Strawberry Tres Leches

Craving a taste of Latin America? Dive into the world of Strawberry Tres Leches cake, a delightful twist on the classic Mexican dessert that’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

This indulgent cake features a light, fluffy sponge soaked in a trio of milks infused with fresh strawberries for a fruity twist.

Ingredients List

Creating a decadent Strawberry Tres Leches requires a few key components to achieve the perfect balance of flavors. Let’s break down the ingredients needed for each element of this delicious cake.

Sponge Cake Ingredients

• 15.25 oz vanilla or strawberry box cake mix
• ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk
• ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup (240 g) sour cream, room temperature

Strawberry Milk Mixture

• ½ pound fresh strawberries, cleaned, hulled and halved
• 1 tablespoon (13 g) granulated sugar
• 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
• 1¼ cups (300 ml) whole milk
• ¼ cup (60 ml) half and half or heavy cream

Topping Ingredients

• 1 cup (240 ml) cold heavy cream
• 2-4 tablespoons granulated sugar, to taste
• 1-2 cups fresh sliced strawberries for garnish

Required Kitchen Tools

When preparing Strawberry Tres Leches cake, having the right kitchen tools can make the process smoother and more enjoyable. Here are the essential tools you will need:

1. 9×13 inch Baking Pan: A rectangular baking pan is essential for creating the perfect depth for your soaked cake.
2. Parchment Paper: To line the pan and ensure easy removal of the cake.
3. Electric Mixer: A hand or stand mixer will help achieve the perfect cake batter and whipped topping.
4. Food Processor or Blender: For pureeing the strawberries into the milk mixture.
5. Mixing Bowls: Various sizes for preparing the different components.
6. Mesh Strainer: To ensure a smooth strawberry milk mixture when pouring over the cake.
7. Wooden Skewer or Fork: For poking holes in the cake to allow the milk mixture to soak in thoroughly.
8. Plastic Wrap: To cover the cake while it soaks in the refrigerator.

Cake Preparation

Preparing the sponge cake for Strawberry Tres Leches is a crucial step in achieving the perfect texture that will absorb the milk mixture without becoming soggy. Follow the steps below to mix the ingredients and bake the cake properly.

Mixing the Cake Batter

To start the cake preparation, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and prepare your baking pan by lightly greasing it and lining the bottom and long sides with parchment paper. This will help with easy removal later.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, whole milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and sour cream. Using an electric mixer, beat these ingredients on medium speed for about 2 minutes until the batter is smooth and well combined.

The sour cream is optional but highly recommended as it adds moisture and richness to the cake, making it more suitable for soaking up the milk mixture.

Baking and Cooling the Cake

Pour the prepared batter into your lined 9×13 inch baking pan, spreading it evenly to ensure uniform baking. Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 28-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached.

Be careful not to overbake, as a slightly moist cake will better absorb the milk mixture. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan until it reaches warm room temperature, approximately 1 hour.

It’s important that the cake is no longer hot but still somewhat warm when you proceed to the next step.

Preparing the Strawberry Milk Mixture

The signature element of this Strawberry Tres Leches cake is the flavorful milk mixture that will soak into every pore of your sponge cake. Follow these steps to create the perfect strawberry-infused milk blend.

Creating the Strawberry Puree

Begin by placing your fresh, hulled, and halved strawberries in a food processor or blender along with 1 tablespoon of sugar. Allow these ingredients to macerate for about 15 minutes, which draws out the juices from the strawberries and intensifies their flavor.

The sugar helps break down the strawberries and enhances their natural sweetness. After macerating, you’ll notice the strawberries have released some of their juice, creating a more flavorful base for your milk mixture.

Blending the Three Milks

After the strawberries have macerated, add the sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, and half and half (or heavy cream) to the food processor or blender. Blend these ingredients together with the strawberries until smooth and well combined. The result should be a vibrant pink mixture with a silky consistency.

Taste the mixture and adjust the sweetness if necessary, although the sweetened condensed milk usually provides ample sweetness. Once satisfied with the flavor, strain the mixture through a mesh strainer to remove any seeds or larger pieces of strawberry, resulting in a smooth milk mixture.

Chill this strawberry milk mixture in the refrigerator for at least an hour before using, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Soaking and Chilling the Cake

Once your cake has cooled and your strawberry milk mixture is ready, it’s time to combine them to create the signature moistness of a Tres Leches cake. This process requires patience but results in that classic, decadent texture.

