Dreamy Three-Milk Sponge: Classic Tres Leches Cake Recipe

Creamy, decadent, and utterly irresistible, this tres leches cake holds a special place in dessert lovers’ hearts.

The classic Latin American sweet brings magic to every single bite with its milk-soaked layers.

Originating from Mexico, this cake blends rich dairy goodness into a sublime culinary experience.

Soft sponge cake absorbs three types of milk, creating a moist and luxurious texture that melts in you mouth.

Topped with delicate whipped cream and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, the dessert feels like a celebration on a plate.

Simple ingredients come together to craft a dessert that connects generations through its comforting sweetness.

Get ready to fall in love with this showstopping treat that promises pure deliciousness in every single slice.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30-35 minutes

Total Time: 3-4 hours (including chilling time)

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 13

Tres Leches Cake Ingredient Lineup

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation that provides structure and tender crispness to your cake, choose unbleached flour for best texture.
• Baking Powder: Creates lovely lift and airiness, ensure it's fresh and not expired for maximum rising potential.
• Baking Soda: Helps balance acidity and promotes beautiful golden color, check for recent manufacturing date.
• Butter: Delivers rich, smooth flavor and helps create creamy consistency, select high-quality unsalted butter.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and assists in cake's caramelization, opt for fine granulated type.

• Egg Whites, Egg Yolks: Provide structure, richness, and contribute to cake's silky texture, choose fresh room-temperature eggs.
• Whole Milk: Enhances moisture and adds subtle creaminess, select full-fat milk for best results.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, complex flavor depth, use pure extract instead of artificial.

• Heavy Cream, Sweetened Condensed Milk, Evaporated Milk: Create signature tres leches liquid, ensuring decadent, saturated cake experience, choose high-quality brands for superior taste.
• Ground Cinnamon: Provides warm, aromatic finishing touch, select freshly ground for most potent flavor.
• Whipping Cream: Delivers light, cloud-like topping, select heavy whipping cream with high fat content.

What You’ll Need for Tres Leches Cake

• Stand Mixer: Essential for whipping egg whites and creaming butter and sugar smoothly.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Needed for separating ingredients and mixing wet and dry components.
• 9×13-inch Baking Pan: Perfect size for preparing the classic tres leches cake.
• Whisk: Used for creating whipped cream and mixing milk mixture.
• Sifter: Helps evenly distribute dry ingredients and remove lumps.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Critical for precise ingredient measurements.
• Fork: Helps create holes in cake for milk absorption.
• Toothpick: Checks cake doneness by testing center for cleanness.
• Sifter or Fine Strainer: Optional for sprinkling cinnamon on top.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Tres Leches Cake

• Cake Foundation

A soft, spongy canvas that will become the heart of this dreamy dessert.

• Egg Technique

Separate egg whites and yolks with precision, creating a light and airy texture that melts in your mouth.

• Mixing Magic

Gently fold ingredients to maintain the delicate structure of the cake, creating a pillowy soft base.

• Baking Moment

Watch your creation transform in the oven, turning golden and fragrant.

• Moisture Magic

After baking, transform the cake by drenching it in a luscious trio of milks that seep into every delicate crumb.

• Chilling Transformation

Let the cake rest in the refrigerator, allowing the milky goodness to completely saturate and elevate the dessert.

• Cream Crowning

Top the cake with billowy whipped cream, creating a cloud-like finish that adds a final layer of indulgence.

• Cinnamon Sprinkle

Dust with a whisper of ground cinnamon, adding a warm, aromatic finale to this heavenly treat.

Tips to Make Tres Leches Extra Moist

• Infuse the milk mixture with a splash of rum, coffee liqueur, or orange zest to transform the traditional recipe into a more complex dessert experience.
• Prepare the cake a day in advance to allow the milk mixture to fully penetrate, creating an even more moist and decadent texture that intensifies overnight.
• Swap traditional ground cinnamon with fresh berries, toasted coconut flakes, or chocolate shavings to personalize the cake's final presentation and add visual appeal.
• Substitute whole milk with almond or coconut milk, and use gluten-free flour blend to make this classic dessert accessible for different dietary restrictions without compromising the cake's signature richness.

