Traditional Tres Leches Cake

Indulge in the creamy, melt-in-your-mouth delight of a Traditional Tres Leches Cake, a classic Latin American dessert that’s as moist as it is irresistible. This rich sponge cake is soaked in a luscious three-milk mixture—sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream—infusing every bite with indulgent flavor. Topped with fluffy homemade whipped cream and a touch of cinnamon for optional garnish, this dessert is perfect for celebrations or a special treat. Easy to prepare with simple pantry staples, this tres leches recipe is a showstopper that tastes even better after chilling overnight. Serve it chilled and watch as your family and friends swoon over its velvety texture and bold flavors. Perfect for large gatherings, this recipe makes 12 generous servings of pure joy.

Nutriscore Rating: 45/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 1 cup All-purpose flour
• 1.5 teaspoons Baking powder
• 0.25 teaspoons Salt
• 0.5 cup Unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup Granulated sugar
• 5 count Large eggs
• 2 teaspoons Pure vanilla extract
• 0.33 cup Whole milk
• 14 ounce Sweetened condensed milk
• 12 ounce Evaporated milk
• 0.5 cup Heavy cream
• 1 cup Heavy whipping cream (for topping)
• 2 tablespoons Powdered sugar
• 0.5 teaspoons Ground cinnamon (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set it aside.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Step 3

In a large bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to beat the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 4

Add the eggs to the butter-sugar mixture, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then mix in the vanilla extract.

Step 5

Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients in three batches, alternating with the whole milk, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

Step 6

Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 7

Once the cake is baked, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 20 minutes.

Step 8

Poke holes all over the cake using a fork or skewer to prepare it for the milk mixture.

Step 9

In a large bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream. Slowly pour this milk mixture over the cooled cake, making sure it soaks evenly. Refrigerate the cake for at least 3 hours or overnight for best results.

Step 10

To make the topping, beat the heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar together in a mixing bowl until stiff peaks form.

Step 11

Spread the whipped cream evenly over the soaked cake. If desired, sprinkle ground cinnamon on top for garnish.

Step 12

Slice and serve chilled. Enjoy your Traditional Tres Leches Cake!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1896 grams (1896.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5300

Total Fat 286.80g	368%
Saturated Fat 171.30g	857%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.40g
Cholesterol 1735mg	578%
Sodium 2678mg	116%
Total Carbohydrate 581.60g	211%
Dietary Fiber 4.00g	14%
Total Sugars 478.40g
Protein 107.90g	216%

Vitamin D 539IU	2696%
Calcium 2565mg	197%
Iron 13mg	69%
Potassium 3310mg	70%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 48.3%

Protein: 8.1%

Carbs: 43.6%