Dessert Recipes

Tres Leche Cake Recipe

Recipe Disclaimer: Nutritional information is provided as a general estimate only. Actual values may vary based on ingredients used, portion sizes, and cooking methods. Always check ingredient labels for allergen information.

The Pioneer Woman's Tres Leches Cake recipe is the perfect make-ahead dessert. As the name suggests, cake is made with three kinds of milk: heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk. The mixture is poured over a fluffy yellow cake and topped with whipped cream and maraschino cherries.

Tres Leche Cake Recipe
  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: Serves 12
  • Total Time: 4 hours (including chilling)
  • Active Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Nutritional Information Per Serving (1 of 12): Calories 448, Total Fat 24 g, Saturated Fat 14 g, Carbohydrates 50 g, Dietary Fiber 0 g, Sugar 42 g, Protein 9 g, Cholesterol 159 mg, Sodium 216 mg

Cake Ingredients:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoons baking powder
  • teaspoon salt
  • 5 large eggs, separated
  • 1 cup sugar
  • cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Tres Leches Mixture:

  • cup heavy cream
  • 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk

Icing:

  • 1 pint heavy cream, for whipping
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • Maraschino cherries, for garnish
  1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan.
  2. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl.
  3. Separate the eggs. Beat the yolks with cup sugar on high speed until pale yellow. Stir in milk and vanilla extract. Gently fold this yolk mixture into the flour mixture until just combined.
  4. Beat the egg whites on high speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining cup sugar while beating until stiff peaks form. Carefully fold the egg whites into the batter until just combined. Pour into the prepared pan and smooth the surface.
  5. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the pan, then invert onto a serving platter.
  6. To prepare the tres leches soak, combine the heavy cream, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk in a small pitcher. Using a fork, poke holes all over the cake surface. Slowly pour the milk mixture over the cake, allowing it to absorb completely. The cake should look generously soakedthis is exactly what you want.
  7. For the topping, whip the heavy cream with sugar until soft peaks form. Spread this whipped cream evenly over the top and sides of the soaked cake. Garnish with maraschino cherries.
  8. Refrigerate the cake for several hours or overnight before serving. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and the texture to become perfectly moist and delicious.

2012 Ree Drummond, All Rights Reserved

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