Serving Ideas for Tres Leches Cake

• Sweet Brunch Companion: Pair this creamy cake with fresh Mexican coffee or a light espresso to enhance the dessert's rich flavors.
• Festive Party Centerpiece: Serve chilled slices on elegant dessert plates during celebrations, adding a sprinkle of extra cinnamon for a festive touch.
• Summer Refreshment Platter: Accompany the cake with fresh berries or tropical fruit like mango and pineapple to balance its creamy sweetness and add a bright, zesty contrast.
• Afternoon Tea Delight: Create a beautiful dessert spread by placing small cake squares alongside other Latin-inspired pastries like churros or flan for a delectable treat.

Best Storage Practices for Tres Leches Cake

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store the tres leches cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it stays fresh and moist for up to 4-5 days. The cool environment helps maintain its delicate texture and prevents bacterial growth.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap individual cake slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen slices can be enjoyed up to 2 months later, making it perfect for advance preparation or unexpected dessert cravings.
• Room Temperature Caution: Keep the cake chilled until 15-20 minutes before serving. Allowing it to sit at room temperature briefly enhances its creamy texture and brings out the rich milk-soaked flavors.
• Serving Suggestion Hack: Use a sharp, clean knife to slice the cake. Wipe the blade between cuts with a warm, damp cloth to ensure smooth, clean slices that showcase the cake's beautiful milk-soaked layers.

Dreamy Tres Leches Cake Recipe

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4.9 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 3-4 hours (including chilling time)
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Mexican tres leches cake delivers a creamy, luscious dessert that melts in your mouth. Milk-soaked layers blend classic ingredients with sweet precision, ensuring you savor each rich, indulgent bite.

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Ingredients

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• 5 large eggs, separated
• 1 ½ cups (375 ml) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (200 g) sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) whole milk
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• 14 oz (396 g) sweetened condensed milk
• 12 oz (340 g) evaporated milk
• 4 cups (960 ml) whipped cream

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Instructions

1. Cake Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray or butter.
2. Dry Ingredient Blend: Sift flour, baking powder, and baking soda together, creating a uniform dry mixture for later incorporation.
3. Egg White Transformation: Whip egg whites to stiff peaks using a stand mixer, creating a voluminous and stable meringue-like texture.
4. Butter and Sugar Fusion: Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then gradually integrate egg yolks, vanilla extract, and whole milk into a smooth, consistent batter.
5. Batter Assembly: Gently fold flour mixture into liquid ingredients, carefully maintaining the batter’s delicate airiness, then delicately fold in the whipped egg whites to create a homogeneous mixture.
6. Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly, and bake for 30-35 minutes until a testing utensil comes out clean.
7. Milk Infusion: Whisk heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, and evaporated milk together while the cake bakes.
8. Cake Saturation: Remove cake from oven, pierce surface extensively with a fork, then methodically pour milk mixture, ensuring complete absorption.
9. Chilling and Finishing: Refrigerate cake for 3-4 hours, allowing milk to permeate thoroughly, then garnish with whipped cream and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon before serving.

Notes

• Whip Egg Whites Perfectly: Achieve stiff peaks by beating egg whites until they hold their shape, creating a light, airy texture that’s crucial for the cake’s delicate structure.
• Fold Gently: Use a careful folding technique when combining ingredients to maintain the cake’s airiness and prevent deflating the delicate mixture.
• Thorough Fork Piercing: Create numerous holes across the cake’s surface before adding milk mixture to ensure complete and even milk absorption throughout the sponge.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate the cake for at least 3-4 hours to allow the milk to fully penetrate and enhance the cake’s signature moistness and rich taste.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg