Are high summer like temperatures keeping you from baking dessert lately? This Coconut Eclair Cake is just what you need to keep cool during this heat wave.
Last week we had some beautiful fall days here. It was slightly cool and just perfect for wearing jeans and sweatshirts with flip flops. Do you do that too? It is my favorite.
But that was just a teaser because this week has been crazy hot. Like hotter than the entire summer vacation! They even cancelled my son’s soccer game because the heat index was supposed to reach 112*. That’s crazy hot!
Now usually that kind of heat doesn’t bother me because I stay inside with my air conditioner cranked down low. But our air conditioner was even having a hard time keeping the house cooler in these temperatures.
The other day I was at Meijer when I saw some new fun frostings from Betty Crocker. Of course the Almond Joy one caught my eye right away. I do love me some coconut. Have you seen these Coconut Muffin Tops or this Coconut Oreo Fudge? Putting coconut into everything is kind of my life long dream. Unfortunately not everyone in my house agrees with this mission, so I limit my coconut baking to here and there.
But the minute I laid eyes on this Almond Joy frosting, I knew it had to come home and live with me. Into the cart it went, and we went happily home to bake in the heat.
Now obviously since the air conditioner was struggling to keep up with the heat outside, I didn’t want to add heat inside too.
Eclair cakes are one of my favorite desserts at a church potluck. We were just at our church picnic a few weeks ago, and sure enough there was a big pan of eclair cake on the dessert table. It never lasts very long either. Starting with dessert is always a priority at meals like that…I like to call that research in action 🙂
This Coconut Eclair Cake is just like the original version, but with a few fun tropical twists that I happen to love. Actually I am loving on it a little too much lately. There is still a few pieces in my fridge…someone please come take them away before I dig in again.
Let’s talk about the differences in this cake for just a minute. The most obvious one is that I used chocolate graham crackers instead of the original. I love love love chocolate graham crackers. You will need to keep an eye out for them. Here in my town our Kroger carries them. There will be some leftovers, but I hear they are delicious dipped in peanut butter 😉
I used Jello instant coconut cream pudding with more shredded coconut stirred in. Like I said I love all things coconut! Then the entire thing got covered in the Almond Joy frosting…which is heaven. It is good with those leftover crackers too…or so I hear.
The finishing touch to this cake is serving it with toasted coconut and Almond Joy pieces…just adds a little bit more color and fun to an easy cake.
If you can’t find me later today, it’s because I’m hiding from the heat with a huge piece of cold Coconut Eclair Cake to keep me company. I guess I am ok with summer holding on, as long as I can keep enjoying no bake desserts!
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Chocolate crackers and coconut pudding come together to make an impressive no bake dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 box instant cream of coconut pudding (3.4 oz.)
- 1 3/4 cups milk
- 1 cup Cool Whip
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1 box of chocolate graham crackers (you will have some left)
- 1 cup canned chocolate frosting (I used the Betty Crocker Almond Joy)
- toasted coconut
- Almond Joy candy pieces
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and milk. Stir in the shredded coconut. Fold in the Cool Whip gently.
- Place a layer of the chocolate graham crackers on the bottom of an 8x8 pan that has been sprayed with non stick spray. Spoon half the pudding mixture over the crackers. Top with another layer of crackers. Cover with the rest of the pudding. End with one more layer of crackers.
- Place the frosting in the microwave for 20 seconds. Pour over the top of the crackers and spread out. Refrigerate until firm. Cut into 9 squares. Top with toasted coconut and Almond Joy pieces to serve.
Notes
If you use a dish with rounded edges, you may need to break a few crackers to fill the bottom of the pan and to top the pudding.
Other coconut treats that I can never get enough of:
Coconut Cream Cheesecake Brownies
Nancy [email protected] says
September 12, 2013 at 2:31 PMOkay confession time. I don’t do coconut! I never like it as a kid and I even tried some muffins my friend made last week because they looked so good. But they had coconut in them. I think I could do the flavor but not the actual coconut pieces. It’s a texture thing! You cake looks tempting though….
