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tres leches cake

Tres Leches Cake is a creamy, rich, and indulgent dessert soaked in a mix of three types of milk, creating a moist, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Topped with whipped cream, it’s a perfect treat for any occasion.
Prep Time 20 minutes
2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 12 slices

Ingredients
  

For the Cake:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 5 large eggs
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Tres Leches Soak:

  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • ½ cup heavy cream

For the Topping:

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tbsp powdered sugar
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions
 

Preheat and Prepare:

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.

Mix Dry Ingredients:

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 ½ tsp baking powder, and ¼ tsp salt. Set this aside for now.

Beat the Wet Ingredients:

  • In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat 5 large eggs and 1 cup of granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
  • Add in ½ cup of whole milk and 1 tsp of vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.

Combine Wet and Dry:

  • Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix – you want to keep the batter light and airy.

Bake the Cake:

  • Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
  • Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prepare the Tres Leches Soak:

  • While the cake cools, whisk together 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup of evaporated milk, and ½ cup of heavy cream in a separate bowl until well combined.

Soak the Cake:

  • Once the cake has cooled, poke holes all over the surface using a fork or skewer.
  • Slowly pour the milk mixture evenly over the cake, making sure it soaks into every crevice. You might think it’s too much, but don’t worry – the cake will absorb it all!

Chill:

  • Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours or overnight. The longer it chills, the more flavorful and moist it becomes!

Whip the Topping:

  • In a mixing bowl, whip 1 cup of heavy whipping cream with 2 tbsp of powdered sugar and ½ tsp vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
  • Spread the whipped cream evenly over the cake once it’s chilled.

Serve and Enjoy:

  • Slice and serve! You can top the cake with fresh fruit like strawberries or berries for an extra pop of flavor. Enjoy the creamy, decadent layers of this irresistible dessert!
Keyword tres leches cake