Ina Garten Tres Leches Cake - Delish Sides (2024)

Ina Garten’s Tres Leches Cake recipe from the Barefoot Contessa is the best and the easiest Tres Leches Cake recipe ever. This simple Tres Leches Cake is made with all-purpose flour, baking powder, kosher salt, eggs, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, whole milk, heavy cream, evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and almond extract.

This ina garten tres leches cake is frosted with whipped cream and served with berries like raspberries or sliced strawberries. You can also serve it with Strawberry Butter, Strawberry Jam or Raspberry Coulis.

Make this dessert ahead and refrigerate for about 6 hours to let the flavors meld and the cake achieve its signature moist texture.

Tres Leches Cake Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 cup plus 5 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
• 1 (12-ounce) can evaporate milk
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
• Seeds scraped from 1 vanilla bean
• 8 cups mixed fresh raspberries and sliced strawberries, for serving
• Sifted confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
• Make-Ahead Whipped Cream

Make-Ahead Whipped Cream Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups cold heavy cream
• 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons creme fraiche
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

How To Make Tres Leches Cake

1. Preparation:Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Make the Cake:In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate mixer bowl, beat the eggs, 1 cup of sugar, and vanilla until they’re light and fluffy, which should take about 10 minutes. Gradually mix in half of the flour mixture. Then, add the milk and mix well. After that, add the remaining flour mixture and mix until smooth. Pour the batter into the greased dish and bake for 25 minutes. The cake should be done when it springs back after being lightly touched.
3. Preparing the Milk Mixture:In a measuring cup, mix the heavy cream, evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, almond extract, and the insides of a vanilla bean. After the cake has cooled a bit, use a skewer to poke holes all over it. Slowly pour the milk mixture over the cake, making sure it soaks in well. Cover the cake and refrigerate for at least 6 hours.
4. Serving:Mix the berries with 5 tablespoons of sugar. Cut the cake into squares, sprinkle with powdered sugar, and place on plates. Add the sugared berries around each piece of cake and top with a dollop of whipped cream.
5. Make The Whipped Cream:In a mixer, beat together the cream, both sugars, creme fraiche, and vanilla until you get a soft, creamy texture. Keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.

How Long Does Tres Leches Cake Need To Soak

You should let your Tres Leches Cake soak in the milk mixture at least for about 6 hours, to let the cake fully absorb the liquid and achieve its signature moist and creamy texture.

Does Tres Leche Cake Need To Be Refrigerated

Yes, Tres Leches Cake needs to be refrigerated for at least 6 hours. This refrigeration time will allow the cake to fully absorb the milk mixture, ensuring a moist and flavorful texture throughout.

How To Decorate A Tres Leches Cake

After making Tres Leches Cake, decorate with whipped cream, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, and a generous topping of mixed fresh berries such as raspberries and sliced strawberries.

For an added touch, you can also use mint leaves or a drizzle of caramel sauce for garnish.

What Frosting Goes With Tres Leches Cake

Whipped cream is the best frosting that goes well with Tres Leches Cake. However, you can use other icings like cream cheese frosting, meringue, or even a light buttercream if you prefer a different texture and flavor.

How Long Can Tres Leches Cake Stay In The Fridge

After making Tres Leches Cake, you can store it in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. Make sure to cover it well with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to stay moist and fresh, and then store it in your fridge.

Can You Freeze Tres Leches Cake

Yes, Tres Leches Cake can be frozen for about a month, but without fresh berries and whipped cream toppings. To freeze it correctly, first, ensure the cake has absorbed all the milk mixture and is fully refrigerated. Then, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Place it in a freezer-safe container or bag and store it in the freezer.

To thaw it, remove the cake from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. Before serving, add the fresh berries and whipped cream toppings.

Tres Leches Cake Nutrition facts

Serving Size: 1 of 12 servings

• Calories: 622
• Total Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Carbohydrates: 85 g
• Dietary Fiber: 8 g
• Sugar: 63 g
• Protein: 11 g
• Cholesterol: 148 mg
• Sodium: 299 mg

Try More Cake Recipes:

• Lemon And Blueberry Cake
• Fig Ricotta Cake
• Blueberry Crumb Cake
• Blueberry Ricotta Cake
• Peach Cake
• Vanilla Cake
• Yellow Cake Recipe
• Lemon Icebox Cake