I’ll make this brief and get on to the recipes. Since I met my husband, I have thoroughly enjoyed diving in Cuban cuisine – “the food of his people,” as he calls it. Tres Leches has become a staple for celebrations for us. No matter the season, it is decadent, delicious, and delightful. So, here is a video tutorial and three recipes for Tres Leches. Enjoy!

The Easy Way:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 5 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 12-ounce can evaporated milk
• 1 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F
2. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan
3. Cream the butter and 1 cup of sugar together until smooth (about 5 minutes)
4. While the butter and sugar are mixing, sift the flour and baking powder together
5. Add eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla to the butter and sugar, and combine thoroughly
6. Add flour to the mixture, a little at a time until blended, pour into pan
7. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean
8. Allow the cake to cool, then poke it with a fork or toothpick to create small holes
9. Whisk together the whole milk, sweetened condensed milk, and evaporated milk, then pour over the cake
10. While the milks are absorbing into the cake, whip the heavy whipping cream, 1 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla together until thick (you should be able to turn the bowl upside down)
11. Spread the whipped cream over the cake and decorate as you like. Refrigerate for at least an hour, then enjoy!

The Harder, More Authentic Way:

• 6 eggs, separated
• 1 cup confectioners (powdered) sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 5 eggs
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 12-ounce can evaporated milk
• 1 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F
2. Grease a 10×15 baking pan
3. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form
4. Gradually add the sugar until the mixture is glossy
5. Add in the egg yolks one at a time, until thoroughly combined
6. Gradually add in the flour, baking powder, milk, and vanilla until combined
7. Pour the mixture into the pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean
8. Allow the cake to cool, then poke it with a fork or toothpick to create small holes
9. Whisk together the whole milk, sweetened condensed milk, and evaporated milk, then pour over the cake
10. While the milks are absorbing into the cake, whip the heavy whipping cream, 1 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla together until thick (you should be able to turn the bowl upside down)
11. Spread the whipped cream over the cake and decorate as you like. Refrigerate for at least an hour, then enjoy!

Chocolate Tres Leches (not traditional, but delicious!):

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
• 5 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chocolate milk
• 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 12-ounce can evaporated milk
• 1 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F
2. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan
3. Cream the butter and 1 cup of sugar together until smooth (about 5 minutes)
4. While the butter and sugar are mixing, sift the flour, baking powder, and cocoa together
5. Add eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla to the butter and sugar, and combine thoroughly
6. Add flour to the mixture, a little at a time until blended, pour into pan
7. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean
8. Allow the cake to cool, then poke it with a fork or toothpick to create small holes
9. Whisk together the chocolate milk, sweetened condensed milk, and evaporated milk, then pour over the cake
10. While the milks are absorbing into the cake, whip the heavy whipping cream, 1 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla together until thick (you should be able to turn the bowl upside down)
11. Spread the whipped cream over the cake and decorate as you like. Refrigerate for at least an hour, then enjoy!

 

*Thanks to Ed Lima for the use of his music in the video. Check him out at edlima.com