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Are you looking for an easy cake to make that’s sure to impress? This Best Tres Leches Cake Recipe is for you. Also known as “three milks” cake in Spanish, this easy tres leches cake recipe is a popular dessert in Latin America.

This light, spongy, moist cake, soaked in different types of milk and topped with fluffy whipped cream, is ideal for birthdays, weddings, Cinco de Mayo, or any other occasion that calls for a sweet treat. It’s insanely moist, delectably sweet, and perfectly tender. It literally melts in your mouth.


Melt in Your Mouth Tres Leches Cake

a spoonful of best tres leches cake from a piece in a white plate
 This is an excellent cake for milk lovers!

  There is nothing better than simple, crowd-pleasing desserts that are made in a casserole dish, such as No Bake Nescafe Cake, No Bake Pumpkin Lasagna Dessert, Cinnamon Roll Brioche Toast Casserole and of course, this Mexican Tres Leches Cake. Easy to make, they’re perfect for potlucks and parties. As soon as they appear on the table, they disappear immediately.

I’m so excited to share with you the recipe of one of my favorite cakes. This cake is a simple yet an impressive dessert to make. It is the ideal way to end any meal. The cake is light and airy, then drenched in a truly decadent three-milk mixture.


Decadent and Sweet!

A moist cake soaked in three different milks and topped with lightly sweetened whipped cream.
A moist cake soaked in three different milks and topped with lightly sweetened whipped cream.

All About the Tres Leches (Milk Cake)

Tres Leches Cake (Mexican cake) is a sweet sponge cake made with flour, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. It’s soaked in different kinds of milk (sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and cream) before being frosted with whipped topping.

Because there is no butter or oil used, the flavor is decadent and sweet while remaining light and airy. That means you get incredible flavor without the added cholesterol. And the milk gives you a calcium boost!


Light and Tender!

Tres Leches Cake with a soft and ultra-moist crumb. It is soaked with a 3 milk mixture and topped with a lightly sweetened whipped cream.
This cake gets rave reviews anytime it’s served!

What Is in the Tres Leches Cake?

This authentic tres leche cake recipe is prepared with simple ingredients: the fluffy cake itself, the milk mixture that is poured over it, and the creamy whipped topping that is spread on top.

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this simple tres leches cake:

  • Granulated sugar
  • Eggs
  • whole milk
  • Vanilla Extract
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Sweetened condensed milk
  • Evaporated milk
  • Heavy whipping cream 

Perfectly Moist!

tender and fluffy sponge cake soaking in 3 milk syrup and topped with whipped cream
This is the perfect dessert to share with your loved ones.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Can you make this recipe dairy free?

Possibly, but the texture and flavor of this three milk cake would be affected. You could use full-fat canned coconut milk and make your own coconut whipped cream to top the cake. Honestly, i haven’t tried it this way, I’ve only made the authentic recipe.

How to store the three milk cake?

This cake should be kept in the fridge. Wrap the dish in plastic wrap, foil, or a lid. It can be kept for up to three days. As the milk soaks into the cake more thoroughly, the bottom will become extremely moist. However, leftovers are delicious!

Can I make the Tres Leches Cake ahead of time?

Sure! If you’re serving a crowd, you can make this cake the day before and store it in the fridge overnight. The topping will not deflate in one single day.

No oil or butter in this recipe?

That’s right, there’s no butter or oil in this Tres Leches Cake. The egg whites are the primary leavening agent, giving it a sponge cake texture, and the three milks poured on top absorb into the cake, keeping it moist without the use of oil or butter.


Ridiculously Moist & Beautifully Sweet 

An ultra light cake soaked in a sweet milk mixture 
You won’t have enough of this ultra light cake soaked in a sweet milk mixture 

Tips to Make the Best Tres Leches Cake

  • The secret to a fabulous traditional tres leches cake is to let the cake soak up the syrupy milk mixture for about 30 minutes to 4 hours. In this way, when you serve it, it will remain perfectly moist without becoming soggy. Yummy!  
  • Vary the toppings on this cake by using fresh strawberries, fresh berries, or any kind of fruit you like. This makes it the ideal dessert for any Mexican meal.
  • Use a measuring cup to measure your dry ingredients.
  • Use room temperature eggs and butter. This will give you better results.
  • When you pour the batter into the cake pan, spread it out evenly to create an even cake top. This will help the milk pour evenly over the top, allowing it to soak into the cake evenly.

The Perfect Treat for Every One!

a slice of tres leches cake topped with whipped cream
This cake ranks in our top favorites of all time!

Tres Leches Cake Ingredients

For the Cake

  • all-purpose flour
  • baking powder
  • salt
  • eggs
  • sugar
  • vanilla
  • milk

Tres Leches Mixture

  • evaporated milk
  • sweetened condensed milk
  • heavy cream

For the Whipped Topping

  • heavy cream, for whipping
  • Sweetened condensed milk

Steps to Prep the Authentic Tres Leches Cake Recipe

Prepare the Cake Batter

First, Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 14×11 baking pan.

flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl

Next, in a large mixing bowl add the flour, baking powder, and salt then mix together with a spoon.

two bowls, one containing egg whites and the other containing egg yolks

Then, in two separate bowls, carefully separate the egg yolks and the egg whites. If some egg yolks slip into the egg whites, be sure to take them out. Use a spoon and take them out.

egg yolks mixed with sugar and vanilla

Now, whisk together egg yolks with 1 cup of sugar until well incorporated then mix in the milk and vanilla extract.