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 16, 2013 at 1:29 PMNo coconut?? I can’t even imagine! 😉 I guess that’s how people feel when I say I don’t really care for meat! Lol! Thanks Nancy!
Vivian407 says
September 16, 2013 at 6:29 PMFlavoring and/or grind coconut very finely. I don’t care for the texture either.
holly waterfall says
September 12, 2013 at 3:33 PMHoly yum! Almond joy frosting?! In.Love. I am so glad salt lake has moved on to more fall like temperatures. I don’t envy the heat you’ve got going on. As soon as it’s stops raining, you will be sure to find me in my hoodie and flops:-)
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 16, 2013 at 1:33 PMIt was seriously lovely-almost a dessert in itself!! Hehe! I’m glad you’re getting nice Fall weather! Thank goodness it cooled off here again! The heat wave was weird!!
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
September 12, 2013 at 3:50 PMOh man the heat has seriously bummed me out, too. I wore a cardigan last weekend! A FREAKING CARDIGAN! blegh, On the bright side, look at this beautiful cake! Absolutely gorgeous, and I bet delicious. 😀
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 16, 2013 at 1:34 PMHaha! Cooler weather is back for us now, I hope it is for you too!! Thank you Jess!! 🙂
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
September 12, 2013 at 3:54 PMThis is brilliant!! Love the simple ingredients…most of which I already have in my pantry 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 16, 2013 at 1:34 PMYay!! Then you should totally make this!! 🙂 Thanks Ashley!!
Shaina says
September 12, 2013 at 4:40 PMmmmm i am a lover of all things coconut too, this sounds so good!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 16, 2013 at 1:35 PMThank you Shaina!! 😉
[email protected] says
September 12, 2013 at 4:54 PMPlease send me those last few pieces of this! This is like a coconut dream. I love Almond Joy inspired desserts, and have been dreaming up my own concoctions, which don’t even compare to this! Love it.
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 16, 2013 at 1:36 PMThanks Marcie!! 😉 I’m sure your recipe ideas are totally drool worthy! Love your baking girl!!
Vanessa says
September 12, 2013 at 6:48 PMThat looks good! I don’t normally buy canned frosting though because I would end up eating it by the spoonful. It’s so good. I’m pretty sure i could eat that almost joy frosting in one sitting. Almond Joy candy bars are one of my favorites. Yum.
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 16, 2013 at 1:38 PMI might have eaten a spoonful or four during the frosting of this! 😉 They are one of my favorite candy bars too! Thanks Vanessa!!
Shawn @ IWYD says
September 12, 2013 at 7:11 PMOh this is just awesomeness. I fell in love with Almond Joy about 5 years ago. I didn’t like them for the longest time. In fact, I didn’t like coconut for the longest time, then I woke up and realized coconut is pure deliciousness. The end. 🙂 (pinning these).
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 16, 2013 at 1:39 PMThanks Shawn!! I’m glad you finally saw the light with coconut.. It is just pure heaven!! 🙂
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
September 12, 2013 at 7:42 PMMmm I have been dying to try that frosting! This cake is fabulous. It’s SO HOT HERE. I’m so ready for cooler weather and pants!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 16, 2013 at 1:41 PMThis frosting is thee best!! It’s FINALLY cool here again. The heat wave we had was so weird! I will try to send you some cooler weather!! 😉 Thanks Dorothy!!
Mercedes says
September 12, 2013 at 8:59 PMI love how simple this cake looks and it is one of my favorite flavor combinations! I forget how great chocolate graham crackers are!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 16, 2013 at 10:53 PMThanks Mercedes!! I know! Sometimes all you need is a good choc graham cracker to spruce up a dessert! 😉
Brenda @ SweetSimpleStuff says
September 12, 2013 at 9:25 PMThere is no way that I will make this for my hubby! OK, I lied … I will make it for a family potluck … so we won’t be tempted to eat the whole thing!!!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 16, 2013 at 11:08 PMHaha!! I seriously wanted to devour this all by myself!! Thank goodness I have three hungry kids and friends who take things off my hands! Thanks Brenda!!
