Chocolate Mocha Tres Leches Cake

This Chocolate Mocha Tres Leches Cake is the epitome of chocolate heaven! It’s ultra-moist, decadent, and a great make-ahead dessert for celebrations!

Tres leches cake is a popular dessert that originated in Latin America. It’s a sponge cake that is soaked in a mixture of three different types of milk (hence the name "tres leches" which means "three milks" in Spanish). It’s been around for centuries and there are lots of flavor variations that are delicious!

The first time I had Tres Leches Cake was 20 years ago at a Bahama Breeze restaurant in northern Kentucky. When I say it was “Love at first bite,” I mean it! I’ve always wanted to recreate that moment, and this one took the cake! It has the perfect amount of sweetness, savoriness, and decadence. Accented with fresh mango, strawberries, and mint, it’s pure heaven!

Why You’ll Like Chocolate Mocha Tres Leches Cake

• Versatility: Chocolate Tres Leches Cake is versatile and the perfect cake to make ahead of time for an event. It’s PERFECT for a birthday party, holiday celebration (especially Cinco de Mayo), a work potluck, or family get-together!
• Dreamy Creamy Topping: The whipped topping is so dreamy that you’ll want to just eat it with a spoon!
• Easy Recipe: A semi-homemade cake saves time without sacrificing quality. Using this boxed cake mix yields a moist cake with rich chocolate flavor.
• Pure Chocolate Decadence: This cake is tender, moist, and definition of a chocolate lovers dream!

Ingredients

Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below

Cake

• Betty Crocker Triple Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix (or homemade as noted below): Provides the base flavor and structure for the cake layers.
• Milk: Adds moisture and contributes to the texture.
• Oil: Adds moisture to the cake and helps keep it tender.
• Eggs: Contribute to the structure and richness of the cake.
• Sour cream: Adds moisture, richness, and a slight tanginess to the cake batter.
• Instant coffee granules: Enhances the chocolate flavor in the cake, giving it a richer and more complex taste.

Tres Leches Topping

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds moisture, sweetness, and richness.
• Cocoa Powder: Adds chocolate flavor, depth, and color.
• Evaporated Milk: Contributes to the moistness and texture.
• Half and Half: Provides creaminess and moisture.

Whipped Topping

• Heavy Whipping Cream: Used to create a creamy topping for the cake. It adds richness and a light, airy texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the whipped cream topping and helps stabilize it. 
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor.
• Cocoa Powder: Adds to the texture of the topping as well as chocolate flavor and color.

Garnish Options

• Cocoa Powder, Fresh Fruit, Mini Chocolate Chips, Toasted Coconut, Fresh Mint Leaves, Chocolate Sauce

TOOLS YOU’LL NEED

• Mixing Bowls
• Hand Mixer 
• Rubber Spatula
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• 13”x9” Baking Dish

How to Make This Recipe

1. For the cake, whisk or beat together the cake mix, milk, oil, eggs, sour cream, and instant coffee granules in a large bowl until well combined.

2. Pour in a buttered or non-stick sprayed 13”x9” baking dish, spread evenly, then bake for 28-32 minutes at 350℉. While warm, poke holes over the entire cake.

3. Meanwhile, while the cake is baking, make the tres leches topping. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk and cocoa powder until smooth. This will ensure the cocoa powder dissolves well. Add the evaporated milk and half and half and whisk again until well combined. 

4. Once the cake has finished baking and holes have been poked, evenly pour the tres leches topping over the entire cake. 

5. For the whipped topping, beat heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and cocoa powder in a large bowl on high speed with a hand mixer until stiff peaks form.
6. Once the cake has completely cooled, evenly spread the whipped topping on top. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. It’s optimal to let it refrigerate overnight. Slice and serve garnished as desired.

Tips and Substitutions

• How to Serve: Chocolate Mocha Tres Leches cake tastes best when served chilled, so remove it from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before serving.
• Homemade Chocolate Cake Mix: If you want to substitute with a homemade cake mix, here are the ingredients:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar,. ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda, ½ tsp salt
• Garnish Options: Besides berries and mint, this Homemade Chocolate Syrup makes for a delicious and beautiful garnish over the top of a slice of this cake. It has just 5 ingredients and can be repurposed with ice cream, chocolate milk, or over brownies.

Storage

This Chocolate Tres Leches cake should be stored in the refrigerator because of the milk content. It can be kept in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for up to four days.

You can also freeze the cake portion and add the tres leches and whipped topping later. Simply wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and store it in an airtight container or freezer bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator before adding the tres leches and whipped topping.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Chocolate Sweet Treat Recipes 

• Chocolate Bundt Cake
• Chocolate Loaf
• Silky Chocolate Mousse
• Frozen Hot Chocolate Pie
• Frozen Hot Chocolate