Recipe: Pastel de Tres Leches

If you like milk and gooey sweets, you'll love this cake. Known as pastel de tres leches (three milk cake), this dessert is a common one throughout Mexico. You'll see it at parties, birthday occasions, anniversaries, get togethers - any time there's a reason to celebrate, there's a chance you'll be served this cake.

It's my favorite cake here in Mexico. Over the years, I've tried a number of recipes at home to try to duplicate the version you often see in stores (most people purchase this cake - not too many make it in their homes). While I have been disappointed with the recipes I've tried in the past, I recently came across one at Food.com that is the closest I've made at home to the bakery version. It's easy, painless, and full of milk. Let's get started:

Here's what you'll need: milk, vegetable oil, eggs, a white cake mix, sugar, flour, vanilla, and baking powder (see below for measurements). Throw them all together in a mixer and mix till combined.


Pour the batter into a 9 x 13 pan and bake at 350F for 45 - 50 minutes.


While the cake is baking, throw together the "three milk" part that gives this cake its name: whipping cream, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk.


Wow, that's a lot of milk! Put the mixture in the fridge - you'll want it cold by the time you need it for the cake.



When the cake is done, pull it out of the oven and let it cool for about 20 minutes.



Then poke holes all over it with a toothpick or knife (I used both). Take the milk mixture out of the fridge and gently pour it over the cake. If it doesn't absorb quickly, add a few more holes to help the milk sink in.


While cake is cooling (or after you pour the milk mixture onto it - it doesn't matter), dump the whipping cream, sugar and vanilla you'll need for the frosting in a mixing bowl.


Beat together until stiff peaks form; then spread over the cake. (You can also just use Cool Whip for this part).

Decorate the cake with strawberries, kiwis, peaches - any fruit you want. Then chill for 2 to 4 hours before serving. Enjoy!

Here's an easier version to print:

Ingredients

For the cake:
5 eggs
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 package white cake mix
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup milk


For the milk mixture:
1 12 oz can evaporated milk
1 14 oz can sweetened condense milk
1 cup heavy whipping cream


For the whipped topping:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla


To prepare:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.

2. In a mixer or mixing bowl, combine the eight ingredients for the cake and mix together. Pour batter into a greased 9 x 13 pan. Bake at 350F for 45-50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

3. While cake is in the oven, combine the three ingredients for the milk mixture. Place mixture in fridge to chill.

4. When cake is done, cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes. During this time, beat together the three ingredients for the whipping topping until stiff peaks form.

5. Once the cake has cooled for 20 minutes, poke holes in it with a toothpick or knife (or both). Carefully pour the milk mixture over the cake.

6. Spread with topping. Garnish with strawberries or desired fruit.