Cuban Tres Leches Cake Recipe is a delicious 3-layer cake traditionally made in Matanzas, Cienfuegos, and Villa Clara.
The layers are sponge cake, custard made from eggs and milk, and buttercream frosting.
The cake is soaked in three types of new cream: evaporated milk (Cuba’s most popular), sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream.
How to make Cuban Tres Leches Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 (1 1/2 pounds) cup granulated sugar
- 1 3/4 cup whole milk
- 3 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
- 3 large eggs, room temperature, beaten to mix
- 1 teaspoon baking powder (optional)
- 2 cups heavy cream, chilled in the fridge overnight
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted at room temperature (about 2 sticks),
- divided into 12 pieces. If using salted butter, you can use less.
Method:
1. preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Line 3 (18 by 10 by 3-inch) cake pans with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine sugar and milk till sugar dissolves, and the mixture is about 1 cup in volume. Set aside for 5 minutes to bring the mixture to room temperature.
3. Mix flour and baking powder if used in a separate mixing cup.
4. In a large bowl, beat sugar-milk mixture on medium speed till smooth and creamy like a simple mousse. (If you use baking powder, the baking mix will have a bright yellow color.)
5. Gradually add flour, mixing well after each addition. Continue beating for 2 minutes and set aside to cool down.
6. In a separate large bowl, mix eggs and cream till frothy but not too bubbly.
7. Pour sugar-milk mixture into the egg-cream mixture and stir no less than 5 minutes with a wooden spoon or spatula to create a smooth batter mixture.
8. Fold in melted butter and pour into prepared pans, creating 3 layers of batter in each pan; stop at the last moment after pouring the batter to make the cake layers hold their shape well while baking.
9. Bake for 35 minutes, rotating the pans 180 degrees halfway through baking.
10. After 35 minutes, check to see if the cake is baked with a toothpick inserted in the center; if not, bake for another 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
11. Remove cakes from the oven and let cool in pans for at least 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
12. To assemble the cake, your cakes should be completely cooled and at room temperature.
13. Pour 1 cup of evaporated milk on the first layer of cake, spreading evenly with a spatula or knife.
14. Place the second layer on top and cover with 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk; spread evenly with a knife or spatula.
15. Add the third layer of cake on top, pour 2 cups heavy cream evenly over the cake, and spread evenly with a spatula or knife:
16. Cover the entire cake with a smooth layer of buttercream frosting and refrigerate for at least 4 hours; overnight is best.
17. Remove the cake from the fridge and decorate with smooth buttercream frosting.
18. Serve cake chilled; slice and serve with a touch of evaporated milk.
Nutrition facts of Cuban Tres Leches Cake Recipe
| Nutrition | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2,700 |
| Fat | 244 gr |
| Cholesterol | 49 mg |
| Sodium | 601 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 179 gr |
| Fiber | 0 gr |
| Protein | 38 gr |
Health Benefits of Cuban Tres Leches Cake Recipe
An average slice of this cake packs some very powerful nutrients and health benefits, including 154% of daily calcium, 179% of daily folic acid, and 33% of daily vitamin C.
The combination of sugar, milk, and eggs being baked together can help you shed weight if you enjoy a slice or two in the morning as your breakfast. Aside from that, the recipe may help you beat stress and anxiety while helping you look great.
Can I Freeze It?
You can freeze this cake un-frosted for a month, or you can freeze it with buttercream frosting for 2 months.
Its texture and taste will not be the same, but it will still taste fine if you defrost it for a few hours at room temperature. If you freeze completely without frosting, the cake should last for up to 2 months.
Why do I have to use evaporated milk?
This is the most popular type of condensed milk in Cuba, mainly made from sweetened condensed milk with some added water and caramel flavor. It is the most commonly used ingredient in the whole cake recipe, including all three layers.
Is It Suitable For Pregnant Women?
There are no major health concerns when pregnant women indulge in this delicious cake, but they may not be eating a lot of it because they will have to share it with loved ones.
The only thing to keep an eye out for is the amount of saturated fat, which is 33% of the daily recommended intake.
Saturated fats are normally not present in Cuban cuisine, and our body needs some of them for healthy skin and cell formation, among many other things.
Is It Suitable For Diabetics?
As long as people with diabetes will not overindulge on this cake, they can enjoy it in moderation. The thing to watch out for is the amount of sugar in the recipe and saturated fats.
What If I Am On a Low Carb Diet?
This cake is not low carb friendly if you count carbs, but some things can be done to reduce carbs. One example is omitting the flour in all three layers.
Is It Gluten-Free?
The gluten in baking powder is used as a leavening agent and helps the cake rise, so you must omit the baking powder. Omit flour in all three cake layers. Finally, keep an eye out for any mixes that contain gluten.
Is It Vegan?
This recipe is not suitable for vegans because of heavy cream and butter. But you can try replacing these with vegetable-based fats like virgin coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil.
Conclusion
Tres Cuban Tres Leches Cake Recipe is a popular dessert among Cubans, especially during Christmas.
The recipe may have originated in Cuba, but it has now been spread to other parts, especially in Latin American countries.
This cake is a flavor-packed treat that will remind you of your favorite Italian restaurant or café while you have it.
The flavor is rich and creamy, laced with warm spices and sweetened condensed milk, while the texture can best be described as moist and dense.