The BEST Cream Puff Cake ever!! A cake version of the popular cream puff, it has a puffy crust, pudding and whipped cream layers and often drizzled in chocolate.
If you love cream puffs and eclairs, then you’ll love this cake version. It’s like one giant cream puff in cake form and can’t be beat!
Cream Puff Cake DESSERT
This next recipe I am sharing with you today is an ALL-TIME favorite desserts!!
I have my mom make it for my birthday each year, because it’s my favorite, and I’ll tell you why I LOVE it so much. It’s because it’s like a GIANT Cream Puff, and I LOVE Cream Puffs!!
If you like them too, then I promise you will love this Cream Puff Cake Recipe. It’s the perfect combination of crust, cream and pudding, and I think I could eat it all day long. 🙂
How to Make Cream Puff Cake
This cake is easier to make than you’d think. The crust is the hardest part and that’s not very hard either – it just takes getting used to.
To make the crust, boil the margarine and water in a pot. Add flour and mix well. Remove from heat and add eggs – ONE AT A TIME (this is important). Mix well and spread into a greased 9×13 dish.
Bake the crust at 400 for 30 minutes. The crust will puff up the sides, which is what you want. Let cool.
In a large bowl, mix pudding milk and cream cheese. beat until lumps disappear. Pour into your cream puff crust. Top with whipped cream and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Before serving, drizzle with chocolate syrup. We love to drizzle it with our homemade chocolate fudge sauce.
RECIPE FAQ
Can this be made ahead of time? You can make cream puff cake ahead of time. Up until you add the whipped cream, this can be covered and placed in the fridge up to 24 hours in advance. If you don’t want to mess up the whipped cream with Saran Wrap, just leave that off until right before serving.
How long does Cream Puff Cake last? Covered and stored in the fridge, this cream puff cake can last up to 5 days in the fridge. Just be sure to keep it refrigerated when not being used because the dairy products need to stay cool.
Can you use Cool Whip instead of Whipped Cream? Cool Whip is an easy substitute for whipped cream. You can make whatever is best for you and be sure to still have some chocolate syrup on hand to drizzle over it – you won’t regret it!
For more Cake recipes, check out:
Cream Puff Cake Recipe
The BEST Cream Puff Cake ever!! A cake version of the popular cream puff, it has a puffy crust, pudding and whipped cream layers and often drizzled in chocolate.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup margarine or butter
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup flour
- 4 eggs
- 1 box instant vanilla or white chocolate pudding (large box)
- 3 cups milk
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 8 oz whipped cream
- chocolate syrup
Instructions
Boil together the margarine and water.
Add flour and mix well. Cool slightly and stir in eggs, ONE AT A TIME. Mix well and spread into a greased 9x13 pan.
Bake at 400 for 30 minutes. Cool completely. NOTE: Crust will spread up onto the sides, which is suppose to happen.
In a large bowl, mix pudding, milk and cream cheese. Beat until lumps disappear. Pour into cream puff crust.
Spread whipped cream on top of pudding and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. Drizzle with chocolate syrup when serving.
you suck…watching that video make me cry this morning! thank for sharing! You totally don't suck! 🙂
Wow! That is an amazing and very touching video! Thank you for sharing! I am also hungry looking at those delicious pictures 🙂
I've been dying to try a cream puff cake like that! I must make it! Thanks for sharing.
Oh wow, this cake looks seriously awesome. It's a must try for me!Pinned it on pinterest, too. :)Cheers,Tracy Screaming Sardine
Love the cream puff cake! I would love it if you came over to Cast Party Wednesday and shared some of your recipes with us.Thanks,I hope to see you there!
My Chou paste sucked. It did not rise and was tough. The only thing I did wrong was not to cool it before I put the eggs in one at a time.
my rose but way high in places…….I cooled only slightly.
I can't stop drooling over your cake! No seriously….I can't! 🙂
That cream puff cake looks amazing. Seriously. It combines pretty much all of my favorite dessert ingredients ever!! I'd love for you to come by and link up to my Sweet Treats Thursday! Hope to see you there :)Ashtonwww.somethingswanky.com{Sweet Treats Thursday}
Oh my gosh! This looks so good! I HAVE to pin this! yum!