After that, pour the egg yolk mixture over the flour mixture. Whisk until well combined.

egg whites with soft peaks

Now, using a hand mixer, beat the egg whites on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Halfway add 1 tablespoon of sugar and continue to beat egg whites on high until peaks are stiff.

egg whites folded into the batter using a rubber spatula

Then, pour the egg whites over the batter then fold using a rubber spatula (don’t whisk or stir) into the batter carefully until well combined.

Finally, pour the batter into a prepared baking pan and spread to even out the surface.

Bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Prepare the Tres Leches

In a pitcher add 3/4 can of the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream. Stir. Place in fridge.

sponge cake poked with a fork

Let the cake cool, then gently Poke holes on the surface of the cake using a fork.

three milk mixture drizzled on the sponge cake

After that, slowly drizzle the milk mixture all around and over the entire cake. Best when soaked.

Now, place the cake in the refrigerator to soak for about 30 minutes to 4 hours.


Whipped Cream Topping

whipped cream with stiff peaks

First, make the whipping cream. Whisk on high speed the heavy cream and 1/4 can sweetened condensed milk (the remaining milk left). Keep whisking and high until stiff peaks forms. Place in the refrigerator until you are ready to enjoy the cake.

tres leches milk cake topped with whipped cream
This cake beats any store-bought version.

Then, spread over the surface of the soaked cake using a spatula.

Finally, decorate with your favorite fresh fruit or nuts (I personally enjoy plain). Cut and serve.


More Delicious Desserts to Try:


5 from 6 votes

Best Tres Leches Cake Recipe

By: Lama
This Homemade Tres Leches Cake is moist and drenched in a three-milk mixture. Topped with fluffy whipped cream, it's the perfect dessert to share with your loved ones.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 52 minutes
Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients 

For the Cake

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 8 whole eggs
  • 1 cup + 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • cup milk

For the Tres Leches (milk mixture to pour over the cake)

  • ¾ can sweetened condensed milk, (14 ounces)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cans evaporated milk

For the Whipped Topping

  • 1 pint heavy cream, for whipping
  • ¼ can sweetened condensed milk, 14 ounces

Instructions 

How to Prepare the Cake Batter

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 14×11 baking pan.
  • In a large mixing bowl add the flour, baking powder, and salt then mix together with a spoon.
  • In two separate bowls, carefully separate the egg yolks and the egg whites. If some egg yolks slip into the egg whites, be sure to take them out. Use a spoon and take them out.
  • Now, whisk together egg yolks with 1 cup sugar until well incorporated then mix in the milk and vanilla extract.
  • Pour the egg yolk mixture over the flour mixture. Whisk until well combined.
  • Using a hand mixer, beat the egg whites on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Halfway add 1 tablespoon of sugar and continue to beat egg whites on high until peaks are stiff.
  • Pour the egg whites over the batter then fold using a rubber spatula (don’t whisk or stir) into the batter carefully until well combined.
  • Pour the batter into a prepared baking pan and spread to even out the surface. Bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

How to Prepare the Tres Leches

  • In a pitcher add 3/4 can of the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream. Stir. Place in fridge.
  • Let the cake cool, then gently poke holes on the surface of the cake using a fork.
  • Slowly drizzle the milk mixture all around and over the entire cake. Best when soaked.
  • Place the cake in the refrigerator to soak for about 30 minutes to 4 hours.

How to Prepare the Whipped Cream

  • Prepare the whipped cream. Whisk on high speed the heavy cream and 1/4 can sweetened condensed milk (the remaining milk left).
  • Keep whisking and high until stiff peaks forms. Place in the refrigerator until you are ready to enjoy the cake.
  • Spread over the surface of the soaked cake using a spatula. Decorate with your favorite fresh fruit or nuts (I personally enjoy at plain). Cut and serve.

Video

Notes

Top Tips:

  • The secret to a fabulous traditional tres leches cake is to let the cake soak up the syrupy milk mixture for about 30 minutes to 4 hours.
  • .  In this way, when you serve it, it will remain perfectly moist without becoming soggy. Yummy!  
  • Vary the toppings on this cake by using fresh strawberries, fresh berries, or any kind of fruit you like. This makes it the ideal dessert for any Mexican meal.
  • Use a measuring cup to measure your dry ingredients.
  • Use room temperature eggs and butter. This will give you better results.

Nutrition

Calories: 562kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 191mg | Sodium: 279mg | Potassium: 459mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 48g | Vitamin A: 1372IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 399mg | Iron: 2mg
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About Lama

I'm Lama, welcome to my blog where you will find simple and diverse recipes your entire family will enjoy. I am honored to connect with you through the recipes I prepare!

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Recipe Rating




4 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I’ve always wanted to make this recipe but thought it was difficult, but you make it seem easy. Will make it soon

  2. 5 stars
    I made this cake a day ahead of time so that it abosrbs the milk and it was out of the world delicious. 5 stars for this one