This isn’t technically written anywhere in my favorite little golden book but it’s in keeping with the theme of achieving my goals so, why not. Today for the first time ever, I attempted to recreate my mom’s famous chocolate eclair all by myself. Of course we were in constant text communication throughout the process which was a lifesaver for the tricky bits. This fancy sounding delicacy is nothing more than a pile of graham crackers and vanilla pudding blanketed by a layer of rich dark chocolate. 

• Combine 2 packages of French Vanilla Pudding with 3 cups of cold milk.
• Fold in 2 containers (8 ounces each) extra creamy Cool Whip until smooth.
• Butter a 13 X 9 inch Pyrex baking dish and cover bottom with graham crackers.
• Spread 1/2 of pudding mixture on top of crackers. Place another layer of crackers on top of pudding and add remaining pudding. Cover with another layer of crackers (You”ll need a little less than 1 box of crackers in total).
• Using a double boiler, melt 2 squares unsweetened baking chocolate, 2 Tbsp. Karo syrup, 1tsp. Vanilla extract, and 3 Tbsp. milk. Stir until smooth.
• Mix 1-1.5 cups powdered sugar with the chocolate mixture until smooth and poor on top of crackers. Use a spatula to smooth to edges and corners.
• Refrigerate.

This recipe is the perfect means of impressing friends and neighbors at summer picnics and barbeques and is unfathomably simple in all ways but one; the chocolate topping. After a disastrous attempt involving my sister and which resulted in a bitter tasting chocolate lump, I stayed away from this particular recipe. However, years later, I have finally discovered the secret to the perfect chocolate eclair. It is absolutely essential that no water reaches the chocolate mixture as this will cause it to crystalize and congeal into something utterly unappetizing. A very slow heat is also critical to success. 

Make sure to spread your chocolate evenly over the crackers and voila! The perfect chocolate eclair! I’m happy to say that this was a huge hit. I will definitely be making it again for the next summer get-together.