Tres Leches Cake
Soft sponge soaked with three milks and topped with whipped cream.
Preparation: 25 min · Cooking: 28 min · Total: 3 hr 30 min · 10 servings
Ingredients
- 180 g all-purpose flour — Contains wheat (gluten).
- 5 pc eggs — Contains egg.
- 160 g sugar
- 300 ml evaporated milk — Contains milk.
- 300 g sweetened condensed milk — Contains milk.
- 300 ml whipping cream — Contains milk. Use 150 ml in the soak and whip the remaining 150 ml for topping.
- 200 g strawberries (optional) — Wash and slice just before serving.
Instructions
Bake sponge
Preheat the oven to 175 C. Lightly grease a 23 x 33 cm baking pan. Beat the eggs and sugar with a mixer until thick and pale, then gently fold in the flour. Spread in the pan and bake for about 28 minutes, until the top springs back and a skewer comes out clean with no wet batter.
Top springs back and a skewer comes out clean with no wet batter.
Bake sponge: 1680 seconds
Cool and poke
Cool the cake in its pan for 30 minutes, then poke holes all over with a fork or skewer so the milks can soak in evenly.
Cool cake: 1800 seconds
Soak slowly
Whisk the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and 150 ml of the whipping cream together. Pour over the cake in stages, letting each addition absorb. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Soak cake: 7200 seconds
Top and serve
Whip the remaining 150 ml cream until it holds soft peaks. Spread over the chilled cake; add the washed, sliced strawberries if using. Serve cold.
Tips
- Pour the milk slowly so the cake absorbs without flooding.
- A light sponge gives the best soak.
Common mistakes
- Dense cake cannot absorb the milk well.
- Serving too soon leaves dry pockets.
Substitutions
- Whole milk can replace the evaporated milk, but the soak will be lighter.
Storage
Cover and refrigerate at 4 C or below within 2 hours; eat within 3 days.
Reheating
Do not reheat; serve chilled.
About this recipe
Tres leches cake is enjoyed across Latin America, including Nicaragua. Its sponge is soaked in three milks and served cold; recipes vary by region.
Editorial approval does not establish independent kitchen testing. Check allergens and follow safe food handling.