The Caramel Tres Leches Cake is a moist vanilla sponge cake filled with a three milk pudding layer, and topped with creamy dulce de leche frosting
What is Caramel Tres Leches Cake?
A tres leches cake is typically a vanilla or sponge cake that is soaked in three different types of milk. Usually evaporated milk, condensed milk and heavy cream is the three milks that are used for the cake. Leches is spanish is milk and tres means three. This cake was rumored to have originated from Mexico.
Can I use a box cake mix?
Yes, you can use a cake mix for this cake recipe if you do not want to make homemade. I would suggest that you use a vanilla or sponge cake mix. I personally prefer the homemade because it tastes better in my opinion. There is no judgment from me though if you want to take a shortcut and use a box mix! Just follow the directions on the box to make your cake mix and bake as directed.
Why do I need to make a three milk mixture for this cake?
My three milk mixture for this cake needs whole milk, sweetened condensed milk and buttermilk. To flavor the three milk mixture for the Caramel Tres Leches Cake you will need dulce de leche and vanilla extract. Dulce de leche is sweetened condensed milk that has been heated slowly to take on the appearance and flavor of caramel. You can purchase dulce de leche at your local grocery store in a can near the evaporated milk.
Make your own dulce de leche by heating sweetened condensed milk in an oven heated to 425 degrees. You will need to make the rack in the middle of your oven, and add a can of sweetened condensed milk to a 9 inch deep dish pie plate. You will want to cover the pie plate tightly with foil. Place your plate in a dish with enough water to cover the bottom half of the pie plate. Lastly, you will need to bake for 45 minutes checking your water level and add more occasionally if needed.
Lastly, making your own dulce de leche is not hard though it does take quite a bit of time.
Related Recipes:
New York Super Fudge Chunk Sheet Cake
Caramel Tres Leches Cake
Ingredients
- 1 ½ C all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 12 tablespoon unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 C granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 5 eggs
Three Milk Mixture Ingredients
- 2 C whole milk
- 1 C sweetened condensed milk
- 1 C buttermilk
- ⅓ C dulce de leche
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping Ingredients
- 2 C heavy cream
- ⅓ C dulce de leche
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
- Lightly grease a baking dish; set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.
- Using an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugar and vanilla extract on medium speed for 8 to 10 minutes, or until very pale and creamy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture mixing until just combined.
- Stir the batter with a rubber spatula to ensure all of the ingredients are incorporated.
- Transfer the cake batter to the prepared baking dish and bake until a
- skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes.
- Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan.
Three Milk Mixture Directions
- Using a skewer, poke holes all over the top of the cake.
- In a large pitcher, whisk together the whole milk, sweetened condensed milk, buttermilk, dulce de leche, and vanilla extract until combined.
- Very slowly, pour the milk mixture all over the cake.
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 3 hours, or overnight, ensuring that all of the milk mixture is absorbed.
Topping Directions
- Place the cream in a large bowl and either by hand or using an electric mixer, whip on medium speed until soft peaks form.
- Spread the whipped cream on top of the cake, then drizzle and swirl the dulce de leche into the whipped cream.
- Enjoy!!