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Home » Recipes » Desserts

Tres Leches Cake (three milks cake)

Published Dec 13, 2022 by Allyson · 31 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

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Tres Leches Cake, or three milks cake, is a fluffy white cake soaked in a delicious sweet milk mixture. The perfect authentic dessert for the holidays!

Tres Leches Cake, or three milks cake, is a fluffy white cake soaked in a delicious sweet milk mixture. The perfect authentic dessert for the holidays!

Now that we are getting close to the holidays, I wanted to share my favorite family dessert. It's been a tradition for the last 8 years to make it every Christmas, and everyone LOVES it! Tres Leches Cake is made with three milks: Sweetened Condensed Milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream. The cake is soaked in the milks, then topped with whipped cream.

This classic Tres Leches Cake is a favorite throughout the year, but definitely during the holidays!

Tres Leches Cake, or three milks cake, is a fluffy white cake soaked in a delicious sweet milk mixture. The perfect authentic dessert!

Last year I demanded my mother in law share her famous recipe for Tres Leches Cake with me. She would make it every year, but I really wanted to learn how to make it as well so that I can share it with my kids and keep the tradition going forever. It's actually very simple to make this cake, but it does take some patience.

Do you love CHOCOLATE? Try out this amazing Chocolate Tres Leches Cake!

How to make Tres Leches:

**Scroll down for full printable ingredient list and directions**

  • Get all the ingredients together.
  • Bake the cake according to the directions on the box, then allow to cool 15 minutes.
steps to make cake
  • Combine the three milks, and set aside.
steps to make 3 milks mixture
  • Once the cake has cooled, use a fork to poke holes all over the cake. Pour the milk mixture over the top of the cake. 
  • Cover the cake with plastic wrap (I like to put toothpicks into the cake so the wrap doesn't touch the cake). Place into the refrigerator for at least one hour.
steps to let the cake set
  • Make the whipped cream by combining heavy cream, vanilla, and powdered sugar and beating vigorously. Spread the whipped cream over the top of the cake evenly, then cover and refrigerate the Tres Leches Cake at least an hour.
Tres Leches Cake, or three milks cake, is a fluffy white cake soaked in a delicious sweet milk mixture. The perfect authentic dessert!

That's it! Tres Leches Cake is simple to make, and so insanely delicious!

Tips for making Tres Leches Cake:

  • Use a boxed cake mix! This makes it much easier and follow the directions on the back of the box to make the cake. I like using a 'moist' yellow cake mix, and any brand is fine.
  • I highly recommend making this cake at least a day before you need it, because it gets even more delicious the longer it sits in the fridge. I really think it's best after a few days in the fridge, but it's hard to resist eating it!
  • If you like to mix things up, try Chocolate Tres Leches Cake as well!
cake slice

When to serve the cake:

  • The holidays are the perfect time to share this cake with family and friends.
  • Make Tres Leches Cake for the next potluck you attend.
  • It's is the perfect birthday cake! Make sure to keep it refrigerated until you need it!
  • Holiday party at work? Make this delicious Tres Leches Cake and WOW all of your colleagues!
Tres Leches Cake, or three milks cake, is a fluffy white cake soaked in a delicious sweet milk mixture. The perfect authentic dessert!

If you like desserts, checkout these other amazing recipes:

  • Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf
  • Apple Monkey Bread with Caramel Drizzle
  • Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Easy Peanut Butter Cookies (soft cookies)
  • Milky Way Caramel Cheesecake Brownies
  • TWIX® Cheesecake Bars
  • Instant Pot Snickers Cheesecake

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4.96 from 23 votes
Print
Tres Leches Cake
Prep Time
10 mins
refrigerate
8 hrs
Total Time
8 hrs 10 mins
 

Tres Leches Cake, or three milks cake, is a fluffy white cake soaked in a delicious sweet milk mixture. The perfect authentic dessert for the holidays!

