Mexico · North America

Tres Leches Cake

Name: Tres Leches Cake
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: One 9x13 cake
Cuisine: Mexico
Ingredients: 5 large eggs, separated; 200 g (1 cup) sugar; 150 g (1 1/4 cups) flour; 1 tsp baking powder; 60 ml (1/4 cup) milk; 1 tsp vanilla; 1 can (354 ml) evaporated milk; 1 can (397 g) sweetened condensed milk; 240 ml (1 cup) heavy cream; Whipped cream and cinnamon to finish

Sponge soaked in three milks

🛂 Passport Stamp No.009 · Postmarked in Mexico

30m

Prep

30m

Bake

One 9x13 cake

Makes

Easy

Level

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Postmark · Mexico

🏛 A little history

Tres leches ('three milks') is a soaked sponge cake popular across Latin America. Its exact origins are debated among several countries, and recipes spread widely after evaporated and condensed milk were promoted on can labels in the 20th century.

The cake's magic is its texture: a sturdy sponge drenched in a mix of evaporated milk, condensed milk, and cream that stays moist without turning soggy.

👩‍🍳 Let's bake!

Beat yolks with most of the sugar until pale; mix in milk and vanilla, then fold in flour and baking powder.
Whip whites to soft peaks, add remaining sugar, and fold into the batter.
Pour into a greased pan and bake at 175°C (350°F) for about 30 minutes. Cool.
Whisk the three milks together. Poke the cake all over and slowly pour the mixture over it.
Refrigerate at least 3 hours (overnight is better) so it fully absorbs.
Top with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon before serving.

💡 Chef Axl's tips

Use a sturdy sponge so it soaks without falling apart.
Let it chill overnight — it's even better the next day.

Pantry

All-Purpose Flour

The everyday workhorse for cakes, cookies, and breads.

🧺 Pantry staple

Pantry

Sugar

Sweetens and helps bakes turn golden and tender.

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Pantry

Vanilla Extract

A splash of warm, sweet aroma in every batter.

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Pantry

Baking Powder

The little lift that makes cakes and cookies rise.

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Tools

Parchment Paper

Non-stick lining so nothing sticks to the pan.

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Bakeware

Round Cake Pan

A sturdy round pan for perfectly even cake layers.

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Tools

Offset Spatula

Angled blade for spreading frosting like a pro.

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Tres Leches Cake

🏛 A little history

👩‍🍳 Let's bake!

💡 Chef Axl's tips

Shop this recipe

All-Purpose Flour

Sugar

Vanilla Extract

Baking Powder

Parchment Paper

Round Cake Pan

Offset Spatula

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