Tres Leches Cake - Semi Homemade

A Tres Leches Cake is a baked sponge style cake that is soaked with a mixture of three milks (sweetened condensed milk, crema (table cream) and evaporated milk. This delicious cake is topped with fresh cream and a variety of fruits.

One of my favorite cakes using fresh fruit is a Tres Leches Cake (Three Milks Cake). Which is a Mexican inspired cake that's so yummy and so moist. This cake gets it's moist texture from the soaking of three different milks. 

The three milks are evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and Nestle media crema (table cream) or whole milk, but the Nestle Media Crema is so much better. The soaking of the milk is what gives this cake just the right amount of sweetness. 

The fresh whipping cream takes it over the top for me. I love the Tres Leche Cake at Fiesta or El Rancho, but they're a bit pricey. so I make this recipe instead and it is just good. 

I have to admit the homemade version is definitely the best, but if you are in a pinch this recipe is good and taste like it's homemade. I used a butter recipe white cake mix for the base of this recipe.  
 

You can use whipped topping or fresh whipping cream, but I highly recommend using fresh whipping cream. You can use any type of fruit to top your cake, so it is really up to you. Teresa I know you will be reading this post so please forgive me on the semi homemade version. I know this cake is a small comparison to the real deal but it's so good. 

Let's get started. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare and bake the cake mix according to package directions using a 13 x 9 inch baking pan. Remove cake from oven and place on a cooling rack. While the cake is still hot run a knife or thin spatula around to loosen the sides of the cake from the pan.

Poke holes all through the cake either using a fork, straw or like me LOL I used a orange peeler. You can even use the back of a wooden spoon space the holes about a 1/2 inch or so apart. In a separate bowl, mix all three of the milks together (sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk & Nestle media crema or whole milk). Slowly pour half of the milk mixture all over the cake making sure to aim the milk into the holes and let the cake sit for 10 minutes.

After 10 minute, pour the remainder of the milk over the cake. If you do not want the cake really wet I recommend only using half of the milk mixture. After pouring all the milk on the cake let the cake sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Cover the cake with plastic wrap and let chill in the refrigerate for 30 minutes to one hour until cake is well cooled.

While the cake is chilling, cut and slice all the fruit that you are going to use. Drain any canned fruit if using. Whip up your fresh whipping cream and add 4 tablespoons of powdered sugar. Spread the fresh cream over the cake and smooth. 

I used a pastry bag and piped some whipping cream around the whole cake. Start adding your fruit any way you want there is no set way on this part really what ever you like. I made a star out of the strawberries and fanned a strawberry in the middle. Then just added the rest of the fruit how you want to decorate the cake.

Now you can dig in!!! This cake is so moist ugh its so hard to have just one piece. My oldest said he would not like this cake because he thinks it would be too wet. Well my son was wrong, because he loved it and said that was the best part hummmm if he would of just listened to me in the first place.

Yield: 10-12

Author: Tina Butler | Mommy's Kitchen

Semi Homemade Tres Leches Cake

A Tres Leches Cake is a baked sponge style cake that is soaked with a mixture of three milks (sweetened condensed milk, crema (table cream) and evaporated milk. This delicious cake is topped with fresh cream and a variety of fruits.

Prep time: 30 MinCook time: 1 H & 30 MTotal time: 2 Hour

Ingredients

Cake

• 1 (15.25 oz) package white, french vanilla or butter recipe cake mix + eggs, oil and water called for on box to make cake
• 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 5 (oz)can evaporated milk
• 1 (7.6 oz) Nestle Media Crema (table cream) or whole milk (about 3/4 cup)

Whipped Cream Frosting

• 1  pint fresh whipping cream
• 4 tablespoons powdered sugar

Fruit Topping

• fresh strawberries, sliced
• Fresh or canned pineapple chunks, drained if using canned mandarin oranges, drained
• kiwi's, sliced

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 13 x 9 inch baking pan and prepare and bake cake according to package directions for a 13 x 9 inch cake.
2. Pour cake batter into prepared pan and bake cake until done, about 25 - 30 minutes. Remove cake from oven and place on a baking rack.
3. While cake is still warm, using a fork, or the back of a wooden spoon poke holes in the cake every 1/2 inch.
4. In a large glass measuring cup, stir together sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk and Crema or whole milk.
5. Slowly pour half of the milk mixture all over the cake making sure to aim the milk into the holes. Let the cake sit for about 10 minutes, then come back and pour the remainder of the milk mixture over the cake.
6. The cake should absorb all of the milk if poured slowly. (If you don't want a really wet cake only use half of the milk mixture).
7. Allow cake to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap or foil, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour or until well chilled.
8. In a large bowl whip the fresh whipping cream with 4 tablespoons powdered sugar. Beat on high speed using an electric mixture until fluffy and peaks form.
9. Frost the cake, garnish with fruit, and chill until ready to serve. Refrigerate any leftovers.

Notes:

I used a pastry bag and piped some whipping cream around the whole cake. Then started adding fruit. I made a star out of the strawberries and fanned a strawberry in the middle. If using only half of the milk mixture freeze the remaining mixture to use later. 1- 8 ounce container of whipped topping can be substituted for fresh whipping cream.  

https://www.mommyskitchen.net/2008/11/tres-leche-cake-semi-homemade-style.html

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