Tres Leches Cake: A Decadent, Milky Delight
Tres Leches Cake, translating to “three milk cake,” is a luscious dessert that originated in Latin America and has grown to be adored worldwide. This ultra-moist cake is soaked in a blend of three types of milk—whole milk, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk—giving it a unique and irresistible texture. Topped with freshly whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, it’s the perfect treat for special occasions or whenever you’re craving a creamy indulgence.
What is Tres Leches Cake?
Tres Leches Cake is a sponge cake that absorbs a mixture of three different kinds of milk, creating an ultra-soft, sweet, and moist dessert. Unlike other cakes that might dry out, this dessert gets better as it sits, making it an ideal make-ahead dish.
The cake itself is light, acting as a sponge to soak up the milk mixture without getting soggy. The combination of the fluffy whipped cream and the rich milk base makes every bite of this cake a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Ingredients for Tres Leches Cake
For the Cake:
- ½ cup butter (1 stick), softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 5 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Milk Mixture:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
For the Whipped Topping:
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: Ground cinnamon for garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat Your Oven
Before starting, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. This will ensure your cake doesn’t stick and comes out perfectly golden.
2. Make the Cake Batter
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. This step ensures that your cake is light and fluffy, with the butter fully incorporated. Then, add the eggs and vanilla extract, beating the mixture until it becomes pale and airy.
3. Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This process helps to aerate the dry ingredients and avoids any lumps in the batter.
4. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing them slowly until everything is well combined. Take care not to overmix, as this could make the cake dense rather than light and fluffy.
5. Bake the Cake
Pour the cake batter into your prepared baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes. The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once done, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool to room temperature.
6. Cool and Pierce the Cake
After cooling, use a fork to pierce the top of the cake all over. This step is essential for allowing the milk mixture to seep into the cake, creating its signature moist texture.
7. Make the Milk Mixture
In a large bowl, whisk together the whole milk, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk. This creamy, sweet blend is what gives Tres Leches Cake its distinct richness.
8. Soak the Cake
Slowly pour the milk mixture evenly over the cooled cake, making sure it seeps into all the fork holes. Allow the cake to sit for about 30 minutes to fully absorb the milk. This is where the magic happens!
9. Prepare the Whipped Cream Topping
In a chilled mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. This homemade whipped cream adds a light and airy finish to the cake, balancing out the richness of the milk-soaked sponge.
10. Top the Cake and Garnish
Spread the whipped cream over the entire surface of the soaked cake. For an extra touch of flavor, sprinkle ground cinnamon on top. The contrast between the cinnamon and the sweet cream adds another layer of flavor that’s hard to resist.
11. Refrigerate and Serve
To get the best results, refrigerate the cake for at least an hour before serving. The longer it chills, the better the flavors will meld. Serve chilled and enjoy every creamy, milky bite of this traditional favorite!
Notes
- Make-Ahead Tip: Tres Leches Cake can be made a day ahead, as it benefits from time spent in the fridge to absorb all the milky goodness.
- Whipped Cream Stability: If you want to stabilize your whipped cream, you can add a tablespoon of powdered sugar or cornstarch to keep it from deflating.
- Garnish Ideas: Beyond cinnamon, you can garnish with fresh fruit like strawberries or raspberries for a pop of color and flavor.
Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including chilling)
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Latin American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
- Sodium: 190mg
- Sugar: 38g
- Calcium: 180mg
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Tres Leches Cake?
Tres Leches Cake is a popular Latin American dessert made from a sponge cake soaked in a mixture of three types of milk: whole milk, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk.
Can I make Tres Leches Cake ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, this cake is often better the next day, as it gives more time for the milk mixture to be fully absorbed.
How long does Tres Leches Cake last?
When stored in the refrigerator, Tres Leches Cake can last for up to 3-4 days. Make sure it’s well-covered to prevent the whipped cream from drying out.
Can I freeze Tres Leches Cake?
It’s not recommended to freeze Tres Leches Cake due to the milk content, which can separate upon thawing. However, you can freeze the sponge cake portion before adding the milk mixture.
Can I use a different type of milk?
You can substitute the whole milk with coconut milk or almond milk for a dairy-free option, but keep in mind that this will alter the traditional flavor of the cake.
This rich, velvety Tres Leches Cake is the perfect ending to any meal and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any gathering. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging your sweet tooth, this cake will not disappoint!
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Tres Leches Cake
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Tres Leches Cake is a soft and moist sponge cake soaked in three types of milk—whole milk, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk—giving it a rich, creamy texture. Topped with fluffy whipped cream, it’s a popular Latin American dessert perfect for celebrations or special occasions.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- ½ cup butter (1 stick), softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 5 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Milk Mixture:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
For the Whipped Topping:
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: Ground cinnamon for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Make the Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla, beating until light and fluffy.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until well combined.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let it cool.
- Cool and Pierce the Cake: Pierce the cooled cake all over with a fork.
- Make the Milk Mixture: In a bowl, whisk together the whole milk, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk.
- Soak the Cake: Pour the milk mixture over the cake and allow it to absorb for 30 minutes.
- Make the Whipped Topping: Whip the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Top the Cake: Spread the whipped cream over the cake and sprinkle with cinnamon if desired. Refrigerate and serve chilled.
Notes
- For better flavor, allow the cake to sit in the fridge for a few hours to absorb the milk mixture.
- You can garnish the cake with fresh fruit, such as strawberries or raspberries, for added freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Latin American
Nutrition
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: Tres Leches Cake