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A square of tres leches cake on a white dessert plate with a fork next to it.

Tres Leches Cake

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  • Author: The BakerMama
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Chilling Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 12 slices

Description

Light, fluffy yellow cake baked with milk and then soaked in sweetened condensed milk and heavy cream with a light whipped cream topping. This simplified Tres Leches Cake is an easy, delicious version of your favorite sweet milk cake.


Ingredients

Cake:

  • 1 (13.25-ounce) box moist yellow cake mix
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Soaking Sauce:

  • 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (1 and 1/4 cups)
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Whipped Topping:

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream, cold
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Garnish:

  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, for garnishing

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350° Spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cake mix, melted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla until well combined and smooth.
  3. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
  4. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  5. Once the cake has finished baking, poke it all over with a fork at 1/2-inch intervals across the cake to the bottom of the baking dish.
  6. Whisk together the sweetened condensed milk and heavy cream. Pour the sauce evenly over the cake, letting it fill the holes and soak into it. Let cool for 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour, or until the mixture is completely absorbed.
  7. Meanwhile, in a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment or with a handheld mixer, beat the heavy whipping cream and 1/4 cup sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the vanilla and beat for another 5 to 10 seconds until well incorporated.
  8. Evenly spread the cake with the whipped topping.
  9. Whisk together the 1 tablespoon sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle over the whipped topping. Return to the refrigerator for at least one hour or until ready to cut into squares to serve. Store in the refrigerator.

Notes

When serving, I recommend letting the cake set at room temperature for 10 minutes so the cake becomes a milky soft texture again for best enjoyment!