Recipe For Tres Leches Cake

Mak Erot

3 min read

·

Apr 05, 2025

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Tres Leches Cake: A Heavenly Delight

The Tres Leches Cake, meaning "three milks" cake, is a delightful dessert originating from Latin America. Its name comes from the three types of milk used to create its signature moist and decadent texture. This recipe will guide you through creating this heavenly treat, perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients You'll Need:

This recipe yields a 9x13 inch cake. Adjust quantities as needed for different sizes.

For the Cake:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
• 6 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk

For the Three Milks:

• 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup heavy cream

For the Topping (Optional):

• Whipped cream
• Fresh berries
• Chocolate shavings

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Preparing the Cake Batter:

1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan. This prevents sticking and ensures easy removal.

2. Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for a light and airy cake.

3. Add Eggs & Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.

4. Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

5. Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; don't overmix.

6. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

7. Cool: Let the cake cool completely in the pan before adding the three milks. This is important to prevent the cake from becoming soggy prematurely.

Making the Three Milks Mixture:

1. Combine Milks: In a medium bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream until smooth.

Soaking the Cake:

1. Pour Over: Once the cake is completely cool, gently poke holes all over the surface using a fork or toothpick. This allows the milk mixture to penetrate evenly.

2. Saturate: Slowly pour the three-milk mixture evenly over the cake, ensuring all areas are saturated. You may not use all of the mixture, depending on how well the cake absorbs the liquid. Let the cake soak for at least 30 minutes, or longer for a more intensely moist cake. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld.

Serving Your Tres Leches Cake:

1. Garnish (Optional): Top with your favorite garnish, such as whipped cream, fresh berries, or chocolate shavings. Get creative!

2. Serve & Enjoy: Slice and serve this delightful dessert. The moist, creamy texture and subtle sweetness make it a truly unforgettable treat.

Tips for Tres Leches Success:

• Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a tough cake.
• Let the cake cool completely: This is vital to prevent the cake from becoming mushy.
• Poke holes generously: This ensures even soaking.
• Refrigerate for at least 2 hours: This allows the flavors to blend and the cake to absorb the milk mixture fully.

Enjoy your homemade Tres Leches Cake! It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Remember to share your baking experience with us using #TresLechesCake.