Tres Leches (Milk Cake) recipe

Tres Leches (Milk Cake) Recipe

1 hr
Vadim Rachok
30.11.2023
22.03.2024
On this page:
Recipe Ingredients Video Nutrition
5 / 10
Health score
Nut Free DishVegetarian Dish

Tres Leches (Milk Cake) has a fascinating taste. Each heavenly bite offers you a feeling of a perfect balance of richness, creaminess, and delightful sweetness. This cake simply melts in your mouth and gives you an unforgettable taste experience. 

Tres Leches, a dessert that transcends borders and captivates with its lusciousness, is a celebration of the divine trio of condensed milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream. The sponge cake, a canvas for this liquid symphony, transforms into a melt-in-your-mouth delight with every forkful. The magic lies not just in the blend of three milks but in the art of soaking, creating a heavenly texture that's both light and indulgent. Tres Leches is a testament to the beauty of simplicity and the power of a well-executed technique. A delightful treat for any occasion, this Latin American gem is sure to leave an everlasting imprint on your taste buds.

The tres leches (milk cake) recipe involves the use of three types of milk – condensed milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream. It gives the cake a tantalizing taste. If you are a milk lover, you must bake your own Milk Cake and enjoy it!

The tres leches cake recipe is easy to make and is a versatile dessert, ideal for any gathering or celebration. Whether it’s a birthday bash or a casual get-together. Tres leches will dazzle guests with its divine taste.

The best Tres Leches Recipe

What Is Tres Leches?

This indulgent Latin American and Mexican dessert features a sponge cake delicately soaked in a luxurious blend of three milks – condensed milk, evaporated milk and heavy cream. Despite being soaked in liquid, the cake retains a light and airy texture.

How to Make Tres Leches

We have prepared a step-by-step tres leches cake recipe that you can find below. It will help you to cook cake without any complications. But let’s begin by reviewing the essentials:

  1. Make the cake: Sift the dry ingredients into a bowl. In a separate bowl, beat the butter and sugar together, then add the eggs and vanilla. Pour the batter into a prepared pan and bake until a toothpick comes out clean. When baked, pierce the cake all over.
  2. Milk soak: Combine the three milks in a bowl. Pour this mixture over the cooled sponge cake.
  3. Whipped cream topping: Beat the whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Spread this whipped cream over the cake as a topping.

What Are the Three Milks In Tres Leches?

To prepare tres leches cake at home, gather three varieties of milk: regular whole milk, sweetened condensed milk, and evaporated milk.

How Long Does Tres Leches Cake?

Tres Leches (Milk Cake) how to cook - recipe

Tres leches cake typically lasts for about 3 to 4 days when stored properly in the refrigerator. It’s important to cover it tightly or store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh.

Can You Freeze Tres Leches Cake?

Of course, you can freeze tres leches cake. However, It is better to freeze cake without whipped cream. All you need to do is wrap your sponge cake in a layer of storage wrap. Then wrap it in a layer of aluminum foil. You can freeze the cake for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator when you are ready to enjoy it. Then add the whipped cream topping.

Tips for the Best Tres Leches Cake

  • It is better to read a whole recipe before beginning to cook. Thanks to this, you can make sure that you have all the necessary ingredients at home.
  • When making a sweet cake, it is very important to measure all the ingredients correctly. Use special measuring spoons.
  • Cool the egg before separating it into whites and yolks.
  • Avoid outside drafts while cooling the cake to room temperature. Any egg-based cake can take on an “eggy” flavor if gets to outside air.
  • It is better to bake a cake in a ceramic or glass dish for the best rise.

No oil or butter in the Tres Leches Cake

In fact, this tres leches cake contains no butter or oil. Instead, the egg whites play an important role as the main leavening agent, giving the cake a sponge-like texture. The three milks poured over the cake are absorbed, making it moist without relying on oil or butter.

This milk cake recipe has several aspects to consider from a healthy eating standpoint. Firstly, the main ingredients - flour, eggs, sugar, butter, milk, condensed milk, and whipped cream - contain quite a lot of calories and saturated fats, which may be problematic for those watching their weight or heart health. However, considering that this cake is usually served in portions, moderate consumption may be acceptable. Secondly, the milk soak, which adds moisture and sweetness to the cake. While it adds extra flavor, the soak consists of three types of milk, including condensed milk, making it very high in calories and sugars. Lastly, the whipped cream topping adds a creamy texture and an additional layer of flavor, but caution should be exercised with the amount of sugar added during whipping. Overall, this cake can be part of a varied diet, but it's important to exercise moderation and perhaps view it as a special treat rather than a dietary staple.

Jenny Dobrynina
Jenny Dobrynina
Nutrition Editor
Health score:
5 / 10
Tres Leches (Milk Cake) Recipe
Author:Vadim Rachok
Tres Leches (Milk Cake) Recipe. Cake that melts in the mouth!
Tres Leches (Milk Cake) recipe
Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
30 mins
Additional Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
1 hr
Servings:
24
Yield:
1 9x13-inch cake
The ingredients you need:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ cup unsalted butter
1 cup white sugar
5 eggs
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups whole milk
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk
1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Let’s start !
1

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.

2

2. Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl and set aside.

3

3. In a large bowl, beat sugar and butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well. Add flour mixture about 1/2 cup at a time, and mix until well blended. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.

4

4. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Pierce the cake all over with a fork. Let it cool to room temperature.

5

5. Mix the whole milk, condensed milk, and evaporated milk in a bowl. Pour over the cooled cake and allow it to soak in.

6

6. Whip cream, remaining 1 cup of sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a chilled glass or metal bowl with an electric mixer until thick. Spread over the top of the filling. Keep cake refrigerated until serving.

Nutrition Information
Servings Per Recipe: 24 Calories: 280
% Daily Value *
 % Daily Value *
Total Fat 14g18%
Saturated Fat 8g41%
Cholesterol 82mg27%
Sodium 87mg4%
Total Carbohydrate 35g13%
Dietary Fiber 0g1%
Total Sugars 28g 
Protein 6g 
Vitamin C 1mg4%
Calcium 139mg11%
Iron 1mg3%
Potassium 173mg4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Powered by the ESHA Research Database © 2018, ESHA Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Watch video
Watch How To Make It

For an extra layer of flavor, infuse the milk soak with a touch of cinnamon or a splash of rum. These subtle additions can elevate the Tres Leches experience, adding warmth and depth to the milky mixture. When baking the sponge cake, ensure it's perfectly cooled before introducing it to the milk bath. This helps the cake absorb the liquid evenly, creating a moist and decadent texture. Don't rush the soaking process; give the cake ample time to absorb the milky goodness. And when it comes to serving, a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, a drizzle of chocolate, or a handful of fresh berries can add a visually appealing and tasty flourish to your Tres Leches masterpiece. Enjoy the journey of creating and savoring this exquisite dessert!

Vadim Rachok
Vadim Rachok
Pro tip from chef
Comments
Looking for more?
Lunch, Dinner
35 mins
Vadim Rachok
Soups
35 mins
Vadim Rachok
Sauces
35 mins
Vadim Rachok
Sauces
35 mins
Vadim Rachok
Desserts, Appetizers
30 mins
Vadim Rachok
Soups
35 mins
Vadim Rachok
Dinner
1 hour
Vadim Rachok