Tieghan says
September 12, 2013 at 9:57 PMWow, that is hot!! It is total fall weather here, so I cannot even imagine! Just wow! This cake would be the perfect thing to keep cool though! I am loving that frosting!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 16, 2013 at 11:21 PMYes, it was no fun!! This cake helped a lot! 🙂 Thank you girl!!
Kelly || Old Blue Silo says
September 12, 2013 at 10:11 PMI don’t like coconut but I think after seeing this I may have to learn to like it…. 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 16, 2013 at 11:22 PMI totally think this cake could convert you!! 😉 Thanks Kelly!!
Mary Frances @ The Sweet Tooth Life says
September 12, 2013 at 10:53 PMI feel you! It’s been 100s here as well. Love the blue in these pictures and having major coconut withdrawals – must have some soon! And that frosting! All of it looks so good!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 16, 2013 at 11:29 PMYuck! I hope your weather has cooled off! You need this cake to help with that withdrawal 😉 Thanks Mary!!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
September 12, 2013 at 11:53 PMOooh! Ooh! Ooh! I grabbed that frosting a couple weeks ago but haven’t used it yet! Now I know what it’ll be for 🙂 this looks AWESOME.
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 16, 2013 at 11:30 PMI don’t know he you’ve hung on to it that long! I could barely wait to taste it!! 😉 Thanks Hayley!!
Wendy says
September 13, 2013 at 10:07 AMWe have been having that crazy hot weather here in St. Louis too! No-bake is the only way to go when the weather is wacko! I have been cooking dinner outside on the grill and now I know what to make for dessert. I love reading your posts that describe your creative (and always delicious) uses for the packaged baking items you discover. You turn pre-made into home made with flair! 🙂
I am off to hunt down chocolate graham crackers. Thanks, Jocelyn!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 17, 2013 at 12:17 AMI hope you’re finally getting relief from the nasty heat! Haha-“You turn per-made into home made flair”-love this!! 😉 Thank you so much Wendy!!
Nancy says
September 13, 2013 at 3:52 PMI LOVE coconut! Maybe it runs in the family? Love this recipe!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 17, 2013 at 12:20 AMHaha, it probably does!! 😉 So does caving sugary goodness!! Thank you Mom!!
Stephanie @ Plain Chicken says
September 14, 2013 at 7:32 PMI havent’ seen that frosting – on the look out on my next trip to the grocery store.
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 17, 2013 at 12:21 AMIt’s so insanely good.. Like eat out of the container good!! 😉 I hope you find it!!
Carla says
September 15, 2013 at 7:22 PMOh my coworker made eclair cake similar to this but I think it was with banana. Love the coconut twist with this!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 17, 2013 at 12:22 AMMmmm, banana eclair.. Sounds dreamy 😉 Thanks Carla!!
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl says
September 15, 2013 at 8:34 PMWe’ve still had hot weather here, too…fingers crossed that we’ll get some cooler temps soon. In the meantime, I’ll just eat this cake to stay cool – I can’t get that frosting out of my mind!!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 17, 2013 at 12:35 AMYuck! Come on Fall, everyone is ready!! 😉 This frosting is now one of my fav’s!! Thanks Ashley!!
Chels R. says
September 16, 2013 at 4:16 PMWhat a fun cake. I wish my family liked to eat coconut a bit more. I’m in love with it.
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 17, 2013 at 12:36 AMPoor you! You just need to make this for yourself then!! 😉 Thanks girl!
capturing joy with kristen duke says
September 17, 2013 at 11:06 AMInteresting new frosting! This looks amazing!
Jocelyn @ BruCrew Life says
September 18, 2013 at 1:42 AMThanks Kristen!! The frosting is one of my new favorites!