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No-Bake Lemon Eclair Cake

Featured in Sweet Treats and Baked Goods.

Layer sweet cookies flat in a pan, cover with creamy lemon pudding mixed with fluffy whipped cream. Keep going - cookies, then more cream mix till pan's full. Top it all with sweet lemon coat that runs down the sides. Let it sit in the cold box overnight so cookies get soft and cream sets firm. No cooking needed, just mixing and stacking. Makes enough for a party, and tastes like fancy bakery stuff without the work.

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Fatiha
Updated on Thu, 13 Mar 2025 00:02:44 GMT
A slice of layered lemon dessert with creamy filling and a slice of lemon on top, served on a white plate. Pin it
A slice of layered lemon dessert with creamy filling and a slice of lemon on top, served on a white plate. | zestplate.com

Make this easy No-Bake Lemon Eclair Cake that tastes like summer. Layer lemon pudding, cool whip, and graham crackers, then top it with tangy lemon frosting. Put it together fast, then let it chill in the fridge until it's perfect. Hard to wait, but worth every minute.

Why Make This Cake

Love lemon? This cake's for you. Takes just 5 minutes to put together and you don't even turn on the oven. Let it sit overnight and you get something light and fresh that everyone asks for the recipe. Great for parties because you can make it ahead, and it never lasts long enough for leftovers.

What You Need

  • Graham Crackers: Make the layers
  • Lemon Pudding: Instant kind works best
  • Milk: Whole milk makes it rich
  • Cool Whip: Let it thaw first
  • Lemon Frosting: For the top

How to Make It

Get Pan Ready:
Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray so cake comes out easy.
Start Layers:
Cover bottom with graham crackers for first layer.
Mix Filling:
Blend pudding and milk for 2 minutes till smooth. Fold in Cool Whip gentle.
Build Cake:
Put half the pudding mix on crackers. Add another layer of crackers, then rest of pudding, then last crackers.
Make Topping:
Warm frosting in microwave till you can pour it. Cover top layer of crackers.
Let It Set:
Put in fridge overnight or at least 12 hours.

People Love It

Everyone wants to know about this cake when you bring it out. Simple things like pudding and crackers turn into something special. The lemon makes it different from regular desserts, and you don't need to be good at baking to make it perfect.

Worth the Wait

Let it sit overnight - this is important. The crackers need time to get soft from the pudding. When you finally cut into it, everything's mixed together just right. The crunch and cream make it taste like something from a bakery.

Good for Any Party

Take it to potlucks, birthdays, or just make it when friends come over. It's easy to carry and everyone likes it - kids and grown-ups both. Keep the recipe handy because people always ask for it.

Different but Good

Most people know chocolate eclair cake, but this lemon version is special. It's lighter and perfect for warm days. Tastes like summer and feels fresh after a big meal.

A slice of lemon-layered dessert topped with lemon slices, served on a turquoise plate, with whole lemons and a bowl in the background. Pin it
A slice of lemon-layered dessert topped with lemon slices, served on a turquoise plate, with whole lemons and a bowl in the background. | zestplate.com

Make It Pretty

Want it to look fancy? Add some lemon slices on top or sprinkle on lemon zest. These little touches make it look nice and smell even better. People eat with their eyes first, so make it look as good as it tastes.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Need to make ahead?

Better if you do! Let sit all night. Flavors mix nice. Stays good few days. Gets soft perfect.

→ Got different cookies?

Plain ones work fine. Tea biscuits good. Must be flat kind. Check they ain't sweet. Need em dry type.

→ Rather use real cream?

Works good if thick. Whip it real stiff. Mix in bit sugar. Might get soft quick. Watch it in fridge.

→ No lemon sweet coat?

Mix sugar and juice. Make it real thick. Taste as you mix. Should run slow. Even honey works.

→ Need it no wheat?

Get special cookies. Check pudding box. Watch cream stuff. Rice cookies work. Still sets nice.

→ Getting too soft?

Less wet stuff. Pack layers tight. Chill longer time. Use cold stuff. Fresh cookies help.

→ Taking it places?

Keep it real cold. Pack it flat. Box with sides. Don't stack stuff. Take extra quick.

→ Need it faster?

Use ready pudding. Quick mix cream. Stack it faster. Skip long chill. Still tastes good.

→ Making big batch?

Double works fine. Need bigger pan. More layers okay. Watch edge bits. Keep stuff cold.

→ Want more zip?

Add more lemon. Zest helps lots. Tart cream good. Even lime works. Try fresh juice.

→ Not setting up?

Chill longer time. Less wet things. Pack tight more. Cold bowl helps. Check your mix.

→ Kids want different?

Skip strong lemon. More sweet stuff. Fun colors help. Cut small bits. Maybe add sprinkles.

Conclusion

Like this? Try cold lemon pie next. Or make lemon cheese squares. Both nice and cool.

No-Bake Lemon Eclair Cake

Easy cool lemon treat.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
15 Minutes
By: Fatiha

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 Servings

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 (14.4-oz) box graham crackers.
02 2 (3.4-oz) boxes instant lemon pudding.
03 3½ cups milk.
04 1 (8-oz) container Cool Whip, thawed.
05 1 (16-oz) can lemon frosting.

Instructions

Step 01

Lightly spray the bottom of a 9x13 pan with cooking spray to ensure easy serving.

Step 02

Construct a base by arranging one-third of the graham crackers as the first layer at the pan's bottom.

Step 03

In a mixing bowl, combine the lemon pudding mix and milk. Using a hand mixer, blend at medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth. Gently fold in the thawed Cool Whip with a spatula, integrating entirely without deflating the fluffy cream.

Step 04

Pour half of this creamy pudding mixture over the layer of graham crackers, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

Step 05

Add another layer of whole graham crackers over the pudding mixture to create structure and crunch.

Step 06

Pour the remaining pudding mixture over this new graham cracker layer, smoothing it out to the edges.

Step 07

Finish with a final layer of graham crackers on top to hold the cake together.

Step 08

Warm up the lemon frosting by removing its lid and heating it in the microwave for 30-40 seconds until pourable but not too hot.

Step 09

Cascade the warm lemon frosting over the top layer of graham crackers, spreading to cover completely.

Step 10

Place the cake in the refrigerator and let it chill for at least 12 hours or overnight for best flavor fusion.

Notes

  1. This dessert is best prepared the night before and left to chill overnight to enhance its flavors.
  2. Store any leftovers (if there are any!) in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.

Tools You'll Need

  • Hand Mixer.
  • Mixing Bowls.
  • 9x13-inch Baking Dish.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy.
  • Gluten.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~