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tres Leches Cake

tres Leches Cake

Tres leches cake is a luscious, moist dessert soaked in a trio of milks, celebrated for its delicate texture and rich, creamy flavor that makes it a staple in Latin American cuisine. Its versatility and indulgent nature have secured its place as a favorite for celebrations and everyday enjoyment worldwide.
Prep Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings 12

Ingredients
  

  • Cake:
  • 1 cup 120 g all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons 6 g baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 5 large eggs separated
  • 1 cup 200 g granulated sugar, divided
  • cup 80 ml whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon 5 ml vanilla extract
  • Milk Mixture:
  • 12- ounce 354 ml can evaporated milk
  • 14- ounce 396 ml can sweetened condensed milk
  • ¼ cup 60 ml whole milk
  • Whipped Topping:
  • 1 pint 475 ml heavy whipping cream
  • 3 tablespoons 24 g powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon 2.5 ml vanilla extract
  • Ground cinnamon for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Separate the eggs into two separate mixing bowls. Add ¾ cup of sugar to the bowl with the egg yolks and beat on high speed until the yolks become pale yellow. Stir in the milk and vanilla extract until combined. Pour the egg yolk mixture over the flour mixture and gently stir just until combined, being careful not to overmix. Using electric beaters, whip the egg whites on high speed until they begin to form stiff peaks. Gradually add the remaining ¼ cup of sugar while continuing to beat. Carefully fold the stiff egg whites into the batter, scraping the bottom and sides of the bowl, until fully combined. Pour the batter into an ungreased pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool completely. In a small bowl, mix together the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and whole milk. Once cooled, poke holes all over the top of the cake with a fork. Slowly pour the milk mixture evenly over the cake, making sure to cover the edges. Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour or overnight to let it absorb the milk. Meanwhile, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Spread the whipped cream over the top of the soaked cake and sprinkle with cinnamon. Serve with fresh sliced strawberries if desired. Enjoy!

Notes

Store Tres Leches Cake covered in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. For best results, prepare the cake 1 to 2 days ahead—making it the night before allows plenty of time for the milk mixture to fully soak into the cake. To freeze, wrap the baked and cooled cake tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before pouring the three-milk mixture over the top.