Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 box (15.25 oz) of vanilla or white cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled
For the Tres Leches Mixture:
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons rum (optional)
- 1 tablespoon coffee liqueur (optional)
For the Tiramisu Whipped Cream:
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 oz mascarpone cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (for dusting)
- 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder (optional)
Instructions
For the Cake:
- Prepare the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Mix the batter: In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes until the batter is smooth and fully combined.
- Bake the cake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake according to the instructions on the box (usually 28–30 minutes) or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the cake: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then use a fork or skewer to poke holes all over the top of the cake, ensuring the cake is well punctured for soaking.
For the Tres Leches Mixture:
- Prepare the milk mixture: In a bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, rum (optional), and coffee liqueur (optional).
- Soak the cake: Pour the tres leches mixture evenly over the cake while it’s still warm. Let the cake absorb the mixture for about 30 minutes to 1 hour. You want the cake to be thoroughly soaked, but not soggy.
For the Tiramisu Whipped Cream:
- Whip the cream: In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
- Add mascarpone: Gently fold in the mascarpone cheese until smooth and well combined, creating a fluffy, rich mixture. If desired, you can add instant espresso powder to give the whipped cream a stronger coffee flavor.
- Top the cake: Once the cake has soaked up the milk mixture and is fully cooled, spread the tiramisu whipped cream evenly over the top.
For the Finishing Touch:
- Dust with cocoa powder: Before serving, dust the top of the cake with cocoa powder using a fine sieve or sifter. You can also sprinkle a bit of grated chocolate or espresso powder for an extra coffee kick.
- Chill: For best results, refrigerate the cake for at least 2-3 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve:
Slice and serve chilled. The result is a wonderfully moist, creamy, and indulgent Tiramisu Tres Leches Cake that brings together the best of both desserts in one delightful treat!
Enjoy!