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Tres Leches: The Ultimate Three-Milk Dessert You Can Make at Home

Sedi Djentuh
Total Time: 1 hr 50 mins Difficulty: Beginner
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Tres leches is a creamy cake soaked with a sweet mixture of three kinds of milk and topped with an airy whipped cream frosting. Hence, the name. 

The process of making tres leches is simple, yet you should be delicate in following the steps to achieve the right consistency. 

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Tres Leches: The Ultimate Three-Milk Dessert You Can Make at Home

Author: Sedi Djentuh Cooking Method: Cuisine: Courses: Recipe Keys: Dairy
Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 35 mins Rest Time 1 hr Total Time 1 hr 50 mins
Cooking Temp: 350  F

Description

Tres leches is a creamy cake soaked with a sweet mixture of three kinds of milk and topped with an airy whipped cream frosting.

Background and Origin

Tres leches originated in Medieval England when locals soaked stale bread in milk to make it edible. This prevents waste. During this time, Nicaragua produced sugarcane and cattle in surplus, birthing the production of canned milk. Locals make the first tres leches.

The recipe was adopted in Mexico in the 1930s, where it spread to the rest of the world, including Costa Rica.

Ingredients

Cake Ingredients

Cake Syrup

Cake Frosting

Instructions

Video
    1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Brush butter in a 9-by-13 casserole dish. 
    2. Whisk one cup of all-purpose flour, a one and a half teaspoons of baking powder, and a quarter teaspoon of salt in a bowl.
    3. Sift the mixture into a big mixing bowl.
    4. In two separate bowls, crack and separate the egg yolk from the egg white. 
    5. Add a ¾ cup of sugar to the egg yolks and beat on high speed for two to three minutes. The result is a pale yellow and sticky mixture. Add ⅓ cup of whole milk and a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the egg-yolk-sugar mixture. Use a spatula to mix them consistently. Set aside.
    6. Beat the egg whites on high speed for a minute. With the mixer running, add the rest of the ¼ cup of sugar and continue to beat until the egg whites are stiff but not dry. 
    7. Pour the egg yolk mixture over the flour mixture and mix with a spatula. Mix well until no streaks of flour remain. 
    8. Transfer the egg whites mixture into the flour mixture and mix thoroughly. You’ll have a thick and fluffy mixture as a result. 
    9. Pour the mixture into the buttered casserole dish and smooth out the top. Place the casserole on the center rack of the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
    10. When cooked, allow the cake to cool at room temperature. 
    11. In a bowl with a pouring lip, combine ⅓ cup of whipping cream, 9 ounces of condensed milk, and 12 ounces of evaporated milk. 
    12. Poke the surface of the cake with a fork to ensure the syrup penetrates deeply. Slowly drizzle all the milk mixture on the cake. Let it rest for 30 minutes to absorb all the syrup. 
    13. In a big bowl, pour two cups of cold heavy whipping cream and two tablespoons of sugar. Beat on high speed for two minutes. Spread the cream evenly on top of the cake. 
    14. Garnish with strawberries and serve. 
    Video credit: Natasha's Kitchen- YouTube

Note

Tips for Making and Serving Tres Leches

  • Cold eggs are easier to separate than warm ones. Use them.
  • Don’t beat the egg whites for too long, as they will be hard to blend into the butter. 
  • Use a baking dish if you don’t have a baking casserole dish. 
  • Add raspberries to the strawberries for a tangy taste.

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Enjoy tres leches for its creamy and rich taste anytime and anywhere. You can enjoy it as a dessert snack. Don’t forget the berries for a tangy feel!

Keywords: Tres Leches, three milk cake
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