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Keyword: tres leches cake
Servings: 16 slices
Ingredients
For cake:
  • 1 box moist yellow cake mix (plus ingredients to make cake)
For milk mixture:
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 14 ounces Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • 12 ounces evaporated milk
For whipped cream:
  • 1 cup heavy cream or heavy whipping cream
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
  1. Bake cake according to box directions using a 9x13 baking dish. Allow cake to cool 15 minutes, then using a fork poke holes all over the cake, making sure to poke through to the bottom.

  2. Make milk mixture: combine 1 cup heavy cream, Sweetened Condensed Milk, and evaporated milk. Mix well.

  3. Pour milk mixture over the top of the cake, taking care to spread everywhere. Cover the cake with plastic wrap, then refrigerate at least 1 hour. 

  4. Make whip cream: Using a stand mixer, add heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla to a CHILLED bowl (place bowl in freezer for at least 5 minutes before making). Turn speed on low to begin to combine, then once the powdered sugar is slightly mixed, increase speed to high. Whip for about 3 minutes on high speed, or until whipped cream is thickened.

  5. Spread whipped cream all over the top of the cake evenly. Cover, then place in the fridge at least an hour, preferably overnight. Cut into slices and serve. Keep in refrigerator when not serving. 

Recipe Notes

First published in November 2018. Updated December 2022. 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jessica Burgess

    December 13, 2018 at 10:31 am

    5 stars
    I needed a cake recipe for a family gathering, and this was perfect! Thank you so much!

    Reply
  2. Becky Hardin

    December 13, 2018 at 11:01 am

    5 stars
    I bet this cake is so moist and delicious. Perfect for the holidays.

    Reply
  3. Jamielyn

    December 13, 2018 at 11:44 am

    5 stars
    SO delicious! Love the whipped cream on top!

    Reply
  4. Demeter

    December 13, 2018 at 2:29 pm

    5 stars
    This looks like an amazing dessert to add to our celebration! Wow!

    Reply
  5. Jennifer

    December 13, 2018 at 4:17 pm

    5 stars
    One of my FAVORITE cakes EVER!!!

    Reply
  6. Melanie Bauer

    December 13, 2018 at 9:32 pm

    5 stars
    I'm literally drooling over this goodness! So tasty and yummy, looking forward to trying this!

    Reply
  7. Chrissie Baker

    December 14, 2018 at 3:25 am

    5 stars
    Wow! This Cake was delicious and the instructions were super simple. A cake like this easily goes for $10+ dollars and literally spent almost nothing, for all you needed was the basic ingredients you have in your pantry and fridge. Will definitely be making this again. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe

    Reply
  8. Abeer

    December 14, 2018 at 4:17 am

    5 stars
    I want to try this cake asap. It looks incredible!

    Reply
  9. Catalina

    December 14, 2018 at 4:27 am

    5 stars
    This cake looks heavenly! My family will love it! Thanks for the step by step photos!

    Reply
    • Catalina

      December 14, 2022 at 5:31 pm

      5 stars
      I've made it and it's the best tres leches cake! It's our new favorite now!

      Reply
  10. Jessica | The Novice Chef

    December 14, 2018 at 3:17 pm

    I will never turn down a Tres Leches Cake. Such an underrated cake!

    Reply
  11. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert

    December 15, 2018 at 9:07 pm

    5 stars
    I need to try this cake immediately, it looks so good!

    Reply
  12. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert

    December 15, 2018 at 11:02 pm

    5 stars
    This is seriously making me hungry! I know for sure this would be a huge hit in my house!

    Reply
  13. Truba

    September 05, 2019 at 5:02 pm

    The first time we had this cake was at a Mexican restaurant that would frequent. My husband loved the cake so much he has to waitress for the recipe but she said that the owner did not want to give it out. So I've been searching for the recipe and I know this is exactly it. We are so pleased to have found it and it turned out great! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. P.S. at the restaurant you could add strawberries to the top which made for a nice addition. Thanks again 🙂

    Reply
    • Allyson

      September 06, 2019 at 10:53 am

      I am so happy you found it!!! This is my mother-in-laws speciality and she actually makes it for a local restaurant and EVERYONE raves about it. It's literally my favorite cake ever! People see it and aren't sure, but once they try it, they LOVE it!!! Cheers!

