Chocolate Tres Leches Cake Recipe

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If you’re a fan of moist, indulgent cakes that melt in your mouth, this Chocolate Tres Leches Cake will be your new favorite.

This Latin-inspired dessert takes the beloved tres leches cake and gives it a rich, chocolatey spin. The combination of a fluffy chocolate cake soaked in a creamy,

three-milk filling and topped with a luscious whipped cream topping makes this dessert the perfect balance of sweet and satisfying. Whether you’re hosting a party or just treating yourself, this chocolate tres leches cake is sure to impress!

Ingredients List

Before we dive into the cake preparation, let’s gather all the ingredients needed to make this decadent dessert. Here’s everything you’ll need for the cake, milk filling, and whipped cream topping.

For the Cake:

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup canola oil
  • 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup freshly brewed strong hot coffee (cooled)

For the Milk Filling:

  • 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk (1 can)
  • 3/4 cup half and half
  • 3/4 cup evaporated milk
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

For the Whipped Cream Topping:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 cups very cold heavy cream

Required Kitchen Tools

To make your chocolate tres leches cake with ease, having the right kitchen tools is essential. Here are the must-have tools for this recipe:

  1. Mixing Bowls: You’ll need a large mixing bowl for the cake batter and a smaller one for the milk filling.
  2. Electric Mixer or Whisk: An electric mixer (handheld or stand) is perfect for mixing the batter and whipping the cream to stiff peaks.
  3. 9×13-inch Baking Dish: This will be the dish where the cake bakes and where you’ll soak it in the tres leches mixture.
  4. Piping Bag (Optional): If you want to pipe the whipped cream topping neatly, a piping bag can help create a professional look.
  5. Cake Tester or Toothpick: To check that the cake is baked all the way through, use a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center.

Having these tools at hand will make your chocolate tres leches cake a breeze to prepare!

How to Make the Chocolate Cake

The first step to creating this showstopper of a cake is baking the rich and moist chocolate cake base. This chocolate cake is wonderfully fluffy, thanks to the combination of buttermilk, oil, and hot coffee. Once baked, it will absorb all the decadent milk filling, making each bite irresistible.

Mixing the Cake Batter

  1. Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure the cake won’t stick.
  2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients ensures that everything is evenly distributed before adding the wet ingredients.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, canola oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Once combined, add the hot brewed coffee. The coffee will enhance the chocolate flavor, but don’t worry—it won’t make the batter runny. The batter will be a bit more liquid than a typical cake batter, but this is normal and ensures that your cake turns out moist.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing just until the batter is smooth. Be careful not to overmix, as this could affect the texture of the cake.
  5. Bake the Cake: Pour the cake batter into the prepared 9×13-inch dish. Smooth the top with a spatula to make sure it’s evenly distributed. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before proceeding to the next step.

Pro Tip:

While the cake is baking, make sure to prepare your milk filling and whipped cream topping so you’re ready to assemble the cake as soon as it cools.

Preparing the Milk Filling

The magic of a tres leches cake lies in its soaking process, where the cake absorbs a rich, creamy milk mixture. For this chocolate twist, we’ve added cocoa powder to the traditional three milks to give it an even deeper chocolate flavor. The cake will soak up all the goodness, making it incredibly moist and delicious.

Mixing the Milk Filling

  1. Combine the Milks and Cocoa: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, half and half, and evaporated milk. Make sure the ingredients are well combined. Then, add the unsweetened cocoa powder and mix until it dissolves completely. This step is important, as you want a smooth, chocolatey mixture that will soak into the cake.
  2. Set Aside: Once the milk mixture is ready, set it aside for now. You’ll use this to soak the cake once it has cooled completely. It’s important that the cake is fully cooled before pouring the milk mixture over it to prevent it from becoming too soggy.

Soaking the Cake

  1. Poke the Cake: Once the cake has cooled, use a fork or skewer to poke small holes all over the surface of the cake. This will help the milk filling soak evenly throughout the cake.
  2. Pour the Milk Mixture: Slowly pour the milk mixture over the entire surface of the cake, making sure it gets absorbed evenly. You may have some milk mixture left over; don’t worry, just keep pouring until the cake has absorbed as much as it can. It should look slightly wet but not soggy.
  3. Allow the Cake to Soak: Let the cake sit for at least 30 minutes to absorb the milk mixture. For the best results, refrigerate the cake for several hours or even overnight. This allows the flavors to meld together, and the cake to soak up all the delicious milk mixture, becoming extra moist and flavorful.

Preparing the Whipped Cream Topping

The whipped cream topping is the crowning glory of this chocolate tres leches cake. It’s light, fluffy, and slightly sweet, perfectly complementing the rich, moist chocolate cake. The cocoa powder in the whipped cream ties everything together with a smooth, chocolatey finish.

Whipping the Cream

  1. Chill the Mixing Bowl and Whisk: For the best results, chill your mixing bowl and whisk attachment (or hand beaters) in the refrigerator for at least 10-15 minutes before whipping the cream. This ensures that the heavy cream whips up nicely and holds its shape.
  2. Whip the Cream: In the chilled mixing bowl, add the very cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder. Using an electric mixer, start whipping on medium speed. Once the cream begins to thicken, increase the speed to high and continue whipping until soft peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip, as this can turn the cream into butter.
  3. Taste and Adjust: Taste the whipped cream and adjust the sweetness or chocolate flavor by adding more powdered sugar or cocoa powder, depending on your preference.

Frosting the Cake

  1. Spread the Whipped Cream: Once the cake has fully absorbed the milk filling and is nicely chilled, spread a generous layer of whipped cream on top. You can either spread it with a spatula for a smooth finish or pipe it for a more decorative look.
  2. Optional Decoration: If you want to take this cake to the next level, consider adding some chocolate shavings, cocoa powder dusting, or even chocolate curls on top. You could also drizzle some chocolate syrup for extra indulgence!

Let it Set

Before serving, allow the cake to chill for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator. This helps the whipped cream set, and the flavors will meld together perfectly.

Serving and Enjoying Your Chocolate Tres Leches Cake

Once your chocolate tres leches cake is assembled and chilled, it’s ready to be served! This cake is best enjoyed the same day, but it will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors only get better as it sits, so don’t be afraid to enjoy leftovers!

Storage Instructions

  1. Refrigerate: Store any leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cake will stay fresh for 2-3 days. The whipped cream topping will remain fluffy if stored properly.
  2. Freezing: If you have a lot of leftovers or want to prepare this cake ahead of time, you can freeze the cake. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and it will stay fresh for up to 1 month. To serve, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before enjoying.

Conclusion

This Chocolate Tres Leches Cake is a rich, indulgent dessert that’s sure to become a favorite at any occasion. With its moist chocolate base, creamy milk filling, and fluffy whipped cream topping, this cake is a twist on the classic tres leches that is both decadent and comforting. Whether you’re serving it at a celebration or enjoying a slice with a cup of coffee, this cake is bound to impress. With the step-by-step instructions provided, you can recreate this dessert in your own kitchen and bring a little piece of chocolate heaven to your table.

I'm Jennifer Tirrell, a self-taught baker, and founder of CakeRe. As an experienced baker and recipe publisher, I have spent over a decade working in the kitchen and have tried and tested countless baking tools and products. From classic cakes to creative twists, I've got you covered. So grab your apron and let's get baking!

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