Description
Rich chocolate eclair cake melds creamy pastry cream with delicate layers of graham crackers and luscious chocolate ganache. Dessert enthusiasts will adore this classic French-inspired treat that delivers indulgent flavors without complex baking techniques.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups whole milk
- 8 large egg yolks
- 1 14-ounce box graham crackers
- 8 ounces finely chopped dark chocolate
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
Sweeteners and Thickeners:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
Flavor Enhancers and Extras:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of coarse salt
Instructions
- Craft the pastry cream foundation by blending sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a saucepan. Whisk milk and egg yolks separately, then integrate into the saucepan with butter. Simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until bubbling. Continue cooking for 1 minute, then remove from heat and incorporate vanilla extract.
- Filter the cream through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl. Seal with plastic wrap directly touching the surface to prevent skin formation. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, minimum 2 hours.
- Whip heavy cream until stiff peaks develop. Smooth out the chilled pastry cream, then delicately fold in the whipped cream mixture.
- Create cake layers by positioning first graham cracker base in a 9-by-13-inch pan. Distribute half the pastry cream evenly across the crackers. Add second cracker layer, then spread remaining pastry cream. Complete with final graham cracker layer.
- Prepare chocolate glaze by bringing heavy cream to a boil. Pour over chopped chocolate, covering with a plate. Allow chocolate to melt completely, then stir until achieving a glossy, uniform consistency. Generously coat the top graham cracker layer.
- Refrigerate the assembled dessert for minimum 2 hours or overnight to ensure proper setting and flavor melding before serving.
Notes
- Prevent Lumpy Cream Whisk continuously while cooking pastry cream to avoid unwanted lumps and ensure smooth, silky texture.
- Customize Cracker Base Swap graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour cookies for celiac-friendly version.
- Temperature Matters Ensure pastry cream and ingredients are cold for best consistency and easier folding of whipped cream.
- Chocolate Ganache Tip Use high-quality dark or milk chocolate for richer, more intense topping flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Chilling
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg