Recipe for Strawberry Tres Leches Cake That Impresses

There’s something truly magical about a dessert that’s moist, creamy, and bursting with fresh fruit flavors. Strawberry Tres Leches Cake is a heavenly twist on the classic Latin American tres leches cake—a sponge cake soaked in three kinds of milk.

The addition of ripe, juicy strawberries adds a refreshing and vibrant touch that takes this dessert to the next level. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply craving a decadent treat, this cake promises to deliver a perfect balance of sweetness and texture.

In this recipe, you’ll learn how to bake a light and airy cake, soak it in a luscious milk mixture, and top it off with a cloud of whipped cream and fresh strawberries. It’s easier than you might think, and I’ll guide you through every step to ensure your cake comes out perfectly every time.

Get ready to impress your family and friends with this delightful strawberry tres leches cake!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This strawberry tres leches cake is a crowd-pleaser for many reasons. First, the cake itself is incredibly moist thanks to the classic tres leches milk soak, which infuses every bite with creamy sweetness without being overly rich.

The fresh strawberries provide a lovely contrast in both flavor and texture, adding a natural tartness and juicy pop that balances the cake’s sweetness. It’s also a visually stunning dessert—the bright red strawberries against a white whipped cream topping make for an irresistible presentation.

Plus, this recipe is flexible! You can easily swap strawberries for other fruits like peaches or raspberries, or add a hint of vanilla or cinnamon to the milk mixture for a unique twist.

If you’re looking for a show-stopping dessert that’s simple yet elegant, this strawberry tres leches cake is the perfect choice.

Ingredients

• For the cake:
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 5 large eggs, separated
• 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
• ⅓ cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• For the tres leches milk soak:
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup whole milk or heavy cream
• For the topping:
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• ¼ cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced

Equipment

• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Mixing bowls (at least two)
• Electric mixer or stand mixer
• Whisk
• Rubber spatula
• Fine mesh sieve (optional, for sifting flour)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Toothpick or skewer (for testing cake doneness)
• Refrigerator space to chill the cake

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your 9×13 inch baking dish lightly with butter or nonstick spray.
2. Prepare the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Separate the eggs. Place the egg whites in a large mixing bowl and the yolks in a separate bowl.
4. Beat the egg yolks. Add ½ cup of granulated sugar to the yolks and beat with an electric mixer on high speed until the mixture becomes pale and thick. Stir in the milk and vanilla extract.
5. Combine the yolk mixture with dry ingredients. Gently fold the flour mixture into the yolk mixture until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the batter light.
6. Beat the egg whites. Using a clean mixer bowl, beat the egg whites on high speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining ½ cup sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
7. Fold egg whites into the batter. Carefully fold the beaten egg whites into the yolk and flour mixture in three batches, using a rubber spatula. This keeps the batter airy.
8. Pour batter into prepared pan. Spread evenly and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Cool the cake. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Then, poke holes all over the cake with a fork or skewer to help the milk soak in better.
10. Prepare the tres leches milk mixture. In a bowl, whisk together evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and whole milk/heavy cream.
11. Pour the milk mixture over the cake. Slowly drizzle the three milk combo over the entire surface of the cake. Refrigerate the cake for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight, so it absorbs all the milk.
12. Make the whipped cream topping. In a chilled bowl, beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
13. Top the cake with whipped cream and strawberries. Spread the whipped cream evenly over the milk-soaked cake. Arrange the sliced fresh strawberries beautifully on top.
14. Serve chilled. Slice and serve this luscious strawberry tres leches cake cold for the best flavor and texture.

Tips & Variations

For best results, use fresh, ripe strawberries to complement the creamy cake. If strawberries aren’t in season, frozen (thawed) berries or other fruits like mango or peaches work wonderfully too.

Tip: If you want a lighter cake, substitute half the whole milk in the soak with almond milk or coconut milk for a subtle twist.

Variation: Add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon or a splash of rum to the milk mixture for a richer flavor profile.

Pro tip: Make sure the cake has cooled completely before pouring the milk mixture on top, or else it may become too soggy.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

This strawberry tres leches cake is a perfect dessert on its own, but you can elevate the experience by pairing it with a few accompaniments.

• Fresh mint leaves: Garnish with a few mint leaves for a refreshing aroma and color contrast.
• Berry compote: Drizzle a homemade berry compote on the side for extra fruity sweetness.
• Espresso or strong coffee: The rich bitterness of coffee pairs beautifully with the sweet, creamy cake.
• Vanilla ice cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside the cake makes for a decadent combo.

Conclusion

Strawberry tres leches cake is a delightful and elegant dessert that brings together the best of creamy sweetness and fresh fruit. Its moist texture and luscious milk soak create a melt-in-your-mouth experience that’s perfect for celebrations or any time you want a special treat.

By following this detailed recipe, you’ll be able to create a stunning cake that looks as good as it tastes.

This recipe is approachable for bakers of all skill levels, and the tips and variations allow you to customize the flavor to your liking. Whether you’re making it for a birthday, holiday, or simply to satisfy a sweet craving, this strawberry tres leches cake is sure to become a favorite in your dessert repertoire.

If you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to check out other delicious cakes like Classic Chocolate Cake, Lemon Poppy Seed Cake, and Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting for more baking inspiration!

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