This easy No-Bake S’mores Pudding Dessert is a chilled, layered treat made with graham crackers, chocolate instant pudding, whipped topping, miniature marshmallows, and semisweet chocolate chips. It takes about 20 to 25 minutes to assemble, requires no cooking, and needs at least 4 hours in the refrigerator before serving.
Every spoonful delivers the familiar flavor of campfire s’mores in a cool, creamy dessert. The graham crackers soften into a cake-like layer as they rest with the chocolate pudding, while fluffy whipped topping, chewy marshmallows, and chocolate chips add the perfect contrast.
Jump to RecipeWhy You’ll Love This Recipe
This dessert brings together the best parts of a classic s’more without a campfire, oven, or complicated pastry work. The ingredient list is short, the assembly is straightforward, and the refrigerator does the important work while the layers set.
The texture is especially satisfying. At first, the dessert has distinct layers, but after several hours the graham crackers absorb a little moisture from the pudding and become tender, almost like a light chocolate icebox cake.
It is also an excellent make-ahead dessert for cookouts, potlucks, birthdays, and family dinners. Since it must chill before serving, preparing it the night before is both convenient and recommended.
If you enjoy cool chocolate desserts, you may also like this easy no-bake chocolate pudding cake, another simple option for a creamy, chilled finish.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Begin with one 14.4-ounce package of graham crackers, which contains about 18 full sheets. These form the two tender cookie layers and provide the recognizable toasted honey flavor associated with s’mores.
Two 3.9-ounce packages of instant chocolate pudding mix and 3 cups of cold milk create the rich pudding base. Be sure to use instant pudding mix, since it thickens by whisking with cold milk and does not require stovetop cooking.
An 8-ounce container of frozen whipped topping should be thawed before mixing. It lightens the pudding and makes the filling soft enough to spread over the crackers without tearing them.
For the s’mores finish, you will need 2 cups of miniature marshmallows and 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips. A standard-size chocolate bar, chopped into small pieces, is optional but adds a pleasingly homemade appearance to the top.
- Lightly grease one 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
- Use cold milk for the pudding mixture.
- Thaw the whipped topping before folding it into the pudding.
- Have the marshmallows and chocolate chips ready before layering.
How to Make It Step-by-Step
Step 1: Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, paying attention to the corners. Arrange graham crackers in one even layer across the bottom, breaking sheets into smaller pieces wherever necessary so the base is covered.
Step 2: Pour the cold milk into a large mixing bowl and add both packages of instant chocolate pudding mix. Whisk for about 2 minutes, or until the mixture is noticeably thick and smooth with no dry pockets of mix remaining.
Step 3: Add the thawed whipped topping to the thickened chocolate pudding. Fold gently with a spatula until the color and texture are evenly combined, taking care not to stir so aggressively that the mixture loses its airy quality.
Step 4: Spoon half of the pudding mixture over the first graham cracker layer and spread it into an even blanket. Sprinkle about half of the miniature marshmallows and chocolate chips over the pudding so every serving will have a little of both.
Step 5: Arrange a second layer of graham crackers over the marshmallows and chocolate chips. Break the sheets as needed, then spread the remaining pudding mixture over the crackers, smoothing the top with the back of a spoon or an offset spatula.
Step 6: Scatter the remaining miniature marshmallows and chocolate chips across the top. If using the optional chocolate bar, chop it into small pieces and add them as a final garnish for extra chocolate flavor and visual appeal.
Step 7: Cover the baking dish and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours. Overnight chilling is preferable because it gives the graham crackers enough time to soften and allows the layers to set firmly.
Step 8: Just before serving, you may toast marshmallows on the top with a kitchen torch for a more authentic campfire note. Torch only marshmallows placed on top, never the whipped topping, and do not broil the assembled dessert unless the topping is specifically broiler-safe.
Pro Tips for the Best Texture
The most important tip is to plan ahead. Although the active preparation takes only 20 to 25 minutes, the dessert needs at least 4 hours in the refrigerator, and an overnight rest produces the softest, most cake-like graham cracker layers.
Whisk the pudding and milk for the full 2 minutes. The mixture should thicken before the whipped topping goes in; adding the topping too early can make it harder to judge whether the pudding has reached the right consistency.
Fold rather than beat the whipped topping into the pudding. Gentle mixing keeps the filling light and makes it easier to spread without pressing too firmly against the graham crackers.
When building the layers, do not worry about making every cracker fit perfectly. Small broken pieces are useful for filling gaps, and the pudding will help hold the finished dessert together once it chills.
For another easy chilled dessert idea, take a look at this no-bake pineapple pie. Its cool, creamy style makes it a useful choice when you want a second make-ahead sweet on the dessert table.
Serving and Garnishing Ideas
Serve this dessert cold, cutting it into squares with a sharp knife. Wipe the knife between cuts if you want especially tidy layers, although rustic scoops are perfectly welcome for a casual gathering.
The marshmallows and chocolate chips already make the top inviting, while chopped chocolate bar pieces add a slightly more finished look. For a toasted s’mores effect, torch the top marshmallows immediately before serving and watch them closely as they brown quickly.
Do not torch the whipped topping. The topping is not intended for direct flame, and the assembled dessert should not be placed under a broiler unless the particular topping is specifically labeled broiler-safe.
For a dessert spread filled with chocolate and peanut-butter flavor, you can also serve a slice of this no-bake Butterfinger cream pie alongside the s’mores pudding dessert.
Storage and Make-Ahead Notes
Keep the covered dessert refrigerated while it chills and after it is served. The graham crackers continue to soften as the dessert rests, which is why overnight preparation is preferred for the best texture.
Because this recipe is designed to be served chilled, there is no reheating step. Remove only the portion you plan to serve, then return the remaining covered dessert to the refrigerator.
If you plan to use a kitchen torch, wait until just before serving to toast the marshmallows. This keeps the garnish fresh-looking and prevents the toasted surface from becoming soft during extended refrigeration.
For a fruit-forward option to add to your collection, bookmark this pineapple coconut dessert. And when you need a savory breakfast idea before dessert, this easy cheesy omelet is a practical companion recipe.
Easy No-Bake S'mores Pudding Dessert
Ingredients
Method
- Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Arrange a single layer of graham crackers across the bottom, breaking sheets as needed to cover the surface.
- Add both packages of instant chocolate pudding mix and the cold milk to a large bowl. Whisk for about 2 minutes, until the mixture thickens.
- Fold the thawed whipped topping into the thickened pudding until evenly combined. Spread half of the pudding mixture over the first graham cracker layer.
- Sprinkle about half of the miniature marshmallows and semisweet chocolate chips over the pudding. Add another layer of graham crackers, breaking them to fit as necessary.
- Spread the remaining pudding mixture over the second graham cracker layer. Finish with the remaining miniature marshmallows and chocolate chips, adding chopped chocolate bar pieces if desired.
- Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. For a toasted finish, use a kitchen torch only on marshmallows placed on top immediately before serving.
Notes
Final Thoughts
This Easy No-Bake S’mores Pudding Dessert is proof that a memorable dessert does not need an oven or a long ingredient list. With graham crackers, chocolate pudding, whipped topping, miniature marshmallows, and chocolate chips, you get creamy, soft, chewy, and chocolatey layers in every serving.
Give it the full overnight chill whenever possible, then add the optional chopped chocolate and toasted marshmallow garnish just before serving. It is a simple make-ahead dessert with the cozy flavor of s’mores and the cool comfort of a classic pudding treat.