Tres Leches

Name: Tres Leches
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: Costa Rican
Ingredients: 5 eggs; 1 cup sugar; 1.5 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking powder; 1/3 cup whole milk; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 can (400ml) evaporated milk; 1 can (400ml) sweetened condensed milk; 1 cup heavy cream; Whipped cream for topping; Ground cinnamon for garnish

Tres Leches (trehs LEH-chehs)

Three Milks Cake

⏱ Prep Time 20 min

📈 Difficulty Medium

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 376 kcal

A supremely moist sponge cake soaked in three types of milk — evaporated, condensed, and heavy cream — topped with fluffy meringue or whipped cream.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 6.0g

Carbs 52.0g

Fat 16.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ dairy ⚠ eggs ⚠ gluten

Equipment Needed

9x13 baking pan electric mixer mixing bowls

Presentation Guide

Vessel: rectangular slice on plate

Garnishes: whipped cream, cinnamon dust, cherry

Accompaniments: coffee

Ingredients

5 eggs
1 cup sugar
1.5 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/3 cup whole milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 can (400ml) evaporated milk
1 can (400ml) sweetened condensed milk
1 cup heavy cream
Whipped cream for topping
Ground cinnamon for garnish

Instructions

1
Beat eggs and sugar until pale and tripled in volume, about 8 min. Fold in flour, baking powder, milk, and vanilla.
2
Pour into a greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 175C for 25-30 min until golden and a toothpick comes clean.
3
Mix evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream. Let cake cool 10 min.
4
Poke holes all over the cake with a fork. Pour milk mixture slowly and evenly over the cake.
5
Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight to fully absorb.
6
Top with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon before serving.

💡

Did You Know?

In Costa Rica, no birthday party is complete without tres leches — it has largely replaced traditional birthday cakes in popularity.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

9x13 baking pan
electric mixer
mixing bowls

Garnishing

whipped cream, cinnamon dust, cherry

Accompaniments

coffee

The Story Behind Tres Leches

Tres leches became wildly popular across Latin America in the 20th century, with each country claiming its own version. In Costa Rica, it is the default celebration cake — birthdays, graduations, and holidays all feature tres leches. The Tico version tends to be especially soaked, almost pudding-like, reflecting the local preference for intensely moist desserts.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed celebrations and dessert 📜 Origins: 20th century Latin America

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