Tres leches cake, a beloved dessert with Latin American origins, combines moist sponge cake with a trio of milks: evaporated milk, condensed milk, and whole milk. This enchanting cake is often served with a luscious dulce de leche topping, creating an irresistible combination of flavors and textures. As you embark on the delightful journey of baking a tres leches cake with dulce de leche, discover the secrets to achieving a tender crumb, a perfectly balanced sweetness, and a luscious topping that elevates this dessert to sheer perfection.
Here are our top 13 tried and tested recipes!
TRES LECHES CAKE WITH DULCE DE LECHE FROSTING
This is everything you love in a traditional tres leches ("three milks") cake-it's sweet, creamy and custardy-but with an impressive new look and shape, because it's baked in a tube pan. If you have leftover cake, be sure to refrigerate it on a rimmed plate, as some of the sweet milk mixture will run out of the cake and puddle on the plate. The next day, just spoon some over the cake slices.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories dessert
Time 9h50m
Yield 12 to 16 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Separate the eggs, putting the whites in one large bowl and the yolks in another.
- Add the cream of tartar to the whites, and beat with an electric mixer on medium-high until soft peaks form, about 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to low, and gradually add 1/3 cup of the sugar. When all the sugar is in, turn the speed back up to medium-high and continue to beat until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 4 minutes.
- Add the remaining sugar and 1 tablespoon of the vanilla to the bowl with the yolks, and beat with the electric mixer until the mixture is pale yellow and very thick and a bit of the batter dropped on top of the rest sits there for a few seconds before sinking in, about 5 minutes. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt over the mixture, and fold until blended. Fold in about 1/3 of the whites until the batter has lightened in texture. Fold in the remaining whites in two additions until smooth and no streaks of white remain. Pour the batter into an ungreased 10-inch tube pan.
- Bake until the cake is browned and the top springs back to the touch, about 35 minutes. Immediately turn the pan over onto a cooling rack, and let the cake cool completely in the pan. Run a thin spatula around the outside edge and the inside ring; gently working around the cake, pull with a spatula until it releases from the pan. Scrape out the crumbs from the bottom and sides of the pan (it doesn't have to be totally clean, but you don't want the crumbs to absorb the soaking milks), then put the cake back in the pan.
- Using a long skewer, poke holes all over the top of the cake (around 60 is good), going all the way to the bottom of the pan. Whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, cream and remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla in a medium bowl. Slowly pour the mixture over the cake, letting it run down the sides of the cake, making sure the cake is well coated. (It may seem like a lot of liquid, but be sure to use it all so the cake is moist throughout.) Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
- One hour before serving, remove the cake from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature to warm slightly.
- For the frosting: Meanwhile, bring a few inches of water to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Set a large stainless-steel bowl over it (do not let the bowl touch the water); add the sugar, egg whites, 1/4 cup cold water, vanilla, cream of tartar and salt, and whisk until the ingredients are combined. Then, with the bowl still over the simmering water, beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until thick, glossy, stiff peaks form, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the bowl from the heat, and let stand a few minutes.
- To assemble: Run a thin spatula around the outer edge and the inside rim of the pan, gently pulling to release the cake. Turn it out onto a rimmed serving plate. Generously frost the top, the sides and the inside ring, using a small offset spatula or spoon. Microwave the dulce de leche in a small microwave-safe dish until it's loose enough to drizzle, about 8 seconds. Drizzle the cake with the dulce de leche, letting it gently drip down the sides.
TRES LECHES CAKE WITH DULCE DE LECHE GLAZE
A stunning tres leches cake with a rum-spiked dulce de leche glaze.
Provided by Jennifer Segal, adapted from Nick Malgieri
Categories Desserts
Time 9h
Yield Twenty-four 2-inch squares
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 325°F and set a rack in the middle position.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, oil, water and vanilla.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or beaters, combine the flour, ¾ cup of the sugar, and the baking powder; mix on low speed for 20 seconds to combine. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and beat (start slow to combine then increase to medium for stand mixer/medium-high for hand mixer) for one minute to aerate it slightly. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula and beat for just a few seconds more. Set aside.
