The Best Tres Leches Cake Recipe for Sweet Tooth Lovers

Rich and decadent, tres leches cake revamps ordinary desserts into a creamy, luxurious experience that captivates everyone’s taste buds.

Milk-soaked layers promise an indulgent journey through subtle sweetness and velvety textures.

Originating from Latin American culinary traditions, this cake represents more than just a simple treat—it embodies cultural celebration and passionate baking artistry.

Soft sponge layers absorb three distinct milk varieties, creating an impossibly moist and irresistible confection that melts in you mouth.

Delicate yet profound, the dessert balances moisture, sweetness, and a light, airy structure that makes each bite feel like a delightful revelation.

Elegant and approachable, this cake welcomes both novice and experienced bakers to create something truly spectacular.

Why Tres Leches Cake Is Always a Showstopper

• Infuse with Silky Smoothness: Dive into a dessert that transforms from a simple cake to a luxuriously moist masterpiece, soaked in three different milks for an incredibly creamy texture that melts in your mouth.
• Whip Up Effortless Elegance: Master a show-stopping dessert that looks complex but comes together surprisingly easily, with simple techniques like whipping egg whites and folding ingredients that make you feel like a pro baker.
• Celebrate with Sweet Comfort: Perfect for gatherings, this crowd-pleasing cake brings a touch of Latin American charm to any occasion, offering a delightful balance of sweetness and sophistication that connects people through delicious shared moments.

Ingredients for Classic Tres Leches Perfection

• All-Purpose Flour: A key structural component for the cake's texture, providing gentle and soft crumb.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Leavening agents that help the cake rise and create a light, airy structure.

• Butter, Whole Milk: Rich ingredients that add moisture and deep flavor to the cake's base.
• Eggs: Provides structure, richness, and helps bind ingredients together, with whites and yolks used separately.
• Heavy Cream, Sweetened Condensed Milk, Evaporated Milk: Essential trio for the signature tres leches soaking mixture, creating a luxurious, moist cake.

• Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a golden, tender crumb.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, fragrant background flavor to enhance the cake's overall taste.
• Ground Cinnamon: A classic garnish that provides a warm, aromatic finish to the dessert.
• Whipped Cream: Creamy topping that adds a light, smooth texture to the finished cake.

How to Soak and Frost Tres Leches Cake Correctly

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Warm up your oven to 350°F (175°C). Coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray or butter and dust with flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda

Set the mixture aside for later use.

Step 3: Whip Egg Whites

Using a stand mixer, beat 5 egg whites on medium-high speed until they form stiff, glossy peaks. The whites should stand tall when you lift the whisk. Transfer the fluffy whites to a clean large bowl.

Step 4: Cream Butter and Sugar

In the same mixer bowl, blend butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light, airy, and super creamy (about 1-2 minutes).

Step 5: Incorporate Egg Yolks and Flavor

Add egg yolks one at a time, beating after each addition. Pour in vanilla extract and whole milk, mixing until smooth and well combined.

Step 6: Combine Cake Batter

Gradually fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients. Gently incorporate the whipped egg whites until the batter looks uniform and silky.

Step 7: Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick- it should come out clean.

Step 8: Create Milk Soak

• Heavy cream
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Evaporated milk

Step 9: Drench the Cake

Remove the cake from the oven. Using a fork, create tiny holes all over the surface. Slowly pour the milk mixture, allowing it to seep into every crevice. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours or overnight.

Step 10: Finish with Creamy Topping

Just before serving, spread a generous layer of whipped cream across the cake. Dust lightly with ground cinnamon for a beautiful, rustic finish.

Tips for Light Texture and Even Soaking

• Egg White Perfection: Ensure your egg whites are at room temperature for maximum volume and easier whipping.
• Gentle Folding Technique: Fold egg whites carefully to maintain their airy texture, using a light, sweeping motion to preserve the cake's delicate structure.
• Milk Absorption Trick: Use a fork with long, deep punctures to help the cake absorb the milk mixture more evenly and thoroughly.
• Chill for Intense Flavor: Let the cake soak overnight in the refrigerator for maximum flavor penetration and a more luxurious texture.
• Whipped Cream Stability: Chill your mixing bowl and whisk before whipping cream to achieve a firmer, more stable topping that holds its shape beautifully.

How to Chill and Store Tres Leches Cake

• Refrigeration: Store the Tres Leches Cake covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Keep it chilled to maintain its creamy texture and prevent spoilage.
• Freezing: Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to preserve its delicate structure.
• Reheating: Enjoy the cake cold directly from the refrigerator, as warming might compromise its signature moist texture. If desired, let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to soften slightly.

