Coffee and Crumpets

Real Food with Altitude

Cakes and Cookies Holiday Dishes Puddings/Dessert Recipe Index Tea Time Tex-Mex Vegetarian

Tres Leches Cake

Tres Leches

This year, I seemed to have dropped the ball on posting holiday recipes. I had it all planned too! Back in January, I took my nifty calendar and scribbled possible posts and recipe ideas, I pencilled in relevant holidays and even some obscure ones like St David’s Day, who unlike St Patrick, doesn’t get quite the same recognition. For those of you not familiar with him, he’s the patron saint of Wales. However, I did remember Star Wars Day 🙂 A day circled in very bold on all calendars at home.

Tres LechesI wasn’t planning on sharing this post until next week, but as Mother’s Day is coming up this weekend and I still haven’t picked up that darned ball, I decided to post this early.

It’s quite a fitting cake for Mother’s Day even though it was made as a birthday cake for my husband a couple of weekends ago. You might also be thinking that it’s a bit of a froufrou cake for a man, and believe me, what he really wanted was a replica of the Starship Enterprise as his cake. A request I would have fully entertained if it wasn’t for the jam packed status of the weeks leading up to his birthday. Model cakes take a long time to make, ask anyone who has made one! I told him it’s still on my list and it may materialise for Father’s Day; we’ll see.

Tres Leches CakeSo, why the Tres Leches? Because it’s only the best cake ever! It’s also known as a three milks cake and it originates from Central America. Of course, it’s thought that it came to them from trade and travel in Europe.

Whatever the origin, this cake is incredibly popular in Texas, which is where we came across it. Typically, you will see this cake baked in a glass dish and the milks are poured over and then frosted. However, it can be layered and made to look like a special occasion cake. Infact, my sister had a three tier Tres Leches for her wedding cake, and a new tradition was born.

We continued the tradition by getting all of the kids’ birthday cakes from a local panaderia, and they did such an excellent job making it to any theme we wanted. Laith’s 2nd birthday, they did a full sheet cake in the Cars theme. It was so adorable.

Tres Leches CakeTradition continues with all the extended family now getting their Tres Leches wedding cakes and their kids’ birthday cakes from the same panaderia.

It had been a year since we last ate a Tres Leches and that was back on our trip to Houston last year. We were all craving it; big time. So, really, Trace had no choice, he was getting a Tres Leches whether he liked it or not! Lucky for me, he loves it as much as I do (as a matter of fact, he hasn’t met a cake he doesn’t like yet)

It’s not like we can’t get it here in Colorado because we have quite a thriving Hispanic and South/Central American community. It’s just that I don’t feel like looking for a panaderia and then driving down to get it. I have adopted the Colorado mentality of “if it’s not down the end of my street, I’m not going” which I think is just a ploy to not have to go on I-25. It’s a mentality I was surprisingly quick to adopt considering that I came from Houston where unless you have travelled on 3 State Highways and 2 Interstates just for lunch, you haven’t travelled!

Tres Leches CakeWhat is a Tres Leches cake? It’s an airy, dry sponge cake that is soaked in three milks, usually evaporated, condensed and heavy cream. It is then chilled overnight, and then frosted with either a meringue topping or fresh whipped cream. It is not a low calorie food. Unfortunately, it’s an addictive food.

I made mine a little different form the traditional ones you see on the web. Most of them are single layer, in a glass pan covered in cream. You do not see how wonderful this cake is when you serve it like that. It needs to be elevated to the top of the special occasion cake category with a bit of effort. I filled mine with macerated fresh strawberries, and since I couldn’t find an organic evaporated milk can or at least a can with no additives, I chose to forgo it and use half and half. It was perfect. It was moist enough to be recognised that it was soaked in 3 milks and sturdy enough to not collapse under the weight of the 3 milks.

There’s still time to make this for your mum! It only needs a day to chill overnight and an hour to ice. You can always just make it in a baking dish and cover it with cream.

