sharing.
Holy cow! This looks AMAAAAAAAAZING
This looks so good Lizzy. I think I would’ve squirreled away a couple of extra pieces for me.
Buzzzzzz!!!!!
Lizzy, I have been making an Eclair cake for years. It happens to be one of my families favorite summer desserts. My recipe is a bit different but looks just as delicious! I’m sure it will become a favorite of your family too!
This sounds and looks really wonderful, I love the use of graham crackers!
I’ve never heard of Whip It! I’m intrigued!
If I make this it will be gone in seconds:))) Looks so good, and sounds amazingly delicious!!! Yummy idea!!!
Wow, this looks good. I plan to make it for one of my Friday night “walk-in” dinners. Thanks for the inspiration and from-scratch version. You’re the best, Liz.
This looks so good. My mom used to make a version of this I grew up on (she called it ice box cake and made the homemade custard as well). I can’t wait to make this with that thick layer of ganache. I’m so happy you shared this…mom is coming this weekend and I will be making it for her this time around
It looks wonderful, like a party in your mouth. I think I’ll make it for Father’s Day!
Rusty
Looks great. I love the idea of using something named Whip It!
I have been tempted by these cakes all over the place as well. Yours looks just as tempting! I am going to have to figure out a reason to make this soon!
Lizzy….Looks good. I have Whip It and have used it quite often. Love this dessert.
….thanks for sharing one of your recipes and
photo’s.
Erica
Looks delicious! I have to say that I have never heard of Whip It. And now I am curious if it is available here!
Delightful and yummy!
Thanks for sharing, you’re an inspiration!
I love eclairs and having it in cake form makes it extra special. Also I will have to look around for the “whip it”. Super photo-glad you posted this.
So glad you veered away from the healthy and into this decadent delight. I am intrigued by the Whip-it, wouldn’t mind trying it.
This looks like my favourite cake too, Liz!! Great job again
Missed this post over my busy weekend. Happy to have been directed to the giveaway this morning from your goat cheese biscuit post. This cake sounds amazing. Yummy! I am happy to be a FOLLOWER of yours. Love seeing all of the yummies from your kitchen.
Homemade custard is always better.
This dessert looks like the perfect marriage between an eclair and a napoleon. Love that it’s so easy to make using graham crackers. Thank you for linking to Monday, Mmm … Dessert.
(Hope to win, I need some “crack salt.”)
I have seen this dessert made with boxed pudding mix, this one with home made custard looks divine. I used to live in Northern California where I could find Whip It, but now, sadly, I can no longer obtain it. I would love to win it and try that wonderful looking salt too. Thanks for posting this recipe and for the giveaway.
lyndaclark81@yahoo.com
Wonderful products should be available everywhere. I wish it were so. And am wishing for this eclair cake to materialize on my kitchen counter. I have a passion for eclairs and the idea of the cake is baking perfection.
Beautiful job…this looks so very tasty.
Oh my gosh, I saw this in my Cook’s Country and just about fell over!! It’s totally on my to-bake-list for the upcoming weekend! haha
And your giveaway looks great – I’d love to enter!! All the best ~Megan
What a beautiful dessert! I grew up and was raised in Germany on Dr. Oetker products and love it when we can visit our son and go to his commissary where they carry it. I stock up! I have over 20 boxes of Dr. Oetker creme brulee in my pantry! So easy (much easier than from scratch) and just as good as homemade! Thank you for sharing this with us!
Oh how I’d love to have a wee slice of your eclair…….looks delicious and once again beautiful Liz!
No eggs in the custard? Cool! I can imagine the lightness of this cake … as in an eclair. The ganache looks perfectly smooth too! Yummers!
I’ve never tried whip-it. Is it like Dream-Whip?
NICE! What a treat!
That looks wonderful! And the seasoning salt a must find!
Sorry for my late comment – I’m catching up reading your posts today. My husband loves eclair, but I didn’t think you can make eclair cake! What a great idea. It’s also a dangerous treat… it’ll be gone in a second in my house, mainly because of me and my husband!
I would like to volunteer to be the poor soul forced to eat the “not so perfect” pieces taking up room if your fridge!
Ok…I have never heard of Eclair cake before and now I MUST try it! I love eclairs so this could easily be love at first bite
Yum! Thanks for posting. Ive had the cool whip/instant pudding version, so I’m anxious to try this one.
My mom just made eclair cake this past weekend when we visited them. Eclair cake is one of my favorites!!
The only good recipe that I ever received from my mother-in-law was for Eclair Cake! It’s th bomb, but hers is made with the instant pudding mix. I can’t wait to try your home made version, Liz!! This is such a great summer dessert recipe because you don’t have to turn on the oven and the cold yumminess is so refreshing on a hot day! Thanks!
Liz, it’s not letting me post with my Google Account/Blogger sign-in for some reason. I am signed in, but it keeps redirecting me to the Sign-in screen and then showing me as anonymous.
~ Cyn
Cyn, there’s been something wacky going on with posting for weeks…I finally added some more options so that at least those with difficulty could sign on like you did. I need your tech-savvy self to come visit and HELP me
I hope you’ll try this…your kids will love it!
HI Lizzy, I have never even heard of whip it! What a great product Idea! I always have trouble with whipped cream and also egg whites but I think my problem is I am not patient enough! What a lovely eclair and thanks for sharing it with us on the hearth and soul hop! All the best, Alex
Hi Lizzy,
I am so excited that you brought this wonderful recipe to share with us today. It looks heavenly!
Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday, have a great week end and come back soon!
Miz Helen
I see a road trip in my near future!
Any time, Cyn! xo
Lizzy, I have never heard of Whip it! Is it like Dream Whip?
This dessert is so up my isle!
Thank you for sharing it with us.
I could sink my teeth into one of these right now… the look reminds me of a s’more!
I know Im late to this post – but I had to let you know that you just blew my mind! I’ve never seen or heard of whip-it but I must find it. I only recently worked with gelatin and it totally freaked me out for some reason (I think it had to do with the smell)!
Wow it looks simply Delicious!
I’m about to make it for tonight…. And I can’t wait to eat!
I didn’t find any whip-it… So I’m going with a traditional way :p