- In a clean, dry mixing bowl, combine the egg whites and salt. Using the whisk attachment or beaters, whip the egg whites (on medium speed for a stand mixer/medium-high speed for a hand mixer) until they are white, foamy, and beginning to hold a very soft peak, 40 to 60 seconds. Increase the speed (medium-high for stand mixer/high for hand mixer) and gradually add the remaining ¼ cup of sugar in a slow stream. Continue whipping the mixture until it is shiny and holds stiff peaks, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Using a large rubber spatula, add ¼ of the egg white mixture into the batter and mix thoroughly. Add the remaining egg whites to the lightened batter and gently fold until the batter is uniform. Do not over-mix. Scrape the batter into an ungreased 9x13-in glass or ceramic baking dish (do not use metal) and smooth the top (note that it's very important NOT to grease the pan). Bake the cake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until it is set and golden.
- Let the cake sit on the stovetop for 1 to 2 minutes, until the cake settles (you want it to deflate just slightly, so that the top of the cake is level with rim of the pan), then invert four glasses onto the countertop and invert the cake pan onto them, positioning one in each corner of the pan. (A chiffon cake needs to hang upside down to cool or it will collapse and fall.) Let cool for 1 hour.
- Once the cake has cooled, flip it over and run a sharp, thin-bladed knife around the edge of the pan to loosen the cake from the sides. Poke holes in the cake with a skewer or point of a small, sharp knife at ½-in intervals.
- Prepare the soaking liquid: in a large bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream and rum. Slowly pour or spoon the soaking liquid over the cake, tilting the pan every so often to help it absorb evenly. Be patient: this process takes about 10 minutes. If the cake is slow to absorb, run a knife around the edges of the cake again and poke a few more holes. Don't worry if it looks like a mess; it all gets covered with the glaze anyway. Place the cake in the refrigerator, uncovered, to chill for at least 8 hours or overnight.
- Once the cake has chilled, make the glaze: in a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the dulce de leche, rum and water. (Note: If you want a really boozy cake, change the proportions in the glaze to 3 tablespoons water and 2 tablespoons rum). Heat for 30 to 60 seconds in the microwave to soften the dulce de leche, then whisk until completely smooth. Let the mixture cool to room temperature, then spread over the cake, swirling artistically with an offset spatula or butter knife. Place the cake back in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Serve with fresh fruit, if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 234, Fat 8 g, Carbohydrate 34 g, Protein 5 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sugar 27 g, Sodium 112 mg, Cholesterol 41 mg
TRES LECHES CAKE WITH DULCE DE LECHE
This classic moist Mexican cake is soaked in 3 different milks, but this one comes with a twist: it is has an extra layer of dulce de leche!
Provided by Fioa
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Mexican
Time 2h5m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan and dust with flour.
- Beat egg whites in a glass, metal, or ceramic bowl until foamy. Add 1/4 cup sugar gradually, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form and sugar is completely dissolved.
- Beat egg yolks in a separate bowl until creamy. Add remaining 1/4 cup sugar and continue beating until pale yellow and creamy. Fold into egg whites.
- Mix flour and baking powder in a bowl. Fold in egg mixture; add lime zest. Pour mixture into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven until lightly golden, about 30 minutes. Turn off oven and keep the cake in the oven for another 15 minutes.
- Mix condensed milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream in a bowl until well combined.
- Poke cake several times across the top with a fork. Pour three-milks mixture over cake. Refrigerate for 1 hour to allow milk mixture to soak in. Spread dulce de leche on top.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 338.8 calories, Carbohydrate 42.1 g, Cholesterol 130.9 mg, Fat 15.5 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 9.1 g, SaturatedFat 8.5 g, Sodium 180.6 mg, Sugar 35.5 g
TRES LECHE CAKE
Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network
Categories dessert
Time 4h
Yield 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9- by 13-inch cake pan.
- Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a large bowl.
