This ultra-moist cake is made by soaking a light sponge in a mixture of evaporated milk , sweetened condensed milk , and heavy cream . Topped with fluffy whipped cream, it's sweet, rich, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious — yet surprisingly airy.
Yields 12 Servings Servings Quarter (3 Servings) Half (6 Servings) Default (12 Servings) Double (24 Servings) Triple (36 Servings) Prep Time 25 minsCook Time 35 minsTotal Time 1 hrFor the Sponge Cake
1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
1 ½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
5 large eggs, separated
1 cup granulated sugar, divided
13 cups whole milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Milk Soak
1 can evaporated milk
1 can sweetened condensed milk
½ cup heavy cream
For the Whipped Topping
1 ½ cups heavy cream
3 tbsp powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Ground cinnamon or nutmeg
Fresh berries or sliced mango
Toasted coconut or slivered almonds
Make the Cake
1
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) . Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking dish.
In a bowl, sift together the flour , baking powder , and salt . Set aside.
Separate the eggs. Beat egg yolks with ¾ cup sugar until pale and thick.
Stir in milk and vanilla .
In another bowl, beat the egg whites to soft peaks. Gradually add remaining ¼ cup sugar and beat to stiff peaks.
Fold the egg yolk mixture into the whites.
Gently fold in the flour mixture in batches until fully incorporated.
Pour into prepared pan and bake for 30–35 minutes , until golden and springy.
Cool the cake completely in the pan.
Soak with Tres Leches
2
Whisk together evaporated milk , sweetened condensed milk , and heavy cream .
Use a fork or skewer to poke holes all over the cooled cake.
Slowly pour the milk mixture evenly over the cake, allowing it to absorb fully.
Chill the soaked cake for at least 2 hours , preferably overnight.
Prepare the Whipped Topping
3
In a chilled bowl, whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft to medium peaks form.
Spread evenly over the top of the soaked cake.
To Serve
Variations
5
Add a splash of rum or almond extract to the milk mixture
Make it chocolate with cocoa powder in the sponge and milk soak
Top with dulce de leche drizzle for extra richness
Pairing Suggestions
6
Drink: Café con leche, cinnamon-spiced horchata, or a sweet dessert wine
Meal: A sweet finale to a festive Latin-inspired dinner or summer celebration
Ingredients For the Sponge Cake
1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
1 ½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
5 large eggs, separated
1 cup granulated sugar, divided
13 cups whole milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Milk Soak
1 can evaporated milk
1 can sweetened condensed milk
½ cup heavy cream
For the Whipped Topping
1 ½ cups heavy cream
3 tbsp powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Ground cinnamon or nutmeg
Fresh berries or sliced mango
Toasted coconut or slivered almonds
Directions Make the Cake
1
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) . Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking dish.
In a bowl, sift together the flour , baking powder , and salt . Set aside.
Separate the eggs. Beat egg yolks with ¾ cup sugar until pale and thick.
Stir in milk and vanilla .
In another bowl, beat the egg whites to soft peaks. Gradually add remaining ¼ cup sugar and beat to stiff peaks.
Fold the egg yolk mixture into the whites.
Gently fold in the flour mixture in batches until fully incorporated.
Pour into prepared pan and bake for 30–35 minutes , until golden and springy.
Cool the cake completely in the pan.
Soak with Tres Leches
2
Whisk together evaporated milk , sweetened condensed milk , and heavy cream .
Use a fork or skewer to poke holes all over the cooled cake.
Slowly pour the milk mixture evenly over the cake, allowing it to absorb fully.
Chill the soaked cake for at least 2 hours , preferably overnight.
Prepare the Whipped Topping
3
In a chilled bowl, whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft to medium peaks form.
Spread evenly over the top of the soaked cake.
To Serve
Variations
5
Add a splash of rum or almond extract to the milk mixture
Make it chocolate with cocoa powder in the sponge and milk soak
Top with dulce de leche drizzle for extra richness
Pairing Suggestions
6
Drink: Café con leche, cinnamon-spiced horchata, or a sweet dessert wine
Meal: A sweet finale to a festive Latin-inspired dinner or summer celebration
Tres Leches Cake (Three Milks Cake)
