Here’s a recipe for The Best Tres Leches Cake, a traditional Latin American dessert that’s incredibly moist and delicious, soaked with a blend of three milks—evaporated milk, condensed milk, and whole milk. It’s a perfect treat for any occasion!
The Best Tres Leches Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 5 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whole milk
For the Tres Leches Soak:
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Whipped Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. Prepare the cake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar together with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the whole milk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
2. Prepare the tres leches soak:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Once the cake has cooled, use a fork or skewer to poke holes all over the surface of the cake. Be sure to go deep enough to allow the soak to absorb throughout the cake.
- Slowly pour the tres leches mixture over the cake, making sure the liquid is evenly distributed. The cake will absorb most of the milk mixture—don’t worry if it looks like a lot; it’s supposed to be soaked!
3. Chill the cake:
- Cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results. This helps the cake fully absorb the milk mixture and become incredibly moist.
4. Make the whipped topping:
- In a large bowl, beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
- Spread the whipped cream evenly over the top of the chilled cake.
5. Serve and enjoy:
- Slice the cake into squares and serve. Optionally, garnish with fresh fruit such as strawberries, raspberries, or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Tips:
- For an extra touch, you can add some rum or cinnamon to the tres leches mixture for a unique twist.
- If you prefer a thicker whipped topping, you can use a little more heavy cream and sugar.
- You can decorate the top with fruit or shaved chocolate for added visual appeal and flavor.
This Tres Leches Cake is a rich, creamy, and satisfying dessert that’s sure to impress anyone who tries it! It’s perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or whenever you want to treat yourself to something indulgent.