- Separate the eggs. Beat the egg yolks with 3/4 cup of the sugar on high speed until the yolks are pale yellow. Stir in the milk and vanilla. Pour the egg yolk mixture over the flour mixture and stir very gently until combined.
- Beat the egg whites on high speed until soft peaks form. With the mixer on, pour in the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and beat until the egg whites are stiff but not dry. Fold the egg white mixture into the batter very gently until just combined. Spoon into the prepared pan and spread to even out the surface.
- Bake until the cake is done, 35 to 40 minutes. Allow to cool in the pan, and then turn out (upside down) onto a rimmed platter.
- For the tres leches: Combine the heavy cream, evaporated milk and condensed milk in a small pitcher. Pierce the surface of the cake with a fork several times. Drizzle the milk mixture over the top and allow the cake to sit and absorb the milk mixture. Don't worry about totally soaking the cake! That's what you want.
- For the icing: Whip the cream with the sugar. Spread it evenly over the top and sides of the soaked cake and decorate with maraschino cherries.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve. Several hours is fine. The cooler the cake, the better!
EASY TRES LECHES CAKE
I wanted to make a simple, quick Tres Leches cake for my family. Too many recipes I'd found called for fruit, or meringue, or coconut -- which detracts from the rich milk flavor.
Provided by Debtex
Categories Dessert
Time 45m
Yield 1 cake, 15-18 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat over to 350º.
- Grease or "pam" 9x12 baking pan.
- Beat eggs in a large bowl.
- Add water and cake mix and beat 3 minutes.
- Pour batter into pan.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until cake has lost its jiggly center and springs back when touched.
- Let cool to room temperature.
- Mix the 3 milks.
- Poke cake full of holes. A chopstick works great for this. Don't skimp on the holes; that's what allows the cake to absorb the milks.
- Pour the milk mixture over the cake slowly, until it's absorbed the liquid.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Serve as desired. If you're serving company, you might cover the cake with whipped cream and fruit; you might just drizzle heavy cream over each serving; you might puree a carton of frozen strawberries and use that as a base to serve slices on.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 337.2, Fat 14.9, SaturatedFat 7.1, Cholesterol 86.9, Sodium 314, Carbohydrate 44.3, Fiber 0.3, Sugar 33.4, Protein 7.2
TRES LECHES CAKE
We added whipped cream and fruit to a classic tres leches cake recipe to make it undeniably delicious. You can use any fruit in season, alone or in combination. This luscious dessert is named "tres leches"-"three milks"-because it's soaked in three different types of milk.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes Cake Recipes
Time 50m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat eggs and 3/4 cup sugar on high until pale and thick, about 4 minutes. Add vanilla and beat to combine. With mixer on low, gradually add flour mixture and beat to combine. With a rubber spatula, fold in melted butter until incorporated. Transfer batter to dish and bake until top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes, rotating dish halfway through.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together milks. Poke warm cake all over with a wooden skewer or toothpick, then pour milk mixture over top and let cool to room temperature, about 1 hour.
- Whip cream and 1/4 cup sugar to medium peaks. To serve, spread whipped cream evenly over cooled cake. Top with fruit if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 510 g, Fat 29 g, Protein 10 g
DULCE DE LECHE TRES LECHES CAKE
Bake an incredibly moist Dulce de Leche Tres Leches Cake for your next party! The deep caramel flavor of dulce de leche enhances the tres leches in the cake.
Provided by My Food and Family
Categories Home
Time 2h3m
Yield 16 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350ºF.
- Prepare cake batter and bake as directed on package for 13x9-inch pan. Cool cake in pan 10 min. Pierce cake with large fork at 1/2-inch intervals.
- Mix 2 Tbsp. dulce de leche and water until blended; reserve for later use. Blend remaining dulce de leche with evaporated milk and sour cream in blender until smooth. Pour over cake, re-piercing cake if necessary until all milk mixture is absorbed. Refrigerate 1 hour.
