Irresistible Homemade Tres Leches Poke Cake
A creamy, moist Tres Leches Poke Cake that combines the softness of sponge cake with a luscious milk soak, perfect for any occasion and easy to make.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours (including chilling time)
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour – 1 ½ cups (190g)
- Baking powder – 1 ½ teaspoons
- Salt – ¼ teaspoon
- Unsalted butter – ½ cup (113g), softened
- Granulated sugar – 1 cup (200g)
- Large eggs – 3, room temperature
- Pure vanilla extract – 2 teaspoons
- Whole milk – ½ cup (120ml)
- Sweetened condensed milk – 1 cup (240ml)
- Evaporated milk – 1 cup (240ml)
- Whole milk – 1 cup (240ml)
- Heavy cream – 1 cup (240ml), cold
- Powdered sugar – ¼ cup (30g)
- Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon
- Optional garnishes: Ground cinnamon, fresh berries or sliced strawberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with butter or nonstick spray and dust with flour.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until fluffy and pale, about 3-4 minutes.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry flour mixture in three parts, alternating with ½ cup whole milk, starting and ending with flour. Mix on low speed just until combined.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool cake completely on a cooling rack. Poke holes about 1 inch apart all over the cake using a toothpick or skewer.
- Whisk together sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and whole milk. Pour evenly over the cake and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Beat cold heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Spread gently over soaked cake.
- Garnish with ground cinnamon and/or fresh berries. Slice with a sharp knife dipped in hot water and serve chilled.
Notes
Use room temperature ingredients for better mixing. Do not overmix the batter to avoid toughness. Poke holes evenly about 1 inch apart for best milk absorption. Let the cake soak overnight for maximum flavor and moisture. Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water for clean slices. If cake feels too wet, serve chilled with a sturdy spatula.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12th of c
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 30
- Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Protein: 6
Keywords: Tres Leches Cake, Poke Cake, Homemade Dessert, Moist Cake, Easy Cake Recipe, Creamy Cake, Milk Soaked Cake