Tres Leche Cake Recipe is very simple but always the first dessert to disappear at parties. From the moist cake to the decadent whipped topping, this recipe does not disappoint. 

Slice of Tres Leche Cake on a plate
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The Best Tres Leches Cake Recipe:

This delicious cake recipe is made with 3 different kinds of milk. It light, soft and the best cake you will ever make. This cake recipe is not overly sweet but is always a crowd favorite.

If you are looking for a cake to bring to your next potluck or holiday dinner, make this Tres Leches Cake. It is the perfect cake to make ahead of time and is made with simple ingredients.

Creamy, delicious and full of flavor cake that is delicious topped with whipped cream and slice strawberries.

Slice of Tres Leche Cake on a plate

What does Tres Leche mean?

It literally means 3 types of milk cake. The recipe has sweetened condensed milk, whole milk and evaporated milk. 

Needless to say it is super moist and so rich and delicious. It is the perfect dessert to make for Cinco de Mayo. 

What Does Tres Leches Cake taste like?

It reminds me of a sponge cake that is light and soaked with lots of delicious milk mixture. You won’t find a dry cake here with each bite being soaked with so much tasty goodness. 

The whipped cream mixture on top is the perfect complement to the cake. We like to add berries on top but this is optional. 

The perfect bite for me would be a little cake, some whipped cream topping and a bite of strawberry. It does not get any better. You might also like our Tres Leche Cupcakes Recipe.

Tres leche cake recipe is very easy but always the first dessert to disappear at parties. Each bite is moist with decadent whipped topping,

What supplies do you need?

  • 9×13 pan – This is the perfect size of pan to make this cake. I like the ones with the lid so I can easily store in the fridge. Another option for cookouts or potlucks would be one of these disposable pans here.
  • Stand mixer or a hand-held mixer – Either will work just fine. I tend to use my stand mixer because it is normally already on the counter. 
Slice of Tres Leche Cake on a plate

Ingredients:

Cake:

  • Yellow Cake Mix
  • Large Eggs Yolks
  • Milk – Whole milk is best in this recipe.
  • Vanilla Extract

Milk Mixture:

Topping:

  • Heavy Whipping Cream
  • Sugar
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Fresh Sliced Strawberries – optional but highly recommended. 

Tres leche cake recipe is very easy but always the first dessert to disappear at parties. Each bite is moist with decadent whipped topping,

How to Make Tres Leche Cake:

  • Step 1 – Heat Oven – Go ahead and preheat your oven and spray your 9×13 pan. 
  • Step 2 – Get started making the cake.  Put the cake mix, eggs and vanilla in a large mixing bowl.  Use your mixer to make sure it is well combined. 
  • Step 3 – Pour in Pan – Next, pour in the pan and bake. Make sure it is uncovered and after about 30 minutes. I like to insert a toothpick into the center to make sure it comes out clean. 
  • Step 4 – Cool Cake – Let the cake cool once you remove it from the oven. While, you are waiting for the cake to cool, make the milk mixture. 
  • Step 5 – Combine Milk Mixture – Simply combine all three of the milk ingredients. It is that simple.
Preparing the Tres Leche Cake
  • Step 5 – Poke Holes – By now your cake should be cool and you can start poking holes all over the cake. They should be evenly placed around the cake so each area of cake gets soaked with the yummy mixture. 
  • Step 6 – Use Wooden Spoon – I normally use the end of a wooden spoon. But you can use a fork or skewer to do this. 
  • Step 7 – Pour Milk Mixture – Pour the milk mixture all over the cake. Make sure it seeps down in all the holes. This is what makes the cake amazing!
  • Step 8 – Add Toppings – Spread the topping all over the cake when you are ready to serve. Add strawberries and you are set. Blueberries are good as well or even both! 
Slice of Tres Leche Cake in a baking dish

How to Make Tres Leche Cake Topping:

You only need a few simple ingredients to make the topping for the Tres Leche Cake.

  • Just beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla with a mixer. You will know it’s ready when soft stiff peaks form. 
  • Once mixed together spread the topping over the cake and top with slice strawberries.
Slice of Tres Leche Cake on a spatula

Tres Leche Cake Recipe Tips:

  • Refrigerate Cake – The cake needs to be refrigerated so it can soak up the mixture and really let the flavors blend. Overnight is best but if you are in a hurry, a couple of hours will do.
  • Poking Cake – Make sure when poking the holes you are generous and don’t leave out any section of the cake. This is how the delicious mixtures gets into the cake. 
  • Topping the cake – I like to push the milk mixture into the holes as I spread it around. This gives the cake the best flavor. 
  • Poke Holes with handle of a Wooden Spoon – You can use anything you prefer to poke holes. But a wooden spoon works great. This is the perfect size for making the holes in the cake. 
  • Room Temperature Cake – After baking the cake, you want to make it has cooled to room temperature before adding the frosting.
  • Cake Mix – We used a yellow cake mix for this recipe. But feel free to make your own cake with milk and vanilla, egg whites, flour, baking powder and salt. Using a cake mix makes this recipe so easy.
Slice of Tres Leche Cake on a plate

How to Store Cake:

You can store the leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Slice of Tres Leche Cake on a spatula

Can you Make this Tres Leche Cake in advance?

The cake can be made in advance but I would wait to add the toppings until right before serving. Otherwise, it will be soggy.

While the cake will last up to 5 days in the fridge, it is best served initially within 24 hours. I would suggest not making this any sooner than a day ahead.

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Tres Leches Cake

4.67 from 6 votes
Tres leche cake recipe is very easy but always the first dessert to disappear at parties. Each bite is moist with decadent whipped topping,
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Refrigerate (minimum of 4 hours or overnight) 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 45 minutes
Servings 18
Cuisine American
Course Dessert
Calories 210

Ingredients

  • For the Cake:
  • 1 package Yellow Cake Mix
  • 3 Large Eggs
  • 2/3 cup Milk
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • For the Milk Mixture:
  • 1 14 oz can Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • 1 12 oz can Evaporated Milk
  • 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
  • For the Topping:
  • 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
  • 2 Tbsp Sugar
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • Fresh Sliced Strawberries Optional for Topping

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and spray a 9X13 baking pan with a non stick cooking spray.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, and vanilla with a hand held mixer until well combine. Pour this cake batter into the 9X13 baking pan.
  • Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow the pan to cool for 20-30 minutes until the cake is cool to the touch.
  • Then in a large mixing bowl. Combine the three milk mixture ingredients.
  • Use a fork or skewer to poke holes in top of the prepared cake and then pour the milk mixture over the entire cake and make sure that is seeps down into the holes in the cake.
  • Refrigerate the cake (covered for at least 4 hours but overnight is preferred.
  • To make the topping, beat together the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla extract in a large bowl with a hand held mixer or a stand alone mixer. Beat until soft peaks form in the mixture.
  • Right before serving, spread the topping mixture over the top of the cake and top with the sliced strawberries (optional).
  • Store the leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Recipe Notes

This cake is almost better the next day after the milk has soaked more into the cake!  Store the leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 

Nutrition Facts

Calories 210kcal, Carbohydrates 17g, Protein 5g, Fat 14g, Saturated Fat 9g, Trans Fat 1g, Cholesterol 77mg, Sodium 72mg, Potassium 182mg, Sugar 16g, Vitamin A 547IU, Vitamin C 1mg, Calcium 144mg, Iron 1mg

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Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Desserts on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families.

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