- Microwave reserved dulce de leche mixture on HIGH 10 sec.; stir. Cool. Frost cake with COOL WHIP; drizzle with reserved dulce de leche mixture.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 290, Fat 12 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 55 mg, Sodium 260 mg, Carbohydrate 40 g, Fiber 0 g, Sugar 29 g, Protein 6 g
TRES LECHES CAKE
This is a part dry, part moist Mexican cake made with three types of milk. It is a sweet and delicious treat!
Provided by Monica
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Mexican
Time 2h30m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter and flour bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
- Beat the egg yolks with 3/4 cup sugar until light in color and doubled in volume. Stir in milk, vanilla, flour and baking powder.
- In a small bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Beat until firm but not dry. Fold 1/3 of the egg whites into the yolk mixture to lighten it; fold in remaining egg whites. Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes or until cake tester inserted into the middle comes out clean. Allow to cool 10 minutes.
- Loosen edge of cake with knife before removing side of pan. Cool cake completely on a wire rack.
- Place cooled cake on a deep serving plate. Use a two-pronged meat fork or a cake tester to pierce the surface of cake.
- Mix together condensed milk, evaporated milk and 1/4 cup of the whipping cream. Set aside 1 cup of the measured milk mixture and refrigerate for another use. Pour remaining milk mixture over cake slowly until absorbed. Whip the remaining whipping cream until it thickens and reaches spreading consistency. Frost cake with whipped cream and garnish with cherries. Store cake in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 642 calories, Carbohydrate 75 g, Cholesterol 240.7 mg, Fat 33 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 14.2 g, SaturatedFat 19.7 g, Sodium 270.5 mg, Sugar 61 g
TRES LECHES CAKE WITH DULCE DE LECHE
Try our Tres Leches Cake with Dulce De Leche recipe for a sweet treat that's bound to impress. Our Tres Leches Cake with Dulce De Leche recipe gets its luscious, creamy flavor from caramel pudding, sour cream and COOL WHIP topping.
Provided by My Food and Family
Categories Home
Time 3h
Yield 16 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350ºF.
- Prepare cake batter as directed on package. Add 3 Tbsp. dry pudding mix and 2 Tbsp. 2% milk; mix well. Pour into 13x9-inch pan sprayed with cooking spray.
- Bake 25 to 28 min. or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cake in pan 10 min. Meanwhile, blend sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk and sour cream in blender until well blended.
- Pierce cake with large fork at 1/2-inch intervals. Pour milk mixture over cake, re-piercing cake if necessary until all milk mixture is absorbed. Refrigerate 2 hours.
- Beat remaining pudding mix and remaining 2% milk in medium bowl with whisk 2 min. Stir in COOL WHIP; spread over cake.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 240, Fat 13 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 60 mg, Sodium 180 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 0 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 6 g
DULCE DE LECHE CAKE
Browned butter creates the "wow" in a caramel-frosted cake jump-started with a cake mix.
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Dessert
Time 2h10m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease or spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan.
- In 1-quart saucepan, heat butter over medium heat 4 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, just until golden brown. Remove from heat. Cool 15 minutes.
- In large bowl, beat cake mix, browned butter, water, vanilla and eggs with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes (brown flecks from butter will appear in batter). Pour into pan.
- Bake as directed on box for 13x9-inch pan. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat dulce de leche and cream cheese with electric mixer on high speed about 2 minutes or until blended and smooth. Beat in whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Spread frosting over cooled cake. Serve immediately, or refrigerate until serving. Store loosely covered in refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 400, Carbohydrate 51 g, Cholesterol 110 mg, Fat 4, Fiber 0 g, Protein 5 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 400 mg, Sugar 37 g, TransFat 1/2 g
TRES LECHES CAKE
A classic and easy Tres Leches Cake goes far beyond your average cake recipe. Moist, flavorful and deeply rich, our Tres Leches Cake with Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ Yellow Cake Mix makes it simple to impress. Sweetened condensed milk, whole milk and whipping cream are the traditional "three milks" in our Tres Leches Cake ingredients. Mix and pour into "poke" holes in the cake to create the iconic flavor. Tap into your inner Betty with a cake that goes from mix to masterpiece.
