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Sweet Three Milk Cake

Make light sponge cake with whipped egg whites folded in. Once cool, poke holes all over, pour three kinds milk mixture on top. Let soak overnight in fridge. Cover with fresh whipped cream, dust with cinnamon. Makes super moist cake that tastes like sweet clouds.

Featured in Sweet Treats and Baked Goods.

Fatiha
Updated on Sun, 05 Jan 2025 01:25:45 GMT
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A rectangular vanilla cake topped with whipped cream, cocoa powder, and sliced strawberries on a gray baking tray. Pin it
A rectangular vanilla cake topped with whipped cream, cocoa powder, and sliced strawberries on a gray baking tray. | zestplate.com

What is tres leches cake? It's a sweet Mexican dessert that everyone loves. This tres leche cake soaks up three kinds of milk, making it super moist and tasty. Top it with whipped cream and cinnamon, and you've got the perfect dessert for any party or family dinner.

Why You'll Love This Cake

This tres leches cake recipe is worth trying for many reasons. The cake stays light but soaks up all the milk perfectly, making each bite melt in your mouth. This tres leches cake recipe easy version doesn't need expert baking skills, but tastes like it came from a fancy bakery. Make it the night before to let the milk soak in - it'll taste even better!

Essential Ingredients

  • Flour: Regular flour works great for this tres leche cake recipe
  • Baking Powder: Makes the cake rise nice and fluffy
  • Salt: Just a pinch makes it taste better
  • Eggs: Separate them to make the cake light
  • Sugar: Regular white sugar works best
  • Milk: Regular whole milk for the cake mix
  • Vanilla: Adds nice flavor
  • Evaporated Milk: First of the three milks
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk: Second milk, adds sweetness
  • Heavy Cream: Third milk, plus extra for topping
  • Powdered Sugar: For the whipped topping
  • Cinnamon: Sprinkle on top

Step-by-Step Guide

Heat Oven:
Turn on to 350°F
Mix Dry Stuff:
Stir flour, baking powder, and salt
Split Eggs:
Put yolks and whites in different bowls
Mix Yolks:
Beat yolks with sugar until light colored
Add Wet Stuff:
Mix in milk and vanilla
Combine:
Add flour mix to wet stuff
Beat Whites:
Whip until fluffy with remaining sugar
Fold Together:
Gently mix whites into batter
Bake:
Pour in pan, bake 25-35 minutes
Cool Down:
Let cake cool completely
Mix Milks:
Combine three milks for soaking
Poke and Pour:
Make holes in cake, pour milk mix over
Wait:
Keep in fridge at least 1 hour
Top It:
Add whipped cream and cinnamon

Understanding Tres Leches

How to make tres leches cake starts with understanding what makes it special. The name means 'three milks' because it uses three different kinds of milk. This tres leches cake recipes tradition comes from Latin America, where they figured out how to make a light cake that soaks up lots of milk without getting mushy.

Making the Perfect Sponge

To make the best tres leche cake recipe easy, you need a good sponge cake. It's made without butter or oil, using whipped egg whites instead to make it fluffy. This helps the cake soak up all three milks perfectly, making every bite super moist and tasty.

The Magic of Three Milks

The magic of tres leches cake happens when you add the milk mix. Pour the three milks over your cooled cake and watch it soak up all that goodness. Make holes all over so the milk goes everywhere. Let it sit in the fridge - the longer it soaks, the better it tastes.

A rectangular cake topped with whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder sits in a metal baking dish. Pin it
A rectangular cake topped with whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder sits in a metal baking dish. | zestplate.com

Perfect Finishing Touch

This tres leches cake recipe isn't done until you add whipped cream on top. The creamy layer makes every bite perfect. Sprinkle some cinnamon over it, and if you want, add fresh fruit. It's a simple way to make your tres leche cake look and taste amazing.

Make-Ahead Tips

Want to make tres leches cake ahead of time? It actually tastes better when you do! Make it a day or two before you need it. Keep it covered in the fridge for up to five days. The milk soaks in more, making each slice taste even better when you serve it.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How to keep it good?

