Tres Leches Cake – A sweet, spongy, and milky cake topped with a light and fluffy whipped cream and sprinkled with cinnamon spice. A perfect dessert for any occasion. Every bite of this extraordinary Mexican cake is milky heaven. Soft, moist, and decadent homemade cake that beats any store-bought version!
There are a lot of cakes I’ve tried before but one cake struck my heart in particular, the Tres Leches Cake. The name literally translates to three milk cake, and as you can see with my other desserts, I love my cakes creamy, milky, or fluffy. And if you’re looking for steps on how to make tres leches cake, today is your lucky day! I’ll share with you the secret of making your own version of this Mexican cake so you’d skip the store-bought ones.
What is Tres Leches Cake?
Although it is associated with Mexico today, this dessert traces its roots back to 19th century Europe where the practice of reconstituting leftover food was widely popular. Examples of this are seen in the English trifle and Italian tiramisu as leftover biscuits, cookies, or cake was used as the main ingredient.
The practice was carried over to Mexico with the help of Europe’s heavy influence on the country. The initial recipe included a wine-soaked cake topped with custard. The recipe developed then to the one we know and love today; replacing the wine with three types of milk absorbed by the cake resulting in a very moist and milky baked treat.
Tres Leches Ingredients
This easy Tres Leches Cake is made up of three parts: the spongy cake itself, the smooth and creamy topping, and of course, the Tres Leches. Let’s take a closer look at these parts and see why this cake should be on your to-do list.
Spongy Cake
The cake itself must be spongy enough so that it absorbs all of the milk we’re going to put in it, but should also be tight enough so that it wouldn’t easily crumble. It should also have a distinct taste to give it an extra personality. To do this, we’ll be using all-purpose flour, baking powder so that our cake would rise; whole milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract and salt to give our cake base some flavor, and eggs to bind it all together.
Tres Leches
Tres Leches is a mixture of three types of milk (thus the name). For this recipe, we’ll be using whole milk or coconut milk for the regular milk type, sweetened condensed milk, and evaporated milk. It should be liquid enough so that the cake could absorb it easily.
Whipped Cream Topping
Just like in any relationship, we’ll try to be as faithful as possible to our origins. Well, keep the alcoholic bit in our topping. For this, we’ll use rum along with vanilla extract (see my HOMEMADE HERE), heavy whipping cream, and granulated sugar. It would still be pretty sweet with a kick of fun personality. And finally, dust it off with cinnamon spice for that sweet aromatic finishing.
How to Store Tres Leches Cake
It is best to consume Tres Leches Cake within the first 48 hours after it’s made. You can also refrigerate the cake for about 4 to 5 days. Take note that the longer you keep it, the whipped cream topping deflates over time, and the cake base becomes soggy. But it’s still very delicious, though!
Other Dessert Recipes To Try
If you’re looking for other party desserts to try at home or to gift a friend, well, you’re in luck again. You will surely love these dessert recipes below.
How to Make Tres Leches Cake
Cake Batter
Preheat oven to 350F°/177C°. Spray a 9×13-inch cake pan with baking spray or grease with butter and flour. Set aside. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Set aside. Break the eggs, then separate the egg whites from the yolk. Place yolks in a medium bowl and add the egg whites to another bowl. Using a hand mixer, whisk together the egg yolks, and sugar until the yolks become pale yellow. Add the milk and vanilla extract to the egg yolk mixture. Then slowly pour the egg yolk mixture to the flour mixture; stir to combine.
Beat the egg whites at high speed until soft peaks form. Gently fold in the egg white mixture to the batter until just combined. Do not over mix.
Pour the cake batter into the greased pan and place in the oven. Bake for about 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Tres Leches
In a medium bowl or pouring jar, combine evaporated milk, coconut milk, and condensed milk. Using a wooden skewer, pierce the cake with holes then slowly pour ALL the milk all over the surface of the cake; making sure to pour near the edges and all around the cake. Refrigerate the cake for at least an hour or overnight for the milk to fully penetrate the cake.
Whipped Cream Topping
Whip the cream, vanilla extract, rum, and sugar. Spread it over the entire surface of the cake. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Refrigerate until ready to be served. Decorate with strawberries or cherries. Serve cold.
Watch How To Make It
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Tres Leches Cake
Ingredients
Tres Leches Cake
- 1 ⅓ cups (166.25g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons (8g) baking powder
- 1 teaspoon (5g) salt
- 5 large eggs
- 1 ¼ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (120ml) milk
- 1 ½ teaspoon (6.3g) vanilla extract
Tres Leches Milk
- 1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk
- ¾ cups (180ml) coconut milk (or whole milk, heavy cream)
- 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
Toppings
- 2 cups (476g) heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon (4.2g) vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) rum
- 1/4 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar (see notes)
- ½ teaspoon (1.3g) cinnamon spice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F°/177C°. Spray a 9x13-inch cake pan with baking spray or grease with butter and flour. Set aside.
- Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Set aside.
- Break the eggs, then separate the egg whites from the yolk. Place in a medium bowl and add the egg whites in another bowl.
- Using a hand mixer, whisk together the egg yolks, and sugar until the yolks become pale yellow.
- Add the milk and vanilla extract to the egg yolk mixture. Then slowly pour the egg yolk mixture to the flour mixture; stir to combine.
- Beat the egg whites at high speed until soft peaks form.
- Gently fold in the egg white mixture to the batter until just combined. Do not over mix.
