No Bake Lemon Eclair Cake (Printer-friendly)
Zesty lemon cream layered between honey graham crackers with a silky citrus glaze topping.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cake Layers
01 - 1 box (14.4 oz) honey graham crackers
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 noticeably.
02 - In a separate bowl, beat heavy whipping cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract using an electric mixer or whisk until stiff peaks form.
03 - Gently fold whipped cream into lemon pudding mixture until smooth and fully incorporated, maintaining light airy texture.
04 - Arrange graham crackers in single layer across bottom of 9x13-inch baking dish, breaking pieces as needed to fit completely.
05 - Spread half of lemon cream mixture evenly over graham cracker base using offset spatula.
06 - Place another complete layer of graham crackers over cream filling.
07 - Spread remaining lemon cream mixture evenly across second cracker layer.
08 - Top with final layer of graham crackers, creating even surface for glaze.
09 - Whisk powdered sugar, fresh lemon juice, milk, and grated lemon zest until smooth and pourable consistency forms.
10 - Pour lemon glaze evenly over top graham cracker layer, spreading gently with spatula to cover completely.
11 - Cover dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate minimum 4 hours or overnight to allow flavors meld and crackers soften completely.
12 - Slice into squares and serve cold directly from refrigerator.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The texture transforms into something magical overnight as graham crackers soften into cake like layers
- It comes together in twenty minutes but tastes like you spent hours perfecting it
02 -
- Impatience will ruin this cake the crackers need those hours to soften properly
- Let the glaze set completely before covering or you will have messy streaks on top
03 -
- Warm your knife under hot water between slices for perfect clean cuts
- A little extra lemon zest in the cream mixture makes all the difference