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Tuesday, September 28, 2010

No Bake Chocolate Eclair Cake for Grandpa's Birthday

My favorite assistant chef, the princess Lana, came to Grandma’s house to help make a surprise birthday cake for Grandpa. As always, the first order of the day was to get out the three-step stool and wash our hands. That done, we donned our aprons and began to assemble the ingredients: 1 box graham crackers, 2 small boxes instant vanilla pudding, 3 cups of milk, 8 ounces whipped topping, 1 can of already prepared chocolate frosting, and 3 tablespoons of water.

“Wait a minute, Grandma, you forgot the flour and butter,” said the princess.

“No Sweetie, we don’t need those ingredients. In fact this cake is so special that we don’t even have to bake it. We just set in the refrigerator over night and it turns into a cake!”

“Oh, does that mean it’s magic?” the princess asked.

“Maybe it is. When we get all the ingredients mixed just right, then you can say the magic words.”

“I can? I get to do the magic! But wait, I forgot to bring my magic wand!” she said.

“No, you don’t have to have it. I will lend you my magic wooden spoon, hand painted with my own name,” I said as I flipped it from the crockery pitcher. Reverently she took the spoon from my hand and we began.

We read the recipe then prepare the cake exactly as instructed.

No Bake Chocolate Éclair Cake

 1. Line an oblong cake pan with one layer of graham crackers. (This job is for the princess.)
2. Mix the 2 small packages of instant pudding, and 3 cups of milk in a medium size mixing bowl using a wire whip. (This job may be done by the princess, if her magic is working or by Grandma.) Then fold in the whipped topping.
3. Pour half of the pudding mixture over the first layer of graham crackers and spread evenly. (Grandma, you had better do this part, because the pudding always gets on the princess’ fingers, and the rule is if it gets on her fingers, she has to lick.)
4. Let the princess put another layer of graham crackers on top of the pudding mixture.
5. Now pour the remaining layer of pudding mixture on top of the crackers and spread it evenly. Maybe the princess can help with this, since she watched last time, and she can also lick the bowl. (No raw eggs here)
6. The princess can now put the third and final layer of graham crackers on top of the cake. (If there are any crackers left you can share them.)
7. Then open the icing and add the water. Carefully stir with a small rubber spatula or table knife until water is incorporated. Drizzle the thinned icing on top of the final layer of crackers and spread evenly. (Let the princess sample the icing to make sure it’s good enough for Grandpa’s cake.)
8. Cover the cake with a lid or plastic wrap and set it in the refrigerator to chill overnight.
9. Tell the princess to say the magic words:
“No bake cake, no bake cake, you must be magic, you’re so easy to make.” At
last the princess waved her magic wand sprinkling magic pixie dust on the cake.

Try this recipe and I am sure this No Bake Chocolate Éclair Cake will be one of your family’s favorites too.