Tres leches Cake
This authentic Tres leches Cake Recipe gets more delicious with every mouthful. Super soft and moist, the sweet sponge cake is bathed in three milks making this cake one of my all time favourites.
The classics are always the best and they are a classic for a reason. They stand the test of time and never date. Tres leches cake is no exception.
This is one of those cakes that after making it once you know It’s going to become a family gem. Along with Almond cake and carrot cake this would have to be one of my husbands absolute favourite cakes.
The sponge itself is so light and airy so the cake is not too rich and the milks give it such a lovely sweetness.
Like all recipes, there are always going to be many variations. Traditionally the cake is topped with a thick layer of heavy whipped cream. I personally find that it does not need it and instead I serve the cake with a dollop of cream and some fresh berries to freshen it up.
By all means you can add the layer of whipped cream if you prefer.
I have used fresh blueberries but you can use whichever fresh fruit you like. the cake can also be served with a sprinkle of cinnamon over the top.
The recipe is so easy so It’s a great one for getting the kids involved. My son William loved mixing the milks and even helped pour it over the top. Seeing kids have fun in the kitchen is such a wonderful thing.
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Tres leches cake
Tres Leches is an authentic Mexican dessert which translates to three milks cake.
The cake itself is a light and airy sponge which is then soaked in a mixture of three different milks. This results in incredibly soft and moist cake. It’s then topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit.
It’s so simple to recreate this Mexican dessert and a great end to a Mexican feast featuring favourites such as shredded beef tacos, Mexican rice and enchiladas.
I think of the tres leches cake as the equivalent of an Italian tiramisu or an English trifle.
What are the three milks in tres leches cake
After the sponge is baked it is drenched in three milks to give the cake a wonderful sweetness and moistness.
- Evaporated milk is also known as unsweetened condensed milk. It’s basically fresh milk which has 60% of the water taken out and is canned.
- Thickened cream
- Sweetened condensed milk is evaporated milk which has been sweetened with sugar.
What you will need
Eggs
Sugar
Vanilla bean paste
Plain all purpose flour
Milk
Cream
Whipped cream and blueberries to serve
How to make tres leches cake
Start by preheating your oven to 160C.
Grease and line the base and sides of a 20cm cake tin.
Separate the eggs and place the whites in a bowl of an electric mixer with a pinch of salt. Whisk until soft peaks form. Add 1/4 cup of the sugar and continue to beat until the egg whites starts to stiffen.
The egg whites should be thick and glossy.
In a separate bowl, add the egg yolks, remaining 3/4 cup of sugar and the vanilla bean paste. Beat on medium for 3-4 minutes or until pale and creamy.
Add the flour, baking powder and milk to the egg yolks. Gently fold the mixture using a spatula until well combined.
Next add the egg whites to the mixture and very gently fold through until just combined.
Transfer the batter to the prepared cake tin and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool slightly then transfer onto a rimmed platter.
Mix together the evaporated milk, condensed milk and 1/4 cup of the cream in a jug.
Pour the milk mixture over the cake so that the cake absorbs absorbs as much of the mixture as possible.
How long will the cake keep
the cake will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days.
If you want to make this cake ahead you can keep it in the fridge. Cover the cake in cling wrap and refrigerate until needed. Once you are ready to serve the cake then add the whipped cream and berries.
Tools to make the job easier
You may also like these recipes
- Daddy’s favourite almond cake
- Very moist carrot cake
- Orange and poppyseed cake
- Gluten-free chocolate cake
- Strawberry tart
Tres Leches cake
Ingredients
- 5 eggs separated
- 1 cup caster sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract
- 200 g plain all purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 100 ml milk
- 400 g can evaporative milk
- 200 ml sweetened condensed milk
- whipped cream to serve
- blueberries to serve
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 180° or 160° for fan forced.Grease and line the base and sides of a 20cm cake tin.
- Separate the eggs and place the whites in a bowl of an electric mixer with a pinch of salt. Whisk until soft peaks form. Add 1/4 cup of the sugar and continue to beat until the egg whites starts to stiffen. They should be thick and glossy.
- In a separate bowl, add the egg yolks, remaining 3/4 cup of sugar and the vanilla bean paste. Beat on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes or until pale and creamy. Add the flour, baking powder and milk to the egg yolks. Gently fold the mixture using a spatula until well combined.
- Next add the egg whites to the mixture and very gently fold through until just combined.Transfer the batter to the prepared cake tin and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool slightly then transfer onto a rimmed platter.
- Mix together the evaporated milk, condensed milk and 1/4 cup of the cream in a jug. Pour the milk mixture over the cake so that the cake absorbs absorbs as much of the mixture as possible. Top the cake with the whipped cream and fresh berries.
This sounds yummy! I am saving for later to try.
Thank you 🙂 🙂
This looks so amazing! I’d love to try this with a gluten free flour.
Totally!! You could make a gluten free sponge and then use the three milks mixture 🙂
Sounds delicious might just have to try it myself! 🙂
Thanks Monica you definitely should!
This looks so good!!! I’m saving it to make later :).
Thanks so much Cathy, you will have to let me know how it goes 🙂
Your Tres Leches Cake sounds so yummy! Can’t wait to do it on weekends! So good!
Thanks Emman 🙂
I’m saving this up for later too! This has been on my mind to make for the longest time, thanks for sharing 🙂
Thats great!
I love tres leches cake, can’t wait to try your recipe!
Thank you Stacy
I love Tres Leches, it has to be one of my favorite desserts. This recipe looks great! I can’t wait to try it.
Thank you so much 🙂