Chocolate lovers, this is the recipe for you! This chocolate tres leches cake features a tender chocolate cake soaked in a chocolate three milk mixture. Top it off with chocolate whipped cream for a one of a kind dessert experience.
This easy chocolate tres leches cake starts with a cake mix, so it is simple to put together. Instead of using the ingredients on the box, I used melted butter and milk to really amp up the dairy undertones.
Then you soak the cake in a mixture of cocoa powder, milk, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk to give it the trademark texture with extra chocolate flavor.
Top it all off with some chocolate whipped cream and you have a chocolate milk lover’s dream come true. If you are a fan of tres leches cake, you are going to love this chocolate twist!
Starting With Cake Mix
Using a cake mix practically ensures you will get a nice fluffy cake that is perfect for absorbing the three milk mixture. Plus it means you get to avoid separating eggs and whipping up egg whites like is required in the traditional recipe.
When the cake is baked, you poke holes in it to let the milk soak in. Generally you would use a skewer or even fork tines for this.
My brain glitched a bit when I made this one and I used the handle of a wooden spoon like you do for a poke cake.
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You know what? It worked out fine.
You just want to give all of those milks their best chance to penetrate the cake. That will help to get an evenly soaked cake.
Bake It Ahead Of Time
If you have time, bake and soak the cake a day in advance. That will give the milk mixture plenty of time to soak in!
I like to wait until closer to serving the cake to add the whipped cream. That way the cake is fully chilled and the whipped cream is nice and fresh.
You can just make a nice swirl pattern in the cream and leave it as is. You could also use chocolate shaving or do what I did and sprinkle on some mini chocolate chips.
I mean, why not add more chocolate when given the chance?
Storage
Due to all of the dairy, you definitely want to store this cake in the refrigerator. It will stay good for several days in the fridge.
I don’t recommend freezing the cake as all of that liquid is going to change the texture. However, you could bake the cake in advance and freeze it.
Just defrost the cake, soak it in the milks and top it with whipped cream closer to when you want to serve it.
Chocolate Tres Leches Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 15.25 oz chocolate cake mix
- ½ cup butter melted
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 large eggs
Milk Soak
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 10 oz evaporated milk
- 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
Chocolate Whipped Cream
- 1½ cups heavy whipping cream
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉ and grease a 9×13-inch pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the cake mix, butter, milk, and eggs on low until combined. Then mix on medium speed for 2 minutes.15.25 oz chocolate cake mix, ½ cup butter, 1 cup whole milk, 4 large eggs
- Pour into greased pan and baked for 25-30 minutes or until the center bounces back when lightly touched with a finger.
- Cool for 10-15 minutes, then poke every half inch or so with a toothpick or skewer.
- In a medium bowl, stir together cocoa powder and condensed milk until combined.14 oz sweetened condensed milk, 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
- Add the milk and evaporated milk. Stir until uniform.¾ cup whole milk, 10 oz evaporated milk
- Slowly pour over the cake, making sure to get some everywhere, allowing it to soak in some as you go.
- Chill several hours or overnight.
- Before serving, whip together the cream, sugar, and cocoa powder to stiff peaks. Spread over the cake.1½ cups heavy whipping cream, ⅓ cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup cocoa powder
- Garnish with mini chocolate chips or chocolate shavings if desired.
Notes
Video
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Wow this sounds so delish! Quick question what cake mix do you advice? Where I am from cake mixes aren’t really a big thing, so no idea what to go for 😀 Thanks in advance!
Any chocolate cake mix you can get your hand on would be fine. We have quite a few brands here and everything from chocolate cake to devil’s food or triple chocolate. Any of them should work.
Yummy. Wow does this look and sound delicious!
Thank you! We all thought it really was quite wonderful!