Tres Leches Cake

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This easy Tres Leches Cake starts with a boxed mix but gets a homemade upgrade with a few simple tricks. Soaked in a rich three-milk mixture and topped with fluffy whipped cream, it’s soft, sweet, and impossible to resist. A dusting of cinnamon and fresh strawberries make the perfect finishing touch!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword easy sheet cake, tres leches cake

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Chill Time 1

Total Time 35

Servings

Calories 594kcal

Author Maike Corbett

Equipment

Ingredients

Cake

1 box white cake mix
1 cup whole milk
½ cup butter unsalted, melted
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Tres Leches Mixture

7 ounces evaporated milk half a 14-ounce can
7 ounces sweetened condensed milk half a 14-ounce can
½ cup heavy cream

Whipped Topping

3 cups heavy whipping cream
6 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Garnish

ground cinnamon for dusting
strawberries fresh, sliced

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Grease a 9x13-inch sheet pan.

CAKE

Mix the cake mix, whole milk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase to medium speed and mix for 2 minutes until smooth.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let it cool for about 10 minutes.

TRES LECHES

Use a fork or skewer to poke holes all over the cake.
Whisk together the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream in a bowl. Slowly pour the mixture evenly over the warm cake.

CHILL

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or if possible overnight.

TOPPING

Beat the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl on high speed until stiff peaks form. Spread it evenly over the soaked cake.
Lightly dust the top with ground cinnamon and garnish sliced strawberries on top. Slice and serve.

Notes

Chilling

For best results allow the cake to chill overnight.

Tres Leches

There are different versions of this cake. I've use one that makes the cake moist and delicious but not too soggy. It's how I like it. Now, there are people who will prefer that there is tres leches mixture puddling on the plate.

If you prefer that version, use the full cans of of evaporated and condensed milk. Just keep in mind that it will not be as easy to cut and look more soggy.

Microwave

You can warm up the sweetened condensed milk in the microwave for about 5-8 minutes. The condensed milk will turn darker and add a caramel flavor to the mixture. It's a fun twist but I opted to keep it simple.

CHILL TIME

Since chill time can vary I do not include it in the overall time estimate.

Nutrition