Watermelon slices on a stick – genius! Thanks for sharing!
Those look insanely delicious!
My mom used to make a cake like that… oh yum!
This recipe sounds awesome!! Bookmarking this one, for sure! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!! When I try it, I'll send ya the link to the post! Talk soon!Jade @ Sweet Baby {Mason} James
That cake looks sooooo delicious! And that video made me bawl!
Someone at my work made a cake like this before for a work party. I loved it and never knew how they made it. Now I know and I will have to try your recipe.
I've always wanted to make a cream puff cake and have never done it. But, this one looks delicious so I'm inspired. I love chilled desserts in the summer. I'd like to invite you to share your recipe on A Well-Seasoned Life's Sweet Indulgences Sunday.http://www.wellseasonedlife.com/2011/07/sweet-indulgences-sunday-14.html
Hello! Just stopping back by to let you know that your recipe was #3 on last week's Sweet Indulgences Sunday. Hope you'll stop by this week and share a recipe.http://www.wellseasonedlife.com/2011/07/sweet-indulgences-sunday-15.html
This looks amazing!! Can’t wait to try it!
Let me know if you do. It is seriously my FAV! I ask for it for my birthday every year. 🙂
Made it for family reunioun this past weekend….A BIG HIiT!! Thanks for sharing and God bless!
I would like to know what kind of flour you used in the cream puff cake. It looks really good and would love to try it . Thanks
Hi I like to try to make this creampuff cake but it says bake 400° is that right ?
Yes, the crust 🙂
This is interesting because the crust is precisely the ingredients of my German pancake recipe. It’s put together differently but cooking up the same way. Thirty minutes is much too long in my oven, so start to watch it at about 20. I’m anxious to taste it once it’s done. I’m taking it to lunch with my girlfriends tomorrow.
Was this good???
This looks so beautiful and good. Thursday Food Fest is open and I’d love if you could link this up! Thanks, Sarah
This is one of the best deserts I’ve ever made! It was to die for! I actually only had 2 cups of milk (which I only discovered halfway through making it), but I did have vanilla yogurt. So, I took a chance and used the yogurt to make up the missing 3rd cup of milk. That is the best mistake I’ve ever made! It was so delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
SOOO glad you liked it, Whitney!! It is seriously the dessert I ask for each year on my birthday! It’s so yummy and I’m glad you agree. 🙂
This cake looks delicious. Can’t wait to try it. Can butter be substituted for the margarine?
Wow!
Holy cow! This is truly one of the best desserts I have ever made! It was just awesome and everyone loved it. Only one difference, I didn’t have margarine so I used butter. Making again this weekend for my in-laws!
Thank you for posting, I’m southern and we don’t believe in margarine ???? I sure was hoping I could use butter instead without messing it up!!
I made the cake and somehow there was little lumps in thE batter what did i do wrong?
It just might have not gotten mixed enough, that’s ok 🙂 Hope it still tasted ok!
this looks amazing!
I am from Canada and I wanted to get clarification on the exact measurement for the margarine.
We have margarine in tubs.
Thanks so much!
I wonder if I let it cook too long/not long enough….the pastry was chewy and tasted like eggs….The filling was delish. Do you know what I could have done wrong?
This is a favorite at our house too…we call it Eclair Cake~ either way, it’s YUMMY!!!
Yes, it is!! Definitely my favorite! Thanks for stopping by! 😀
I make cream puffs all the time I add 1 stick of butter what’s the difference for adding margarine
Nothing really. I use both 🙂 Whatever I have on hand. It’s just a non-dairy substitute for butter.
for the cheese n cool whip, are they 18 oz or one 8 oz???
I was wondering if you have to make the pudding first then mix with the milk and cream cheese or just put the pudding package in along with the milk and cream cheese? Looks so good. I can’t wait to make this
This is a great recipe! My cream cheese didn’t thaw long enough and it was all crumbly 🙁 🙁 but still delicious!
