Pastel de Tres Leches (Mexican Three Milks Cake)
Local name: Pastel de tres leches
In short: A light sponge cake soaked in a blend of condensed, evaporated and fresh milk, then topped with whipped cream and cinnamon. It takes about 1 h in total and makes 12 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Resting
- 6 h
- Total
- 1 h
- Servings
- 12
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 430 kcal
Pastel de tres leches is the birthday cake in many Mexican homes: a light, airy sponge soaked in three kinds of milk and covered with softly whipped cream. The sponge is built on whipped egg whites, which gives it enough structure to absorb a lot of liquid without collapsing. It is moist and very sweet, and it is best made a day ahead so the milks settle evenly. Cut small squares and serve it cold with fruit or cinnamon.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease a 23 x 33 cm (9 x 13 in) baking pan and line the bottom with parchment. Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt together.
- Beat the egg yolks with 100 g (1/2 cup) of the sugar for 4 to 5 minutes until pale and thick. Stir in the vanilla and the 60 ml (1/4 cup) milk, then fold in the flour mixture until just combined.
- In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites until foamy. Gradually add the remaining sugar and beat to stiff, glossy peaks.
- Fold the whites into the yolk batter in three additions, keeping as much air as you can. Spread in the pan.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden and a skewer comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes.
- Prick the whole surface of the cake all over with a fork or skewer. Whisk the condensed milk, evaporated milk and whole milk together.
- Pour the milk mixture slowly over the cake in stages, letting it soak in before adding more. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
- Whip the cream with the sugar and vanilla to soft peaks. Spread it over the cake, dust with cinnamon or add fruit, and serve cold in squares.
Tips
- Pour the milk slowly and in stages onto a cake that has cooled a little. If the cake sits in a pool, you added it too fast. The cake absorbs it all within an hour.
- In summer, top the cake with sliced strawberries or mango. A drizzle of cajeta or dulce de leche on the cream is also traditional.
Questions and answers
Why is my tres leches cake soggy?
A tres leches cake is meant to be very moist, but it should not be wet at the bottom. Pour slowly, let the cake soak in stages, and use less milk if liquid pools after several hours.
How far ahead can I make tres leches cake?
Bake and soak it up to 2 days ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. Add the whipped cream topping on the day you serve it.
Can I freeze tres leches cake?
Yes, without the whipped cream topping, for up to 2 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge and add fresh cream before serving.
How long does it take to make Pastel de Tres Leches (Mexican Three Milks Cake)?
About 1 h in total: 30 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Pastel de Tres Leches (Mexican Three Milks Cake)?
About 430 kcal per serving, with 10 g of protein, 52 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 430 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 10 g |
| Carbohydrates | 52 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 40 g |
| Sodium | 190 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
