Luscious Tres Leches Delight
Indulge in the exquisite flavors of Luscious Tres Leches Delight, a moist and rich cake that pays homage to the traditional Latin American dessert. This cake starts with a simple yet delightful yellow cake base laced with creamy vanilla pudding, creating an incredibly tender crumb. Once baked, it is generously soaked in a delectable three-milk syrup of evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream, resulting in an irresistibly moist treat that melts in your mouth. Finished with a fluffy layer of whipped topping, this cake is perfect for any occasion, whether served chilled directly from the fridge or allowed to come to room temperature for a more sumptuous experience. It's no wonder that it has become a favorite in my grandmother's kitchen, requested repeatedly by family and friends alike. Prepare to impress and delight with this simple yet impressive dessert!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Yellow cake mix
1 (18 ounce) box (dry ingredient)
Vanilla instant pudding mix
1 (3.5 ounce) package (dry ingredient)
Whole milk
1 cup (liquid ingredient)
Canola oil
1 cup (liquid ingredient)
Large eggs
4 (beaten)
Evaporated milk
1 (12 ounce) can (liquid ingredient)
Sweetened condensed milk
1 (14 ounce) can (liquid ingredient)
Heavy cream
1 cup (liquid ingredient)
Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (flavoring)
Rum (optional)
1 tablespoon (flavoring)
Non-dairy whipped topping (e.g., Rich's On Top or Cool Whip)
2 (8 ounce) tubs (for topping)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with vegetable oil spray.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, vanilla instant pudding mix, whole milk, canola oil, and eggs. Mix with an electric mixer on low speed for 1 minute to combine.
3
Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula, then increase the mixer speed to medium and beat for an additional 2 minutes, scraping the bowl as needed to ensure a smooth batter.
4
Pour the cake batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
5
Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 32 to 34 minutes, or until it turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6
Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 2 hours.
7
After the cake has cooled, poke holes all over the top using a fork, making sure to create ample openings for the syrup to soak in.
8
In a separate bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and rum (if using) until well combined.
9
Carefully spoon the milk syrup mixture over the top of the cake, pausing to allow the syrup to absorb into the cake with each addition. Continue this process until all the syrup has been used.
10
Cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or ideally overnight) to allow the flavors to meld and the cake to become incredibly moist.
11
Before serving, top the chilled cake with a generous layer of whipped topping to add a delightful finishing touch.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Luscious Tres Leches Delight?
Luscious Tres Leches Delight is a rich, moist cake inspired by traditional Latin American desserts, featuring a yellow cake base soaked in a three-milk syrup and topped with whipped cream.
What kind of cake base is used for this recipe?
The recipe uses a yellow cake mix combined with vanilla instant pudding to create an incredibly tender crumb.
What are the three milks used in the syrup?
The syrup consists of evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream.
What temperature should I set the oven to?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
What size pan is recommended for baking?
A 9x13-inch baking pan is recommended for this recipe.
How long should the cake batter be mixed initially?
Mix the cake mix, pudding, milk, oil, and eggs on low speed for 1 minute.
How long do I beat the batter on medium speed?
After the initial mix, increase the speed to medium and beat for an additional 2 minutes.
How long does the cake take to bake?
The cake typically bakes for 32 to 34 minutes.
How do I know when the cake is done baking?
The cake is done when it turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
How long should the cake cool before adding the syrup?
Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 2 hours.
How do I prepare the cake to absorb the syrup?
Once the cake is cool, use a fork to poke holes all over the top of the cake.
What ingredients are in the milk syrup?
The syrup is made by whisking together evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and optional rum.
Is rum required for this recipe?
No, the one tablespoon of rum is an optional flavoring ingredient.
How should I pour the syrup over the cake?
Carefully spoon the syrup over the cake, pausing to let it absorb before adding more.
How long does the cake need to refrigerate?
The cake should be refrigerated for at least 2 hours, though overnight is ideal.
What is used for the cake topping?
A generous layer of non-dairy whipped topping, such as Cool Whip or Rich's On Top, is used.
What size box of cake mix is needed?
You will need one 18-ounce box of yellow cake mix.
What size of pudding mix is used in the batter?
The recipe calls for one 3.5-ounce package of vanilla instant pudding mix.
How many eggs are required for the cake?
The recipe requires 4 large eggs.
What type of oil is used in the batter?
One cup of canola oil is used for the cake base.
Can I serve this cake at room temperature?
Yes, it can be served chilled from the fridge or allowed to come to room temperature for a more sumptuous experience.
What is the texture of the finished cake?
The cake has an irresistibly moist texture that melts in your mouth.
How much whole milk is added to the batter?
The recipe uses 1 cup of whole milk in the initial cake batter.
How much heavy cream is used in the syrup?
The syrup uses 1 cup of heavy cream.
What size of evaporated milk can is used?
A 12-ounce can of evaporated milk is used for the soak.
What size of sweetened condensed milk can is used?
A 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk is used for the soak.
Should the baking pan be greased?
Yes, generously spray the baking pan with vegetable oil spray before pouring in the batter.
How much whipped topping is needed?
Two 8-ounce tubs of non-dairy whipped topping are used.
Can this cake be made in advance?
Yes, it is best when made ahead of time and refrigerated overnight to let the flavors meld.
What makes this cake recipe special?
It is a favorite from the creator's grandmother's kitchen and is highly requested by family and friends for its rich flavor.