Tres Leches Cake is THE CAKE that will satisfy your sweet tooth. It is soft, moist, delicious, and easy. Perfect for any party!

This light sponge cake is soaked in a blend of three kinds of milk!

Then it’s topped with a fluffy whipped cream frosting.

And you can’t forget the fresh strawberries and a dollop of strawberry jam! Holy moly!

This tres leches cake is perfect for Cinco de Mayo, birthdays, or any day that needs a sprinkle of joy.

The blend of milks makes a moist cake that’s rich but surprisingly light.

The whipped cream topping is SO smooth. Which means you get a creamy finish that’s just irresistible!

Tres leche is a great way to impress your guests! It looks gourmet but is easy to make.

What Is Tres Leches?

Tres Leches is a popular Latin America dessert known as “three-milk cake.”

It’s a light sponge cake that is soaked in a mixture of three kinds of milk.

Usually whole milk, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk.

It always makes a moist, rich, and creamy cake.

It’s not too sweet but I promise you’ll absolutely love it!

Tres Leches Ingredients

An authentic tres leches is on it’s way! Here’s what you need:

Flour: Highly recommend all purpose flour.
Baking powder and salt: For lift and flavor.
Eggs: Separated into yolks and whites.
Sugar: Sweetens both the cake and the whipped topping.
Vanilla extract: I recommend pure vanilla extract whenever possible.
Three kinds of milk: Whole milk, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk.
Heavy cream: Makes the whipped topping.
Strawberries and jam: As pretty as it is tasty!
Powdered sugar: Can’t make the whipped topping without it.
Cinnamon: Flavoring!

Pro tip: When separating your eggs, make sure no yolk gets into the whites for the fluffiest stiff peaks.

How to Make Tres Leches

This is the best 3 milks cake! And here’s how to make it:

Mix dry ingredients and set aside.
Beat the egg yolk with sugar. Add egg yolk mixture dry mix.
Whip the egg whites to stiff peaks. Add them to the cake batter.
Bake your cake, let the cake cool slightly, then poke holes all over.
Soak with the different types of milk.
Top with whipped cream, jam and strawberries!

Pro tip:

Use a fork or skewer to poke holes in the cake so it can fully absorb the milk mixture
Make sure to reach the bottom of the cake with your pokes.

Is Tres Leches Cake Soggy?

Easy milk cake isn’t soggy but it is moist.

The cake is soaked through with the three kinds of milk, but it’s not soggy in an unpleasant way.

Instead it has a tender texture that’s both creamy and airy.

The light sponge cake holds its shape when cut and is SO yummy. It’s seriously one of my favorite cakes.

How Long Is Tres Leches Cake Good For?

Pastel de tres Leches cake can stay delicious for about 3 to 5 days.

You just need to keep it refrigerated.

Then cover it loosely with plastic wrap or put it in an airtight container.

If you don’t cover it, it’ll absorb other flavors from your fridge.

How to Store Leftover Tres Leches Cake?

Storing leftover tres leches cake is simple.

Place it in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap or inside an airtight container.

You don’t want it to dry out!

Wrap it up and keep all the moisture and flavor so your leftovers are just as delicious the next day!

Do You Have to Keep Tres Leches in the Fridge?

Yes, you should definitely keep this three milks cake in the fridge!

All the high dairy content from the milks and whipped cream topping?

Refrigerating it is essential to keep the cake fresh and safe to eat!

Plus, it tastes best when served chilled anyway.

Can I Freeze Tres Leches?

Freezing the cooled cake is possible but I don’t really recommend it.

It’s got a really delicate milk-soaked cake structure. And milk doesn’t thaw well usually.

If you do decide to freeze it, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil.

When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw the cake in the refrigerator overnight.

Keep in mind, the texture might change slightly upon thawing!

What Milk Is in Tres Leches?

The tres leches, or “three milks,” that give this easy cake its name and moistness are:

Whole milk: richness.
Evaporated milk: concentrated milk flavor without the added water.
Sweetened condensed milk: sweetness and a creamy texture.

And boom! The delicious soak that makes Tres Leches cake.

What to Serve With Tres Leches?

