Heavenly Tres Leches Cake Recipe: Sweet Bliss in Every Bite

Crafting a delectable tres leches cake can transport you to a world of creamy, sweet indulgence.

Soft layers of sponge absorb a rich milky blend that creates pure magic on your plate.

Memories of mexican dessert traditions dance through each decadent bite.

Generations have cherished this classic treat that melts effortlessly in your mouth.

Delicate and luxurious, this recipe promises a dessert experience that feels like a warm culinary embrace.

Light yet sumptuous, the cake celebrates simplicity with its elegant ingredients.

Prepare to delight in a slice of pure comfort that will make everyone at the table smile.

Tres Leches Cake Highlights

• Create Decadent Dessert: This tres leches cake transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious, creamy sensation that melts in your mouth with rich, sweet layers.
• Master Baking Technique: Learn an impressive cake-making method that involves separating eggs, creating delicate peaks, and infusing milk for an extraordinary texture that surprises everyone.
• Crowd-Pleasing Showstopper: Perfect for gatherings where you want to wow friends and family with a dessert that looks complicated but is surprisingly straightforward to prepare, delivering maximum deliciousness with minimal stress.
• Customize with Flair: Easily personalize this cake by adding fresh strawberries, experimenting with cinnamon sprinkles, or introducing different garnish options that make each version uniquely yours.

Ingredients for Tres Leches Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: A crucial component that provides the cake's structural foundation.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and create a light, fluffy texture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.

• Egg Yolks: Adds richness and contributes to the cake's smooth, dense texture.
• Egg Whites: Creates volume and lightness when whipped to stiff peaks.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps stabilize the egg whites.

• Milk, Vanilla Extract: Adds moisture and depth of flavor to the cake batter.
• Evaporated Milk, Sweetened Condensed Milk, Whole Milk: Creates the signature three-milk soaking mixture that defines Tres Leches Cake.

• Heavy Cream, Powdered Sugar, Vanilla Extract: Combines to create a light and fluffy whipped topping.
• Ground Cinnamon: Offers a warm, aromatic garnish.

• Strawberries: Provides a fresh, fruity complement to the sweet cake.

How to Bake Tres Leches Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to 350 degrees F, getting ready for a delightful baking adventure.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Stir these ingredients until they’re well blended.

Step 3: Create Egg Yolk Magic

Separate your eggs. In another bowl, whisk egg yolks with sugar until they transform into a pale, creamy yellow.

Pour in milk and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and silky.

Step 4: Whip Those Egg Whites

Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites until they form gorgeous, stiff peaks.

Gradually sprinkle in remaining sugar. Gently fold the fluffy egg whites into your earlier batter, being careful not to deflate the beautiful mixture.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into an un-greased baking pan, spreading evenly. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 35 minutes.

The cake is ready when a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 6: Create the Milk Soak

• Evaporated milk
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Whole milk

Mix these liquid treasures in a container.

Step 7: Drench the Cake

Once the cake has completely cooled, grab a fork and create gentle holes across the surface. Slowly pour the milk mixture over the cake, ensuring every inch gets deliciously soaked.

Step 8: Chill and Set

Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour, or ideally overnight. This allows the milk to work its magical absorption.

Step 9: Top with Heavenly Cream

• Heavy cream
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract

Beat until stiff peaks form. Spread this cloud-like topping evenly over the cake.

Sprinkle a touch of ground cinnamon for extra charm. Optional: Serve with fresh, juicy strawberries for a burst of color and flavor.

Pro Tips for Tres Leches Cake

• Use room temperature eggs for better volume and smoother batter mixing, ensuring a lighter, fluffier cake texture.
• Avoid overmixing the egg whites to maintain their delicate structure and prevent deflating the cake's airiness.
• Allow the cake to absorb the milk mixture completely by piercing deep and evenly with a fork, creating multiple channels for maximum moisture.
• Refrigerate the cake overnight for deeper flavor infusion and more consistent milk absorption throughout the dessert.
• Serve chilled and garnish with fresh berries or a sprinkle of cinnamon to enhance the cake's rich, creamy profile and add a vibrant touch to presentation.

