Tres Leches Cake is a soft and moist Latin American sponge cake soaked in a mixture of three kinds of milk: evaporated milk, condensed milk, and whole milk (or sometimes heavy cream). It’s typically topped with whipped cream and sometimes cinnamon or fresh fruit.

Ingredients

For the cake:

• 190g plain flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 5 large eggs, separated
• 200g granulated sugar
• 80ml whole milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the milk mixture:

• 250ml evaporated milk
• 250ml condensed milk
• 120ml whole milk or double cream

For the topping:

• 250ml double cream
• 2 tbsp icing sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and flour a 23×33 cm (9×13 inch) baking dish.
2. Make the cake batter:

• In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
• In a separate large bowl, beat egg yolks with 150g sugar until pale and fluffy. Stir in milk and vanilla.
• In another bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form, then gradually add the remaining 50g sugar until stiff peaks form.
• Fold the egg whites into the yolk mixture, then gently fold in the flour mixture.

1. Bake the cake for 25–30 minutes until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Let it cool completely.
2. Prepare the milk mixture by whisking together evaporated milk, condensed milk, and whole milk or cream.
3. Soak the cake: Poke holes all over the cooled cake with a fork, then slowly pour the milk mixture over it. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour (ideally overnight).
4. Make the topping: Whip the double cream, icing sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form. Spread over the cake.
5. Serve and enjoy! Optionally, dust with cinnamon or top with fresh fruit.

Would you like any variations, such as a chocolate version or a boozy twist?

Variations of Tres Leches Cake:

1. Chocolate Tres Leches Cake

Modifications:

• Replace 50g of the flour with 50g cocoa powder for a chocolate sponge.
• Add ½ tsp instant coffee granules to enhance the chocolate flavour.
• Use chocolate milk instead of whole milk in the soak.
• Garnish with chocolate shavings or cocoa powder on top.

2. Boozy Tres Leches Cake

Modifications:

• Add 2–3 tbsp rum, Kahlúa, or Baileys to the milk mixture.
• Brush the cake with extra liquor before pouring in the milk soak.
• For a stronger kick, add a splash of liquor to the whipped cream topping.

3. Coconut Tres Leches Cake

Modifications:

• Replace whole milk in the soak with coconut milk.
• Use coconut extract instead of vanilla.
• Toast shredded coconut and sprinkle it on top.

4. Caramel (Dulce de Leche) Tres Leches Cake

Modifications:

Add a pinch of sea salt for a salted caramel version.

Replace condensed milk with dulce de leche in the soak.

Drizzle extra dulce de leche on top before serving.