Box it up tight. Keep it cold cold. Good bout five days. Cover cream good. Gets better each day.

→ Can you freeze it?

Freeze plain cake first. No milk stuff yet. Good three months cold. Thaw then add milk mix. Fresh cream last.

→ Need it no wheat?

Special flour works. Check it bakes same. Might need more eggs. Watch how it soaks. Still gets moist.

→ Want small batch?

Make little cakes. Use muffin tin. Less milk needed. Watch bake time change. Still soak good.

→ What tops work good?

Fresh berries nice. Dust cinnamon on. Some like nuts too. Even caramel works. Keep it simple though.

→ Getting too wet?

Less milk mix maybe. More holes in cake. Let soak longer. Watch pan edges. Use deep dish.

→ Taking it places?

Keep it cold packed. Box with sides good. Bring extra cream. Top it there fresh. Watch bumps in car.

→ Need it quick?

Buy plain cake base. Mix milks fast. Still needs soak time. Fresh cream helps. Worth the wait though.

→ Making big batch?

Double works fine. Need bigger pan. More soak time maybe. Extra milk mix good. Watch oven space.

→ Want more flavor?

Add vanilla fresh. Try almond touch. More cinnamon good. Even rum works nice. Don't go too strong.

→ Cake not light?

Beat eggs more. Fold real gentle. Don't pack flour. Fresh baking stuff. Watch oven temp.

→ Cream falling flat?

Keep stuff cold. Don't beat too long. Use fresh cream. Chill bowl first. Watch sugar amount.

Conclusion

Love this? Try sweet milk pudding next. Or make rice with milk. Both got that creamy comfort.

Tres Leches Cake

Quick Mexican milk cake.

Prep Time
90 Minutes
Cook Time
40 Minutes
Total Time
130 Minutes
By: Fatiha

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Mexican

Yield: 12 Servings

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 cup all-purpose flour.
02 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder.
03 1/4 teaspoon salt.
04 5 large eggs, separated.
05 1 cup granulated sugar, divided.
06 1/3 cup whole milk.
07 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
08 12 ounce can evaporated milk.
09 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk.
10 1/4 cup whole milk.
11 1 pint heavy whipping cream.
12 3 tablespoons powdered sugar.
13 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract.
14 Ground cinnamon, for topping.

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 02

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

Step 03

Separate the egg yolks and whites into two separate bowls.

Step 04

Add 3/4 cup of sugar to the bowl with the egg yolks. Mix on high speed until the yolks turn pale yellow.

Step 05

Add 1/3 cup of whole milk and vanilla extract to the yolks, stirring until combined.

Step 06

Gently fold the yolk mixture into the flour mixture, taking care not to over-mix.

Step 07

With electric beaters, beat the egg whites on high speed. Gradually add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar as you continue to beat until the mixture forms stiff peaks.

Step 08

Carefully fold the beaten egg whites into the batter, ensuring even distribution.

Step 09

Pour the batter into an un-greased 9x13 metal baking dish, smoothing out the top.

Step 10

Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 11

Allow the cake to cool completely.

Step 12

In a small bowl, combine the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and the additional 1/4 cup whole milk.

Step 13

Once the cake is cooled, poke holes all over the top with a fork.

Step 14

Slowly pour the milk mixture over the cake, making sure to cover edges and surfaces evenly.

Step 15

Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour, or overnight, for best absorption.

Step 16

In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract to stiff peaks.

Step 17

Spread the whipped topping over the cake, and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Step 18

Serve with fresh sliced strawberries if desired, and enjoy!.

Notes

  1. Store Tres Leches Cake in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 3-5 days.
  2. To make ahead, prepare the cake 1-2 days in advance. This allows ample time for the cake to soak the milk mixture.
  3. The baked and cooled cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before adding the milk mixture.
  4. For a smaller portion, consider making Tres Leches Cupcakes.

Tools You'll Need

  • 9x13 metal baking dish.
  • Medium mixing bowl.
  • Electric beaters.
  • Fork.
  • Mixing spoon.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Eggs.
  • Dairy.
  • Gluten.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 433
  • Total Fat: 22 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 50 g
  • Protein: 9 g