Churro Tres Leches Cake Recipe

If you’re a fan of churros and love the richness of tres leches cake, then this Churro Tres Leches Cake is the ultimate treat you need to try.

This unique twist on the traditional Mexican dessert brings together the crispy, cinnamon-sugar-coated goodness of churros with the moist, decadent texture of a tres leches cake.

The result? A perfect balance of flavors and textures that will have your taste buds dancing with joy.

The Churro Tres Leches Cake is everything you love about churros – that warm cinnamon-sugar coating – combined with the luxurious soak of three milks that make tres leches cake so irresistible. Whether you’re serving it for a special occasion or as an indulgent dessert after a weeknight meal, this cake is sure to impress.

Ingredients List

Cake Ingredients

• 113 g unsalted butter, softened (½ cup / 1 stick / 4 oz)
• ½ cup vegetable oil (125 ml)
• 350 g white granulated sugar (1 ½ cups / 12.3 oz)
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 325 g cake flour (2 ½ cups / 10.4 oz)
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup buttermilk (180 ml)

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (28 g / 0.5 oz)
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons caster sugar or white granulated sugar

Chocolate Ganache

• 125 g dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), finely chopped
• ½ cup thickened cream (heavy cream) (125 ml)

Cinnamon Frosting

• 1 cup milk (250 ml)
• ¼ cup plain flour (all-purpose flour)
• ½ tablespoon vanilla extract
• 225 g unsalted butter, softened (2 sticks / 1 cup / 8 oz)
• 1 cup caster sugar (or white granulated sugar) (200 g / 7 oz)
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Required Kitchen Tools

To make sure your Churro Tres Leches Cake comes out perfectly, having the right kitchen tools is essential. Here are the must-have tools for this recipe:

1. Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer: A stand or hand mixer will make beating the cake batter and frosting much easier. It’s key for getting a light and fluffy cake.
2. 9×13-inch Baking Pan: This size is perfect for the cake and ensures it cooks evenly. Make sure to grease and flour the pan before pouring in the batter.
3. Medium Saucepan: For preparing the cinnamon frosting and the chocolate ganache, you’ll need a small saucepan to heat the milk and cream.
4. Whisk and Spatula: A whisk will help with smoothening the frosting, and a spatula will help you spread it evenly on the cake.
5. Basting Brush: To brush the melted butter and cinnamon sugar on the cake after baking.
6. Cooling Rack: After you finish baking, placing the cake on a cooling rack will prevent it from getting soggy and allows the cake to cool evenly before soaking in the milk mixture.

Cake Preparation: The Perfect Base for Your Churro Tres Leches Cake

Creating the base of this Churro Tres Leches Cake is all about getting the perfect fluffy, flavorful cake that soaks up the three-milk mixture without falling apart. Here’s how to prepare your cake batter for the ideal texture:

Mixing the Cake Batter

1. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
   In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and vegetable oil. Beat in the white sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 2-3 minutes using a stand or hand mixer on medium speed.
2. Add the Eggs and Vanilla:
   Add the eggs, one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract. The mixture should appear smooth and slightly fluffy.
3. Combine the Dry Ingredients:
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the cake flour, ground cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This will ensure that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
4. Add the Dry Ingredients to the Wet Ingredients:
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in 2-3 batches, alternating with the buttermilk. Start by adding ⅓ of the flour mixture, then half of the buttermilk. Repeat until all ingredients are added, finishing with the dry mixture. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix as that can affect the texture of the cake.

Baking the Cake

Cool the Cake:
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire cooling rack. Let it cool completely before soaking with the tres leches milk mixture.

Prepare the Pan:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9×13-inch baking pan, making sure it’s evenly coated so the cake comes out easily after baking.

Bake:
Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan, spreading it out evenly with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should be lightly golden on top.