      Reply
    • Brenda

      May 01, 2022 at 9:11 pm

      4 stars
      Not sure why your cake looks so white. My yellow cake was def yellow especially after soaking with the 3 milk mixture. My finished cake was soggy with the milk mixture pooled underneath but after reading another review where someone said to pour the milk mixture on while still warm, I may have let mine cool too long. It was longer than 10 minutes. Did taste delicious though. Love your recipes. Also tried your air fryer wings and will never grill or bake wings again. So crispy and delicious! Thank you for your blog.

      Reply
      • Allyson

        May 02, 2022 at 1:54 pm

        The cake definitely get 'soggy' with the mixture because it is soaked in it. The color discrepancy could just be different brands. Next time try not letting it cool so long. It still sounds like it tasted great though!

        Reply
  14. Donna

    July 10, 2020 at 7:45 am

    I have made this recipe and several others- this one worked the best but I still have a problem with every one of the recipes- after poking cake full of holes most of the glaze remains sitting on top even overnight and cake part is dry- Please help...

    Reply
    • Allyson

      July 12, 2020 at 9:26 pm

      Hi Donna,

      Did you spoon the filling in the holes and spread it around the top, then cover it? It is hard for me to know exactly what's going wrong since I am not in your kitchen, but this would be my best guess.

      Reply
    • Martha Nedom

      February 06, 2021 at 9:45 pm

      5 stars
      Use a wooden skewer to poke the holes - not the pointed end but the blunt end. Make sure you pierce all the way to the bottom. Do not let the cake get cool. The milks will absorb better on a warm cake.

      Reply
  15. ashok

    December 19, 2020 at 10:46 pm

    5 stars
    Guys, Thanks For sharing this Great Recipe. My Family Loved it. I am definitely sharing this recipe and this website with my friend. Hope they also love it. Thank you again for sharing such a great recipe.

    Reply
  16. Beth

    December 13, 2022 at 5:27 pm

    5 stars
    This cake looks absolutely delicious. I can really see how moist and tender it is in the photos.

    Reply
  17. Amanda

    December 13, 2022 at 9:39 pm

    5 stars
    What a fantastic recipe! Everyone could not get enough of this fabulous cake!

    Reply
  18. Kristyn

    December 13, 2022 at 11:45 pm

    5 stars
    My family always loves when I make this cake!! It's so light & fluffy & tastes amazing!!

    Reply
  19. Juliane

    December 14, 2022 at 4:55 am

    5 stars
    Thank you for this!! Looks really good!

    Reply
  20. Sandra McCollum

    December 14, 2022 at 6:04 am

    I will surely try this recipe! Can't wait!

    Reply
  21. Lauren Kelly

    December 14, 2022 at 6:50 am

    5 stars
    So fluffy with he perfect texture! My mother in law's favorite cake and she loved it!

    Reply
  22. Journa Liz Ramirez

    December 14, 2022 at 7:15 am

    5 stars
    This tres leches cake is so satisfying! I had fun making it, it was so easy and it turned so delicious and fluffy. We'll surely have this again, thanks Allyson!

    Reply
  23. Erin | Dinners, Dishes and Dessert

    December 14, 2022 at 9:52 am

    Looks beyond delicious! Can't wait to make this!

    Reply
  24. Erin | Dinners, Dishes and Dessert

    December 14, 2022 at 9:58 am

    Sounds incredibly delicious! You had me on this!

    Reply
  25. Erik

    December 14, 2022 at 2:11 pm

    5 stars
    The flavor is so fantastic. Everyone loved it and it's gonna be great at a party coming up!

    Reply

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