Ever since I can keep in mind, there has all the time been one dessert I’ve begged my aunt Ani to make: her signature tres leches cake recipe. She is an incredible baker and cake decorator, however her tres leches are hands-down one of the best. Other than some additions I’ve made to the soaking liquid, this recipe displays her signature cake. I can’t wait to share it with you.
What’s Tres Leches Cake?
I used to be born in Venezuela and although many individuals assume tres leches is from Mexico or Nicaragua, the origins of the tres leches are a Latin American thriller. So for our functions and my delight, the tres leches is Venezuelan, OK?
This beloved cake will get its title from the trio of milks—evaporated, condensed, and entire—that soaks into each chunk, making a delectably moist texture.
Why You’ll Love This Tres Leches Cake Recipe
Tres leches cake is the dessert equal of a comfy cashmere sweater: indulgent, comforting, and endlessly luxurious. It’s the form of cake that calls for a fork and a second of silence to understand the mix of candy, creamy goodness. Good for gatherings or simply while you want a bit additional decadence in your day, tres leches is the cake that proves extra is certainly extra.
Suggestions for Making Tres Leches Cake
Pour the soaking liquid with a heavy hand. The cake must be drenched within the liquid, so if you end up questioning whether or not it’s sufficient, make a bit extra and pour it over.
Good the soak. To get that ultra-moist texture, pour the liquid slowly and evenly over the soak. Use a skewer or fork to poke holes everywhere in the cake earlier than pouring. This helps the milk seep in completely, making certain each chunk is as luscious because the final.
Chill for optimum taste. When you’ve soaked the cake, let it relaxation within the fridge for no less than 4 hours, or higher but, in a single day. This permits the flavors to meld collectively fantastically, making the cake even richer and extra flavorful. Belief us, endurance pays off with this one!
Swap out your meringue. Whereas I’m a fan of meringue for the topping, recent whipped cream is one other tasty choice. To raise the flavour, add a splash of vanilla extract and a little bit of sugar whereas whipping. Hold it gentle and fluffy, then unfold generously over the cake simply earlier than serving for that excellent stability of creamy and ethereal.
Make it kid-friendly. My soaking liquid has rum in it (ahem Venezuelan rum) and low! Be happy to interchange the portions of those for extra milk, however when you can keep on with the recipe you’ll be joyful you probably did.
Rum & Espresso Spiced Tres Leches
Serves 1 Cake
Tres Leches is the right cake for the vacations as a result of you may make 1 or 2 days upfront and it’ll solely get higher. In case you are like me there are too many issues to cook dinner in the course of the vacation season, so begin as early as you’ll be able to so you’ll be able to get pleasure from each recipe.
Elements
Cake:
- 4 massive eggs, whites and yolks separated
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup entire milk
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Soaking Liquid:
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk,
- 1 can (14 oz) condensed milk
- 1 cup entire milk
- ½ cup rum
- ¼ cup espresso (or chilly brew focus)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ tsp cardamom
- ½ tsp salt
Meringue:
- ¾ cup sugar
- 3 egg whites
- ¼ tsp cream of tartas
- ¼ tsp salt
Directions
Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350F
- Whisk flour, baking powder, salt in a small bowl. Sift by a fine-mesh colander onto a chunk of parchment or waxed paper.
- Utilizing an electrical mixer, whisk egg whites till mushy peaks kinds, the slowly add the sugar, then add egg yolks separately.
- Add the milk, vanilla, after which the sifted flour.
- Grease properly with butter a 9-inch springform pan
- Pour the batter into the greased pan and place within the middle of the oven for about half-hour, or till an extended toothpick inserted within the center comes out clear.
Soaking liquid:
- Utilizing a blender, mix all of the elements for the soaking liquid till absolutely integrated. Style and regulate something at this level.
- Utilizing a toothpick or a skewer, poke holes on high of the cake, about 1 gap each inch, till you cowl the entire high of the cake with holes, ensuring the skewer hits the underside of the pan. Pour over the cake slowly 1 cup at a time, ready for the liquid to be absorbed as you add it till it’s all fully absorbed and persevering with to the following cup. It can take a while, be affected person, that is the important thing to the tres leches.
- Place the soaked cake within the fridge for no less than 4 hours, however ideally in a single day. When you’re able to eat, open the springform onto a rimmed plate, or not and get messy like we did for this photoshoot, meals is for enjoying in my home!
Meringue (make this the day you might be able to get pleasure from your tres leches!):
- Utilizing a steel stem thermometer, convey sugar and ½ cup of water to a boil till it reaches 250F.
- Utilizing an electrical mixer, beat the egg whites till medium peaks kind. Because the mixer is one begin incorporating the new sugar water, VERY slowly. After it is absolutely integrated, add the cream of tartar and the salt. Hold the mixer at excessive velocity till the peaks are stiff, this can take roughly 5 minutes.
- Pour the meringue over the cake and use the clouds as inspiration to form the meringue-like a pillowy dream over your cake. Take pleasure in!
