How to Make Tres Leches Cake

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How to Make Tres Leches Cake

Traditional tres leches cake, better than the one you buy at the store and it only costs about $5-$10 to make it!

Estela Arroyo

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Step 1 of 30

Gather your ingredients.

Step 2 of 30

Prepare and bake your cake as directed.

Step 3 of 30

I substitute the water for milk and the oil for butter (same quantities).

Step 4 of 30

While your cake is baking in the oven. Prepare your three milks: evaporated, condensed and regular. About 1 cup/can of each. Use non-fat and sugar-free for a "skinny" tres leches. 😉

Step 5 of 30

Mix your milks in the blender.

Step 6 of 30

Place your milk mixture into a pitcher and refrigerate while your cake is ready and cooled down.

Step 7 of 30

Make sure your cake is COMPLETELY cool. Now grab a stick - the ones used for shishkabobs. Start poking holes in the cake.

Step 8 of 30

Just like this. 💁

Step 9 of 30

Poke everywhere, even corners.

Step 10 of 30

Now add your three milks. SLOWLYYYYY. don't just pour it (if you pour it too quick, the top of the cake will be DRY and only your bottom will be moist.

Step 11 of 30

If your cake isn't absorbing the milks well, poke holes with a knife where necessary. DO NOT use a fork or it will make your cake fall apart.

Step 12 of 30

AGAIN POUR SLOWLY. If its necessary you can pour the milk from the cake pan back into the pitcher (carefully) and pour it on top again, just to make sure it's even and moist everywhere.

Step 13 of 30

Once your done pouring all your milk... Refrigerate ⛄

Step 14 of 30

Take your cake out, now it's ready to frost.

Step 15 of 30

You can top it with meringue, I use cool whip because that's how my family likes it. I do prefer meringue though, it just takes a bit more time.

Step 16 of 30

Meringue ingredients: 3 egg whites. 1 1/2 cups of sugar. 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (depends on strength, too much vanilla will make it bitter), 1 tbsp lime/lemon juice. 2 cups of water.

Step 17 of 30

IMPORTANT: USE A METAL OR GLASS BOWL TO MIX EGG WHITES. MAKE SURE IT IS CLEAN AND DRY. Your egg whites should not be contaminated with any egg yolk or water. This can ruin your meringue.

Step 18 of 30

Meringue instructions: beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until fluffy and starts to peak. Meanwhile boil your water with sugar on MED until it makes a syrup ( dissolve slowly with a whisk)

Step 19 of 30

You should have your egg whites fluffed by the time your syrup is formed. Syrup should not be like candy, hard, or too watery, it should be in between. Eggs should be peaked. Slowly add the syrup to..

Step 20 of 30

the egg whites. Continue beating, keep adding the syrup gradually and slowly. Beat until its all mixed. Now add the lime/lemon juice and vanilla gradually. Beat. Thats it, you're done!

Step 21 of 30

Spread the cool-whip evenly.

Step 22 of 30

Like that 💁

Step 23 of 30

It looks like jiggly puff pooped on my cake lol but no, get creative and decorate it however you prefer.

Step 24 of 30

...So how was your day today? 😊

Step 25 of 30

Drain your maraschino cherries. You can use strawberries! 🍓Or mango, papaya, mandarin slices, peaches, fresh berries... Possibilities are endless. Just make sure to drain your fruit.

Step 26 of 30

💁 I think this is the 7th time I've made this cake for family/friends they always request it and it's a big hit. 😊

Step 27 of 30

Top with cherries and press down gently so they stay in place.

Step 28 of 30

Im making it for my brother so I'm going to write on it with gel. 😊

Step 29 of 30

Done! 🙌 hope you try it out, let me know how it turns out 😊 its always a success at my house.

Step 30 of 30

Enjoy! Feel free to ask any questions. Remember to follow me on instagram: estela_arroyo 😄

You're Done

Check out other guides by this author!

