Tres Leches Cake for Cinco de Mayo

Mexico has a special place in my heart. This is where I and Mark spent our honeymoon in Riviera Maya. The place is gorgeous, and I have been wanting to go back ever since.

We were actually there during Cinco de Mayo, and I was surprised to find out that it is just an American holiday, and they actually celebrate their Independence Day during another time of the year. Maybe y’all already knew that, but I didn’t.

In order to keep the memories alive, I make a tres leches cake every few years around our anniversary which is actually tomorrow. It is also a great timing since Cinco de Mayo is just the next week too.

This recipe is easy to make and is made in 3 different steps. It turns out moist after all since it is a three milk cake so you really can’t mess it up. Now let’s get to baking.

Ingredients:

For the cake:

• 2 cups cake flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup unsalted butter at room temperature
• 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla

For the glaze:

• 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 12 oz can evaporated milk
• 1 cup half and half

For the whipped cream topping:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 ½ tsp vanilla
• Cinnamon to sprinkle on top

Directions:

For the cake:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13”x9” baking dish with cooking oil spray.

In a bowl whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until well combined. Set aside to use later.

Put unsalted butter into mixing bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment. Beat the butter on low to medium until fluffy.

Add the sugar and beat until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Add one egg at a time until all are mixed in thoroughly.

Mix in the vanilla and then pour batter into pan. Bake for about 20 minutes until cake is lightly browned.

Let the cake cool completely and then poke holes in the top of the entire cake using a fork.

For the glaze:

While the cake is cooling, whisk together completely in a bowl the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and half and half.

Once the cake has completely cooled, pour the glaze over the entire cake and let sit overnight or at least for several hours to allow the cake to completely absorb the glaze.

*At first when pouring, it will seem as if there is too much glaze but letting it sit gives the cake time to absorb the glaze.

For the whipped cream topping:

Combine the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a mixing bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment on low to medium speed until stiff peaks are formed.

*Be patient. It will take more than just a few minutes for the peaks to form and make fluffy whipped cream.

Spread the whipped cream over the top of the cake once the glaze has absorbed and sprinkle with cinnamon.

You are now ready to enjoy a delicious and sweet tres leches cake and celebrate good times with family and friends.

Enjoy your Cinco de Mayo party. Come back later this week where I will be sharing some fun tips and crafts to make to decorate for your party too.

 

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