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New twist on an old potluck classic! Spicy cinnamon, gooey caramel and velvety-smooth cream filling. Easy and no baking required!
An Old-Time Classic
I pretty much fell in love with the original eclair dessert when I first had it at an office potluck.
The one thing I found that I wanted to change from the original was the topping. Let me say that I like chocolate–I’m not a fanatic, but I like it. However, the amount of chocolate icing/glaze was a bit of a problem for me because so much chocolate seemed to overpower the other flavors.
The Idea
What I did was simply frost it with whipped topping and drizzle chocolate ganache on top and that reduced the overly chocolatey taste.
The real re-work of this came about 10 years ago when I hosted a party for a well-known spice and pre-packaged food company that a friend sold. I made this, incorporating a couple of their products, the caramel sauce and the cinnamon graham pretzels. That dessert literally evaporated in about 10 minutes. Luckily, I grabbed a bite off one of my friend’s serving and then I could see why it disappeared so quickly.
Better Blend of Flavors
The hint of cinnamon and the blend of just enough chocolate drizzle with the caramel really took this old standby to the next level.
While I don’t buy that company’s grahams nor caramel sauce because it’s way too costly, I use cinnamon grahams and just the average-priced caramel topping you find over by the ice creams in the store.
Some Suggestions
You can use regular grahams, of course, but if you cannot find the cinnamon ones, just sprinkle some cinnamon sugar over the cracker layers.
My suggestion here is you partially freeze this before serving. It’ll be easier to cut that way. Especially if you are serving to company where you’d want a nice presentation. If it’s just the family, it makes no difference. Just grab a spoon and enjoy this!
The Recipe
Caramel Eclair Dessert
Ingredients
- 18-22 whole cinnamon grahams -OR- regular/honey grahams see NOTES
- 2 8 oz tubs whipped topping
- 1 pkg 4-serving size instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 3/4 cups milk
- 1 cup caramel ice cream sauce reserve about 1/4 cup for drizzle
CHOCOLATE GANACHE
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 3 tbsp heavy cream
Instructions
- Whisk pudding mix and milk for 2 minutes; let stand for 2 minutes.
- Fold 1 tub of whipped topping into the pudding; set aside.
- Place 1 layer of graham crackers on the bottom of a 13 x 9-inch pan.
- Pour about 1/4 cup of the caramel sauce over the graham crackers.
- Spread half of the pudding mix over the graham crackers.
- Repeat graham crackers, caramel sauce and remaining half of the pudding mixture.
- Place another layer of graham crackers on top.
- Frost with the remaining tub of whipped topping.
- Make ganache by placing the ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds. Remove and stir until there are no lumps. You may have to nuke for another 10-15 seconds if you still have some lumps after stirring well. FYI--be patient as chocolate should be melted slowly. After the initial 30 seconds, you may have to stir for 2-3 minutes. If you still have lumps after this time, nuke for the additional time stated previously.
- Drizzle the chocolate over the top of the dessert, then drizzle the remaining caramel sauce over the top of the dessert.
- Chill VERY thoroughly. My trick is partially freezing or even totally freezing this until I'm almost ready to serve. If the dessert is completely frozen, thaw for about 30-60 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
Oh my heavens! I’ve died and gone to heaven. This is dying from sugar. This looks and sounds amazing. I will definitely try it!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way recently posted…Southern Italian Grilled Tuna Steaks
Judith Hanneman says
You will love it Marisa! Enjoy your Sunday!
Melissa Sperka says
Heaven help me! Pinning this for safe keeping.
Melissa Sperka recently posted…Blueberry Crumble Coffee Cake
Judith Hanneman says
This one’s a real goodie Melissa!!
Sophie says
Melissa!! Guess I am not sticking to my diet plan this week x.x or with all the sugar I will have to use the energy for lots of exercise. But it will so be worth it.
Judith Hanneman says
It is so worth it!!!!LOL
Carole from Carole's Chatter says
Oh my!
Judith Hanneman says
This is a winner Carole–I realize that our (in USA) graham crackers may not be available world wide, but in the “English-Speaking” world, you can substitute digestives.