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Strawberry Tres Leches Cake

A cloud-soft sponge cake soaked in three milks, topped with fresh strawberries for a rich yet balanced dessert.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 32 minutes
Total Time 5 hours
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 360

Ingredients
  

For the Sponge Cake
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 5 pieces eggs, separated
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Three-Milk Soak
  • 1 can evaporated milk
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream or whole milk Use heavy cream for richness
For the Strawberry Topping
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced Fresh berries for the best flavor and texture.
  • 2 tbsp sugar Optional for macerating the strawberries.
  • 2 cups whipped cream Freshly made is best.
  • Extra strawberries for garnish

Method
 

Light Sponge Batter
  1. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together first for even distribution.
  2. Beat egg yolks with part of the sugar until pale and thick. Add milk and vanilla, then mix in dry ingredients gently.
  3. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until foamy, then gradually add remaining sugar and beat to stiff peaks.
  4. Fold whites into the yolk mixture carefully in batches to keep as much air as possible.
Baking the Cake
  1. Pour batter into greased pan and level the surface.
  2. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 28–32 minutes until golden and springy.
  3. Let the cake cool until warm, not hot.
Three-Milk Mixture
  1. Whisk evaporated milk, condensed milk, and cream together until smooth.
  2. Mix thoroughly for a rich but balanced soak.
Soaking the Cake
  1. Use a fork or skewer to poke holes all over the cake surface.
  2. Pour the milk mixture slowly across the cake, allowing time for absorption.
Chilling for Perfect Texture
  1. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight for best results.
Strawberry Cream Topping
  1. Whip cream until soft peaks form if making fresh whipped cream.
  2. Spread whipped cream over the chilled cake and top with sliced strawberries.
Serving
  1. Slice with a sharp knife and lift gently using a spatula.
  2. Serve chilled for the best texture.

Notes

Store covered in refrigerator for up to 3 days. This cake often tastes better the second day.