- Pour the cake batter into the greased pan and place in the oven.
- Bake for about 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- In a medium bowl or pouring jar, combine evaporated milk, coconut milk, and condensed milk.
- Using a wooden skewer, pierce the cake with holes then slowly pour ALL the milk all over the surface of the cake; making sure to pour near the edges and all around the cake.
- Refrigerate the cake for at least an hour or overnight for the milk to fully penetrate the cake.
Whipped Cream Topping
- Whip the cream, vanilla extract, rum, and sugar. Spread it over the entire surface of the cake. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
- Refrigerate until ready to be served. Decorate with strawberries or cherries. Serve cold.
Tips & Notes:
- Most people prefer 1/4 cup sugar . However , if you have sweet tooth go for 1/2 cup
- Try not to over cook the cake. Start checking after 30 minutes . If cake is too dry it soaks up most of the liquid leaving the cake to0 dry.
- Can You Prepare it Ahead of Time? You can make this cake a day ahead and keep it in the fridge overnight
- Can Tres Leches Cake be Frozen? You can make the cake base in advance, let it cool, and cover in layers of plastic wrap tightly. Then freeze it for up to 2 months. When ready to assemble, just thaw the cake overnight in the refrigerator, then proceed in making the tres leches syrup and then the topping.
- It is not recommended to freeze the cake once the milk syrup and whipped cream topping are added.
- Can You Substitute All-Purpose Flour with a Cake Flour? I haven't tried this with cake flour, but I'd imagine it'd result in a finer crumb which makes the cake pretty heavy once the milk syrup is added.
- Make sure to use HEAVY whipping cream (about 35-40% fat content) when making the topping for it to be firm enough as seen in the photos. Using REGULAR whipping cream or low-fat cream won't create that much structure as a topping.
- This cake is best served when cold. And to allow the cake to soak in all the three milk mixture.
- Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.
Nutrition Information:
Rod Hamaker says
This looks great and I’m in the process of getting everything to make it, but I have one question:
Watching the video, you use cocoa powder, but in the ingredients and instructions you reference cinnamon, I’m sure you can use either one, which do you prefer?
imma africanbites says
Hi, Rod. Yes, you can use dust it with either cocoa powder or cinnamon spice. Personally, I love the contrasting flavor of cocoa with milk. =)
Jessy says
Made yesterday morning with my daughters. It was amazing. We baked in 2 round cake pans then removed and placed 1 in a large glass pie plate (so leches wouldn’t leak) and coats with half of the Leche. We added a layer of the whip cream and covered with fruit. Then placed the second layer on top and repeated that process. We ate in the evening and it was great. I’ve made 3 leches before with other recipes and this was by far the best.
imma africanbites says
Awww. Thank you for the feedback, Jessy. I’m happy you and your daughters love this.
Rona says
I made this recipe many times. My family and friends absolutely loves it! Thank you for sharing this gem with us.
Haley M says
I may have missed where it said but what size pan should I use?
ImmaculateBites says
I used a 13 x 9 baking pan.
Margarita says
Que risa que los mejicanos se apropien del origen del tres leches. Otro más para la lista. Lol.
Frances says
Made this cake not heard of it before but was great took it to work and they loved it only thing was not sure about the milk looked like it was too much so am going to make it again and use all the milk hope it doesn’t make the cake too soggy thanks
ImmaculateBites says
Glad to hear it worked out well despite the dryness. Please do use all the milk it might seem a bit too much but it will even out at the end. Happy cooking!!
Frances says
Have never heard of this cake before but tried it and took to work for the staff they loved it the only thing I done was not to use all the milk as scared in case it made the cake to soggy so am going to make it again and use all the milk thank you for the recipe.
Fatima says
This is my new favorite cake / dessert. It was so amazingly moist and soft. The coconut adds amazing flavor and balance. It was really delicious.
Definitely definitely making this again and I’m sticking to this recipe … It can’t get better than this.
ImmaculateBites says
YAY! thanks so much!
Ayanda says
WI have small kids aged 6 and 3, is it safe to use rum?
ImmaculateBites says
It’s a very negligible amount when mixed with other ingredients . You may leave it out if desired and still have good results. Enjoy!
Aaron P says
OMG, so so good. Covered in fresh strawberries. A hit with everyone. Will definitely make this one again. Loved the coconut milk.
Aaron
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome! Glad to hear it was a hit.
Yvonne says
Wow this is my all time favorite cake but haven’t seen a recipe with coconut milk before. I have to try this. Can I use homemade coconut milk?
ImmaculateBites says
You sure can . Homemade tastes even better.
Wendy says
A y y y y y y y y y! Imma, que pastel más rico, es una pena que no pueda probarlo pero mi marido sí, entonces, al poner la mezcla de leches ,el pastel debe de estar frío ó caliente?. Gracias de antemano por la respuesta. Cuídate mucho preciosa. Besitos
SB says
Surprised my husband and family with this cake this weekend, and it brought back childhood memories of everything condensed milk that he loved and his extended family visits on the island of St. Vincent. Wonderful flavour and different texture make for a great dessert experience that keep them coming back for more!
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks for sharing this with us.
Aaron says
Making right now. Excited.
ImmaculateBites says
Do let us know how it works out for you.
Edna says
Not made it yet but definitely will. Can’t wait, I love tres leches. First learned about it when we moved to bay area.
ImmaculateBites says
Can’t wait! Looking forward to your feedback, Edna :)!