Sweet Tres Leches Cake Recipe: Sweet Milk Magic in Minutes

Decadent and creamy, this tres leches cake brings the sweet magic of Latin American desserts straight to your kitchen.

The classic tres leches cake blends rich dairy and delicate sponge into a luscious treat that melts in your mouth.

Layers of soft cake absorb a luxurious milk mixture, creating a dessert that’s both light and indulgent.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of sweetness and moisture that will transport you to sunny culinary landscapes.

The simple ingredients come together effortlessly, making this recipe accessible for bakers of all skill levels.

Topped with a cloud of whipped cream, this cake becomes an irresistible centerpiece that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to fall in love with a dessert that celebrates pure deliciousness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours

Calories: 348 kcal

Servings: 11

All You’ll Need For Tres Leches Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and soft texture for the delicate cake, choose unbleached flour for best results.
• Baking Powder: Ensures light and airy cake rise, check expiration date for maximum effectiveness.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine-grain table salt.
• Eggs: Crucial for binding and creating richness, select fresh, room temperature eggs for better incorporation.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with caramelization, opt for granulated white sugar.
• Milk: Contributes moisture and tenderness, whole milk recommended for richer flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides deep, aromatic flavor, choose pure vanilla for best taste.

• Evaporated Milk, Sweetened Condensed Milk, Heavy Cream: Create signature tres leches moisture, select high-quality brands for authentic taste.

• Heavy Cream: Creates fluffy, luxurious whipped cream, use cold cream for best volume.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes whipped cream, sift to prevent lumps.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, traditional Mexican garnish, use freshly ground for intense flavor.

Must-Have Tools For Tres Leches Cake

• Mixing Bowls: Essential for separating ingredients and mixing cake batter, whipped cream, and milk soak.
• Electric Mixer: Crucial for beating egg whites, egg yolks, and whipping cream to perfect consistency.
• 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Standard pan for baking the cake and soaking with milk mixture.
• Whisk: Perfect for combining dry ingredients and milk soak components smoothly.
• Fork or Skewer: Needed to create holes in the cake for milk absorption.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Important for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Spatula: Helps fold egg whites and spread batter evenly.
• Toothpick: Useful for checking cake doneness.

Steps To Prepare Tres Leches Cake At Home

• Cake Foundation

Craft a delightful base by blending dry ingredients and creating a fluffy egg mixture. Whip egg whites to airy perfection and gently fold into batter. Pour into a prepared baking dish and bake until golden and springy.

• Milky Magic

Transform your cake into a creamy dream by poking tiny holes across the surface. Slowly drench the cake with a luscious blend of three different milks, allowing each drop to seep deeply into every crevice. Refrigerate to let the liquid work its enchantment.

• Dreamy Topping

Whip cream into billowy clouds, sweetening it with a hint of powdered sugar. Spread this heavenly layer across the soaked cake, creating a pillowy blanket of deliciousness.

• Final Flourish

Sprinkle a whisper of cinnamon or scatter fresh berries across the top. Slice into generous squares and serve chilled, inviting everyone to experience this decadent dessert.

Helpful Tips For Tres Leches Cake Success

• Cake Texture Secret: Use room temperature eggs to achieve a fluffier, more even cake texture that absorbs the milk perfectly without becoming soggy.
• Milk Absorption Trick: Poke holes generously and slowly across the entire cake surface to ensure even milk distribution and maximum moisture absorption.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace dairy milk with coconut milk and use coconut cream for the topping to create a dairy-free version that maintains the cake's rich, creamy character.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cake up to 2 days in advance and keep refrigerated, allowing flavors to develop and making party planning easier. The cake actually improves with resting time, becoming more moist and flavorful.
• Flavor Twist Options: Experiment with additional flavor variations like adding a splash of rum to the milk soak, incorporating orange zest into the batter, or topping with toasted coconut flakes for an extra layer of excitement.

Serving Ideas For Tres Leches Cake With Style

• Sweet Fruit Fusion: Top the tres leches cake with vibrant strawberries, raspberries, or tropical mango slices for a refreshing burst of color and flavor that complements the creamy texture.
• Cinnamon Spice Elegance: Sprinkle ground cinnamon or create delicate cinnamon swirls on the whipped cream surface, adding a warm, aromatic touch that enhances the cake's richness.
• Chocolate Lover's Twist: Drizzle rich chocolate sauce or grate dark chocolate shavings over the whipped cream for an indulgent contrast that elevates the dessert's decadence.
• Coffee Companion Pairing: Serve chilled slices alongside a shot of espresso or cappuccino, creating a classic dessert experience that balances the cake's sweetness with a robust coffee note.

Storage Tricks For Keeping Tres Leches Cake Fresh

• Refrigerator Retreat: Store the tres leches cake in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cold temperatures help maintain its creamy texture and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freezing Friendly: Wrap individual cake slices tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to preserve moisture and flavor.
• Serving Temperature Tip: Always serve chilled for the best taste experience. Remove from refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving to soften slightly and enhance texture.
• Strategic Separation: Place wax paper between cake layers when storing multiple slices to prevent sticking and maintain whipped cream's delicate structure.

Silky Tres Leches Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours
• Yield: 11 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Mexican tres leches cake blends creamy milk-soaked sponge with delicate sweetness. Rich layers promise a luxurious dessert experience you’ll savor with pure delight.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 5 large eggs, separated
• 1 cup (125 g / 4.4 oz) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200 g / 7.1 oz) granulated sugar
• 1 ½ tsps baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (for topping)
• ⅓ cup (80 ml / 2.7 fl oz) whole milk
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) evaporated milk
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) sweetened condensed milk
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) heavy cream
• 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fl oz) heavy cream (for topping)
• 3 tbsps powdered sugar
• ground cinnamon
• fresh fruit (strawberries, berries, or mango slices)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl, setting aside for later integration.
3. Batter Formation: Cream egg yolks and sugar until pale and fluffy. Incorporate milk and vanilla extract, blending until smooth.
4. Meringue Creation: Whip egg whites, gradually adding sugar until stiff, glossy peaks form. Gently fold meringue into batter, maintaining its airy texture.
5. Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely in the pan.
6. Milk Soak Preparation: Blend evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream until perfectly combined.
7. Milk Infusion: Puncture cake surface with a fork. Slowly pour milk mixture over the cake, ensuring thorough saturation. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
8. Cream Topping: Whip chilled cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks develop.
9. Finishing Touches: Spread whipped cream evenly over the soaked cake. Garnish with ground cinnamon or fresh fruit. Serve thoroughly chilled in elegant squares.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold flour and meringue to maintain the cake’s light, airy texture without deflating the batter.
• Ensure Complete Milk Absorption: Use a fork to create multiple small holes in the cake, allowing the milk mixture to penetrate evenly and thoroughly.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours to let the milk soak deeply, enhancing moisture and taste.
• Temperature Matters: Keep ingredients at room temperature before mixing to achieve a smoother, more consistent cake batter.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 348
• Sugar: 31 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 86 mg