Chocolate Tres Leches Cake is a wealthy chocolate model of the traditional Mexican dessert. Soaked in three sorts of milk and topped with gentle chocolate whipped cream, it has an extremely moist texture and deep chocolate taste.

Chocolate Tres Leches Cake: The Highlights
- Moist to the max: This cake is past moist (however by no means soggy!) due to the three-milk soak (evaporated milk, condensed milk, and entire milk) and simply the suitable combo of components!
- Whipped cream frosting perfection: The sunshine, fluffy chocolate whipped cream on high completely balances the cake’s richness. You can too use a cream cheese frosting from my carrot cake loaf as a substitute.
- Spectacular but simple: It appears to be like as spectacular as my raspberry lemon cake and strawberry blueberry cake, making individuals suppose you spent all day baking. But it surely’s really fast and straightforward—plus, you should utilize any store-bought chocolate cake combine (for a 9×13 pan) for the sponge cake as a substitute of baking from scratch.
- Nice for any event: My purpose is at all times to make crowd-pleaser desserts, and this chocolate tres leche cake works everytime you need to impress. I’ve served it at household dinners, birthday events, and different particular events! My different showstoppers are strawberry shortcake cake and carrot cake cheesecake.



Suggestions for Success
- Begin with Room Temp Substances: I at all times let my components come to room temperature for a smoother batter and extra even rise.
- Soak It Properly: Don’t rush the soak. I let the cake take in the milk combination slowly for max moisture and richness.
- Chill Earlier than Serving: After soaking, I refrigerate the cake. It helps the flavors come collectively and makes slicing clear and straightforward.
- Whipped Cream Topping: I whip the cream to stiff peaks for a lightweight however steady topping that balances the richness of the cake.
- Make-Forward Pleasant: This cake really improves with time. I make it a day or two forward and maintain it lined within the fridge—it is nonetheless extremely moist.
- Toppings You Can Add: I’ve topped it with recent berries, caramel drizzle, or chopped nuts. All work nice for including texture or additional sweetness.

What to Serve with Chocolate Tres Leches Cake
- Berries: Recent berries like strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries add a tart distinction, whereas a dollop of whipped cream retains issues traditional.
- Ice cream: A scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream enhances the cake’s sweetness with out overpowering it.
- Texture: When you’re feeling daring or need a little bit of crunch, strive serving it with toasted nuts like pecans or almonds, or add a crisp wafer or chocolate curl.
- Drinks: Or, to maintain it easy, serve with a sizzling cup of espresso or a chilly glass of milk.
- Alcohol, cocktails, digestif: For a wealthy, grown-up pairing, serve this cake with an after-dinner cocktail like an Espresso Martini, Baileys White Russian, or a Chocolate Previous Customary. If you would like one thing less complicated, a small glass of Baileys or Kahlúa—neat or over ice—provides simply the suitable boozy end.
Different Chocolate Desserts

Chocolate Tres Leches Cake
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Substances
For the cake:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder ideally Dutch-processed
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 massive eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk or entire milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice, let sit 5 min
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup sizzling water or sizzling espresso espresso enhances chocolate taste
Tres Leches:
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk (canned)
- ½ cup evaporated milk
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons Dutch-processed cocoa powder
Chocolate Whipped Cream:
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- Chocolate shavings/curls for topping
Directions
Make the cake:
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Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
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In a big bowl, sift collectively flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
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In one other bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla.
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Slowly add the moist components to the dry, mixing till simply mixed. Stir within the sizzling water or espresso till easy.
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Pour into the ready pan and bake 25-Half-hour or till a toothpick inserted comes out clear. Let cool.
Make the chocolate tres leches milk combination:
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Whisk collectively sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, common milk, and cocoa powder.
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Poke holes within the cooled cake with a fork, then slowly pour the milk combination over it. Refrigerate for at the very least Half-hour.
Make the chocolate whipped cream:
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Chill a mixing bowl for 20 minutes. Add heavy cream, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar. Beat till stiff peaks kind.
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Unfold over the chilled cake and high with chocolate shavings or curls.
Notes
- Storage: Maintain the cake lined tightly with plastic wrap or in an hermetic container within the fridge. It stays recent and moist for as much as 4 days. As a result of it’s soaked in milk, refrigeration is important to stop spoilage.
- Freezing: You may freeze the cake earlier than or after soaking within the milk combination:
- Earlier than soaking: Wrap the cooled baked cake tightly in plastic wrap after which foil. Freeze for as much as 2 months. Thaw within the fridge in a single day earlier than continuing with the milk soak and whipped cream topping.
- After soaking (with out whipped cream): Wrap the soaked cake properly and freeze for as much as 1 month. Thaw in a single day within the fridge, then add whipped cream earlier than serving.
- Do not freeze the cake with whipped cream topping as it may possibly have an effect on texture.
Diet
The best way to Make Chocolate Tres Leches Cake (Step-by-Step)
- Put together the chocolate sponge cake: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. In a big bowl, mix sifted dry components with moist components with a hand mixer simply till mixed and easy.

- Bake the chocolate sponge cake: Pour into the 9×13 baking dish and bake for 25–Half-hour, or till a toothpick comes out clear. Let cool.

- Make chocolate tres leches milk combination: Within the meantime, whisk collectively sweetened condensed milk, milk, evaporated milk, and cocoa powder.

- Pour the milk texture over the cake: As soon as the cake has cooled, poke holes throughout with a fork and slowly pour the milk combination on high. Refrigerate for at the very least Half-hour.

Make chocolate whipped cream: Chill a mixing bowl for 20 minutes. Add whipping cream, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar; beat till stiff peaks kind.

- Frost the cake: Unfold evenly over the chilled cake and high with chocolate shavings or curls.

