Tres Leches Ecuatoriano

Name: Tres Leches Ecuatoriano
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: Ecuadorian
Ingredients: 5 eggs; 1 cup sugar; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 can (400ml) evaporated milk; 1 can (400ml) condensed milk; 1 cup heavy cream; 3 egg whites; 1/2 cup sugar for meringue; Cinnamon for dusting

Torta de Tres Leches (TREHS LEH-chehs)

Ecuadorian Three-Milk Cake

⏱ Prep Time 30 min

📈 Difficulty Medium

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 384 kcal

A soaked sponge cake drenched in three milks (evaporated, condensed, and cream), topped with meringue — Ecuador's most popular celebration dessert.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 8.0g

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 oven

Presentation Guide

Vessel: rectangular platter

Garnishes: cinnamon dust, cherry

Ingredients

5 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 can (400ml) evaporated milk
1 can (400ml) condensed milk
1 cup heavy cream
3 egg whites
1/2 cup sugar for meringue
Cinnamon for dusting

Instructions

1
Beat eggs and sugar until pale and tripled in volume, about 8 min.
2
Gently fold in flour and vanilla. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan.
3
Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 25-30 min until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
4
Mix evaporated milk, condensed milk, and cream. Pour slowly over the warm cake.
5
Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight until fully absorbed.
6
Make meringue with egg whites and sugar. Spread on top. Dust with cinnamon.

💡

Did You Know?

No Ecuadorian birthday party is complete without tres leches cake — bakeries receive hundreds of orders on weekends, making it the country's most produced cake.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

9x13 baking pan
electric mixer
oven

Garnishing

cinnamon dust, cherry

The Story Behind Tres Leches Ecuatoriano

Tres leches cake became wildly popular across Latin America in the late 20th century, with each country claiming its own version. Ecuador's version is distinguished by its extremely moist texture and generous meringue topping. It displaced traditional cakes to become the default birthday and celebration dessert in homes and bakeries nationwide.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed birthdays and celebrations 📜 Origins: 20th century Latin American tradition

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