This authentic Mexican cake is good all on its own! With a little fruit or whipped cream on the top of the cake? Oohhh la la!

But if you need a little something more (like for a big birthday party), here are some great ideas:

If you love cake, try one of these…

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply satisfying a sweet craving, this Tres Leches cake recipe is a good one to have up your sleeve! Enjoy!

Yield: 10 Slices

Tres Leches

Name: Tres Leches
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 3 h 45 min
Yield: 10
Ingredients: 1 cup all purpose flour; 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 5 eggs; 3/4 cup white sugar (to be combined with egg yolks); 1/4 cup sugar (to be combined with egg whites); 1/3 cup whole milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 12 ounces evaporated milk; 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk; 1/3 cup whole milk; 1/2 cup strawberry jam; 1 pound strawberries; 2 cups heavy whipping cream; 3/4 cup powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Tres Leches Cake is a moist, flavorful cake soaked in three kinds of milk, topped with whipped cream and strawberries. It's perfect for any occasion!

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Additional Time 3 hours

Total Time 3 hours 45 minutes

Ingredients

Whipped Cream Frosting

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°
Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Whisk to remove any clumps.
Separate the eggs from the egg whites.
Place the egg yolks and the ¾ cup sugar in a stand mixer and beat until egg yolks are pale yellow and creamy.
Add vanilla and mix.
Pour egg yolk mixture over the dry ingredients and gently mix with a rubber spatula until just combined.
Clean out stand mixer very well. The egg whites will not properly whip up if any fat is left in the mixer.
Put egg whites in the mixer and beat until foamy. Very slowly begin to add the ¼ cup sugar while the mixer is on. Beat eggs until stiff peaks form.
Pour the beaten egg whites into the egg yolk and flour mixture. Gently fold in with a rubber spatula until just combined. Do not overmix or you will lose the air from the egg whites and the cake will not rise properly.
Butter and flour two 9” round cake pans.
Pour batter into two 9” round cake pans, or a 9x13 pan if you do not want to have two layers of cake.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
While the cakes are baking, combine the evaporated milk, condensed milk, and whole milk. Whisk until combined.
After baking, I like to remove the cake from the pan to make sure it will remove after soaking, and then put it back in the pan to soak.
Take a fork and poke holes all over the cakes. Divide the milk mixture in half and pour over the cakes. Let soak for at least one hour, but preferably 3 hours. I let mine soak overnight.
For the whipped topping, add the heavy whipping cream, vanilla, powdered sugar and cinnamon into the bowl of a stand mixer. Whip until stiff peaks form.
Remove the first cake and set it on your serving platter. Frost the top of it with the whipped topping. Create a raised edge with the whipped topping to serve as a barrier so the jam doesn’t spill out the sides.
Add the jam on top of the whipped topping, and cover with more whipped topping so the jam doesn’t seep into the next layer of cake.
Cover with the second cake. Frost both cakes with an even layer of the whipped topping.
Decorate with strawberries and any leftover whipped topping.
Cut, serve, and enjoy!

Notes

If you have a rotating cake stand, it will make frosting much easier!
Have fun with your decorations on top!
When dealing with whipped egg whites, be very gentle folding into the rest of the batter. You do not want to lose the air, that is what is helping our cake rise!
Feel free to add different ingredients in between those layers! Replacing with caramel or even some fruit would be delicious!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 647Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 178mgSodium: 296mgCarbohydrates: 88gFiber: 2gSugar: 73gProtein: 13g

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Tisha

Wednesday 10th of April 2024

Love this cake, it's so yummy and perfect for any occasion

Erin | Dinners, Dishes and Desserts

Sunday 7th of April 2024

This cake satisfy my sweet cravings! I can't wait to have it again!

Sandra

Saturday 6th of April 2024

This cake is amazing! It was so good and very moist! We loved it!

Catalina

I've tried several Tres Leches recipes before, but none compare to yours. It was incredibly moist without being soggy, and the flavors were just right - not too sweet but perfectly balanced.

Beth

Friday 5th of April 2024

This cake is absolutely delicious! It's so moist and tender, and the frosting is fantastic. I love this!