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Tres leches cake baked in a small jar, topped with whipped cream.
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5 stars (4 ratings)

Tres Leches Cake

Tres leches cake! Made with soft, buttery vanilla cake soaked in a sweet and creamy 3 milk blend, topped with a cloud of whipped cream!    
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Chill Time2 hours
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: authentic tres leches cake recipe, how to make tres leches cake, tres leches cake, tres leches cake recipe
Servings: 14
Calories: 301kcal

Ingredients

For the vanilla cake

For the tres leches mixture

For the garnishes

  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, whipped until stiff with 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 3/4 cup dulce de leche, approximately (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons shredded coconut, toasted* (optional)

Instructions

To make the vanilla cake

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and lightly mist 14 4-ounce mason jars* with non-stick spray.
  • Place the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine. 
  • Beat in the soft butter on medium-low speed, for about 1 minute or until the mixture resembles damp sand. 
  • Beat in the egg on medium-low speed, until completely incorporated (about 1 minute).
  • Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl with a silicone spatula, and add the sour cream, milk, and vanilla.
  • Beat on medium-high speed for one minute, to aerate the batter and build the cake's structure.  
  • Transfer the batter to the prepared jars, and bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the thickest part comes out clean.  
  • Cool completely, then pour the tres leches mixture over the cakes, chill for 2 hours, and top with whipped cream, dulce de leche, and toasted coconut.  

To make the tres leches mixture

  • Whisk the condensed milk, evaporated milk, and half & half together in a large measuring cup. 

Notes

*To toast the coconut, cook it in a small skillet (dry), stirring, until it becomes brown.

Nutrition

Calories: 301kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 209mg | Potassium: 253mg | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 475IU | Vitamin C: 1.3mg | Calcium: 189mg | Iron: 0.8mg