Tres Leches Cake is a sweet, simple cake recipe soaked in three types of milk. It’s absolutely delicious and fun to make.
There is no cake quite like Tres Leches Cake. The wonderful flavor, the moistness of the cake and the unique method of making it all contribute to its charm.
If you like a poke cake this is the original. After the lofty sponge cake is baked, little holes are poked all over it.
Then a sweet milk mixture is poured over it to soak in.
Covered with fluffy whipped cream frosting it’s perfect for Cinco de Mayo or any special occasion.
What is Tres Leches Cake?
Literally translated from Spanish it means ‘three milks cake’. It’s a sweet sponge cake soaked with three types of milk: sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk and heavy cream.
It’s moist and absolutely delicious.
Tres Leches Cake is a light sweet cake. It can be made with butter or, as with our recipe, no butter. If not using butter the cake is airy making it able to absorb the milks well.
The recipe originates in Mexico.
Ingredients you’ll need
Eggs. You’ll need 6 eggs and the whites and yolks will be separated and used in different stages of the recipe.
Granulated sugar. Makes the cake sweet!
All purpose flour. Regular or gluten-free measure-for-measure flour can be used.
The gluten-free version of all our recipes are tested with Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free 1-to-1 Baking Flour.
Sweetened condensed milk. This canned milk is one of the three leches. It’s a syrupy sweet milk.
Evaporated milk. Also a canned milk.
Heavy Cream. This is the same as heavy whipping cream. It will be used to seep into the cake. The additional amount is used to create a simple cream cheese frosting.
Vanilla Extract. Gives vanilla flavor to the cake and the frosting.
Confectioner’s sugar. Same as powdered sugar. Used in the frosting.
No rising agents (leveners) used!
This version of sponge cake does not use any rising agents; no baking powder or baking soda.
So if you thought we left it out, we didn’t!
The eggs are the sole source of the cake rising.
Making gluten-free Tres Leches Cake
In our experience gluten-free flour blends are not always as absorbent as traditional All-Purpose wheat flour.
And because all gluten-free flour blends do not include the same flours they will behave differently.
We use Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free 1-to-1 Baking Flour. This recipe has been tested with that specific flour blend.
As a general recommendation if making the cake gluten-free reduce the cream by 1/2 cup in the three milk mixture. Pour the mixture on the cake in small amounts at a time and allow it to fully absorb before adding more.
This will ensure the cake is not oversaturated.
How to fold ingredients together
Folding ingredients in a baking recipe is an important technique. This is especially true when combining light, airy components, like a meringue or beaten eggs whites, with heavier ingredients.
Why is ‘folding’ important?
It ensures the air in the whipped ingredients remains so there is no deflating when the ingredients are combined.
How to do it
Add the light ingredients to the heavy ingredients. In this Tres Leches Cake the beaten egg whites are folded into the egg yolk mixture along with the flour. The ingredients are alternated when added so the batter stays light and airy.
Use a flexible spatula. This allows easier scooping underneath the mixture on the bottom of the bowl and along the sides of a mixing bowl.
Scrape the bottom and over the top. Run the spatula along the bottom of the bowl, underneath the mixture on the bottom, towards you then over the top.
Rotate the bowl. Rotate the bowl slightly and repeat this motion. Repeat until the mixture is completely combined.
Don’t rush. It may seem that the mixture will not combine but it will. It takes a bit of time but is completely worth it for the end result!
This video shows how to fold ingredients together.
How to make Tres Leches Cake – Step-by-Step
STEP 1. Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
STEP 2. Beat egg whites
Separate the egg whites and yolks into separate bowls (photo 1).
Combine the egg whites and half of the sugar. Using an electric mixer with whisk attachment (or hand held mixer) beat until stiff peaks form (photos 2-3).
STEP 3. Beat egg yolks
Combine the eggs yolks and remaining sugar. Beat until combined (photo 4).
STEP 4. Make the batter
Gently fold some of the flour and eggs white mixture (alternating) into the egg yolk until fully combined (photos 5-6).
STEP 5. Bake and cool the cake
Spoon the batter into a greased and floured 9-inch springform pan (photo 7).
Bake for 28-32 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes (photo 8).
STEP 6. Add the milk
Using a bamboo skewer or fork poke holes into the cake 1 inch apart (photo 9).
Combine the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk and 1 cup of the heavy cream and whisk together (photo 10).
Slowly pour a small amount of the milk onto the surface of the cake and let it soak in (photo 11).
Photos 12-14 illustrate the process.
Continue to pour the milk mixture on the cake until it has all been absorbed.
Allow the cake to sit for 30 minutes to soak in the liquid.
STEP 7. Frost the cake
Combine the remaining heavy cream, vanilla extract and confectioners sugar in a bowl or bowl of standing mixer. Beat until stiff peaks form (photos 15-16).
Remove the sides of the springform cake pan. Frost the top and sides of the cake (photo 17).
Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.
Pro Tips
The egg white whipping is one of the most important steps in the recipe. This ensures the cake rises, has great structure and texture to absorb the milk mixture.
Here are some tips to ensure the eggs are whipped well:
- Take care when separating the eggs. The whites and yolks are whipped separately. When separating them be sure no yolk is in the whites and no whites in the with the fatty yolks.
- The egg whites should triple in size when whipped. The goal is to get as much air into the eggs as possible. That ends up with a airy sponge cake.
Don’t use non-stick cooking spray to prep the cake pan. This type of cake relies on a dry surface to climb the sides of the pan to rise. Grease and flour the pan.
Don’t let the batter sit. As soon as the batter is combined and in the pan, bake the cake.
