Description
This Cake Mix Tres Leches Cake is a quick and delicious twist on the classic Latin American dessert. Utilizing a boxed yellow cake mix enhanced with cinnamon, it’s soaked in a luscious blend of three milks—sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and half-and-half—to create a moist, creamy texture. Topped with a fluffy homemade whipped cream and garnished with cherries, this dessert is perfect for celebrations or any occasion needing a delightful, rich cake.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 1 box yellow cake mix (plus ingredients to make cake as per package instructions)
- ¾ tsp cinnamon
Milk Soak
- 1 (14-oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 (12-oz) can evaporated milk
- 1 cup half-and-half
Whipped Cream Topping
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Garnish
- Cherries (for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake: Mix together the yellow cake mix, cinnamon, and the additional ingredients required by the cake mix package. Pour the batter into a greased and floured 9×13 inch baking pan. Bake according to the package directions, generally for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Make and Apply the Milk Soak: While the cake is still hot, mix together the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and half-and-half in a bowl. Using a fork or skewer, poke holes all over the cake to allow the milk mixture to absorb deeply. Slowly pour the milk mixture evenly over the warm cake. Let the cake cool completely, then cover and refrigerate it overnight to allow full absorption and flavor melding.
- Prepare the Whipped Cream Topping and Serve: Just before serving, combine the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl. Whip on high speed for 1-2 minutes until soft peaks form. Spread the whipped cream evenly over the chilled cake. Garnish each slice with a cherry and serve immediately.
Notes
- Using the milk mixture while the cake is still warm helps it soak in better, resulting in a more moist cake.
- Refrigerating overnight is essential for the best texture and flavor.
- Adjust the sweetness of the whipped cream by varying the amount of powdered sugar.
- Cherries can be substituted or omitted based on preference or availability.
- For a stronger cinnamon flavor, you can also dust some cinnamon powder on top of the whipped cream before serving.
