Tres Leches Cake

By Becky Hardin

Updated Sep 18, 2025

I can never resist a slice of Tres Leches cake—it’s one of those desserts I’ll happily make (and eat!) any chance I get. The light, airy sponge soaks up that sweet mixture of three milks, turning it into something so soft and dreamy. And then topping it with a fluffy layer of whipped cream? Pure perfection. What I love most is how easy it is to whip up at home, yet it always feels so special. Every bite is rich, creamy, and just downright delightful.

Tres leche cake on a plate with a fork. - 5

Pin this recipe for later!

Easy Tres Leches Cake Recipe

Tres leches cake is a light and airy Latin American sponge cake that is soaked in a sweet milk mixture and topped with a whipped cream frosting. It is my go-to when I need a simple yet delicious dessert. No matter what the occasion, this easy tres leches cake always goes over well.

The light flavor, airy yet moist texture, and fluffy whipped topping make every bite just perfect. This is a great cake to make ahead of time, for holidays, birthdays, or any day that needs a little celebration.

I’ll often dust the top with a sprinkle of cinnamon or serve it up with fresh berries. It’s one of my true favorites for Cinco de Mayo.

Ingredients1x2x3x

For the Cake

▢ 1 cup all-purpose flour 136g, spooned and leveled
▢ 1½ tsp baking powder 6g
▢ ¼ tsp kosher salt
▢ 5 large eggs cold, 250g, separated
▢ 1 cup granulated sugar 200g, divided
▢ ⅓ cup whole milk 76 g
▢ 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 4g
▢ ½ tsp almond extract 2g

For the Milk

▢ 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk 396g (1 can)
▢ 12 oz. evaporated milk 340g (1 can)
▢ ½ cup heavy whipping cream 114g

For the Topping

▢ 1 cup heavy whipping cream 227g
▢ ½ tsp pure vanilla extract 2g
▢ 2 tbsp powdered sugar 14g (use more if desired)
▢ ground cinnamon for dusting

Video

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray.
In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt until combined. 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1½ tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp kosher salt
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the egg yolks and ¾ cup sugar on medium-high speed until fluffy and pale yellow, about 3-4 minutes. 5 large eggs, 1 cup granulated sugar
Add in the milk, vanilla, and almond extract. Mix to combine. ⅓ cup whole milk, 1 tsp pure vanilla extract, ½ tsp almond extract
With the mixer running, slowly add in the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, then set aside.
Add the egg whites to a clean medium bowl, ensuring there are no yolk remnants. Using an electric hand mixer, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. With the hand mixer still running, slowly pour in the remaining ¼ cup of sugar. Continue beating the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
Gently fold the egg whites into the cake batter, taking care not to deflate them.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spread evenly, and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out with a few crumbs but no wet batter.
Set the cake on a wire rack to cool. Do not remove it from the baking pan.
Meanwhile, stir the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and heavy whipping cream together in a medium bowl or liquid measuring cup. 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk, 12 oz. evaporated milk, ½ cup heavy whipping cream
Once the cake has cooled, use a skewer to poke holes all over the top of the cake.
Pour the milk mixture evenly over the cake, let cool for 2 hours at room temperature, cover, and chill in the refrigerator for another 2 hours.
Just before serving, whip the heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar into medium-soft peaks. Spread over the cake. Use a small sieve to dust the cake with cinnamon. Serve as is or topped with fresh berries, a drizzle of caramel , chocolate sauce , or dulce de leche. Slice and serve! 1 cup heavy whipping cream, 2 tbsp powdered sugar, ½ tsp pure vanilla extract, ground cinnamon

Equipment

Kitchen Scale (optional)
9×13 Baking Pan
Stand Mixer
Hand Mixer
Fine Mesh Sieve

Becky’s Tips

If you plan to leave this cake out for an extended period of time in warm conditions, you may wish to use stabilized whipped cream to prevent deflating.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

How to Make Tres Leches Cake Step by Step

Get the oven going and prepare a baking pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray.

Combining dry ingredients in a bowl. - 6

Prepare the cake batter: Whisk 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1½ tsp baking powder, and ¼ tsp kosher salt in a medium bowl.

Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, mix 5 egg yolks and ¾ cup sugar on medium-high speed until fluffy and pale yellow, about 3-4 minutes.

Pour in ⅓ cup whole milk, 1 tsp pure vanilla extract, ½ tsp almond extract, and mix to combine. Add the dry ingredients and mix just to combine.

Mixing sugar with a hand held mixer. - 8

With an electric hand mixer, beat the 5 egg whites until soft peaks form. With the mixer running, slowly pour in the remaining ¼ cup of sugar. Continue beating the egg whites until stiff peaks form.

Fold the egg whites into the batter.

Distributing the batter into the pan. - 9

Bake the cake: Evenly pour the batter into the baking pan, and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out with a few crumbs but no wet batter.

Cool: Place the cake in the baking pan on a wire rack to cool.

Prepare the milk mixture: Stir 1 can of sweetened condensed milk, 1 can of evaporated milk, and ½ cup heavy whipping cream together in a medium bowl.

Poke holes: Once the cake has cooled, use a skewer to poke holes all over the top of the cake.

Pouring the milk mixture over the cake. - 11

Pour the milk mixture: Pour the milk mixture evenly over the cake, let it cool at room temperature for 2 hours, cover, and chill in the refrigerator for another 2 hours.

Spreading whipped cream topping over the cake. - 12

Top : Before serving, whip 1 cup heavy whipping cream, ½ tsp vanilla extract, and 2 tbsp powdered sugar into medium-soft peaks. Spread over the cake. Use a small sieve to dust the cake with cinnamon.

A slice of tres leches cake on a white plate with a gold fork. - 13

Garnish and serve : Serve as is or topped with fresh berries, a drizzle of caramel, chocolate sauce, or dulce de leche. Slice and serve!

How to Store

Tres leches cake can be made up to 2 days in advance. In fact, this cake is best made the day before, as this gives it plenty of time to soak up the milk mixture. Store the cake tightly covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Leftover tres leches cake should also be tightly covered and stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep in mind that after 2 days, the whipped cream topping will begin to deflate.

The only part of tres leches cake that can successfully be frozen is the cake itself. Do not soak in the milk mixture or top with whipped cream before freezing. To freeze, tightly wrap the cake in 2 layers of plastic wrap and 1 layer of aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before soaking and topping.

overhead view of sliced tres leches cake in a baking pan. - 14

Serving Suggestions

I get very excited when Cinco De Mayo rolls around, as I get to plan a fun, Mexican-inspired menu. I like to start our meal with a Mexican fiesta dip , followed by either barbacoa tacos or cod fish tacos . Of course, I’ll make the usual sides like guacamole and salsa so we can properly enjoy our feast.

more cinCO de mayo desserts

Churros are one of the best treats ever, and this easy churros recipe means you can make them at home any time you want. Better yet, they're gluten free! Dip these fried cinnamon sugar snacks in chocolate sauce for the ultimate delight! - 15

Easy Churros Recipe with Chocolate Sauce (Gluten Free Churros!)

Mocha Cookies

Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars

Margarita Popsicles

a forkful of tres leches cake resting on a white plate with a slice of tres leches cake. - 23

Tres Leches Cake Recipe

Equipment

Kitchen Scale (optional)
9x13 Baking Pan
Stand Mixer
Hand Mixer
Fine Mesh Sieve