Description
Indulge in this classic Latin American dessert—a light and airy sponge cake soaked in a luscious blend of three milks, topped with fluffy whipped cream. Perfect for any celebration or a sweet treat to end your day.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 5 large eggs, separated
- 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
- ⅓ cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Milk Mixture:
- 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- ¼ cup whole milk
For the Whipped Topping:
- 1 pint heavy whipping cream
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Ground cinnamon, for garnish
- Fresh strawberries, sliced (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Separate and Beat Egg Yolks:
- Separate the eggs into two large bowls. Add ¾ cup of sugar to the bowl with the egg yolks. Using an electric mixer, beat on high speed until the yolks are pale yellow. Mix in the whole milk and vanilla extract.
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures:
- Gently pour the egg yolk mixture over the flour mixture. Stir lightly until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Beat Egg Whites:
- In the separate bowl with the egg whites, use clean beaters to whip them on high speed. As they begin to form stiff peaks, gradually add the remaining ¼ cup of sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
Fold Egg Whites into Batter:
- Carefully fold the beaten egg whites into the batter, ensuring a light and airy mixture.
Bake the Cake:
- Pour the batter into an ungreased 9×13-inch baking dish, smoothing the top evenly. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely.
Prepare the Milk Soak:
- In a bowl, combine the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and whole milk. Once the cake has cooled, use a fork to poke holes all over the surface. Slowly pour the milk mixture over the cake, ensuring even coverage. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight, to allow the cake to absorb the milks.
Make the Whipped Topping:
- In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream with the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
Assemble and Serve:
- Spread the whipped cream evenly over the soaked cake. Sprinkle with ground cinnamon and garnish with sliced strawberries, if desired. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
- Make-Ahead Tip: This cake tastes even better the next day after the flavors have melded together.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Variations: For a coconut twist, substitute coconut milk for whole milk in the soaking mixture and top with toasted coconut flakes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Latin American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximately 124g)
- Calories: 326 kcal
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 93 mg
- Fat: 10.8g
- Saturated Fat: 6.4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26.7g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4.5g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Tres Leches Cake, Milk Cake, Three Milk Cake, Latin Dessert, Moist Sponge Cake