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La Piña en la Cocina

Embracing my Mexican heritage and sharing all the wonderful flavors, colors and foods I grew up with. Join me on this journey as I also learn new foods and cooking techniques. Dedicated to my parents Ramiro and Blanca.

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Home » Dessert First » Pastel de Tres Leches ~ Three Milk Cake

Pastel de Tres Leches ~ Three Milk Cake

February 21, 20162 Comments

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Pastel de tres leches! I can never refuse a slice! Dad loved his cake with fresh whipped cream and big strawberries. Every time I bake this tres leches cake it reminds me of him.

slice of tres leches cake on plate

A couple of years ago, I was hosting a  Valentine’s day  theme dinner party, I asked my friend what Mexican dessert she had always wanted to try and she chose the tres leches cake. I have been using this recipe eversince!

NEW VIDEO ALERT!!!

https://animoto.com/play/ukVPs1EqUXLm6Cml0D168g
In the video version, I used two smaller square cake pans instead of the 9X13 pan. I combined fresh strawberries and chopped pineapple.
sliced cake in pan

Square cake, round cake?

The original recipe below shows a round layered cake. It was beautiful! For an easier version, you can prepare this recipe is a 13X9 prepared pan. Grease and flour the pan before pouring in the cake batter. Follow instructions for adding the tree milks and preparing the whipped topping. I kept it simple by using some colorful sprinkles.

slice of cake on plate

   For the party, I prepared the cake with no icing and we served it with fresh fruit. For this past Valentine’s day, I added a fresh whipped cream for icing and sliced strawberries, just the way my Dad would have like it.  And more importantly, just the way my husband loves it!  By the way, the cake was a success at the dinner party. Everyone was full, but very happy.

Pastel de Tres Leches(Three Milk Cake)

Tips~ I love this recipe. The only thing I changed recently, is that I don’t add all of the milk mixture to the recipe. I found it to be too much and the liquid pooled at the bottom of the plate. It was not terrible, but was a little messy when cutting the cake. 

Pastel de Tres Leches(Three Milk Cake)

The icing and strawberries reminded me of the cakes my sister Chris would order from this special bakery in downtown L.A. My dad would have loved this cake!!

Whipped Cream
Tres Leches Cake
Pastel de Tres Leches(Three Milk Cake)

Tres Leches Cake

Tres leches cake reminds me of celebration! Every year for my Dad’s birthday we would purchase a cake that looks very similar to this tres leches cake. It’s a special cake that is good for any occasion!
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 26 minutes minutes
Cool Cake: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 1 hour hour 16 minutes minutes
Servings: 10 Servings

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp butter for the pans
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour plus more for the dusting cake pans
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 full teaspoon fresh ground Mexican cinnamon or regular cinnamon optional
  • 4 large eggs separated at room temperature
  • 11/4 cups sugar
  • ½ cup whole milk at room temperature
  • 1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 12 oz. can evaporated milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract

For Icing

  • 3 cups heavy cream
  • 5 tbsps sugar
  • *you will need 1 1/2 pints of fresh strawberries if using

Instructions

Directions For Cake:

  • Preheat oven to 350ºF. Butter and flour two 8-inch cake pans and then line the bottom of each with parchment paper. Butter the paper as well. If using a 13X9 pan, there is no need to line with parchment paper.
  • Mix the flour, baking powder, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Set aside. In a large bowl, and using an electric mixer, whip the egg whites until frothy and white. With the mixer running, gradually add the sugar and beat until loose peaks form and it looks glossy. Beat in the egg yolks one at a time, blending well after each addition.
  • Now mix in the flour and milk, alternating each ingredient. Mix in 1/3 of milk, Then mix in 1/2 of flour, mixing well after each addition. More milk, then the other half of the flour. You will finish with the last of the milk. Mix just until incorporated, do not over mix.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan(s) and bake for 22 to 26 minutes or until knife or cake tester inserted comes out clean. If preparing the layered round cake, let cool slightly in pan, then invert one cake onto a platter. You need a platter with sides to accommodate the sauce that will run off. Pierce the top of the warm cake all over with a thick skewer. If preparing 13×9 cake leave in pan and pierce as instructed.
  • Mix the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, heavy cream and vanilla, and pour 1/3 of the mixture slowly over first layer of cake. Spread 1/2 cup of raspberry jam(or preserves) over the top. Place other cake on top, pierce and pour 1/3 more of remaining milk mixture over the top. In the 13×9 version, pour 2/3 of the milks over the entire surface evenly. Spread raspberry spread over the top.
  • Cover and refrigerate until cold, about 3 hours or overnight. Prepare icing the next day. Add  sliced strawberries and serve. Store in the refrigerator. 

For Icing

  • Using an electric mixer,  whip 3 cups heavy cream with 6 tbsp sugar until thick and spreadable.  Add  sliced strawberries(or other fruit) and serve. Store in the refrigerator. 

Notes

Thanks to the many chefs and homecooks that share their favorite family recipes to be enjoyed by everyone!!!
Tried this recipe?Mention @pinaenlacocina or tag #pinaenlacocina!

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Filed Under: Dessert First Tagged With: Baking, Cake, Dessert, Tres Leches Cake

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Comments

  1. Sharon

    March 28, 2021 at 7:53 pm

    Sharing is caring 🤩🥰😍🥰 we all can enjoy 😊 homebcooked meals. I just need help 😇😇😇

    Reply
    • Sonia

      March 29, 2021 at 10:49 am

      I am here to help!

      Reply

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Welcome!

Hi, my name is Sonia Mendez Garcia. My parents Ramiro and Blanca Mendez moved to the United States from Monterrey, Mexico in 1963. I am first generation Mexican American born in Los Angeles, California. Cooking has always been one of my passions in life. This is my journey and I can't wait to see what the future holds. Read More…

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