No-Bake Chocolate Éclair Cake
Plus, the season of cookbooks and What to Bake This Weekend!
It’s been a particularly prolific cookbook season. Typically, I’ll receive a dozen new cookbooks between September and December. It’s only the middle of October and 18 shiny new books, including Zoë Bakes Cookies, have graced my kitchen.
I love cookbooks more than just about anything, so this is my favorite time of year and I am super excited to dive into them all. Most of the books sent to me are of the baking variety but on occasion, I dive into the savory books as well.
Over the next several weeks I will focus my attention on the books I’ve baked or cooked from and do a deeper dive into them. I am starting with 100 Afternoon Sweets by Sarah Kieffer*!
*denotes affiliate link
The current stack of books sent to me by the author and/or publishers, links below:
Zoë Bakes Cookies by yours truly - At the time this was written Amazon* was having a buy 2, get one free sale. Just in time for holiday shopping! Please drop a review while you’re there. Thanks! xo
What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking by Caroline Chambers*
Jenna Rae Cakes at Home by Ashley Kosowan and Jenna Hutchinson*
A Couple Cooks: 100 Recipes to Cook Together by Sonja and Alex Overhiser*
Now, let’s dive into Sarah’s book!
I recently had the great honor of celebrating the launch of my dear friend, Sarah Kieffer’s, newest book, 100 Afternoon Sweets. She’s generously offered to do a GIVEAWAY of her book to one of my newsletter subscribers! And, for “Extras” members, you will find the recipe for the Chocolate Éclair Cake from the book below. I made this delicious cake for a party and it was a huge hit! More details about the GIVEAWAY and recipe are below!
This wonderful book is inspired by Sarah’s love of afternoon baking, which she started to do back in high school as a way to relax after school. I completely relate to this and did the same thing. Baking is my way of creating and relaxing. The recipes range from one-bowl, super simple cakes to weekend projects that are so fun but a little more in-depth and everything in between. She’s created something for everyone and every level of baking prowess. Even if you’re just starting out or maybe you know a kid in high school who may want to bake to relax, this is a great book.
I was looking for a cake to make for my dad’s birthday gathering in his garden. It was unusually warm for late September so I wanted something I could put together without spending the whole day going in and out of the oven.
The Chocolate Éclair Cake is 100% NO-Bake and it is decadent and delicious, two things you want in a celebration cake. Rich, dark chocolate pastry cream is lightened with whipped cream and layered between graham crackers in an easy-to-make, but sophisticated icebox “cake” and topped with a beautiful chocolate ganache.
When I made it, I used a smaller pan to assemble, so there were more layers than what you’ll find in Sarah’s book. Sarah was kind enough to provide the recipe to my Substack “Extras” subscribers! You’ll find it linked at the bottom of this post (along with notes in the recipe for making it both sizes).
We’re also GIVING AWAY a copy of 100 Afternoon Sweets! To enter, just leave a comment below by Wednesday 10/16 at 11:59 p.m. CT and we’ll randomly draw a winner and contact them shortly thereafter. US residents only. Good luck!
What to Bake This Week
It’s baking season! While baking season is year-round for me, I know many people dive head first into it right about now. If you want to spread some baking cheer this holiday season, now is a great time to make my homemade vanilla extract to give as gifts later this year.
Have a Halloween party coming up? Or are you planning ahead for trick-or-treating? Try one of my three fun Halloween desserts.
This Apple Bundt Cake is one of my most popular fall recipes. Give it a try or choose from one of my other favorite apple recipes.
Chocolate Éclair Cake
From Sarah: A classic, no-bake recipe, this dessert uses graham crackers to create “cake” layers. I use my pastry cream as a base and add some chocolate to it for a very rich, delicious treat.
