Tres Leches Cake

How to make Tres Leches Cake

Ingredients

½ cup butter, 1 stick

1 cup sugar

5 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 ½ cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

2 cups whole milk

12oz can evaporated milk

14oz can sweetened condensed milk

1 1/2 cups whipping cream

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9×13 baking dish.

In a large bowl, combine butter and sugar and beat until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla, beat until light and fluffy.

In a small bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Once combined, slowly add dry ingredients to the wet.

Transfer batter to the prepared baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes or until an insert toothpick comes out clean.

Pierce the top of the cake with a fork all over and allow it to cool to room temperature.

In a large bowl, mix together the whole milk, evaporated milk, and condensed milk. Pour the milk mixture over the cooled cake and allow time for the liquid to absorb.

In a chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream, 1 cup of sugar, and vanilla together until peaks form.

Spread whipped topping over the cake once all the milk has soaked in.

Sprinkle cinnamon over the top if desired. Keep cake refrigerated and serve chilled.

Notes:

Butter and Sugar Creaming: Creaming the butter and sugar together until smooth creates the base of the cake, providing richness and structure.

Egg Incorporation: Adding eggs one at a time ensures proper emulsification and a light, fluffy texture.

Dry Ingredients: Sifting the dry ingredients together helps to evenly distribute leavening agents like baking powder and ensures a uniform texture in the final cake.

Baking: Baking the cake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean ensures it’s fully cooked and has a light golden crust.

Milk Mixture: Combining whole milk, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk creates the signature tres leches (three milks) soaking mixture, infusing the cake with moisture and flavor.

Whipped Cream Topping: Whipping heavy cream with sugar and vanilla creates a luxurious topping that contrasts beautifully with the moist cake, adding a creamy, indulgent finish.

Assembly: Piercing the cooled cake with a fork allows the milk mixture to penetrate evenly throughout, ensuring a moist and flavorful result.

Chilling: Chilling the cake allows it to set and enhances the flavors, making it a refreshing dessert perfect for serving cold.

Optional Cinnamon: Sprinkling cinnamon over the top adds a hint of warmth and aroma, complementing the sweetness of the cake.

Storage: Storing the cake in the refrigerator helps maintain its freshness and prevents spoilage due to the dairy content.

Nutrition Information:

YIELD: 12 SERVING SIZE: 1 slice

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why do I need to pierce the top of the cake with a fork?

Piercing the cake allows the milk mixture to seep into the cake, making it more moist and flavorful.

This is a key step in making Tres Leches Cake.

The cake is cooling but the surface looks very uneven. What can I do?

If the surface of the cake is uneven, you can gently press down using a spatula to flatten it a bit before pouring the milk mixture.

This will help the cake absorb the milk evenly.

Can I serve Tres Leches Cake right after I add the whipped cream topping?

Ideally, you should refrigerate the cake after adding the whipped cream to let it set and the flavors to meld together.

It’s typically served chilled, so at least a few hours in the fridge would be best.

However, if you’re in a hurry, it can be served immediately after adding the topping, though the texture and flavors may not be at their peak.

How do I know when the cake is done baking?

The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

This means there are no raw batter residues sticking to the toothpick.

My cake looks very soggy after I poured the milk mixture. Is this normal?

Yes, it’s normal for the cake to look soggy at first. It needs time to absorb all the milk mixture.

Once the cake absorbs the liquid, it should have a moist but not soggy texture.

Can I use a different topping instead of whipped cream?

Yes, while traditional Tres Leches Cake is topped with whipped cream, you can also use other toppings like a meringue or even fresh fruit.

However, the whipped cream provides a lightness that contrasts well with the rich, moist cake.

What type of milk can I use if I don’t have whole milk?

You can use any kind of milk, including 2%, 1%, or even non-dairy milk like almond or soy milk.

The most important thing is that you use the evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk, as they give the cake its distinctive richness.