Tres Leches Delight: Heavenly Three-Milk Cake
Indulge in the rich, moist, and utterly decadent Tres Leches Delight, a three-milk cake that’s a showstopper at any gathering! Though the process requires careful steps, the end result is a light, fluffy cake soaked in a heavenly mixture of three different milks, topped with a delightful whipped cream and fresh strawberries. Every bite melts in your mouth, delivering a tropical punch of flavor and texture that will leave your guests craving more. Perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or simply a delightful treat for yourself!
12
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
Eggs
10 (kept at room temperature for 1/2 hour)
All-purpose flour
1 cup (sifted)
Baking powder
1 tablespoon
Granulated sugar
1 cup
Vanilla extract
1 tablespoon
Confectioners' sugar
to taste (for dusting)
Heavy cream
2 cups
Vanilla extract (for whipping)
1 teaspoon
Confectioners' sugar (for whipped cream)
1/2 cup (sifted)
Chopped strawberries
2 cups (cut into 1/2 inch pieces)
Sweetened condensed milk
3/4 cup
Half-and-half
1/2 cup
Evaporated milk
1 cup
Brandy (or other liquor)
2 tablespoons
Butter
1/2 cup (softened)
Vanilla extract (for frosting)
1 teaspoon
Confectioners' sugar (for frosting)
1 1/2 cups (sifted)
Milk
2 tablespoons
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Grease a 15x10 jellyroll baking pan, then line it with wax paper, ensuring the paper is greased on both sides.
3
In separate bowls, carefully separate the egg yolks from the whites.
4
Sift the all-purpose flour and baking powder together; set aside.
5
In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks until they are light and lemon-colored, about 20 minutes, achieving a thick 'ribbon stage' consistency.
6
Gradually add 1/2 cup of sugar, incorporating it two tablespoons at a time while continuing to beat. Stir in the vanilla extract and beat for an additional three minutes.
7
In another clean bowl, whip the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar until stiff peaks develop, forming a meringue.
8
Gently fold one-third of the whipped egg whites into the yolk mixture, followed by the flour mixture, and then fold in the remaining egg whites until just incorporated.
9
Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing it with a spatula, and bake for 20–30 minutes, or until the cake pulls away from the sides.
10
Allow the cake to rest for five minutes before transferring it onto a clean, confectioner's sugar-dusted tea towel. Carefully peel off the waxed paper.
11
Cover the cake with another tea towel and roll it up lengthwise while it's still warm, like a jellyroll. Let it cool completely in this position.
12
For the filling, whip the heavy cream with 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Gradually add in the 1/2 cup of confectioners' sugar, then gently fold in the chopped strawberries.
13
To prepare the soaking liquid, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, half-and-half, evaporated milk, and liquor until well combined.
14
For the frosting, beat the softened butter in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 10 minutes. Add in the vanilla extract and mix for another two minutes. Gradually incorporate the confectioners' sugar, then add the milk to achieve a spreadable consistency.
15
To assemble, carefully unroll the cake and remove the top tea towel. Spread the whipped cream and strawberry mixture evenly over the surface.
16
Using the bottom layer of the cake as leverage, roll the cake back up lengthwise.
17
Transfer the cake to a serving platter seam side down, and make several holes in the top with a skewer. Gently drizzle the soaking liquid over the cake, allowing it to absorb gradually.
18
Finally, cover the cake with the prepared frosting, smoothing it out over the surface, and garnish with additional strawberries if desired. Slice, serve, and enjoy your Tres Leches Delight!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tres Leches Delight?
Tres Leches Delight is a rich, moist, and decadent three-milk cake that features a light, fluffy sponge soaked in a mixture of three different milks and topped with whipped cream and strawberries.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 12 servings.
What are the three types of milk used in the soaking liquid?
The soaking liquid is made from a combination of sweetened condensed milk, half-and-half, and evaporated milk.
What is the recommended oven temperature for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
What type of pan is needed for this recipe?
You will need a 15x10 inch jellyroll baking pan.
How should the eggs be prepared before starting?
The eggs should be kept at room temperature for at least 30 minutes and then separated into yolks and whites.
How long should I beat the egg yolks?
The egg yolks should be beaten for about 20 minutes until they reach a thick 'ribbon stage' and appear light and lemon-colored.
What is the 'ribbon stage' for egg yolks?
The ribbon stage is achieved when the yolks are beaten long enough that they become thick and pale, and the batter falls off the whisk in a slow, thick trail that stays visible on the surface for a few seconds.
How should the dry ingredients be prepared?
The all-purpose flour and baking powder should be sifted together before being added to the mixture.
How is the meringue for the cake made?
Whip the egg whites until soft peaks form, then gradually add 1/2 cup of sugar until stiff peaks develop.
How do I fold the egg whites and flour into the yolk mixture?
Gently fold one-third of the whipped egg whites into the yolks, then fold in the flour mixture, and finally fold in the remaining egg whites until just incorporated.
How long does the cake need to bake?
The cake should bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until it begins to pull away from the sides of the pan.
Why do I need to roll the cake in a tea towel?
Rolling the cake while warm helps it maintain its shape and prevents cracking when you unroll and fill it later.
What ingredients are in the whipped filling?
The filling consists of heavy cream, vanilla extract, sifted confectioners' sugar, and chopped strawberries.
How should the strawberries be prepared for the filling?
The strawberries should be chopped into 1/2 inch pieces before being folded into the whipped cream.
Is there alcohol in the soaking liquid?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of brandy or another liquor, though this can be omitted if preferred.
How do I prepare the frosting?
Beat softened butter for 10 minutes, add vanilla, and then gradually incorporate confectioners' sugar and milk until it reaches a spreadable consistency.
What is the purpose of poking holes in the cake with a skewer?
Poking holes allows the three-milk soaking liquid to penetrate deep into the cake, ensuring it is moist throughout.
When should the wax paper be removed from the cake?
Allow the cake to rest for five minutes after baking, then transfer it to a towel and carefully peel off the wax paper.
How do I apply the soaking liquid?
Once the cake is rolled back up, gently drizzle the liquid over the top, allowing it to absorb gradually into the holes.
Can I use this recipe for a birthday?
Yes, this cake is considered a showstopper and is perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or any special occasion.
What is the texture of the finished Tres Leches Delight?
The cake is light and fluffy, yet extremely moist and decadent because of the milk absorption.
How much butter is needed for the frosting?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of softened butter for the frosting layer.
Should the sugar be added all at once to the egg yolks?
No, the sugar should be added gradually, about two tablespoons at a time, while continuing to beat the yolks.
How should the cake be garnished?
The cake should be covered in frosting and can be garnished with additional fresh strawberries.
What should I do if the frosting is too thick?
You can add the 2 tablespoons of milk gradually to the frosting to achieve a spreadable consistency.
How should the cake be positioned on the serving platter?
The cake should be placed on the serving platter seam side down before soaking and frosting.
What is the role of baking powder in this recipe?
Baking powder acts as a leavening agent to help the sponge cake rise and stay airy.
How much vanilla extract is used in total?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon in the cake batter, 1 teaspoon in the filling, and 1 teaspoon in the frosting.
Can I use granulated sugar for the frosting?
No, the frosting requires 1 1/2 cups of sifted confectioners' sugar to ensure a smooth, spreadable texture.