MMMMmmmmmmmm!!!! Cream puffs are like one of my top 5 favorite foods. I am definitely going to be making this….like next week. Thanks!
Just tried this recipe and the crust rose up really high in just the middle. I’m not sure what the problem is.
My filling was really runny. I followed your directions exactly so I don’t know what went wrong. Not too fond on the cake part, tastes like egg and flour will make sure to add sugar and vanilla next time.
CANT WAIT TO TRY THESE THINGS !!
I made this Cream Puff cake today for my Family/Friends @ a Game night I hosted. I couldn’t have been happier with the results. This recipe is amazing! It came out just as the picture indicated it would. Everyone loved it, the crust was perfect and the filling was the perfect sweetness. If the directions are well followed, everyone will be happy with the results. I also loved how pretty it was. I will make again, and again!
Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by! It really is my favorite cake ever! SO glad it turned out and that everyone loved it. Have a great day! 😀
This turned out delicious…but the crust rose very high and freaked me out. To me the egg taste was very apparent. I wonder if you leave out one egg if would help or ruin it. The cream filling was so delicious it did cover the egginess, but I did notice it. Everyone elsevtjughtbitceas amazing. I’m gonna make it again, but tweak a little… Thank you for sharing it.
MY FAVORITE CREAM PUFF IS WITH COCONUT CREAM !
I did not like the way the crust turned out..mine puffed up the sides. Decided to make a graham cracker crust instead. Also you should beat the cream cheese first, otherwise you cannot get out the lumps! Next time I will do that and blend pudding and milk together and then add cream cheese. I know mine won’t be like a cream puff exactly, but here’s hoping it will taste okay…serving it to a women’s golf league!
Oh my gosh!!!!! Your recipes are so amazing. Want to try them all. Tryed to pin you but not successful. Hope I can find your site again. Many thanks, Peggy
This recipe is great. It’s a light but delicious
combination. I would make it again and
have shared it with a friend. Thanks.
So glad you liked it, Janet. It’s the dessert I requested from mom each year for my birthday. It’s so good!!
I love baking and anything creating or chocolate goes over well with my gang. Thanks for your posts.
Darn spell check I wanted to say creating not creating.
Wont let me say creampuff
I made the inside out cream puff cake with one small adjustment. I used sheets of frozen puff pastry (because I’m lazy!). My husband said he’ll be happy to take this dessert off my hands anytime I care to make.
Thanks for the shortcut inspiration.
Hi Maureen! Can’t believe I’ve never thought to use the Frozen Puff Pastry – that’s genius!!! I will have to try that next time. I’m sure it tastes just as great. 🙂
Can 1 stick of butter be used instead of margarine in your recipe?
I made the cream puff cake two nights ago for out annual pie and cake social and it was a hit si thanks so much for sharing your oh so delicious recipe !!!!
I don’t know if you will check this Blog or not Before Tomorrow Which is Thanksgiving So Thanks For Sharing This Oh So Delicious Recipe and God Bless You & Your Whole Family & Happy Thanksgiving 🙂
I have tried multiple times to print the Creme Puff Cake recipe…get it displayed on the screen, click on print and nothing happens. Why do you make it so difficult to print your recipes? The last one I got to print took five different clicks before getting to a printable screen.
Carl B.
All you have to do is click on the Printer icon on the top right of the recipe and it takes you to a printable version. From there, press CTRL P and you should be able to print it. 🙂
I followed the crust recipe exactly and spread it only on the bottom of the pan. The sides “grew” up and out of the pan more than 3″. What’s up with this?
Hi Susan! The sides are suppose to go up the sides so it creates a big type bowl for the cream to go in. 😉
Enjoy your recipes and posts very much !
Made the cream puff cake for card night and it was a hit. Fabukous
Happy it was a hit!! This is one of our favorite recipes!!! Thanks for letting me know!
Is it 18 oz of cream cheese/cool whip or 1 – 8 oz pkg/carton? These items are typically packaged in 8 oz sizes.
Would like to have sugar and fat stats for your desserts as my husband is diabetic and has kidney issues so we must carefully scrutinize his sugar and fat intake. EF
I make the cream puff cake all the time. But I use instant pistachio pudding instead of vanilla or chocolate. Everyone loves it.