Tres Leches

Save Print
Tres Leches Cake

Serving size: 12

Calories: 699

Fat: 36g

A moist sponge layer cake filled with macerated strawberries and soaked in three milks.
Ingredients
Sponge Cake
  • 2 cups/290g all purpose/plain flour
  • 3½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 7 large eggs, separated
  • 2 cups/400g sugar
  • ½ cup/120ml milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
Three Milks
  • 1 cup/235ml heavy/double cream
  • 1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 cups/470g half and half (half cream and half milk mixture)
Filling
  • 1 pound/455g fresh strawberries, chopped small pieces
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
Frosting
  • 2 cups/470g heavy/double cream
  • 4oz/125g cream cheese, room temperature
  • ¼ cup/50g sugar
Topping
  • extra strawberries
  • mint leaves
Instructions
  1. Plan to make the sponge cake a day ahead so it can thoroughly chill.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350F/180C
  3. Grease and line the bottom of the pans with parchment paper, 2 9 inch/24 cm cake pans.
  4. Mix the flour, baking powder and salt together in a bowl.
  5. Using a mixer, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form.
  6. On high speed, gradually add the sugar.
  7. Add the egg yolks, one at a time.
  8. Add the vanilla.
  9. Add the flour, ½ cup at a time until well incorporated.
  10. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides.
  11. Add the ½ cup of milk until the mixture is smooth and evenly mixed.
  12. Divide the cake batter between the two prepared pans.
  13. Place in the oven and bake until golden brown about 25-30 minutes.
  14. Let cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes.
  15. Meanwhile, make the soaking milk.
  16. Combine the condensed milk, heavy cream and the half and half and mix well.
  17. Divide the milks over the warm cakes equally.
  18. Allow to soak into the cake.
  19. Place in the fridge to chill overnight.
Filling
  1. Mash the strawberries with sugar slightly so they release some of their juices.
  2. Allow to macerate.
Frosting
  1. Beat the soft cream cheese with the sugar until light and fluffy.
  2. Add the heavy cream and whip until thick enough to spread on cake.
  3. You will need to beat it to quite thick but don't get carried away and make butter!
  4. Place in the fridge until needed.
Assembling Cake
  1. Run a spatula or a butter knife around the edges of the cake.
  2. This will be a bit tricky and you will need to wiggle the edges of the cake and prise up the edges to loosen.
  3. The cakes are soaked with milk so they will not just fall out easily.
  4. A bit of patience and delicate handling is all that's needed.
  5. The parchment is important so don't forget to line the pan!
  6. Once you've taken out the first cake, place it on a cake plate.
  7. Spread the macerated strawberries and the juices over the bottom layer.
  8. Make it quite flat and even but don't take it too far to the edge.
  9. Jiggle out the second cake and place on top of the strawberries.
  10. If a bit of cake gets stuck and remains in the pan, it's not a big deal.
  11. It's soft enough to paste back onto the cake and spread out.
  12. You can do a crumb coat with a little frosting or you can take thick globs of it and spread it around.
  13. The cake is not too crumbly but some parts tend to get stuck to the spatula.
  14. I suggest taking big globs of the frosting and spreading it on the top first and then working the sides.
  15. Always use a lot of frosting, the crumbs will stick if you're using too little.
  16. Smooth out or leave it rustic looking with swirls and peaks.
  17. Decorate the top with more fresh berries and mint leaves if desired.
  18. Refrigerate until serving.
  19. It is normal for some milk to seep out when the cake has been sitting in the fridge for a while.
Notes
This cake can be baked in a 9 x13 (24cm x 33 cm) glass dish but reduce the temperature to 325F. This won't have any filling but you can serve the fruit on the side or use it as a topping. You probably won't need all the frosting either.
Wordpress Recipe Plugin by EasyRecipe
Tres Leches CakeSo, here is my contribution to Mother’s Day. I will try and work on catching that ball so I can better represent some holidays here! Next up will be the Islamic month of Ramadan that will be here at the end of June. There’s always good eats during Ramadan which is interesting considering it’s a month of fasting!