Variations to Try with Tres Leches Cake

• Gluten-Free Wonder: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the cake's rich, creamy texture.
• Vegan Milk Magic: Swap dairy milk with coconut milk, use plant-based condensed milk, and substitute eggs with mashed bananas or aquafaba for a completely dairy-free rendition.
• Tropical Fruit Fusion: Incorporate diced mangoes or pineapple between cake layers, or replace strawberry garnish with passion fruit for a vibrant Caribbean-inspired interpretation.
• Low-Sugar Wellness: Use monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar, select sugar-free condensed milk, and reduce overall sweetness while maintaining the cake's signature moistness.

Pairing Suggestions for Tres Leches Cake

• Complement the cake's rich, creamy texture with a warm, spiced coffee. Sprinkle ground cinnamon on top to mirror the cake's garnish and create a delightful flavor connection.
• Craft a light, fruity sangria with white wine, pineapple, and mango chunks. The bright, refreshing notes will cut through the cake's dense sweetness and provide a delightful palate cleanser.
• Serve a zesty berry sorbet alongside the tres leches cake. The tangy, cold sorbet will provide a refreshing counterpoint to the cake's creamy, sweet profile and enhance the overall dessert enjoyment.

Storage Recommendations for Tres Leches Cake

• Refrigerate: Store the tres leches cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover the cake with plastic wrap to prevent it from absorbing other food odors and maintain its moisture.
• Freeze: Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to preserve its delicate texture.
• Countertop Storage: Keep the cake at room temperature for no more than 2 hours due to its milk-based ingredients. Always refrigerate promptly to prevent bacterial growth.
• Reheating: Warm individual slices briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Alternatively, let the cake sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to soften its texture and enhance flavor.

FAQs

• Why do I need to separate the eggs in this recipe?

Separating eggs allows you to create a lighter, fluffier cake texture. Beating egg whites separately and then folding them into the batter helps incorporate more air, resulting in a softer and more delicate cake.

• Can I use different types of milk for the tres leches mixture?

While the traditional recipe calls for evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and whole milk, you can slightly adjust the proportions. However, using these specific milks ensures the authentic rich and creamy flavor characteristic of tres leches cake.

• How do I know if I've over-mixed the batter?

Over-mixing can cause the cake to become dense and tough. Stop mixing when the egg whites are just incorporated and no large streaks remain. Gently fold to maintain the air bubbles that provide the cake’s light texture.

Tres Leches Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Indulgent tres leches cake blends Mexican dessert traditions with creamy milk-soaked perfection. Silky layers drench sweet sponge in condensed, evaporated, and whole milk, creating a divine culinary experience you’ll savor to the last delectable bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 5 large eggs (separated)
• 1 cup granulated sugar (divided)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup whole milk (360 ml)
• 1 1/2 tsps baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 12 oz (340 g) evaporated milk
• 14 oz (397 g) sweetened condensed milk
• 1/4 cup whole milk (60 ml)
• 1 pint (473 ml) heavy whipping cream
• 3 tbsps powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350°F, preparing a baking pan for the cake base.
2. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl.
3. Separate egg whites and yolks into different containers. Whisk egg yolks with sugar until color transforms to pale yellow.
4. Blend milk and vanilla extract into the yolk mixture, creating a smooth liquid base.
5. Whip egg whites using an electric mixer, gradually adding remaining sugar until stiff peaks develop.
6. Gently fold whipped egg whites into the batter, maintaining a light, airy texture without deflating the mixture.
7. Pour batter into the ungreased pan, spreading evenly and smoothing the surface.
8. Bake for 25-35 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick that should emerge clean.
9. Cool cake completely at room temperature, allowing it to settle.
10. Combine evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and whole milk in a separate bowl.
11. Pierce cake surface uniformly with a fork to create absorption channels.
12. Slowly pour milk mixture over cake, ensuring complete and even saturation.
13. Refrigerate for minimum 1 hour, preferably overnight to enhance flavor absorption.
14. Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
15. Spread whipped topping across cake surface uniformly.
16. Dust with ground cinnamon and optionally garnish with fresh strawberry slices before serving.

Notes

• Separate eggs carefully to ensure no yolk mixes with whites, which can prevent proper egg white whipping and affect cake’s airiness.
• Use room temperature ingredients for smoother batter integration and better cake texture.
• Consider gluten-free flour alternatives like almond or coconut flour for those with wheat sensitivities, adjusting proportions slightly.
• Enhance flavor complexity by adding a splash of rum or almond extract to milk mixture for sophisticated taste profile.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 140 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg