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Mexican Chocolate Milk Cake

Mexican Chocolate Milk Cake: A Velvety, Spice-Kissed Twist on Tres Leches


  • Author: Lyndy
  • Total Time: 5 hours 2 minutes (includes chilling)
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Rich, chocolatey, and warmly spiced. This Mexican Chocolate Milk Cake combines the creamy texture of tres leches with the bold flavor of cinnamon-infused Mexican chocolate. Soaked in a silky three-milk mixture and topped with whipped cream, it’s a decadent dessert perfect for celebrations or indulgent nights in.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup brewed coffee (room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk

For the Tres Leches Mixture:

  • 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Topping:

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • Chocolate shavings or cocoa powder for garnish
  • Optional: Use real Mexican chocolate in place of cocoa powder for authenticity

Instructions

  1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk melted butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, coffee, and buttermilk until smooth.
  4. Make Batter: Add dry mixture to wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Bake: Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 28–32 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
  6. Prepare Tres Leches Mixture: Whisk condensed milk, evaporated milk, heavy cream, cinnamon, and vanilla until smooth.
  7. Soak Cake: Poke holes all over cooled cake. Slowly pour milk mixture over top. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
  8. Make Topping: Beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and cinnamon until stiff peaks form. Spread over soaked cake.
  9. Garnish & Serve: Sprinkle with cocoa powder, cinnamon, or chocolate shavings. Serve chilled.

Notes

  • Flavor tip: Use real Mexican chocolate like Ibarra or Abuelita for authentic flavor.
  • Texture: Don’t overbake to keep the cake tender for milk absorption.
  • Soaking: Ensure enough holes are poked for even milk distribution.
  • Chill time: Let cake soak overnight for best flavor.
  • Variations: Add cayenne for spice, fold in chocolate chips, or drizzle dulce de leche on top.
  • Storage: Refrigerate up to 4 days; do not freeze assembled cake.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 32 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 410
  • Sugar: 35g
  • Sodium: 210mg
  • Fat: 25g
  • Saturated Fat: 15g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 7g
  • Cholesterol: 115mg

Keywords: Mexican Chocolate Milk Cake, Chocolate Tres Leches, Cinnamon Chocolate Cake, Mexican Dessert Recipes, Hispanic Desserts