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Creamy Tres Leches Cake Recipe with Whipped Cream and Strawberries

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A luscious, melt-in-your-mouth tres leches cake soaked in three milks and topped with light whipped cream and fresh strawberries. Perfect for celebrations or a sweet treat any day.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (120g)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 5 large eggs, separated (room temperature)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
  • ½ cup whole milk (120ml)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 can (12 oz / 354 ml) evaporated milk
  • 1 can (14 oz / 397 g) sweetened condensed milk
  • ½ cup heavy cream (120 ml)
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream (240 ml), chilled
  • 3 tablespoons powdered sugar (adjust for sweetness)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Fresh strawberries, sliced (about 1 cup)
  • Optional: fresh mint leaves for extra color and freshness

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your 9×13-inch baking dish lightly with butter or cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Set aside.
  3. Carefully separate the 5 large eggs into two bowls—yolks in one, whites in the other. Ensure no yolk contaminates the whites.
  4. Add ½ cup of granulated sugar to the yolks and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until pale and creamy (about 3 minutes). Stir in ½ cup whole milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
  5. Gently fold the sifted flour mixture into the yolk mixture using a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
  6. Whip the egg whites on medium-high speed. Gradually add the remaining ½ cup sugar and continue whipping until stiff peaks form.
  7. Very gently fold about a third of the whipped whites into the yolk batter to lighten it, then fold in the remaining whites carefully to maintain volume.
  8. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  9. Remove cake from oven and let cool on a wire rack for about 15 minutes. Poke the surface several times with a fork or skewer to allow milk soak to penetrate.
  10. In a bowl, whisk together evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream until smooth.
  11. Slowly pour the milk mixture evenly over the warm cake. Let it absorb for at least 1-2 hours in the fridge—overnight is best.
  12. Chill your mixing bowl and beaters for 15 minutes if possible. Whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form.
  13. Spread the whipped cream evenly over the soaked cake. Arrange sliced fresh strawberries on top, and add mint leaves if using.
  14. Cut into squares and serve chilled.

Notes

Use slow, gentle folding motions when incorporating whipped egg whites to keep the batter light. Poke holes in the cake before soaking to allow milk to penetrate deeply. Chill whipped cream bowl and beaters for best results. Let the cake soak overnight for optimal flavor and texture. Fresh strawberries should be added just before serving to avoid sogginess. For dairy-free options, substitute whole milk with almond or coconut milk and use coconut cream for the topping.

Nutrition

Keywords: tres leches cake, creamy tres leches, whipped cream cake, strawberry dessert, easy tres leches, milk soaked cake, celebration dessert

Find it online: https://tastytuck.com/creamy-tres-leches-cake-recipe-with-whipped-cream-and-strawberries-easy-perfect-dessert/