Next, I take my baking dish and layer the graham crackers at the bottom. This crunchy base serves as a perfect contrast to the smooth filling I just made. I then pour half of the pudding mixture over the graham crackers, smoothing it out with my spatula to make sure every cracker is well-covered. I can hear the satisfying squish of the filling as I spread it out—pure joy! After that, I layer half of the sliced strawberries on top, allowing their freshness to shine through.
For the second layer, I simply repeat the process: more graham crackers, the rest of the pudding mixture, and the remaining strawberry slices. I love seeing the vibrant colors come together! Once I finish layering, I cover the dish with plastic wrap and let it sit in the fridge for at least four hours (or overnight if I can resist!). This step allows the graham crackers to soften beautifully, creating the “cake-like” texture.
Pro Tips for Best Results
I once put this dessert together only a few hours before serving, and I was rushed. Trust me when I say that allowing the eclair cake to chill overnight gives it a much better flavor and texture. The pudding really melds with the graham crackers, and the strawberries get a chance to shine even brighter!
Experimenting with whipped topping, I found that it works best when it’s completely thawed before mixing. I tested this out three different ways—frozen, partially thawed, and fully thawed—and the fully thawed version gave me that light, airy texture I wanted.
Lastly, I recommend using fresh strawberries whenever possible. Other berries just don’t have the same burst of flavor that strawberries do in this dessert. I’ve tried it with frozen berries, and while it’s still pretty good, nothing beats the vibrant taste of fresh strawberries!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One mistake I made my first time making this recipe was not measuring my ingredients properly. I thought, “A little extra pudding mix couldn’t hurt!”—but boy, was I wrong. The texture was way off, so I’ve learned to follow the measurements closely to keep that perfect creamy consistency. (See the next page below to continue…)