Dulce De Leche Layer Cake Recipe

Birthday and celebration cakes often tell a story behind a country’s culinary culture.

Among Spanish desserts, the dulce de leche layer cake holds a special place: it’s a classic for birthdays and all kinds of celebrations, and its flavor has won over fans worldwide.

Continue reading this article to learn how to make a dulce de leche layer cake, with helpful tips for storing, serving, and customizing this traditional recipe.

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Pssst…!!?? You can’t get enough of Spanish desserts? Have a look at my other posts: 

• Spanish olive oil cake

• Dulce de leche flan

• Dulce de leche cheesecake

Background of the Dish

Dulce de leche layer cake was created in the mid-20th century and is a Spanish take on a classic dessert from the Río de la Plata region of South America.

In its original version, this cake includes peaches and occasionally walnuts to complement the dulce de leche and cream, although the Spanish version tends towards something simpler.

Traditionally, dulce de leche layer cake was served at birthdays or other celebrations such as weddings, baptisms, and first communions.

Nowadays, you don’t need an excuse to enjoy it and can prepare it any day of the year.

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Things You’ll Need for Dulce De Leche Layer Cake

To prepare the dulce de leche layer cake, you will need flour, eggs, butter, baking powder, sugar, milk, heavy cream, and dulce de leche as the main ingredients.

Ingredients

For the cake layers:

• 2 1/2 cups (315g) All-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons Baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1 cup (225g) Unsalted butter, softened
• 1 3/4 cups (350g) Granulated sugar
• 4 Large eggs
• 1 tablespoon Vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240ml) Whole milk

For the filling and frosting:

• 2 cups (600g) Dulce de leche
• 1 cup (240ml) Heavy cream, cold
• 2 tablespoons Powdered sugar

How to Make Dulce De Leche Layer Cake – Step by Step Guide

1. For the first step in this Spanish-style dulce de leche cake recipe, preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and line two 8-inch (20cm) round cake pans with parchment paper.

2. Now grab a medium bowl and whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.

3. After that, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Mix until a smooth batter forms. 

4. Then, divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

5. To continue, remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack and let them cool completely.
6. As the cakes cool, beat the heavy cream and powdered sugar until soft peaks form. Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar to your liking.

8. Now, place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread about 1 cup (300g) of dulce de leche evenly over the top.

9. As a key step, carefully place the second cake layer on top and spread the remaining dulce de leche over the surface and sides of the cake.

10. After that, you can decorate the top of the Spanish dulce de leche layer cake with the whipped cream, using a spoon or piping bag as desired.

11. Now, take the layered dulce de leche cake to the fridge for at least 30 minutes before slicing. This will help the layers to set.
12. For the final step, serve the dulce de leche-filled sponge cake chilled or at room temperature and enjoy.

Substitution of Ingredients

While the recipe for the dulce de leche layer cake is pretty traditional, some people enjoy adding different fillings and toppings to create their own version of the best dulce de leche cake recipe.

If you need a gluten-free option, simply replace the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend designed for baking.

This small adjustment allows you to enjoy the same soft texture without making major changes to the recipe.

For extra flavor and decoration, try topping the cake with chocolate shavings, toasted almonds, chopped walnuts, shredded coconut, or a light dusting of cocoa powder.

You can also add fresh seasonal fruit between the layers.

Strawberries, peaches, raspberries, and bananas pair especially well with dulce de leche and help balance its richness.

The fruit adds freshness and makes the cake feel lighter, particularly during the warmer months.

If you enjoy traditional Spanish desserts, there are plenty of other cakes worth trying after this one.

Spanish chocolate biscuit cake and Spanish milk cake are excellent choices for celebrations, afternoon gatherings, or whenever you’re craving a homemade sweet treat.

Tips on Serving Dulce De Leche Layer Cake

The dulce de leche layer cake is a dessert that is often associated with birthdays and family celebrations, making it one of the most beloved cakes for special occasions.

In this recipe, whipped cream is used as the finishing topping because its light texture balances the sweetness of the dulce de leche.

However, you can easily customize your celebration cake with dulce de leche by dusting it with powdered sugar or covering it with your favorite frosting or icing instead.

If you’re preparing the cake for a birthday, anniversary, or holiday gathering, feel free to get creative with the decoration.

You can use a piping bag to make peaks, swirls, or decorative borders on top, and add extra dulce de leche drizzles for a more elegant presentation.

Since this cake is quite sweet and rich, we recommend serving it with black tea, coffee, or café con leche, as they will help to balance the flavors and make each slice even more enjoyable. 

This cake fits perfectly on a dessert table alongside other Spanish favorites.

For a complete spread, serve it with classics such as Spanish orange cake, Córdoba cake, and Tarta de Santiago, creating a selection of treats that all guests can enjoy.

How to Store Dulce De Leche Layer Cake

The dulce de leche layer cake is best enjoyed once it has had a little time to chill and the filling has settled between the layers.

This helps the cake develop its rich flavor and makes slicing much easier.

If you have leftovers, store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

The homemade dulce de leche cake will stay moist and delicious, and many people find that the flavor becomes even better after a day or two.

For longer storage, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container.

Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, thaw the slices overnight in the refrigerator and bring them to room temperature for the best texture.

Are you a fan of classic Spanish desserts?

After trying this dulce de leche layer cake, you can also make other delicious treats such as the traditional Spanish sponge cake, the rich Spanish caramel cake, and the fruity Spanish apple cake, all perfect for sharing with family and friends.

Recipe Card: Dulce De Leche Layer Cake

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