Serves 6
The texture and flavor of this moist cake will improve if you make it in advance and keep it in the fridge. The traditional recipe covers the cake with a meringue layer, but if this is too sweet for you, leave it plain or add some whipped cream and fresh fruit instead. You are going to love it either way.
3 eggs at room temperature
1 cup all-purpose flour
1½ teaspoon baking powder
½ cup sugar
¼ cup milk at room temperature
1 14-ounce can condensed milk
1 12-ounce can evaporated milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
2. Sift the flour together with the baking powder.
3. Beat the eggs at the highest speed for about 5 minutes. They have to grow to about 3 times the volume (or more) from when you started beating them. Make sure your mixer is completely dry before you pour the eggs, otherwise they won´t grow the way they should. Same advice goes for when preparing the meringue.
4. Add the sugar, little by little, while still beating the fluffy eggs.
5. Turn the beater down to slow speed and add a third of the flour, then a third of the milk, then a third of the flour, and so on, until all the ingredients blend completely.
6. Transfer to a 12 x 8–inch baking pan and bake for 30 minutes.
7. In the meantime, mix the 3 milks with the vanilla and set aside.
8. The cake is ready when you pierce with a knife and it comes out clean. Bake for a few minutes longer if necessary.
9. Take the cake out of the oven and pierce it all over with a fork. Pour the cold milks over the cake immediately, so they are absorbed by the hot cake. Make sure you do this evenly and cover every part of the cake, including the sides and corners.
10. Cool and decorate with mango slices and mint leaves. Or put the tres leches in the fridge to serve very cold.
The flavor of this dessert can be custom-made by blending any fruit of your liking into the milk mixture. You can also blend in chocolate or coffee.
Tres leches keeps well in the fridge for several days, but make sure you cover it with plastic film to keep it moist.