Best Tres Leches Cake Recipe

A Latin American favourite that's summertime perfection!

© Mary Luz Mejia

Tres Leches Cake, James Murdoch
This cake is a favourite in my house and after trying out various recipes, this adaptation is by far the best version to date. From my kitchen to yours, buen provecho!

The first time I sampled a piece of Pastel de Tres Leches (or three milk cake in Spanish); I was at Iliana Ros-Lehtinen’s home in south Miami. Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, a Cuban-American politician, was being featured for a profile TV series that I was directing and it just so happened that it was one of her family member’s birthdays the day of our film shoot. She graciously cut all of the crew members a piece of this spongy, delectable cake, oozing a sweet, wonderful “milk.” That was my introduction to this Latin American favourite that a few cultures like to claim as “their own.” This cake has become such a hit in the US (and to a lesser extent here in Canada) that Martha Stewart even crafted a version of the timeless cake. It’s no longer a trend, it’s a timeless favourite amongst Latinos and non-Latinos alike.

Theories abound as to how it was first introduced, which is interesting because I had no idea its origins were debatable. Some claim the cake’s origins began in Mexico, while others argue that it was perfected in Nicaragua and later adopted by Cuba. Another theory posits that in order to get Latin American housewives to use evaporated milk, a canned goods company crafted the recipe and hence the popularity of the cake. Whatever theory you’re partial to, the important thing is that you try this wonderful cake. Today, there are as many adaptations as there are cake recipes- some use coconut milk, others melted chocolate or cajeta (Mexico’s answer to dulce de leche- the most amazing spreadable caramel ever).

I took a cooking class in Cuzco, Peru years ago when I was on a job there- and while the cake was lovely, the recipe didn't produce the light-as-air sponge-like texture necessary to soak up all of the delicious milk syrup. This recipe however, adapted from The Cocina Cubana Club (by Pascual Perez and Sonia Martinez) has become a household staple at my place- and for good reason. Try it and taste for yourselves!

Pastel de Tres Leches

This version serves 10 generous portions.

CAKE:1 cup sugar

MILK SYRUP:

GARNISHES:


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Tres Leches Cake, James Murdoch
       



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