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Dessert
Time 1h55m
Yield 15
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray.
- In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, oil, vanilla and eggs with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pan.
- Bake as directed on box for 13x9-inch pan. Let stand 5 minutes. Poke top of hot cake every 1/2 inch with long-tined fork, wiping fork occasionally to reduce sticking.
- In large bowl, stir together sweetened condensed milk, whole milk and whipping cream. Carefully pour evenly over top of cake. Cover; refrigerate about 1 hour or until mixture is absorbed into cake. Frost with frosting. Store covered in refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 380, Carbohydrate 52 g, Cholesterol 80 mg, Fat 3, Fiber 0 g, Protein 5 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 290 mg, Sugar 41 g, TransFat 0 g
FAVORITE TRES LECHES CAKE
During our extensive travels to Central America, my husband and I have sampled many kinds of the popular tres leches (three milks) cake. We think this is the absolute best! --Joan Meyers, Palos Park, Illinois
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 1h5m
Yield 15 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, beat eggs for 3 minutes. Gradually add sugar and vanilla; beat for 2 minutes or until mixture becomes thick and lemon-colored. Combine flour and baking powder; fold into egg mixture. Spread batter into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish., Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Place on a wire rack. Poke holes in cake with a skewer, about 1/2 in. apart., In a small saucepan, bring the three milks to a boil over medium-low heat. Remove from heat; gradually stir a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks. Return all to pan, stirring constantly. Stir in rum if desired. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes., Slowly pour milk mixture over cake, allowing mixture to absorb into cake. Let stand 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight., In a large heavy saucepan, combine frosting ingredients over low heat. With a hand mixer, beat on low speed 1 minute. Continue beating on low over low heat until frosting reaches 160°, about 14-18 minutes., Pour into a large bowl; beat on high until stiff peaks form, about 7 minutes. Spread over cake. Store in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 357 calories, Fat 7g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 143mg cholesterol, Sodium 156mg sodium, Carbohydrate 64g carbohydrate (51g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 10g protein.
CLASSIC TRES LECHES CAKE
Tres leches means "three milks." This cake gets its name because it uses three kinds of milk-evaporated, condensed and cream. This cake's light and airy texture has made it a classic in Mexican kitchens for generations. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 1h5m
Yield 10 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Place egg whites in a large bowl. Line bottom of a 9-in. springform pan with parchment; grease the paper., Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. In another large bowl, beat egg yolks until slightly thickened. Gradually add 1/3 cup sugar, beating on high speed until thick and lemon-colored. Fold in flour, a third at a time., Add salt to egg whites; with clean beaters, beat on medium until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high after each addition until sugar is dissolved. Continue beating until soft glossy peaks form. Fold a third of the whites into batter, then fold in remaining whites. Gently spread into prepared pan., Bake until top springs back when lightly touched, 20-25 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely., Place cake on a rimmed serving plate. Poke holes in top with a skewer. In a small bowl, mix cream, evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk and extracts; brush slowly over cake. Refrigerate, covered, 2 hours. , For topping, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add sugar; beat until peaks form. Spread over top of cake. If desired, top cake with dulce de leche or strawberries just before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 392 calories, Fat 23g fat (14g saturated fat), Cholesterol 142mg cholesterol, Sodium 104mg sodium, Carbohydrate 40g carbohydrate (33g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 8g protein.
Tips:
- Use a 9x13 inch baking dish to ensure the cake is the correct size and thickness.
- Eggs and milk should be at room temperature before mixing to ensure they combine smoothly.
- Do not overmix the batter as this can result in a tough cake.
- Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before pouring the tres leches mixture over it.
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 4 hours, or overnight, to allow the tres leches mixture to soak in.
- Garnish the cake with whipped cream, fruit, or nuts before serving.
Conclusion:
This tres leches cake is a delicious and easy-to-make dessert that is perfect for any occasion. With its moist and tender crumb, sweet and milky flavor, and creamy topping, it is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you are looking for a special dessert, give this tres leches cake a try. You won't be disappointed!
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