My hubby loves pistachio, too!! Thanks so much for letting me know!!
I am going to try your cream puff cake, it looks so good!
Yay!! I hope you like it! Let me know what you think 🙂 Thank you!!
Hi there!
“Cream Puff Cake”
Can the butter (or butter flavor Crisco) be substituted for the margarine in the cream puff layer?
It seriously looks amazing. Cream puffs are my favorite.
I have used butter and margarine and they both work, but I would stay away from the crisco. It would change the recipe for sure. Good luck and hope you like it, as much as we do 🙂
What is a stick of butter equivalent to, and what is 1c? This cream puff cake looks amazing, can`t wait to try it.
A stick of butter is equal to 1/2 cup and 1c is 1 cup 🙂 I’d love to know what you think! Thank you!
Make it look extra fancy, drizzle the hershey syrup side to side…start on the left go right and keep going on the whole cake. So now you have lines of chocolate across the cake. Now take a knife and start at the top and draw it down, then up, down and up…and you will be amazed how it looks. I hope I explained how easy it is.
Thanks for sharing that tip!! I’ll have to do that next time 🙂
Has anyone made fresh whip cream instead of cool whip?
It can definitely be substituted for the cool whip! 🙂 Hope you’ll give it a try!
Silly question but I don’t want to mess this up, can I sub butter for the margarine???
Yes 🙂 Let me know what you think!! Thank you and enjoy!
Im doing it right now. Lets see????????????????
Let me know what you think!! Thanks!
Two questions: Must you use margarine or is butter okay? Also, have you used real whipped cream instead of CoolWhip? I don’t like using all of those chemicals.
You could do butter or margarine and real whipped cream will work, too 🙂 Hope those help and I hope you like it!!
I made this and it is amazing!.. My puffy crust was way puffier than yours.. But it was Delicious.
Haha..that’s ok 🙂 I’m so glad you liked it!! Thank you!
at sad print, but dont print. i love this recipes
It should print. You may need to check your settings on your computer/laptop. Let me know if you still have problems!
Self rising flour or non?
Just regular all purpose flour 🙂 Good luck!
The cream puff cake, do you use plain or self rising flour. Sounds so good. Thanks
Do you let
I just use regular flour 🙂 Enjoy!! Thank you!
Fabulous recipe! I used whole Graham crackers for the bottom crust instead. Yummy!
That would be yum!! Thanks so much for trying it! I’m glad you liked it!
How Many ounces is the large box of pudding , recipie sounds amazing
The large is around 5 ounces. We love this recipe! Let me know what you think! Thank you!!
Oh my goodness, just what a fat man on a diet needs, cream puff cake. I’m gonna enjoy every bite.
LOL!!! You are too funny!! Enjoy every bite 🙂 Thank you!
I have made cream puffs many times and Danish Puff that uses the same crust and it is delicious. Time to try the cake now. Thanks for sharing!
I have never liked instant pudding, could this be made with cooked pudding?
Sounds so yummy!
I don’t use margarine, can I substitute butter?
Of course 🙂 Hope you like it!! Thank you!
Hello
I wanted to make your Cream Puff Cake which looks delicious, but as I live in Spain we don’t have 1 box instant vanilla or white chocolate pudding (large box) or the cool whip… Do you know if I could substitute these with cream of something else?
Thank you very much and kind regards,
Rosemary.
I have not tried substituting something else . You could make a homemade pudding & whipped topping? Google is the best 🙂 Let me know if you try it!
I found alot of great!! Recipes that I will be enjoying this holiday! I cannot wait
Awsome site…????
Thanks so much!! You are too nice! Let me know what you think of the ones you try!
Your cream puff cake is delicous. I have always made cream puffs, now I only make your cake. Half the time and it is delicous and looks beautiful. Thanks for sharing
You are so welcome!!! I’m so glad you like it! It’s one of my favs!
