Tres Leches Cake Recipe

The Best Tres Leches Cake

This tres leches cake recipe is SO much easier than making one from scratch and tastes just as delicious! It has the best sweet flavor and is super light and moist. Plus the homemade whipped topping is amazing and really makes the dessert!

Ground cinnamon is the typical topping for a tres leches cake, but I also love to serve mine with fresh berries or toasted coconut on top. It’s so light and fresh and makes the perfect treat for Spring or Summer. This tres leches cake recipe turns out beautiful and tastes so delicious. Definitely give it a try!

What is Tres Leches Cake?

Tres leches means “three milks,” which is how the dessert got its name. It soaks in a mixture of 3 different milks: evaporated milk, condensed milk and heavy cream. It has a light, spongy texture and is typically topped with a whipped cream topping. You may also hear it referred to as a “milk cake” or even a “Mexican cake.”

Recipe Ingredients

This tres leches cake recipe is made from mostly pantry staples, including a cake mix, a filling made with 3 different milks (that the cake soaks up) and whipped topping.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

• Cake: I love to make this tres leches cake recipe with a French vanilla cake mix (I used Betty Crocker Super Moist) and then mixing it with eggs, vegetable oil, water and sour cream. A yellow cake mix can be used as well.
• Three milks: The cake gets its name from three different types of milk (tres leches) being soaked into the crumb of the cake. This recipe uses sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk and heavy cream.
• Topping: The rich and creamy topping is made from whipping heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla extract for the best homemade whipped cream that really makes this dessert!

Favorite Toppings

Although this cake tastes delicious as is, adding a few extra toppings really takes it to the next level. Any of the below ideas would taste amazing!

• A sprinkle of ground cinnamon
• Toasted coconut
• Freshly sliced strawberries
• A drizzle of salted caramel sauce
• Maraschino cherries

How to Make Tres Leches Cake

Thanks to a cake mix, this easy tres leches cake recipe is a snap to make and only requires a little bit of patience while it chills.

• Bake the cake. Mix together the cake mix, eggs, oil and water 2 to 3 minutes on medium speed. Fold in the sour cream. Pour into the baking dish. Bake the batter until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool 10 to 20 minutes. 
• Poke the cake. Whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream. Poke the top of the cake with a fork, about every inch or so. Pour the milk mixture slowly and evenly over the top. Chill at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight to allow the milk to soak into the cake.
• Make the topping. Beat together the cream, sugar, and vanilla on high speed until a stiff peak forms. Once the topping has thickened, spread over the cooled cake. 
• Serve. Sprinkle ground cinnamon on top, if using. Serve with fresh strawberries, maraschino cherries, or toasted coconut, if desired. 

Helpful Tips

This tres leches recipe tastes amazing and would be perfect to serve at a Cinco De Mayo party. It’s light, refreshing and has the perfect hint of Mexican flavor. You could also try making these homemade churros or churro cupcakes. Yum!

• Let cool. It’s important to let the cake cool for about 10 to 20 minutes before adding the milk mixture. You don’t want to pour it over while it’s still super hot.
• Soak. Similar to a jello poke cake, you’ll poke holes throughout the cake and then pour the milk on top so that it soaks in through the holes. It should then soak in the refrigerator for at least an hour, but preferably overnight. The longer it soaks, the more moist and flavorful it will be.
• Freeze beaters. Before making the whipped topping, place your bowl and beaters in the freezer for about 15 minutes to help the peak form faster.
• Sturdier whipped topping. You can make a stabilized whipped cream with the simple addition of gelatin. The stabilized version will hold it’s shape a bit longer.
• Homemade version. If you’re looking to make this cake from scratch, check out this recipe from The Pioneer Women. I’ve made it and it’s very yummy – it just takes more time.

Make Ahead

This cake recipe is ideal for making in advance, as it needs to soak in the fridge for awhile. If making the day beforehand, wait to add the whipped topping until right before serving. It can deflate if you add the topping too far in advance. This way it will taste super fresh and delicious!