By Aditi
February 1, 2026
Tres leches cake is light, airy, and dipped in a rich three-milk mixture. It is a classic dessert that appears to be fancy but can be prepared with simple pantry ingredients.
For the Cake 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder ¼ tsp salt 5 large eggs (separated) 1 cup sugar (¾ cup + ¼ cup) ⅓ cup milk 1 tsp vanilla extract For the Milk Soak 1 cup full-fat milk ½ cup sweetened condensed milk ½ cup evaporated milk For Topping 1 cup whipping cream 2 tbsp powdered sugar ½ tsp vanilla extract
Preheat the oven to 180°C. In a mixing bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together. Keep them aside so that the batter remains light and lump-free.
Beat egg yolks with ¾ cup sugar until pale in colour and thick. Mix in milk and vanilla to make a smooth, rich yellow base.
Separately, whip egg whites until soft peaks form. Now, slowly add the remaining sugar and beat until it turns glossy.
Add the egg whites to the yolk mixture. Now, add the dry ingredients in small batches carefully to maintain the airy and spongy texture.
In a greased pan, bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. Check by inserting the toothpick; if it comes out clean, it is baked. Let the cake cool down a bit, then poke holes all over it.
Lastly, mix all three milks and pour slowly over the cake. Keep it in the refrigerator for about 3–4 hours, then top with whipped cream before slicing and serving.