Description
This Chocolate Tres Leches Cake combines a light cocoa sponge, a rich chocolate milk soak, and a whipped chocolate topping that sets like mousse. It’s soft, decadent, and best served cold for a truly luxurious dessert experience.
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
5 large eggs, separated
1 cup granulated sugar, divided
1/3 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted
1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
2 cups cold heavy cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chocolate curls or mini chocolate chips (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a separate large bowl, beat egg whites to soft peaks, gradually adding 1/2 cup sugar until stiff peaks form.
4. In another bowl, whisk egg yolks with the remaining 1/2 cup sugar until pale. Add milk and vanilla.
5. Fold dry ingredients into yolk mixture, then gently fold in egg whites until combined.
6. Pour batter into prepared dish and bake for 25 minutes or until springy and matte on top.
7. Let cake cool completely in the pan, about 1 hour.
8. Poke holes all over the cake using a skewer or fork.
9. Combine evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, melted chocolate, and espresso powder. Let cool slightly.
10. Slowly pour milk mixture over cake in stages, letting it soak in.
11. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
12. Beat heavy cream with powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla to soft peaks.
13. Spread or pipe whipped cream over chilled cake. Garnish with chocolate curls or chips.
14. Chill until ready to serve. Slice cold for clean edges.
Notes
Let the milk soak cool before pouring to avoid melting the cake.
Refrigerating overnight is essential for full absorption and texture.
For a mocha version, increase the espresso powder or add Kahlúa.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Latin American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: Chocolate Tres Leches Cake