There’s something magical about the blend of pumpkin and rich, creamy milk-soaked cake that makes Pumpkin Tres Leche Cake the perfect dessert to enjoy during the fall season.
This unique twist on the classic tres leches cake combines the warmth of cinnamon and spices with the indulgence of three different types of milk, creating a moist, decadent treat that’s impossible to resist.
Whether you’re hosting a fall gathering, preparing for Thanksgiving, or simply craving something sweet, this Pumpkin Tres Leche Cake is sure to impress. Let’s dive into this delicious recipe that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Ingredients List
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 cup sugar
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups pumpkin puree (one 15-ounce can)
- 4 large eggs (at room temperature)
- 12 ounces evaporated milk
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- ¾ cup half-and-half
For the Spiced Cream:
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- A splash of vanilla extract
Required Kitchen Tools
Before you get started, make sure you have the right tools to create this pumpkin-flavored delight:
- Mixing Bowls: You’ll need a large mixing bowl for combining dry ingredients and another for the wet ingredients.
- Electric Mixer or Whisk: To ensure the batter is smooth and well-mixed, either a hand mixer or stand mixer will be your best friend.
- 9×13-inch Baking Dish: This size is ideal for a uniform cake that will soak up all that creamy milk mixture.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are key to making this cake just right, so be sure to have a good set of measuring tools on hand.
- Cake Tester or Toothpick: Use this to check for doneness by inserting it into the center of the cake; it should come out clean when the cake is done baking.
Having these tools ready will ensure your Pumpkin Tres Leche Cake comes out perfectly every time!
Cake Preparation
Making the perfect Pumpkin Tres Leche Cake begins with preparing a moist, flavorful base. The spiced pumpkin cake is the perfect foundation for soaking up all the milk mixture, and this step is crucial for achieving that melt-in-your-mouth texture. Follow these steps to create a delicious cake that’s full of fall flavors!
Mixing the Dry Ingredients
Start by combining the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger). Whisk everything together to ensure the spices are evenly distributed throughout the flour. This step is key to making sure every bite of cake is full of warm, aromatic flavor.
Mixing the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth. Then, add the pumpkin puree, mixing it in until fully incorporated. Next, crack the eggs into the wet mixture, adding them one at a time, ensuring they are fully beaten in before adding the next one. This process will help create a fluffy, light cake texture.
Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients
Once your wet and dry ingredients are prepared, slowly add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir gently to avoid overmixing, which can cause the cake to become dense. Use a spatula or hand mixer to combine the ingredients until the batter is smooth and creamy.
Baking the Cake
Now that the batter is ready, it’s time to bake the Pumpkin Tres Leche Cake to perfection. Baking the cake properly is essential to ensuring it soaks up the three milk mixture without falling apart. Here’s how to get it just right.
Preparing the Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your 9×13-inch baking dish with a little butter or cooking spray, then lightly dust it with flour. This will help ensure the cake comes out of the dish easily once it’s baked.
Pouring the Batter and Baking
Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Tap the dish gently on the counter to remove any air bubbles. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should be golden brown on top and spring back when lightly touched.
Letting the Cake Cool
Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. This helps prevent the cake from falling apart when you pour the milk mixture over it. After 10 minutes, carefully poke holes all over the top of the cake using a fork or a skewer. This is important because it allows the milk mixture to soak in more evenly, ensuring a moist and flavorful texture.
Soaking the Cake & Preparing the Spiced Cream
Now for the magic part: the tres leches milk mixture. This is where the pumpkin cake becomes irresistibly moist and flavorful, soaking up a blend of three creamy milk varieties. After the cake cools and is poked with holes, it’s time to give it a luxurious milk bath!
Preparing the Tres Leches Milk Mixture
In a medium bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and half-and-half. This combination of milks will create the signature rich, creamy flavor that makes tres leches cake so beloved. Once the ingredients are well mixed, slowly pour the mixture evenly over the cooled cake. Make sure to cover the entire surface, allowing the cake to soak up as much of the milk as possible. You may need to gently press down on the cake to help the liquid soak in.
Letting the Cake Absorb the Milk
Once the milk mixture has been poured over the cake, cover it with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Refrigerate the cake for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. This soaking time allows the cake to absorb the three milks fully, making it incredibly moist and flavorful.
Topping the Cake with Spiced Whipped Cream
The final step in creating the perfect Pumpkin Tres Leche Cake is topping it with a rich and spiced whipped cream. This will add a light and airy contrast to the dense, moist cake, and enhance the overall flavor with a subtle cinnamon kick.
Whipping the Cream
In a chilled mixing bowl, combine the heavy whipping cream, sugar, cinnamon, and a splash of vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer, beat the cream on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. The whipped cream should be smooth, fluffy, and able to hold its shape when piped or spread on top of the cake.
Assembling the Cake
Once the cake has soaked up the milk mixture and is chilled, spread the spiced whipped cream over the top of the cake. You can use an offset spatula to smooth it out evenly or pipe it into decorative swirls for a more elegant look.
Serving and Storing the Cake
How to Serve
Serve your Pumpkin Tres Leche Cake chilled, sliced into squares. The spiced whipped cream adds the perfect finishing touch, while the cake remains soft, creamy, and full of autumnal flavors. This dessert pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee or spiced cider, making it the ultimate treat for fall gatherings.
Storage Instructions
To keep your Pumpkin Tres Leche Cake fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The cake will continue to absorb the milk mixture as it sits, making it even more moist and flavorful over time.
Conclusion
This Pumpkin Tres Leche Cake is the perfect dessert to celebrate the flavors of fall while enjoying the rich, creamy texture of a traditional tres leches cake. With its pumpkin-spiced base and decadent milk soak, it’s a dessert that everyone will adore. Whether you’re sharing it with family or serving it at a fall gathering, this cake is sure to be a hit. Don’t forget to top it with that delicious spiced whipped cream for an extra indulgent finish. Enjoy!