Don’t peek when the cake is baking! Resist the temptation to open the oven door to check on the cake, especially in the first half of it baking. This can result in the cake deflating.
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover cake tightly sealed or in an airtight cake storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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Recipe
TRES LECHES CAKE
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 eggs separated
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 all purpose flour regular or gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend
- 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 12-ounce can evaporated milk
- 2 cups heavy cream divided
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9 inch spring form pan.
- In the bowl of a standing mixer using the whisk attachment (or in a large bowl with a hand held mixer) beat egg whites and ½ cup of the sugar (1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons) until stiff peaks form.
- In a large mixing bowl whisk together the egg yolks and remaining ½ cup of sugar (1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons) until fully mixed together, thick and yellow.
- Alternating, fold in egg whites and flour into egg yolk mixture until fully combined. Add a little of each, fold in and add more. Spoon batter into prepared pan.
- Place pan into preheated oven and bake 28-30 minutes until toothpick inserted into middle of the cake comes out clean and slight browning has occurred on top of the cake. Allow cake to cool still in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
- In a medium bowl combine the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. If making a gluten-free version refer to the NOTES section below.
- Using a wooden skewer, poke holes in the top of the cake approximately 1 inch apart. Slowly pour some of the milk mixture over the cake allowing it to soak in before pouring more. Be sure to cover the entire cake.
- Allow cake to sit for 30 minutes to ensure milk mixture has been absorbed.
- Remove springform sides of the pan. Ensure the cake is fully cooled before frosting. NOTE it should be fully cooled by now.
- In the bowl of a standing mixer with the whisk attachment (or in a large bowl with a hand held mixer) beat together the remaining 1 cup of heavy cream, remaining teaspoon of vanilla and the confectioners’ sugar until stiff peaks have formed.
- Spread over the top and sides of the cake. Refrigerate 1 hour before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published: January 20, 2012
Ann says
It looks fantastic! Beautiful photos and stunning cake! I've made Tres Leches only once…and bombed! Yours is perfect!
Boulder Locavore says
Hi Ann. This is my only time making it. It did turn out great. I was initially worried when the cake seemed to sink a bit in the middle. At my altitude and with gluten free baking sometimes that signals a complete sink hole to come! It's didn't continue once out of the oven so I was releived.
Red_Shallot says
The cake looks very inviting the pictures are gorgeous. Now what is that pink drink in the last picture?
Boulder Locavore says
Thank you so much. The drink is Agave Watermelon Cream by Oogave. The flavor is great (not fakey tasting) and isn't the color divine?! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Lacy says
What a lovely cake! Looks amazing with the pink drinks! I've been looking for a delicious tres leche cake recipe, yours sounds wonderful!
Boulder Locavore says
Thanks Lacy. You should try this, it really is good. After a December full of such rich, strong desserts, I really appreciate the softness of this cake. So moist and simply flavored. Thanks for commenting!
Eliotseats says
We have a friend is fancies himself a Tres Leches aficionado. He orders it at every Mexican or Latin restaurant and usually he is not impressed. I will have to see how I stand up to his scrutiny and make this cake.
Boulder Locavore says
No pressure! I don't recall ever having Tres Leches cake before making this (shhh…..don't tell your friend!). I altered the original recipe as the amount of the 3 milks was way too much for the cake to absorb. This should allow saturation without the cake swimming! I found it continues to absorb over the first few days too so it's a cake that keeps getting better instead of stale! Fingers crossed for the report card!
Jennifurla says
wow, gorgeous photos – I am in LOVE
Boulder Locavore says
You've made my day Jennifurla; thank you.
Colleen Bierstine says
Ahh tres leches cake I'm drooling! This is one moist and decadent cake (as it should be!). Your photos are beautiful too!
Boulder Locavore says
Thank you Collen. I love the moistness of this cake too; so different. Hope you'll make it too (no drooling required!).
Kiri W. says
I love tres leches cake – we have this wonderful Hispanic bakery here in Cleveland that makes a wonderful version (and coconut flan! Oh!). I've never tried to bake this myself, but your post is inspirational. What a gorgeous cake!
Boulder Locavore says
Kiri we have a lovely Mexican neighborhood bakery too. Before needing to be gluten free I loved going there and buying the beautiful colorful pasteries. They always feel so happy and festive. This was the first time I'd baked this cake and was so glad I did. It's moist, flavorful and really easy.
Rachel says
Now that's a cake! I love the icing and pink sprinkles!
Tres Leches cake epitomizes rich, sweet deliciousness to me. My aunt had a fabulous one as a birthday cake last fall and I had to eat my whole piece, even if I felt like I was going to die of a cake overdose!
I'm the same with Spanish, by the way. I succumbed to the lure of French in high school and college.
Boulder Locavore says
I actually did not find this overly rich. I had no trouble eating my whole piece…and more! I agree on the pink. There is something very happy-making about pink in a dessert I think. We would probably be a frightening linguistic pair on the loose in Mexico based on the mirror language history!
Pauline says
Looks beautiful with the drinks and that tempting fork by the side! I would love to try this, on my list. Happy Baking 2012!
Boulder Locavore says
Thanks Pauline! You SHOULD try this! You won't be sorry. Happy baking to you as well. Thanks for reading.
PolaM says
I was once in Mexico too. BF and I traveled the yucatan by bus interacting in a mix of broken Spanish and Italian. It was great!
And tres leche is my favorite “american” cake. Yours turned out perfect!
Boulder Locavore says
Thanks Pola. Don't you love those travel experiences? So funny and makes you realize we are all just one big humanity. People are so kind everywhere.