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Tres Leches Cake

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Prep Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time 37 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Latin American
Calories: 433
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Cake Ingredients
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 5 large eggs separated
  • 1 cup granulated sugar divided
  • ⅓ cup whole milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Milk Soak
  • 12 oz can evaporated milk
  • 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
  • ¼ cup whole milk
  • Whipped Topping
  • 1 pint heavy whipping cream
  • 3 tbsp powdered sugar
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • Ground cinnamon for dusting
  • Optional: Fresh strawberries for serving

Method
 

  1. Bake the Cake
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  3. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  4. In another bowl, beat egg yolks + ¾ cup sugar until pale. Mix in ⅓ cup milk and vanilla.
  5. Gently fold yolk mixture into dry ingredients (don’t overmix).
  6. In a clean bowl, beat egg whites to stiff peaks, gradually adding remaining ¼ cup sugar.
  7. Fold whites into batter until just combined.
  8. Pour into an ungreased 9x13-inch pan and bake 25–35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
  9. Soak with Three Milks
  10. Whisk together evaporated milk, condensed milk, and whole milk.
  11. Poke holes all over the cooled cake with a fork. Slowly pour milk mixture over the top, covering evenly.
  12. Refrigerate at least 1 hour (overnight is best for maximum absorption).
  13. Top & Serve
  14. Whip cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla to stiff peaks. Spread over cake.
  15. Dust with cinnamon and add strawberries if desired.

Notes

Make Ahead: Prepare cake 1–2 days in advance—the longer it soaks, the richer it gets!
Storage: Keep refrigerated, covered, for 3–5 days.
Freezing: Freeze baked cake (without milk soak) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before soaking.
Small Batch? Try Tres Leches Cupcakes for individual servings!
This Tres Leches Cake is a showstopper—creamy, dreamy, and utterly irresistible! 😍