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+ servings

Milk Cake Recipe

Soft, creamy, and irresistibly moist, this milk cake is a dreamy dessert soaked in three types of milk and finished with fluffy whipped cream. It’s the kind of treat that feels comforting and luxurious in every bite.
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Latin American
Keyword: Milk Cake Recipe
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time:: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Calories: 280kcal

Ingredients

Cake:

  • 6 large eggs separated
  • 1 cup white granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Tres Leches Mixture:

  • 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 12-ounce can evaporated milk
  • 1/2 cup whole milk

Topping:

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar sifted
  • Pinch of kosher salt

Instructions

To Make the Tres Leches Sponge Cake:

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Set it aside while you prepare the batter.
  • In a medium-sized mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and kosher salt. Give it a quick whisk to evenly combine the dry ingredients and set the bowl aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the egg yolks and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until the mixture becomes pale and thick, nearly doubling in volume. Once it reaches this airy texture, add in the vanilla extract and whole milk, mixing on low just until everything is smoothly incorporated. Gently fold this yolk mixture into the prepared dry ingredients, being careful not to overmix.
  • Thoroughly wash and dry the mixing bowl before whipping the egg whites—any trace of yolk or moisture will hinder their rise. Switch to the whisk attachment and whip the egg whites on high speed until stiff peaks form, which should take about 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Working in two additions, gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter. Take care not to deflate the mixture; use sweeping, gentle motions until no streaks of white remain.
  • Pour the finished batter into your greased baking pan, smoothing out the surface evenly. Bake in the center rack for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for about 30 minutes.

To Assemble + Topping:

  • In a large liquid measuring cup or mixing bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and whole milk until fully blended.
  • Once the cake has cooled slightly, use a fork to poke holes all across the surface—aim for about 20 evenly spaced punctures to help the milk mixture fully seep in. Slowly pour the milk blend over the cake, allowing it to saturate completely. It may look like too much at first, but the sponge will absorb it gradually. Transfer the cake to the refrigerator and let it chill for at least 2 to 3 hours, though overnight soaking yields the best texture.
  • When you're ready to serve, prepare the whipped cream topping. In a mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream, sifted powdered sugar, and a pinch of salt using an electric hand mixer until soft peaks form. The whipped topping should hold its shape but still be fluffy and spreadable. Spoon or pipe the whipped cream over the chilled cake.
  • If desired, lightly dust the top with ground cinnamon before slicing and serving. This cake keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 280kcal
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