Great Pairings with a Slice of Tres Leches

• Elevate Sweetness with Coffee: Pair this rich, creamy tres leches cake with a smooth espresso or café con leche. The bold coffee cuts through the cake's sweetness, creating a perfect balance of flavors.
• Complementary Fruity Contrast: Serve alongside fresh strawberries or a light raspberry compote. The bright, tangy fruits provide a refreshing counterpoint to the cake's dense, milky texture.
• Enhance with Dessert Wine: Match the cake with a sweet moscato or late-harvest riesling. These light, nectar-like wines harmonize beautifully with the cake's creamy profile, offering a delightful after-dinner experience.
• Spice It Up with Cinnamon Liqueur: Drizzle a small shot of horchata or cinnamon-based liqueur beside the slice. This adds a warm, spicy dimension that echoes the cake's ground cinnamon topping.

Variations to Refresh Your Tres Leches Recipe

• Chocolate Infusion: Transform the classic recipe by adding cocoa powder to the cake batter for a rich chocolate version. Incorporate dark chocolate shavings on top for extra indulgence.
• Tropical Splash: Replace whole milk with coconut milk and sprinkle toasted coconut flakes over the whipped cream. Add a layer of fresh mango or pineapple chunks between the cake and cream for a fruity twist.
• Nutty Crunch: Mix chopped almonds or pecans into the batter before baking. Drizzle caramel sauce over the whipped cream and sprinkle additional chopped nuts on top for added texture and flavor.
• Coffee Lover's Dream: Brush the cake with espresso before adding the milk mixture. Incorporate coffee liqueur into the milk soak and dust the top with cocoa powder instead of cinnamon for a sophisticated adult version.

Tres Leches Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Mexican tres leches cake delivers pure creamy indulgence with its milk-soaked sponge and silky whipped topping. Sweet layers of vanilla-infused magic melt in your mouth, offering a classic dessert that transports you to Latin American culinary bliss.

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Ingredients

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Main ingredients:

• 5 large eggs, separated
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup sugar

Liquid ingredients:

• ⅓ cup whole milk
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 14 ounces (396 grams) sweetened condensed milk
• 12 ounces (340 grams) evaporated milk
• 4 cups whipped cream

Leavening and spice ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F (175°C) and coating a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray or butter.
2. Sift flour, baking powder, and baking soda together in a medium mixing vessel, setting the dry mixture aside for later incorporation.
3. Utilize a stand mixer to transform egg whites into a sturdy, peaked texture by whipping on medium-high speed until peaks maintain their form when the whisk is lifted.
4. Transfer the voluminous egg whites to a separate clean container, then employ the same mixer bowl to cream butter and sugar until the mixture achieves a light, airy consistency.
5. Introduce egg yolks individually into the butter blend, ensuring thorough integration after each addition. Incorporate vanilla extract and whole milk, mixing until a uniform texture emerges.
6. Gradually fold the reserved flour mixture into the liquid ingredients, maintaining a delicate touch to preserve the mixture’s airiness.
7. Carefully merge the batter with the previously whipped egg whites, creating a homogeneous mixture that maintains its delicate structure.
8. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, spreading evenly, and slide into the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until a testing utensil emerges clean when inserted.
9. During baking, craft the signature milk infusion by whisking heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, and evaporated milk in a spacious bowl.
10. Once removed from the oven, perforate the cake’s surface extensively using a fork, then methodically pour the milk mixture, ensuring complete and even absorption.
11. Refrigerate the saturated cake for a minimum of 3-4 hours, allowing the milk to thoroughly permeate the sponge.
12. Prior to serving, adorn the cake with a luxurious layer of whipped cream and dust with ground cinnamon for an elegant finishing touch.

Notes

• Transform a classic sponge cake into a decadent dessert that soaks up three types of milk for an incredibly moist and rich experience.
• Whip egg whites separately to create an incredibly light and airy cake texture that perfectly absorbs the creamy milk mixture.
• Refrigerate the cake for at least 3-4 hours to allow the milk to fully penetrate and create a lusciously soft, pudding-like consistency.
• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing and optimal cake volume, especially with eggs and butter.
• Poke multiple holes in the warm cake with a fork to help the milk mixture evenly distribute and completely saturate every inch.
• Garnish with a light dusting of ground cinnamon just before serving to add a warm, aromatic finish that complements the sweet, creamy cake.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg