Tres Leches, or “Three Milks” Cake, is a traditional Latin American dessert that’s beloved for its incredible moistness and rich, sweet flavor. This sponge cake is soaked in a mixture of three different types of milk: evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream. The result is a soft, indulgent cake that melts in your mouth with every bite. Here’s how to make this delightful treat!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups white sugar
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 5 eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 cups whole milk
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 12 ounces evaporated milk
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1½ cups heavy whipping cream
Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare the Pan:
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Step 2: Grease and lightly flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. Make the Cake Batter:
- Step 1: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking powder. Set this dry mixture aside.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the unsalted butter and white sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Step 3: Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add in the vanilla extract and beat to combine.
- Step 4: Gradually add the dry mixture (flour and baking powder) into the wet mixture, alternating with the whole milk. Beat until smooth and no lumps remain
3. Bake the Cake:
- Step 1: Pour the cake batter into your prepared 9×13-inch pan, smoothing the top evenly.
- Step 2: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
4. Prepare the Three Milks Mixture:
- Step 1: While the cake is baking, combine the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy whipping cream in a bowl. Whisk until well blended to create the signature “tres leches” mixture.
5. Soak the Cake:
- Step 1: Once the cake is finished baking, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool slightly in the pan for 10-15 minutes.
- Step 2: Using a fork or toothpick, poke holes all over the surface of the cake. This will allow the milk mixture to soak through the cake.
- Step 3: Slowly pour the tres leches mixture over the entire surface of the cake, allowing it to absorb the liquid gradually. Be patient, as it may take a few minutes for the cake to fully absorb all the milk mixture.
6. Chill the Cake:
- Step 1: Once the milk mixture has been fully absorbed, cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 3 hours (or overnight). This chilling time allows the cake to set and absorb the flavors.
7. Whipped Cream Topping:
- Step 1: Just before serving, prepare the whipped cream topping by beating 1½ cups of heavy whipping creamwith 2 tablespoons of sugar (optional) until soft peaks form.
- Step 2: Spread the whipped cream evenly over the top of the chilled cake.
Tips for Perfect Tres Leches Cake:
- Poke Holes Thoroughly: Be sure to poke enough holes throughout the cake to allow the milk mixture to soak in evenly.
- Adjust the Sweetness: Tres leches cake is known for its sweetness, but you can adjust the sugar content in the whipped cream topping or reduce the amount of sweetened condensed milk if you prefer a less sweet dessert.
- Decorate: You can decorate the cake with fresh berries, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or a dusting of cocoa powder for an extra touch.
- Make Ahead: Tres leches cake actually improves in flavor the longer it sits, making it the perfect dessert to prepare a day or two ahead of time.
Tres Leches cake is a rich, creamy, and utterly indulgent dessert that’s perfect for special occasions or whenever you’re in the mood for something sweet and satisfying. The three-milk soak gives the cake an unparalleled moistness, while the fluffy whipped cream topping adds a light and airy touch. Try making this cake, and it’s sure to become a favorite in your dessert rotation!
