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Dreamy Tres Leches Cake Recipe

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

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.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 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

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