If you’re craving a dessert that’s indulgent, moist, and bursting with fresh flavor, look no further than this Strawberry Tres Leches Cake. This Latin-inspired treat combines a light and fluffy cake soaked in three types of milk, creating a rich and creamy texture.
Topped with fresh strawberries and whipped cream, it’s a perfect dessert for any occasion—from birthdays to summer gatherings. Plus, it’s easy to make with simple ingredients, but it feels truly special with its layers of flavor.
Ingredients List
Cake Ingredients:
To start, you’ll need the following ingredients for the cake:
- 15.25 oz vanilla or French vanilla cake mix
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup oil
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
These ingredients create the base for your tres leches cake. The sour cream adds a touch of tang and moisture, helping to make the cake incredibly tender.
Tres Leche Topping Ingredients:
This is the part where the cake gets its signature flavor! You’ll need:
- ¾ cup sweetened condensed milk
- ¾ cup evaporated milk
- ¾ cup half and half
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ½ lb fresh strawberries (stem removed)
These three milks (condensed, evaporated, and half and half) soak into the cake, giving it its creamy texture. The strawberries add a fresh sweetness that balances the richness of the milk mixture.
Whipped Topping Ingredients:
To finish off your tres leches cake, we’ll top it with a fluffy, sweet whipped cream topping. For this, you’ll need:
- 3 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ lb fresh strawberries (stem removed and chopped)
This whipped cream topping is light yet sweet, making it the perfect complement to the rich, soaked cake and fresh strawberries.
Required Kitchen Tools
Before you dive into making this delicious Strawberry Tres Leches Cake, here are the tools you’ll need:
- Mixing Bowls: For combining your cake ingredients and the tres leches soaking liquid.
- Electric Mixer: To make the cake batter light and fluffy, you’ll want to use a stand mixer or hand mixer.
- 9×13-inch Baking Pan: The ideal size for this cake, ensuring it bakes evenly.
- Piping Bag (optional): If you want to decorate the top of your cake with a more precise whipped cream design.
- Whisk: For mixing your whipped cream topping.
- Knife and Cutting Board: To chop the fresh strawberries for the topping.
Having these tools on hand will help you achieve the perfect texture and presentation for your cake.
Cake Preparation
The first step in making this Strawberry Tres Leches Cake is to prepare the cake itself. The key to a successful tres leches cake is the texture of the cake before it soaks up the milk mixture. Follow these easy steps:
Mixing the Cake Batter
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your 9×13-inch baking pan. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, milk, oil, eggs, and sour cream. Using an electric mixer, beat the ingredients together on medium speed for about 2 minutes, until the batter is smooth and well-combined. The sour cream will help make the cake extra moist and soft.
Baking the Cake
Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, let the cake cool completely in the pan. You want it to be room temperature before adding the tres leches soaking liquid.
Tres Leches Soaking Mixture
Now that your cake has cooled, it’s time for the signature part of this dessert: the tres leches soaking liquid. This is what makes a traditional tres leches cake so unique—it’s what gives it that rich, moist texture that everyone loves. Here’s how to prepare it:
Mixing the Tres Leches Liquid
In a medium bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and half and half until well combined. Stir in the granulated sugar to add just a touch of sweetness. Once everything is mixed, you’ll have a creamy, luscious liquid that will soak into your cake.
Soaking the Cake
Now comes the fun part! Using a fork or skewer, poke holes all over the top of the cooled cake. This allows the tres leches mixture to really soak in and saturate the cake. Slowly pour the tres leches liquid over the entire cake, making sure to evenly distribute it. Be generous with the soaking—it might look like a lot, but it will be absorbed into the cake, giving it that iconic moist texture.
Once the cake has absorbed the liquid (this should take about 10-15 minutes), you can move on to the next step: the whipped topping.
Whipped Cream Topping
The final layer of this Strawberry Tres Leches Cake is the sweet, fluffy whipped cream topping. It balances the richness of the soaked cake and adds a light, airy texture to each bite.
Whipping the Cream
In a large mixing bowl, pour in the heavy whipping cream. Using an electric mixer, beat the cream on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. This should take about 3-5 minutes. Once the peaks form, gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form. The whipped cream should be light, airy, and smooth.
Decorating the Cake
Once your whipped cream is ready, gently spread it over the top of the soaked cake using a spatula. You can either spread it evenly across the surface or pipe it in decorative swirls if you’re looking for a more elegant presentation.
Adding the Fresh Strawberries
For a pop of color and sweetness, chop the fresh strawberries into small pieces and scatter them generously over the whipped cream. These fresh strawberries not only look beautiful but also provide a juicy burst of flavor that complements the creamy cake perfectly.
Serving and Storing Your Strawberry Tres Leches Cake
Serving Suggestions
Now that your Strawberry Tres Leches Cake is beautifully assembled, it’s time to enjoy it! This dessert is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a family dinner, a potluck, or a special celebration. Here are some tips for serving and enjoying your cake:
- Chill Before Serving: While you can serve the cake immediately, it’s best to let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving. This helps the flavors meld together and makes the cake even more refreshing.
- Portioning: Use a sharp knife to cut into the cake. Since the cake is moist, a serrated knife works best to prevent any tearing. Cut into squares or rectangles for easy serving.
- Garnishing: For an extra touch of elegance, you can garnish each serving with additional whole or sliced strawberries, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, or even a drizzle of chocolate syrup. This adds a bit of extra flair and makes each slice look even more tempting.
Perfect Pairings
This Strawberry Tres Leches Cake is a showstopper on its own, but here are a few ideas for drinks and side dishes that pair well with it:
- Iced Tea: A glass of sweetened iced tea, or even a fruity iced tea, complements the richness of the cake without overpowering it.
- Coffee or Espresso: The creamy texture of the cake balances wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, espresso, or cappuccino—ideal for a dessert after dinner.
- Fresh Fruit: Serve with a side of extra fresh fruit, like sliced kiwi, mango, or citrus, to balance out the sweetness of the cake.
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover cake, don’t worry—it stays delicious for days! Here’s how to store your Strawberry Tres Leches Cake:
- Refrigeration: Keep the cake in an airtight container or cover the baking pan tightly with plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The cool temperature will help preserve the whipped cream and keep the cake from getting too soggy.
- Freezing: If you want to store the cake for a longer period, you can freeze it. Slice the cake into portions, wrap each slice in plastic wrap, and then place it in a freezer-safe bag. It can be frozen for up to 1 month. To thaw, simply place it in the refrigerator overnight or leave it at room temperature for a few hours.
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Tres Leches Cake
This Strawberry Tres Leches Cake is a true crowd-pleaser that combines the best of light, fluffy cake, creamy milk soaking liquid, and fresh, sweet strawberries. It’s an unforgettable dessert that’s sure to impress your guests or satisfy your sweet tooth. The recipe is straightforward and easy to follow, yet it looks and tastes like something you’d find at a fancy bakery.
The combination of the moist, milk-soaked cake and the light whipped topping is simply irresistible, and the fresh strawberries add a refreshing contrast to the richness. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just craving a sweet treat, this cake is perfect for any time of year. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile—try it with other fruits like blueberries, raspberries, or peaches for a different twist on the classic.
Conclusion
This Strawberry Tres Leches Cake is the ultimate indulgence—perfectly moist, creamy, and packed with fresh strawberry flavor. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or simply to satisfy a sweet craving, this cake will undoubtedly impress everyone who tries it. The layers of soft cake, tres leches soaking mixture, whipped cream, and juicy strawberries create a delightful contrast in every bite.