Tres Leches Milk Soak and Cinnamon Sugar Coating

The magic of a Tres Leches Cake lies in the milky soak that infuses every bite with rich, creamy flavor. In this step, we’ll combine the three milks and drizzle them over the cake, giving it that signature moisture. But before we get into soaking, let’s prepare the cinnamon sugar coating for that classic churro finish!

Preparing the Tres Leches Milk Soak

1. Combine the Three Milks:
   In a medium-sized bowl or jug, combine the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and whole milk. Whisk the mixture until smooth and fully combined. This is your tres leches milk soak – the secret to making the cake incredibly moist and flavorful.
2. Soak the Cake:
   Once your cake has completely cooled, use a fork to gently poke holes all over the surface of the cake. This will help the milk soak in evenly. Slowly pour the tres leches milk mixture over the cake, ensuring every inch of the surface is covered. Be generous – the cake will absorb a lot of the liquid, making it deliciously rich.
3. Let the Cake Soak:
   Let the cake sit for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour, for the milk mixture to fully soak into the cake. You can even prepare it the day before and let it soak overnight in the fridge for maximum flavor.

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

While your cake is soaking, it’s time to prepare the cinnamon sugar coating that gives this cake its churro-inspired flavor.

1. Melt the Butter:
   In a small bowl, melt the unsalted butter in the microwave or on the stovetop until fully melted.
2. Combine the Cinnamon and Sugar:
   In another small bowl, mix together the ground cinnamon and sugar. This will be the coating that adds that warm, sweet churro flavor to the top of the cake.
3. Brush with Cinnamon Butter:
   Once the cake has soaked up the milk mixture, use a basting brush to gently brush the melted butter over the top of the cake. Then, sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the buttered cake. The buttery, sugary layer will add a delicious crunch and flavor that’s reminiscent of churros.

Chocolate Ganache and Cinnamon Frosting

The finishing touches on your Churro Tres Leches Cake are the decadent chocolate ganache and the creamy cinnamon frosting. These elements not only enhance the flavor but also elevate the dessert’s visual appeal.

Preparing the Chocolate Ganache

1. Heat the Cream:
   In a small saucepan, heat the thickened cream over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Keep an eye on it to avoid boiling.
2. Combine with Chocolate:
   Place the finely chopped dark chocolate into a heatproof bowl. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let it sit for about 2-3 minutes to melt the chocolate. Stir until the ganache is smooth and glossy. Let it cool slightly before drizzling over the cake.

Preparing the Cinnamon Frosting

1. Cook the Flour and Milk:
   In a medium saucepan, whisk together the milk and flour over medium heat. Stir constantly to prevent lumps from forming, until the mixture thickens and forms a pudding-like consistency. Once thickened, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let it cool to room temperature.
2. Beat the Butter and Sugar:
   In a separate bowl, beat together the softened butter and sugar using a mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the cooled milk-flour mixture, a little at a time, beating until smooth. Stir in the cinnamon and salt, mixing until everything is well combined.
3. Frost the Cake:
   Once your cake has fully soaked and is coated in cinnamon sugar, spread the cinnamon frosting evenly over the top. You can use a spatula to smooth it out or pipe it decoratively for a more intricate look.

Final Assembly and Serving

1. Drizzle the Ganache:
   Drizzle the slightly cooled chocolate ganache over the frosted cake. You can swirl it gently with a spatula to create a marbled effect or allow it to drip down the sides for a more dramatic presentation.
2. Serve and Enjoy:
   Slice your Churro Tres Leches Cake into squares and serve chilled. It’s perfect as a dessert for special occasions, family gatherings, or any time you want to treat yourself to something indulgent.

Conclusion: A Decadent Dessert That Blends Tradition and Flavor

This Churro Tres Leches Cake is an unforgettable dessert that combines the best elements of two beloved treats. The rich tres leches soak, the cinnamon-sugar coating, and the creamy frosting topped with chocolate ganache make every bite a heavenly experience. Whether you’re a fan of churros, tres leches cake, or both, this recipe is sure to become a new favorite.