Heavenly Tres Leches Cake
Indulge in the blissful delight of Heavenly Tres Leches Cake, a classic Latin American dessert that boasts an unforgettable combination of textures and flavors. This cake, renowned for its rich, moist consistency, is soaked in a luscious mixture of three different milks, creating an irresistible sweetness that is perfectly balanced. The cake is light yet rich, making it a delightful finish to any meal. I first served it during my fiancé's birthday dinner, and it quickly became a standout favorite among our guests. As my fiancé always says, 'Alton Brown is THE MAN!' This recipe requires a little patience as it needs to chill overnight, but the result is absolutely worth the wait.
N/A
Servings
257
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Unsalted butter
1/2 cup (softened)
Cake flour
6 ounces (whisked (approx. 1.5 cups))
Baking powder
1 teaspoon (none)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Sugar
2 cups (divided) (none)
Eggs
5 (large)
Vanilla extract
2 1/2 teaspoons (divided) (none)
Evaporated milk
12 ounces (none)
Sweetened condensed milk
14 ounces (none)
Half-and-half
1 cup (none)
Heavy whipping cream
2 cups (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Prepare a 9 x 13 inch baking pan by greasing it with unsalted butter and dusting it with flour. Make sure the pan is not too shallow for the batter's rise.
3
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
4
In a separate bowl, cream unsalted butter using an electric mixer until it is light and fluffy.
5
Gradually add 1 cup of sugar to the butter, mixing continuously until fully incorporated.
6
Add the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is mixed in thoroughly before adding the next.
7
Mix in 1.5 teaspoons of vanilla extract until evenly distributed.
8
Slowly incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined; be careful not to overmix.
9
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
10
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
11
Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
12
Once cooled, use a skewer or fork to poke holes all over the surface of the cake. This will allow the milks to soak in properly.
13
In a medium bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and half-and-half until well combined.
14
Slowly pour the milk mixture over the cooled cake, ensuring it seeps into the holes. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (or at least 8 hours) to allow the cake to absorb the milk.
15
Before serving, whip the heavy whipping cream with the remaining 1 cup of sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until it forms stiff peaks.
16
Spread the whipped cream topping over the soaked cake. Chill the cake in the refrigerator until ready to serve, allowing it to set a bit more.
Nutrition Information
15g
Fat
28g
Carbs
4g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Heavenly Tres Leches Cake?
It is a classic Latin American dessert known for its rich, moist consistency, achieved by soaking a light cake in a mixture of three different milks.
Which three milks are used in this Tres Leches recipe?
The three milks used are evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and half-and-half.
How many calories are in a serving of this cake?
There are approximately 257 calories per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 15g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in one serving?
There are 28g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein is in this recipe?
Each serving provides 4g of protein.
What oven temperature is required for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
What size baking pan should be used?
A 9 x 13 inch baking pan is recommended for this recipe.
How should I prepare the baking pan?
Grease the pan with unsalted butter and dust it with flour before adding the batter.
What type of flour is best for this cake?
The recipe calls for 6 ounces (about 1.5 cups) of cake flour for a lighter texture.
How many eggs are needed for the batter?
You will need 5 large eggs.
What is the total amount of sugar used?
A total of 2 cups of sugar is used, divided between the cake batter and the whipped topping.
How much vanilla extract is required?
The recipe uses 2.5 teaspoons of vanilla extract in total, divided between the batter and the topping.
What is the purpose of poking holes in the cake?
Poking holes with a skewer or fork allows the milk mixture to seep deep into the cake for maximum moisture.
How long does the cake need to bake?
The cake typically bakes for 20 to 25 minutes.
Does the cake need to be cooled before adding the milk?
Yes, the cake should be allowed to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before the milk mixture is poured over it.
How long should the cake refrigerate?
The cake must be refrigerated overnight, or for at least 8 hours, to properly absorb the milks.
What ingredients are in the whipped topping?
The topping consists of 2 cups of heavy whipping cream, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Is this recipe inspired by a specific chef?
Yes, the recipe description credits Alton Brown as a significant inspiration.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
The recipe specifically calls for unsalted butter for both greasing the pan and the batter.
How do I know when the cake is done baking?
The cake is done when the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 11 main ingredients used in this Tres Leches cake recipe.
What is the origin of Tres Leches cake?
It is a classic Latin American dessert.
What is the consistency of the whipped topping?
The heavy whipping cream should be whipped until it forms stiff peaks.
What tools can I use to poke holes in the cake?
You can use a skewer or a fork to poke holes across the surface.
Should the milk mixture be whisked?
Yes, whisk the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and half-and-half together until well combined.
Can the cake be served immediately after adding the topping?
It is best to chill the cake again after adding the whipped topping to allow it to set before serving.
How should the eggs be added to the batter?
Add the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is thoroughly mixed in before adding the next.
Is it okay to overmix the batter?
No, you should mix until just combined after adding the dry ingredients to avoid a tough texture.
What is the preparation for the butter in the batter?
The 1/2 cup of unsalted butter should be softened before creaming.