Chocolate Tres Leches Cake

4.9
(60)

This chocolate tres leches cake is a rich and delicious twist on the classic Mexican dessert. It tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen but a boxed mix makes it so easy!

Piece of chocolate tres leches cake on plate with whole cake in the background
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Prep Time:
35 mins
Cook Time:
35 mins
Additional Time:
45 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 55 mins
Servings:
18
Yield:
1 cake
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 18 servings

  • 1 (18.25 ounce) package Swiss chocolate cake mix (such as Duncan Hines®)

  • 1 ¼ cups chocolate milk

  • ½ cup canola oil

  • 3 eggs

  • 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder

  • 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

  • ¾ cup half-and-half

  • ¾ cup evaporated milk

  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar

  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

  • 3 cups heavy whipping cream

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch pan.

  2. Beat cake mix, chocolate milk, canola oil, eggs, and espresso powder together in a large bowl with an electric hand mixer on a low speed until dry ingredients are moistened. Increase speed to medium and continue beating another 2 minutes; pour into prepared pan.

  3. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Remove cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan until it is no longer hot to the touch. While the cake is still warm, poke lots of holes all over the cake with a small skewer or a fork.

  4. Whisk sweetened condensed milk, half-and-half, evaporated milk, and 3 tablespoons cocoa powder together in a bowl until cocoa is mostly incorporated into the liquid; slowly pour the milk mixture evenly over the cake. Allow the cake to cool completely as the liquid soaks into it.

  5. Sift confectioners' sugar and cocoa powder together in a bowl.

  6. Beat heavy whipping cream in a stand mixer on medium speed for about 1 minute. While continuing to mix, add sugar-and-cocoa mixture to the cream in 2 batches, allowing the first to incorporate before adding the second. Increase mixer speed to medium-high; beat until soft peaks form and the cream is thickened and spreadable. Spread chocolate whipped cream on the cake to serve.

    Cook's Note

    For variety, you can add 1 tablespoon of coffee-flavored liquor (such as Kahlua) to your milk mixture, or add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon to your cake batter.

100 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

472 Calories
31g Fat
46g Carbs
8g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 18
Calories 472
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 31g 39%
Saturated Fat 14g 69%
Cholesterol 101mg 34%
Sodium 319mg 14%
Total Carbohydrate 46g 17%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 33g
Protein 8g 15%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 196mg 15%
Iron 2mg 11%
Potassium 343mg 7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.