Trileçe (Albanian Three-Milk Caramel Cake)
In short: A light vanilla sponge soaked in three kinds of milk and finished with a glossy caramel layer, a favorite cafe and birthday dessert in Albania. It takes about 1 h 10 min in total and makes 12 servings.
- Prep
- 35 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Resting
- 4 h 30 min
- Total
- 1 h 10 min
- Servings
- 12
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 325 kcal
Trileçe, a name that means three milks, is one of the most popular desserts in Albanian cafes and pastry shops, and many families bake it for birthdays. A light sponge is poked with holes and soaked in a mix of condensed, evaporated and fresh milk, then chilled until it is soft and juicy but still holds its shape. A thin layer of caramel on top adds a slightly bitter edge that balances the sweetness.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease a 23 x 33 cm (9 x 13 in) pan and line it with baking paper.
- Whisk the egg yolks with 100 g of the sugar and the vanilla for 4 minutes, until pale and thick. Stir in the milk, then sift in the flour and baking powder and fold gently.
- In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites to soft peaks. Add the remaining 50 g sugar gradually and beat to stiff, glossy peaks. Fold into the batter in two additions.
- Spread the batter in the pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden and a skewer comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes.
- Whisk the condensed milk, evaporated milk and whole milk together. Poke the warm cake all over with a fork and pour the milk over slowly, giving it time to soak in.
- Cover and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- For the caramel, heat the sugar and water in a small pan over medium heat, without stirring, until deep amber. Off the heat, carefully add the hot milk, which will bubble, and stir until smooth. Cool for 10 minutes.
- Pour the caramel over the chilled cake, chill for 30 minutes more, then cut into squares.
Tips
- Do not skip the poking or the chilling. A fully chilled cake slices cleanly and has an even, soft crumb.
- For a lighter finish, replace the caramel with whipped cream and grated chocolate.
Questions and answers
How long does trileçe keep?
Covered in the fridge it keeps for up to 4 days. The caramel may soften after a day, which is normal.
Why is my trileçe soggy or dense?
A soggy cake usually means the sponge was underbaked or soaked while very hot. Let it cool for 15 minutes first and pour the milk slowly.
Can I use cream instead of evaporated milk?
Yes. Heavy cream gives a richer cake, though the soak is thicker and needs a few extra minutes to absorb.
How long does it take to make Trileçe (Albanian Three-Milk Caramel Cake)?
About 1 h 10 min in total: 35 min of preparation and 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Trileçe (Albanian Three-Milk Caramel Cake)?
About 325 kcal per serving, with 9 g of protein, 53 g of carbohydrates and 9 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 325 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 53 g |
| Fat | 9 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 44 g |
| Sodium | 140 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
