Individual Tres Leches Cakes With Cognac And Dark Chocolate Food

TRES LECHES CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13'' pan with non-stick cooking spray.
• In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Separate the eggs into two other mixing bowls.
• Add 3/4 cup sugar to the bowl with the egg yolks and mix on high speed until yolks are pale yellow. Add 1/3 cup milk and vanilla and stir to combine. Pour the egg yolk mixture over the flour mixture and stir gently just until combined (don't over-mix).
• Use electric beaters to beat the egg whites on high speed. As the begin to whip into stiff peaks, gradually mix in the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar. Fold the stiffly beaten egg whites into the batter gently, scraping the bottom and sides of the bowl, until combined.
• Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth it into an even layer. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow cake to cool completely.
• Combine the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and whole milk in a small bowl. Once the cake has cooled use a fork to poke holes all over the top of the cake.
• Slowly pour the milk mixture over the the top of the cake, making sure to pour near the edges and all around. Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour or overnight, to allow it to soak up the milk.
• In the meantime, whip the heavy cream, sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks. Smooth over the top of the cake. Sprinkle cinnamon on top. Serve with fresh sliced strawberries, if desired. Enjoy!

CHOCOLATE TRES LECHES CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Prepare a cardboard circle using the bottom of cake pan as a guide; set aside.
• Grease two 9-in round cake pans then dust with powdered cocoa, knocking out excess.
• For the cake, in a large bowl combine flour, cocoa and baking powder.
• In a medium size bowl, combine the milk and vanilla.
• Set both aside.
• Place egg whites in a clean bowl and beat at high speed until peaks are formed.
• Turn the mixer down to medium speed and gradually add the sugar to the egg whites.
• Once the sugar is dissolved, add egg yolks and beat for 3 minutes.
• Continue beating egg white mixture on medium-low speed and add flour and milk alternately until well blended.
• Divide batter between the two pans and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
• Leave the cakes in the baking pans.
• While the cakes are still warm, punch holes in cake with wooden skewer.
• Combine the sauce ingredients and pour evenly over the two layers.
• Place the cakes in refrigerator and allow to cool.
• In a small, heavy saucepan on medium heat, stir the cream and chocolate together until chocolate is melted and mixture is blended.
• Add vanilla and stir for 1 minute.
• When ready to assemble, remove cake for refrigerator and allow to reach room temperature.
• The cakes will be very moist and will need special handling.
• Run a spatula around the inside of the pan and slightly under layers to loosen.
• Place the prepared cardboard over one pan and invert.
• Pour some frosting over the layer and spread with spatula.
• Using your hand or a spatula to hold second layer in pan, invert onto frosted layer and carefully lift pan away.
• Set the cake on a rack over a jellyroll pan and power the warm frosting over the cake, smoothing with a spatula to completely coat top and sides of cake.
• Let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes and scape any excess frosting from the jellyroll pan back into the saucepan.
• Heat excess frosting, stirring until smooth.
• Cool slightly and againpour over the cake, smoothing with a spatula over top and sides.
• Refrigerate until glaze is set.
• Let cake stand at room temperature for at least 15 minutes before serving.
• Garnish with fresh strawberries or dust lightly with powdered sugar.

CHOCOLATE TRES LECHES CAKE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease the bottom only of a 9-by-13-inch cake pan (preferably metal), leaving a 1/4-inch border that remains ungreased. Do not butter the sides of the pan.
• Place a large sifter or a sieve in a large bowl. Add the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt and sift. Add the sugar and whisk to combine.
• In another large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla until combined. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk until there are no lumps and the batter is smooth. Carefully pour in the boiling water and stir until combined.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake in the center of the oven until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean and the cake bounces back when lightly pressed, about 25 to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the tres leches: In a large bowl, combine the evaporated milk, condensed milk (setting 3 tablespoons aside for the whipped cream), heavy cream and vanilla bean seeds or extract (if using) and whisk to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate if not using immediately.
• Remove the cake from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes. Run a butter knife around the cake's edges. Cool completely.
• While the cake is still in the pan, use a skewer or a fork to poke small holes through the cake to the bottom, about an inch apart. Slowly spoon the tres leches over the top of the cake, giving it time to soak in. Once the liquid is absorbed, repeat until all the tres leches is used. (Toward the end, the tres leches will pool at the edges, but don't worry; it will be absorbed while in the fridge.) Cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 5 to 6 hours, preferably overnight.
• When ready to serve, make the whipped cream: Add the reserved condensed milk along with the cream, vanilla and cinnamon (if using) to the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat on medium high until the cream has doubled in volume, forms soft peaks and is light and fluffy. Spread the cake with the cream and sprinkle the chocolate shavings on top. Serve from the pan.