Preparing the Cake for Soaking

After the cake has cooled for about an hour and is no longer warm to the touch, use a wooden skewer, fork, or the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the surface of the cake. Space the holes about 1/2 inch apart, ensuring they penetrate deeply into the cake but without reaching the bottom.

This step is crucial as it creates channels for the strawberry milk mixture to penetrate throughout the entire cake. The more holes you create, the more evenly the milk will be distributed, resulting in a uniformly moist cake.

Pouring and Absorbing the Milk

Remove your chilled strawberry milk mixture from the refrigerator and give it a quick stir to ensure it’s well mixed. Slowly and evenly pour the mixture over the entire surface of the cake, allowing it to seep into the holes you’ve created.

Pour the mixture through a mesh strainer to ensure a smooth application and to catch any remaining strawberry pieces or seeds. The cake should absorb the milk easily due to the holes.

If you notice pools of milk forming on the surface, pause briefly to allow absorption before continuing to pour. Once all the milk mixture has been added, cover the cake pan tightly with plastic wrap and transfer it to the refrigerator.

Allow the cake to soak and chill for at least 3-4 hours, though overnight soaking (8-12 hours) is highly recommended for the best flavor and texture development.

Topping and Serving

The finishing touches on your Strawberry Tres Leches cake add both visual appeal and complementary flavors to the soaked cake beneath. This final stage transforms your creation into a showstopping dessert.

Whipping the Cream Topping

When you’re ready to serve your strawberry tres leches cake, prepare the whipped cream topping. In a chilled mixing bowl, combine the cold heavy cream and sugar (adjust the amount of sugar according to your taste preference).

Using an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the mixture on low speed for about 1 minute to initially combine the ingredients. Then increase the speed to medium and continue beating for approximately 4-5 minutes, or until the cream forms medium-stiff peaks.

The whipped cream should hold its shape but still have a smooth, spreadable consistency. Be careful not to over-whip, as this can result in a grainy texture.

Decorating and Serving Suggestions

Spread the freshly whipped cream evenly over the top of the chilled cake, creating swirls and peaks for an attractive presentation. Arrange the sliced fresh strawberries on top of the whipped cream in a decorative pattern.

For an extra touch of elegance, you can dust the top with a light sprinkling of powdered sugar or add a drizzle of strawberry sauce. When serving, use a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped clean between cuts to create neat, clean slices.

This cake is best enjoyed cold, directly from the refrigerator. For a restaurant-style presentation, garnish each serving plate with additional fresh strawberry slices and a small dollop of whipped cream on the side.

Storage Instructions

Proper storage is essential to maintain the freshness and quality of your Strawberry Tres Leches cake. With its high moisture content, special care must be taken to preserve both texture and flavor for as long as possible.

How to Keep Strawberry Tres Leches Fresh

After serving, cover any remaining cake tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container before returning it to the refrigerator.

The cake must be refrigerated due to its dairy content and will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. As time passes, the cake will continue to absorb the milk mixture, potentially becoming softer.

The whipped cream topping may also begin to deflate slightly after the first day, but this doesn’t affect the overall taste.

For optimal freshness, consider adding the whipped cream topping and fresh strawberry garnish only to the portion you plan to serve immediately, leaving the rest of the cake with just the soaked base until ready to serve again.

Freezing Strawberry Tres Leches Cake

While Strawberry Tres Leches cake is best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze portions for later enjoyment if necessary. To freeze, cut the cake into individual servings without the whipped cream topping or fresh strawberry garnish.

Wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Label with the date and freeze for up to 1 month. To thaw, transfer the wrapped cake pieces to the refrigerator and allow them to thaw slowly overnight.

Once thawed, add fresh whipped cream and strawberry garnish before serving. Note that the texture of the cake may change slightly after freezing and thawing, but the flavor will remain delicious.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of Strawberry Tres Leches cake opens up a world of delightful possibilities for dessert lovers. This luscious Mexican-inspired treat offers the perfect balance of light, fluffy cake and rich, strawberry-infused milk that creates an unforgettable dining experience.

By following the detailed instructions provided, you can easily recreate this impressive dessert in your own kitchen, whether for a special celebration or a weekend family treat.

The key to success lies in patience—allowing adequate time for the cake to soak in the strawberry milk mixture is essential for developing that signature melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Don’t rush this process, as the overnight soak truly transforms this dessert from good to extraordinary. Remember that quality ingredients, particularly ripe, flavorful strawberries, make all the difference in the final result.