Mexican tres leches cake
An airy sponge soaked with condensed milk, evaporated milk and cream, then topped with whipped cream.
This version of tres leches cake, popular in Mexico, pairs an airy sponge with a mixture of three dairy products. Several Latin American countries dispute the dessert’s authorship; this recipe follows a version documented in Mexican recipes without claiming a definitive origin.
Ingredient allergens
Allergen listDocumented presence
-
Milk and milk products
Condensed milk
Ingredients without verified allergen data 10
Ingredients without verified allergen data: Eggs, Sugar, Milk, Vanilla pod, Flour, Baking powder, Salt, Evaporated milk, Cream for the tres leches mixture, Whipping cream.
Alternatives by dietary restriction
Lactose-free milk
For lactose intolerance
It can replace liquid milk in cooking and baking to reduce lactose. It retains milk proteins, so it does not avoid the milk allergen. Choose a variety suited to the recipe and check the label. Also check other allergens and the risk of cross-contact.
Lactose-free milk retains milk proteins. This option does not address milk allergy.
Allergens to consider in this alternative:
- Milk and milk products
Check the label, other allergens and cross-contact. Replacing one ingredient does not remove allergens elsewhere in the recipe; adjustments depend on the culinary use.
Method
- 01
Make the batter
Heat the oven to 180 °C. Sift the flour with the baking powder and salt. Separate the egg whites from the yolks; beat the whites until foamy, then gradually add half the sugar and beat to soft peaks. In another bowl, beat the yolks with the remaining sugar until pale and increased in volume. Mix in the milk and the seeds from the vanilla pod; add the flour mixture, then fold in the egg whites in several additions.
Temperature: 180 °C / 356 °FReady to continue when: The batter is evenly mixed and airy, with no visible streaks of flour or egg white.
25 min - 02
Bake the sponge
Pour the batter into a cake pan and bake at 180 °C for 30–35 minutes. Avoid opening the oven during baking. Test the center with a skewer and remove the sponge when it comes out clean; let it cool completely.
Temperature: 180 °C / 356 °FReady to continue when: The sponge is golden, and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
35 min - 03
Mix and pour the tres leches
Mix the condensed milk, evaporated milk and cream for the tres leches mixture until combined. Prick the cooled sponge all over with a skewer or fork, then pour the mixture evenly over it.
Ready to continue when: The liquid covers the surface and begins to soak into the holes in the sponge.
- 04
Chill and top
Refrigerate the cake for 6 hours so it can absorb the mixture. Beat the cold whipping cream until firm, then spread it over the cake before serving.
Ready to continue when: The cream holds its shape when spread, and the cake has rested in the refrigerator for 6 hours.
360 min
Ingredients
Sources and review
Content researched, cross-checked and automatically validated. Sources consulted:
- Revista del comité científico de la aecosan número 22 www.aesan.gob.es/dam/jcr:b61dcc9a-8e51-4a92-bbca-72c66720e55b/MICRO_NINOS_0_3_ANIOS.pdf
- - YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoAMWjyThpA&xstg=CAMSBhUDze3xHw%3D%3D
- Receta de pastel tres leches mexicano www.cocinandoconcatman.com/recetas/recetas-tartas-pasteles/pastel-tres-leches.html
- TARTA 3 LECHES - Las Recetas de MJ www.lasrecetasdemj.com/2013/09/videoreceta-tarta-3-leches.html
- Tres leches de México - Andrea Dopico - Receta - Canal Cocina canalcocina.es/receta/tres-leches-de-mexico
- Pastel de Tres Leches │Sigue este sencillo tutorial con imágenes www.mexicoenmicocina.com/pastel-de-tres-leches/
- Tarta Tres Leches al puro estilo mexicano - Alimerka www.alimerka.es/receta/pastel-de-tres-leches-para-el-dia-del-padre/
- Cómo evitar que el pastel 3 leches se seque: checa estos consejos del chef José Ramón Castillo para que quede como de pastelería www.directoalpaladar.com.mx/postres/como-evitar-que-pastel-3-leches-quede-seco-checa-estos-c…
- Pastel tres leches - receta mexicana muy rica - Consujugo consujugo.com/pastel-tres-leches/
- Tres leches, la tarta mexicana más popular en América Latina - Mawey Taco Bar restaurantemawey.com/tres-leches-la-tarta-mexicana-mas-popular-en-america-latina/
- Pastel de Tres Leches Casero: Historia, Técnica y Evolución de un Clásico Latinoamericano - Mixturis mixturis.org/2020/03/02/pastel-de-tres-leches-casero-paso-a-paso/
- Ultra-procesados www.aesan.gob.es/dam/jcr:ece6c953-39af-45c0-910f-f969913c314a/ULTRAPROCESADOS.pdf
- Client Challenge doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv2zx9qj5.10
- Comité Científico aesan.gob.es/dam/jcr:a7c4e553-46f5-4def-9ede-b6d1e19b3948/comite_cientifico_42.pdf
- - YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoAMWjyThpA
State: Published after documentary validation; no “Tested” label is shown.