I will wish all the mums out there a very Happy Mother’s day for Sunday and especially to all the new moms celebrating their first Mother’s Day. 

Have a wonderful weekend with your mothers and your loved ones.

 


Comments

  2. So pretty Nazneen. You create the most delicate, beautiful creations! I’ve tried three milks cake once, my friend from Argentina made it. I loved the creamy intensity of flavour, it’s unlike any cake I’ve eaten before. Yours is so beautifully presented. Oh, by the way, May the 4th? I need to celebrate that next year! xx
    laurasmess recently posted..Rosemary, Sea Salt and Macadamia Oil CrackersMy Profile

  3. What a gorgeous cake, Nazneen! The strawberry topping is beautiful – the way it runs from the top to the side…very elegant look! Tres leches cake is so good! I wish to have a homemade version as I only had it in restaurants…. Pinning this gorgeous cake!

  7. Wow Nazneen! Just… wow… that cake is visually… stunning! I don’t even care what it tastes like – it just looks amazing. You’ve done an absolutely fantastic job. It’s like something I’d see in a fancy cake-shop window, seriously. I love the strawberries “tumbling” down the side. Altogether though it looks like an amazing cake – well done – love it!
    Charles recently posted..The Top 10 Best Swedish FoodsMy Profile

  8. OMG! Nazneen this cake is a masterpiece… it so beautiful and elegant… The frosting you did is perfect. I really hope that your husband appreciated it! Happy belated birthday to him. I hope you had a great Mother’s Day as well…. I saw some pictures on FB, you still have snow????
    A huge hug, take care.

  10. Your an artist Nanzeen! How gorgeous, just pinned this recipe and already in the time I posted this recipe 5 more people have pinned it. I can’t wait to try this as this cake is so delicious. Have a super weekend! BAM
    Bam’s Kitchen recently posted..Tofu Veggie PancakesMy Profile

  13. Nazneen, I love tres leches cake – the moistness of these cakes is hard to beat but I also never attempted to make more than a sheet cake, never layers. Your cake sounds and looks divine – I am sure it received raving reviews, I would not mind receiving one for my birthday! What a beautiful presentation!
    I hope you had a wonderful Mother´s Day, dear friend!
    TheKitchenLioness recently posted..FFwD – Leeks Vinaigrette with MimosaMy Profile

  15. Whenever we go back to Florida to visit family, we always eat at one Cuban restaurant while there. My husband always orders tres leches for dessert. Your cake is not only the prettiest one I’ve ever seen but the flavor has to be excellent. I’m sure your husband was thrilled with his birthday cake.
    Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted..Burger Tacos With Chipotle MayoMy Profile

  17. Yes, Nazneen, tres leches is one of my favorite cakes, and I always get it at the local Cuban bakery….but somehow I never attempted to bake one…yours look so pretty and it has such a great texture…so beautifully decorated.
    Have a wonderful weekend 😀

  20. This is a all time favorite cake in my house… just love the way you have presented Nazneen! Looks absolutely fantastic… Crowing the icing with strawberries is an excellent way to present it 🙂
    Deepti recently posted..Vegetable cutletMy Profile

  23. Woow Mashaa Allah Nazneen, you are such a devoted and lovely wife… I hope my husband will not see this post or else ….. hahahaha. Happy birthday for your husband may all your days be filled with happiness and great cakes. You’ve made a heavenly cake for sure. Happy mother’s day to you dear.
    Amira recently posted..From Sudan : Al Aswad salad!!My Profile

  26. I LOVE this cake with your twist on it. And of course the bright red strawberries. Pretty as a picture! I have not been able to post my mother’s day cake yet…I feel overwhelmed with emotion when I begin to write (though I am finding it quite funny now:-)) My Mum is actually here by the end of May along with my sis so I am looking forward to have a ball.
    Wishing you a wonderful Mother’s Day Nazneen. Your children are lucky to have such an awesome mother who cooks amazing dishes for them.
    Sugar et al recently posted..Spiced Chocolate Streusel CakeMy Profile

