Tres Leches cake is a Latin American dessert made with three types of milk, and variations include adding alcohol or using different types of milk. It is a rich and decadent cake that is easy to make and pairs well with various toppings.
Tres Leches cake is literally translated as “three milk cake”. Tres leches is short for pastel de tres leches, which is the full Spanish term for three milk cakes. The three lattes that make this cake so moist are sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, or plain milk and cream. Tres Leches cake is rich and decadent. It is a very light flavor cake, but the calorie and fat content is not light. If you’re up for the challenge, it’s worth the occasional splurge.
Tres leches cake is thought to have originated in Latin America, where it remains popular today. Since many European pies are infused with liquor, it’s possible the true origins lie in those earlier European pies. There are different varieties of this cake depending on where you are in the world.
The basic recipe for tres leches cake is to take a partially cooled sponge or butter cake, place it upside down on a lipped tray, and pierce it 20-30 times. Pour the milk mixture over the cake and refrigerate overnight. Top with whipped cream and berries or cinnamon. Variations include adding rum or brandy to the milk mixture or using cream of coconut instead of condensed milk.
The variations in alcohol choices seem endless. These changes may be due to North American influences. Southern variations of tres leches pie include adding peach schnapps to the milk, pecan, or peach batter mixture, or sprinkling with pecans or peaches. Rum and brandy seem consistent with some older versions of tres leches cake, but coffee liqueurs crop up here and there in tres leches recipes. Some versions even call for four lattes, including whole milk, instead of substituting condensed milk.
This is a must-have cake for budding bakers and food lovers alike. It’s a simple cake that’s easy to make and a crowd pleaser that’s sure to impress friends and family. Its light taste and moist texture pair well with a variety of toppings, such as nuts, caramel, or fruit.
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