Tres Leches Cake, or “Three Milks Cake,” is a classic Latin American dessert known for its moist and spongy texture soaked in a mixture of three different types of milk. Here’s a simple recipe for Tres Leches Cake:
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 5 large eggs, separated
- 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Three Milks Mixture:
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
- 1 cup whole milk
For the Topping:
- 2 cups whipped cream
- Ground cinnamon or grated nutmeg for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Make the Cake:
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat the egg yolks with 3/4 cup of sugar until the mixture is pale and slightly thick. Stir in the milk and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
3. Beat Egg Whites:
- In a separate clean, dry bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar and continue beating until glossy and stiff peaks form.
4. Fold and Bake:
- Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter until well combined. Be careful not to deflate the egg whites.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
5. Make the Three Milks Mixture:
- While the cake is baking, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and whole milk in a bowl.
6. Soak the Cake:
- Once the cake is out of the oven and while it’s still warm, poke holes all over the surface using a fork or toothpick.
- Pour the three milks mixture evenly over the warm cake, allowing it to soak in.
7. Chill:
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow it to absorb the milk mixture.
8. Top and Serve:
- Before serving, spread whipped cream over the chilled cake. Optionally, garnish with ground cinnamon or grated nutmeg.
9. Slice and Enjoy:
- Cut the Tres Leches Cake into squares and serve chilled. Enjoy the moist and indulgent flavors!
Tres Leches Cake is a delightful and popular dessert that’s perfect for celebrations and gatherings.