Tres Leches Cake is a delicious milk cake loved by many! If you have a sweet tooth like me, you are going to love today’s recipe. We are sharing the famous Tres Leches Cake recipe, which is easy to make and absolutely delicious. The cake is soaked in three types of milk, yet the best part is that it never gets soggy, no matter how long it sits. To achieve that perfect texture, just follow the instructions carefully, that’s all! So, get ready to make a perfect homemade Tres Leches Cake for your weekend gathering, and enjoy every bite with your loved ones.
What are Tres Leches Cakes?
Tres Leches Cake, also known as the “three milks” cake, is a delicious dessert made from a soft, spongy cake soaked in three types of milk: evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream. It is then topped with a layer of creamy whipped goodness. You might think the cake would be soggy because it is soaked in milk, but it is actually dense and has a rich texture. The cake is famous for its creamy, fluffy, yet light consistency.
This Latin American dessert became widely popular in the 1980s and has since gained international fame for its airy, light, and creamy taste. It is a perfect treat for anyone who loves a sweet, moist, and indulgent dessert.
How To Make Tres Leches Cake?
Making Tres Leches Cake is so simple! Start with breathing the eggs and sugar until fluffy, then mix in salt, oil, flour, milk, baking powder, and vanilla to form a smooth batter. Bake the cake at 160°C for 30 minutes. While the cake cools, prepare the three-milk mixture by combining regular milk, evaporated milk, and condensed milk.
Next, poke holes in the cake by using a fork and pour the chilled milk mixture over it. Whip cream with sugar and vanilla until stiff, then spread it evenly on top of the cake. Let the cake chill for at least 3 hours for the perfect texture. Seems easy, doesn’t it? If you are still confused about the steps and portions, please see the detailed recipe below.
Tres Leches Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- ½ cup sugar
- A pinch of salt
- ⅓ cup oil
- 1 cup flour
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon vanilla essence
For the Milk Mixture
- 1 cup normal milk
- ½ cup evaporated milk
- ¼ cup condensed milk
For the Whipped Cream Topping
- ½ cup chilled whipped cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla essence
Direction
- Let’s make this super delicious Tres Leches Cake! Start by taking a bowl and adding 2 large eggs (room temperature). Beat them for about a minute until they turn slightly frothy.
- Now, add ½ cup sugar and continue beating until the mixture turns pale, foamy, and fluffy.
- Next, mix in a pinch of salt and ⅓ cup oil, then beat for another minute until everything is well combined.
- Now add 1 cup of flour, ¼ cup of milk, ½ teaspoon of baking powder, and ½ teaspoon of vanilla essence. Now, you will need to beat it again and make a smooth batter.
- Once your batter is ready, gently stir it with a spatula to make sure everything is well-mixed.
Time for baking! Take a cake mold and gently pour the cake batter. Make sure the mold is greased with oil or butter. Now, bake the cake in a preheated oven at 160 degrees for 30 minutes.
- While the cake is baking, let’s prepare the three-milk mixture. In a bowl, mix 1 cup of normal milk, ½ cup of evaporated milk, and ¼ cup of condensed milk until well combined. Keep it in the fridge to chill.
- For the whipped topping, take another bowl and add ½ cup chilled whipped cream, 2 tablespoons sugar, and ½ teaspoon vanilla essence. Beat until stiff peaks form.
- Our cake should be baked by then. Yes, after 30 minutes of baking, the cake is fully baked. Allow it to cool completely and then remove the butter paper (I used butter-greased paper in the cake mold).
- Now, take a fork and poke holes all over the cake so that it can soak in the milky deliciousness.
- Now, the fun part! Take out the 3-milk mixture you made earlier and kept in the refrigerator, and gently pour it over the cake, covering it completely.
- Spread the whipped cream on top in an even layer.
- For the final touch, decorate however you like. I am adding some sugar balls on top. Keep the cake in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours so that everything can set perfectly.
- After 3 hours, take out the cake and enjoy this delicious milky cake goodness with your loved ones. It will melt in your mouth just perfectly. Enjoy!
What to serve with Tres Leches Cakes?
Tres Leches Cake is already a super delicious and rich dessert on its own; however, adding some berries, mangoes, or strawberries can give it extra richness. You can try this out. For a bit of crunch, consider topping the cake with chopped nuts like almonds or pistachios. A light dusting of cinnamon powder can add a warm, spiced flavor that pairs perfectly with the creamy cake.
Chef’s Tips
- Use room-temperature eggs for a fluffier cake texture. Cold eggs won’t whip up as well.
- To freeze Tres Leches Cake, bake and cool it completely, then wrap it tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge, add the milk mixture, let it soak, and then serve!