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Tres Leches Cake


Course Dessert
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Chilling Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes
Servings 12 people
Close up photo of a slice of tres leche cake on a white plate.

This classic Tres Leches Cake is the pride and joy of Latin America, an utterly delicious in its simplicity. A light vanilla sponge cake is soaked with a mixture of three milks, then topped with a thick layer of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Ingredients  

Vanilla Spongecake

Three Milks

Whipped Cream


Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan and set aside.
  • In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
  • In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating the batter for 30 seconds after each addition. Add the vanilla and beat well.
  • Gently fold the flour mixture into the butter mixture, mixing until just incorporated. Use a rubber spatula to fold the remaining flour in until well blended. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
  • Bake for 22 to 25 minutes. Immediately use a bamboo skewer to poke the cake all over.
  • Whisk the three kinds of milk together in a large bowl or measuring cup, then pour over the top of the warm cake.
  • Return the cake to the off (but warm) oven for an additional 10 minutes, this helps the milk absorb.
  • Cover that cake and let sit until it reaches room temperature then transfer to the fridge for at least two hours before frosting.
  • Whip the cream, sugar, and vanilla together until stiff peaks form. Spread over the top of the cake, then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Keep refrigerated until serving.

Notes

  • Using a bamboo skewer works best for making the holes, but a fork may also be used.
  • Up to an additional 1/2 cup of whole milk can be added to the filling, any more than that and the milk starts to break down the structure of the cake.
  • All-purpose flour can be used instead of cake flour but the cake flour definitely yields a finer crumb.
  • It's best to poke and add the milk to the cake when it's warm as this helps the cake absorb the milk.

Nutrition

Calories: 591kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 161mg | Sodium: 224mg | Potassium: 447mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 61g | Vitamin A: 1035IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 318mg | Iron: 1mg

Find it online: www.sugarandsoul.co/tres-leches-cake/