Traditional Three-Milk Cake
Tres Leches Cake—often called “Three Milk Cake”—is a cherished dessert across Latin America and has won fans all over the globe. This rich, ultra-moist cake is drenched in a blend of three different milks, giving it a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Finished with whipped cream and fresh fruit, it’s an eye-catching dessert perfect for parties and special occasions. Below, you’ll find how to prepare this dreamy treat along with a clear ingredient table for easy reference.
Tres Leches Cake Ingredients
Before you begin, gather the items listed in the table:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All-Purpose Flour | 1 cup |
| Baking Powder | 1 ½ tsp |
| Salt | ¼ tsp |
| Unsalted Butter | ½ cup |
| Granulated Sugar | 1 cup |
| Eggs | 5 large |
| Vanilla Extract | 1 tsp |
| Whole Milk | ½ cup |
| Evaporated Milk | 1 can (12 oz) |
| Sweetened Condensed Milk | 1 can (14 oz) |
| Heavy Cream | 1 cup |
| Fresh Fruit (optional) | For garnish |
Making the Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat the butter and sugar until fluffy and pale.
- Add the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully blended in before adding the next.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the whole milk—starting and ending with the dry ingredients.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Soaking the Cake
The signature texture of Tres Leches comes from its milk soak:
- Once the cake has cooled, poke holes across the entire surface using a fork or toothpick.
- Combine the evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream in a bowl, whisking until smooth.
- Slowly pour the milk mixture over the cake, ensuring it soaks in evenly.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours—or overnight—for maximum absorption.
Decorating
- Whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- Spread the whipped cream over the chilled, soaked cake.
- Top with fresh fruit such as strawberries, blueberries, or kiwi for extra color and brightness.
Flavor Variations
Chocolate Tres Leches
Mix cocoa powder into the batter for a chocolate version that pairs beautifully with the milk soak.
Coffee Tres Leches
Add brewed strong coffee to the batter for a caffeine-kissed twist.
Coconut Tres Leches
Stir shredded coconut into the batter and sprinkle toasted coconut over the frosting.
Tres Leches Cupcakes
Make individual cupcakes and soak each one with the milk mixture for single-serve portions.
Tres Leches Cake is a luxurious, crowd-pleasing dessert that delivers the essence of Latin American baking right to your kitchen. With these ingredient tables and easy-to-follow steps, you can recreate this beloved classic at home and enjoy every creamy, tender bite.