Just wanted to share that I subbed in a gluten free flour blend (cup for cup) into the cream puff cake and it turned out perfectly! It was a hit! I’m sure it’s going to be requested for many birthdays to come!
Thank you for sharing! Hopefully, that will help some 🙂 Glad you liked it!
I made this cream puff cake recipe according to the recipe. Both times I refrigerated the cake. The next day when I served the cake the cool whip and pudding were not solid. The pudding and cool whip became a liquid and not a solid cake. I was wondering if the cake should have been frozened, since it was like it had thawed out and not firm at all like the video showed. What did I do wrong? Thanks for your assistance.
I’m not really sure what happened. It doesn’t turn solid, but stays the consistency of pudding & cool whip. The only thing I can think of is, did you make the pudding, then added 3 cups of milk?
Oh my goodness!!! You share the most amazing recipes!! Thank you so much!
You are so nice! Thank you so much for saying that!
This is the best cake ever! Not to sweet and not heavy. It’s divine.
I did substitute whip cream for the cool whip it was awesome!
Glad you think so!! It’s one of our go-to’s!! Thank you!
Look forward to trying cream puff cake. So excited that it’s not a Graham cracker crust. The pastry crust must be awesome. Genius. Thanks.
Jeanne
It is my favorite!!! I hope you like it!! It’s our go-to cake!
I love your recipes, Would like to see more.
Thank you so much. I hope you keep stopping by!!
I am interested in recipes for diet reasons. Your recipes look so darn good.
Awe, thank you so much! Let me know what you think of ones you try!
Thank you for this quick and wonderful addition to my arsenal of treats !!!
LOL..you are so welcome!! Glad I could help 😉
Can’t wait to try your recipes!
Awe, thank you!! I can’t wait for you to try them!!
I love all y’all recipes there are so delicious
Awe, thank you so much!! I am so glad you do 🙂
What happens if you use real butter?
Yes, of course 🙂 Enjoy!
Can butter be used instead of margarine?
Yes 🙂 Hope you try it & like it!!
I’ve made similar crust for a Danish Puff recipe I make, but I use butter not margarine. I assume that would be fine for this recipe also.
Sorry, I missed the other comments about using butter. I’m going to make this for my daughter’s birthday. It looks super yummy.
NO worries 🙂 I hope she likes it!!
My family and friends love my cream puffs I’m just want to see what else I can do with the shell part of it and this sound awesome I will have try it thanks
If they love cream puffs, then they will like this 🙂 I hope you try it & they love it!!
Hi Kristin in cream puff cake recipe you say a stick of butter how much in weight as in Australia we don’t have sticks butter . Also pudding mix you say large box how much does it weigh and lastly what is cool whip is it cream with something added we have cream whip here and it’s already mixed in a aerospace type container that you press missed to use it.
No problem at all! One stick of butter is half cup. The larger box of pudding is 5.9 ounces. And, lastly, cool whip is whipped cream, so you could use whatever you use as whipped cream. You could also make it from scratch. I would just google the recipe 🙂 Hope that all helps!! And, hope you try it & like it!
Luv your recipes.
Awe, thank you so much 🙂
Hey there! Are the nutrition facts for the whole cake? Or how many servings are in the entire thing? Thanks!
I tried making this cake and it turned out terrible! the pastry puffed up in all the wrong places! could it be because I used a glass pan? I have made the cream puffs before and they were perfect.
Oh, no! I am sorry it did. I am not sure why it did that?? I wish I knew! I appreciate you giving it a try though 🙂
This cream puff cake was absolutely delicious. So easy to make and so easy to eat. I made this as a test cake to take to work in the next few weeks. By myself I ate half of It in two days. It is so….light and refreshing. Thanks for this amazing recipe.
Love hearing that!! It’s a great recipe to share! Thanks!
On the cream puff cake recipe
Onestick of margarine, is that 1/2 cup or 1 cup stick
One stick equals 1/2 cup 🙂
I make all these. My family loves them. Now my grandchildren. Thank you
That’s awesome! I am glad it is a hit! Thank you!