Estela Arroyo

Houston

College student, Nicaraguan / Costa Rican , I love to cook and work out. 😜 follow me on instagram: @estela_arroyo 🌺

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Ausurelee Pace

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Runnie Santiago Rios

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Jay Casas

1 Box vanilla cake mix

3 Eggs

1 ¼ Cups Milk

⅓ Cups Butter

1 can condensed milk

1 can evaporated milk

1 Cup Milk

1 tub cool whip

1 Cup Maraschino cherries (or strawberries)

Your welcome 😊

Estela Arroyo (author) last month

Finally I can settle my craving, thanks for step by step

Frank Garcia last month

I just made this. Came out amazing! Thank you estela ;)

Adriana Munoz 5 months ago

Thanks for your guide Estela, I made your tres leches yesterday and it was wonderful. I could not find the vanilla cake mix here where I live and had to substitute it for muffins mix (cupcakes). It was the only thing I changed. I wish I could make my own vanilla mix from scratch to not be dependent of what the stores have in my area.

David Gonzalez 8 months ago

Do you deliver?!

Rufio Santos 9 months ago

Wow Estela, I'm a college student and looking at your guides reminds me of my mamas cooking. Oh how I miss Tres Leches!!! Wonderful guide

Tatianna Timor 12 months ago

I had tres leches cake yesterday for a bday. But I'll try yours. Maybe it'll be better. The one I had had nutmeg and I didn't care for it. Your coconut cake however was a hit

Rebecca Adame 12 months ago

My daughter and I made this together and it came out perfect! So delicious... Thank you!

Ari Faizi last year

Totally doing this right now one of my all time favorite cakes 😜

Isahias Anguiano last year

@david thanks, and your welcome my friend :)

Estela Arroyo (author) last year

@Yesenia yay I'm glad your family liked it, I'm just trying to spread the love! Lol

Estela Arroyo (author) last year

This is one of my favorite desserts from Colombia. I have to try your recipe :) Looks amazing, thanks!

David Gonzalez last year

I try it n it was so good!! Thanks for sharing my family loved it!! Thanks!!

Yesenia Avila last year

Meringue ingredients: 3 egg whites. 1 1/2 cups of sugar. 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (depends on strength, too much vanilla will make it bitter), 1 tbsp lime/lemon juice. 2 cups of water. IMPORTANT: USE A METAL OR GLASS BOWL TO MIX EGG WHITES. MAKE SURE IT IS CLEAN AND DRY. Your egg whites should not be contaminated with any egg yolk or water. This can ruin your meringue. Meringue instructions: beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until fluffy and starts to peak. Meanwhile boil your water with sugar on MED until it makes a syrup ( dissolve slowly with a whisk) You should have your egg whites fluffed by the time your syrup is formed. Syrup should not be like candy, hard, or too watery, it should be in between. Eggs should be peaked. Slowly add the syrup to the egg whites. Continue beating, keep adding the syrup gradually and slowly. Beat until its all mixed. Now add the lime/lemon juice and vanilla gradually. Beat. Thats it, you're done!

Estela Arroyo (author) last year

Margaret you can use fruit with meringue just make sure to drain/dry the fruit well or it might ruin your meringue :)

Estela Arroyo (author) last year

If you cover with meringue, do you still use the fruit? Thinking of the whipped cream (minus the poops) and cover with peach slices. Think my 90 yr old dad will think he has gone to heaven! Thanks!

Margaret Sartain last year

Thanks for sharing recipe; I've wanted to try making this! 😃

Jennie I. last year

Yea can you make a guide for the meringue?

Christina Santana last year

Yumm ! How do you do your meringue ? Possibly another guide?

Brenda Hernandez last year

@daniela Thanks, no I dont have a web page lol

Estela Arroyo (author) last year

看着很好吃的样子，good！

ma hui last year

I love this cake!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jayse-Z Sparkly✨ Fire🔥 last year

Estela thank you ones again.. I will do make this. Do you have a web page?

Daniela Johnson last year

Tres**

Estela Arroyo (author) last year

Shellz I've only added fruit to regular cake but I haven't tried with Rees leches let me ask my mom and I'll get back to you tomorrow :)

Estela Arroyo (author) last year

Thanks Oscar your awesome :)

Estela Arroyo (author) last year

Looks great and surprisingly easy!! My qs Is have u ever added fruit in the middle of the cake like some stores have it if so is it borderline the same steps?

SheLlz S last year