  27. I love your cake, Nazneen; it’s so pretty. I love how the strawberries and mint leaves cascade down the side of the cake. I’ve never made one of these cakes but I do have it on my to-do list as with the three types of milk, it sounds fascinating xx
    Hotly Spiced recently posted..Let’s Eat, Neutral BayMy Profile

  28. What a gorgeous presentation, Nazneen! You are a very good photographer.
    I have had tres leches cake at our school celebrations at Christmastime. We have a giant potluck dinner
    with lots of Mexican specialties and there are usually numerous tres leches cakes. Some have been
    pretty good and some not so good. So….I guess I better make one myself!
    I am pretty much a purist and that side of me doesn’t like the idea of canned milk products. I wonder
    how it would be with just the cream and half and half? I know that then it would not be an authentic
    tres leches cake, just a dos leches cake and not as delicious. I’ll have to think that over.
    Have you ever tried using less milk so that the cake was still moist but didn’t get too soggy?

    • Thanks Caterina. Organic condensed milk is available and that is necessary to make this cake. Condensed milk has a particular caramel flavour that is needed. The amount I have listed is what’s needed to make it moist and be able to be stacked. This cake is not soggy, it’s got the right amount, any less and it won’t be soaked enough.

  29. This looks beautiful! I’ve heard so much about tres leches cake – everyone who has had it seems to consider it the best cake ever. So many people cannot possibly be wrong. I’ve never seen it like this – with strawberries in the middle. It’s a lovely presentation and looks so lovingly made. Your husband is a lucky guy with all this and the Star Wars love on top of it. : )
    Monica recently posted..Easy “paella”My Profile

  34. Gorgeous presentation, Nazneen! Lucky Trace! I love how you stacked it – I have only had I in a sheet pan. I cover mine with dulce de leche! Four milks!! I wish you a very happy Mother’s Day, too!
    David recently posted..For the Love of CurryMy Profile

  37. I LOVEEEEEEEEE tres leches cake! Your photos are absolutely gorgeous!
    I’ve always been skeptical about making a layered tres leches cake for fear of the milk seeping out, but yours looks so perfect mA! love it love it love it! 😀

  40. Only my most favourite cake, ever! I started the tradition of making it for my own birthday but this sadly lasted only a year or two. But, hey , no occasion is needed to make this gorgeous cake. Please excuse me while I go whip up a batch NOW.
    Needful Things recently posted..VentingMy Profile

    • I always wanted my birthday cake to be an ice cream cake. I might make one next month 🙂

  42. Wow! I didn’t realize you could layer trees leches. Nice! Happy Mother’s Day!(:

  44. Nazneen: What a gorgeous cake…I have never seen a tres leches as beautiful as this one. I also love how you captured its beauty from several angles crowning with that slice of cake — which ,by the way, made me wish to have it in my mouth. I agree with you…It is a great cake for Mother’s Day! Wishing you a very Happy Mother’s Day, my dear!
    Denise Browning@From Brazil To You recently posted..Monster Peanut Butter-Cheesecake Sandwich Cookies with Chocolate DrizzleMy Profile

    • Thanks David! Yes, the tres leches stays very moist but it does have to be refrigerated. With this layered version, as the leftovers sit in the fridge, the top layer begins to release it’s milk yo the bottom layer! A pan version is moist all the time.

Trackbacks

Get new posts straight to your inbox...

Still hungry?

Stuffed Musquée de Provence Pumpkin
Turkish Soujouk Stew
Pumpkin Bundt Cake
Karahi Chicken II~Stir Fried Chicken with Tomatoes
White Chocolate and Pistachio Babka
Harissa Braised Lamb
Honey Roasted Peach and Goat’s Cheese Tartlets
Peach Muffins with Rosemary Streusel
Shami Kebabs
Ground Chicken Kebabs