The best of cream puffs but in a 9×13 pan. Easy to put together with all the yuminess of cream puffs. This is a favorite dessert in the summertime!
it looked great until I saw the margarine and cool whip. I’m sure butter will substitute fine, but does anyone know if you can use whipped cream instead of the fake stuff?
You sure could 🙂
This cake has been a huge hit anywhere I take it!! It’s so smooth & creamy & I love the little bit of fudge on top, since I need chocolate!
Wonderful recipe great with sliced bananas under cool whip.
this cake is absolutely one of my favorites!
I use to make cream puffs, but living in florida they would flop. Well i have made your desert today for Thanksgiving. Im sure we will enjoy the dese4t.
Thank you for trying it!! I hope it’s a hit!
This is one of our favorites!! It is always gone so fast! It’s creamy & easy to make.
Yes please! This is the perfect dessert to take to a get together i have With some old friends. Its so good!!
This is one of our favorite desserts. SO SO GOOD!
You’ve really won me over with this recipe. This cake is on point!
Woohoo!! I am so glad! Thank you so much!
I am making this for my friend’s birthday! It looks amazing!
Thank you!! I hope she loves it!
I loved how you made a video! Very Helpful! It looks absolutely DELICIOUS! My family loves Cream puffs!!
This my favorite dessert! So easy and super tasty!
Pillowy sweet heaven!! Thanks for the recipe. 🙂
You are so welcome!! I am so glad you think so 🙂
This is seriously so delicious!!!
Truly one of our most favorite desserts! It is cool and creamy Tasting. The crust is a giant cream puff. Its really the only thing that takes time but so worth it. Your family will thank you.
Do you use plain or self rising flour for crust?
I use plain flour 🙂 Enjoy!!
Has anyone ever made the Cream Puff cake recipe with gluten free flour? If so, how did it turn out?
Can butter nw used instead of margarine for cream puff cake?
Yes, sure can 🙂 Enjoy!
Can i use butt ins of margarin?
Yes, of course 🙂
Hi kristyn! All your recipes are super delicious!! I am so glad that you shared for us..thank you very much! More power and god bless you!
Awe, you are so sweet!! Thank you so much for trying some & for sharing that!
Can i use butter instead instead of margarine?
You sure could 🙂
While it’s baking, you need to poke the crust so it deflates!
I’m always on a look out for great food gift ideas. This one looks great. Thank you !
Thank you!!
can you use butter instead of margarine
Yes, of course 🙂
Hi ! Want to know can you use
Butter in your cream puff cake
Instead oF margarine ???
REally want to make this for
EaSter. Please let me know soon
Thanks
You sure could 🙂 Hope it’s a hit!! It’s one of my favorites!!
You ruined easter and possibly my relationship by not putting measurements on your puddinG mix.
I am not sure what you mean. I have all the amounts listed in the recipe box.
Hi!
I went to the store to purchase the ingredients… I forgot the pudding… Sigh. So, Im thinking and thinking…. then that light bulb moment! I made the filling with no bake cheesecake because i already had the ingredients. Thank goodness for that really bright light bulb. Turned out great. There was nothing left… Not even the baking dish…kidding… Next time though, I won’t forget the PUDDING!
Glad it turned out!! Thank you for sharing that!!
Can you use butter instead of margarin for this cake???
You sure could 🙂 Enjoy!!
LOVE YOUR RECIPES REALLY GREAT THANKS
Awe, thank you so much!! I am so glad you do!!
what type of flour for cream puff cake?
I just used all-purpose 🙂
This NEEDS to be made again! Everyone devoured this cake. We love Cream Puffs and this is beyond better! One of my kids is requesting this as their birthday cake!
My family loves this dessert! It’s my favorite to take anywhere, when I am in charge of dessert!
Do I need a mixer? You didn’t say what kind of large bowl. Can I beat by hand or will that take to long?
I use a hand mixer, but you can definitely mix by hand, if you don’t have one. Just any large bowl will do.
I was looking for a summery deSsert fir family dinner night and found this recipe. It was a huge hit !!! AbSolutely love the crust!!!! It will forever stay in my recipe file and be made many more times !!!
Yay!! You made my day! Thank you for sharing that!