Go Back
+ servings

Authentic Mexican Tres Leches Cake

This tres leches cake recipe creates a light sponge cake soaked in a sweet mixture of three milks, topped with whipped cream for a decadent Mexican dessert.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 24 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 280

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 5 large eggs separated
  • 1 cup granulated sugar divided
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • cup whole milk
  • 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 12-ounce can evaporated milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Ground cinnamon for garnish (optional)

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add ½ cup sugar while continuing to beat until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
  4. In another bowl, beat the egg yolks with the remaining ½ cup sugar until pale and thickened. Stir in the vanilla extract and ⅓ cup milk.
  5. Gently fold the flour mixture into the egg yolk mixture. Then carefully fold in the beaten egg whites until just combined - be careful not to deflate the whites.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool for 10 minutes.
  7. While the cake is cooling, whisk together the condensed milk, evaporated milk, heavy cream, and vanilla in a bowl.
  8. Using a fork, poke holes all over the cake. Slowly pour the milk mixture over the cake, allowing it to soak in. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  9. Just before serving, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
  10. Spread the whipped cream over the soaked cake. Dust with ground cinnamon if desired. Cut into squares and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 280kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 6gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 87mgSugar: 28g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!