Called manjar in Chile, dulce de leche is a butterscotch-like sauce made from very slowly cooking milk and sugar. My speedy hack is using imported dulce de leche (Amazon offers many brands, most from Argentina). It’s used both in the custard and as its own layer in this dessert. Guests can assemble their own glasses, or you can create a showstopper trifle in a tall and wide glass bowl. Both the cake and custard can be made up to two days in advance.
Ingredients
For the cake layer:
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup cake flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup sugar, divided
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup water at room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the dulce de leche custard:
- 4 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- Pinch of sea salt
- 4 egg yolks
- 4 whole eggs
- 3 cups whole milk
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup dulce de leche
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
For the whipped cream:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons confectioner’s sugar
For the assembly:
- 1 pint fresh raspberries
- 1 cup dulce de leche
Directions
Step 1
Make the cake: Separate the eggs when cold, then let the yolks and whites come to room temperature. Line a 17×12 rimmed sheet pan with a piece of parchment paper large enough to hang over the sides (do not grease it). Preheat your oven to 325°F.
Step 2
Whisk the flour and baking powder in a bowl; set aside. In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks and half the sugar until pale, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the olive oil, vanilla, and water, then fold in the flour mixture.
Step 3
In the large bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg whites on low until foamy, then add the cream of tartar, salt, and the rest of the sugar. Increase the speed to high and whip until the whites are stiff, 8 to 10 minutes.
Step 4
Gently fold the whites into the yolk-flour mixture in three or four batches; you should barely see any of the whites, but don’t overmix. Pour the batter into the sheet pan and use an offset spatula to smooth out the top.
Step 5
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until lightly browned and spongy. Let cool completely, then invert the cake onto a cutting board and peel off the parchment. Cut into 2-inch squares—save the scraps because they can be used, too.
Step 6
Make the dulce de leche custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, sugar, and salt, then whisk in the yolks followed by the whole eggs. Continue whisking until the mixture turns a lighter yellow; set aside.
Step 7
Place the milk in a saucepan and scald—you should see a light skin start to form, but don’t let the milk come to a boil. Vigorously whisk 1/4 cup milk into the egg mixture, then slowly whisk in the rest. Return the mixture to the saucepan and bring to a low boil over medium heat, whisking constantly for about 2 minutes (lower the heat as needed to prevent scorching the bottom). It should become quite thick.
Step 8
Remove from the heat. Whisk in the olive oil, dulce de leche, and vanilla, and transfer to a glass serving bowl. Let it cool to room temperature, then press a round of parchment paper over the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until cold, 4 hours up to overnight.
Step 9
When ready to assemble, whip the heavy cream and confectioner’s sugar. Rinse the raspberries and pat dry. In a tall serving bowl or individual glasses, build the trifle layers: cake squares, dulce de leche custard, raspberries, whipped cream, and dulce de leche; repeat the layers as needed.
Serves 8 or more