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Tres Leches Cake

Tres Leches Cake is a delicious Latin American dessert soaked in a rich milk mixture that makes it incredibly moist and creamy. Topped with fluffy whipped cream, it’s a crowd-pleasing treat for any celebration.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • For the Cake:
  • 1 cup of all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon of salt
  • 5 large eggs separated
  • 1 cup of sugar
  • ½ cup of whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • For the Tres Leches Milk Mixture:
  • 1 can 12 oz of evaporated milk
  • 1 can 14 oz of sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup of whole milk
  • For the Whipped Cream Topping:
  • 1 cup of heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons of sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  • In another bowl, beat the egg yolks with ¾ cup of sugar until light and fluffy (3-4 minutes). Stir in the milk and vanilla extract.
  • Gradually add the flour mixture, folding until well combined.
  • Beat the egg whites until soft peaks form, then slowly add the remaining sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
  • Gently fold the egg whites into the batter in two or three additions.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely in the pan.
  • For the milk mixture, whisk together evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and whole milk.
  • Poke holes all over the cooled cake using a fork or skewer. Slowly pour the milk mixture over the cake, ensuring even distribution.
  • Let the cake sit for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate for several hours for better flavor absorption.
  • For the whipped cream topping, beat heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Spread over the cake.
  • Serve chilled, optionally garnished with cinnamon or fresh fruit.

Notes

  • Soaking Time: The longer the cake sits with the milk mixture, the more flavorful and moist it will be. Letting it soak for at least 30 minutes is ideal, but refrigerating overnight will enhance the flavor.
  • Chill the Cake: Tres Leches cake is best served cold. It becomes even creamier after being chilled in the fridge for a while.