dessert

Tres Leches Cake

Name: Tres Leches Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 2 h 45 min
Total time: 3 h 5 min
Yield: 8–10 slices
Cuisine: dessert
Ingredients: [Cake]; 200 g (1 cup) sugar; 5 eggs; 120 ml (1/2 cup) whole milk; 1/2 tbsp vanilla extract; 125 g (1 cup) all-purpose flour; 1 tbsp baking powder; [Three-Milk Soak]; 1 can (397 g / 14 oz) sweetened condensed milk; 1 can (354 ml / 12 fl oz) evaporated milk; 340 ml (12 oz) heavy cream; 1 tbsp vanilla extract

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Prep

20 minutes

Cook

45 minutes (plus 2 hours chilling)

Total

3 hr 5 min

Serves

8–10 slices

Soft, milky, and completely soaked through, tres leches cake is almost more of a pudding than a cake by the time it's ready. Poking holes in the warm sponge and pouring the milk mixture over while it's still hot is what lets it absorb completely.

Ingredients

[Cake]
200 g (1 cup) sugar
5 eggs
120 ml (1/2 cup) whole milk
1/2 tbsp vanilla extract
125 g (1 cup) all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
[Three-Milk Soak]
1 can (397 g / 14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 can (354 ml / 12 fl oz) evaporated milk
340 ml (12 oz) heavy cream
1 tbsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1
Beat the eggs and sugar together until pale and slightly thickened, about 3–4 minutes.
2
Add the milk and vanilla and mix to combine.
3
Sift in the flour and baking powder. Fold in gently until just combined.
4
Pour into a greased 23 × 33 cm (9 × 13-inch) baking pan.
5
Bake at 175 °C (350 °F) for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6
While the cake is still warm, poke holes all over the top with a skewer or fork.
7
Whisk together the condensed milk, evaporated milk, heavy cream, and vanilla to make the soak.
8
Pour the soak slowly and evenly over the warm cake. It will absorb as it cools.
9
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Cook's Note

Pour the milk mixture over the cake while both are still warm, a cold cake won't absorb it the same way. Give it time in the fridge; the texture improves for the first 4–6 hours as the soak finishes distributing.

Best Served With

A little fresh fruit and a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream.

Why This Recipe Works

A warm, porous sponge soaks up liquid the way a sponge does, all the way through. As it cools in the fridge, the milk mixture sets slightly in the cake instead of pooling at the bottom, which is how you get that even, milky texture in every slice.

Make It Yours

Top with whipped cream and sliced fresh strawberries just before serving.
Add a pinch of cinnamon to the milk soak for warmth.
Finish with a light dusting of cinnamon or lime zest.

Leftover Strategy

Keeps covered in the fridge for 3–4 days. Flavor actually improves on day 2.

Want to impress guests with this dish? Ask Jeff →

Pairing

A small glass of horchata or cold coffee. A sweet Riesling also works well.