This wonderful dessert has been a big favorite for many years and it's so simple to make!
Tres Leches was born in Central America (real nationality is still on debate :) Impress your guests with something different and.... made with little effort!!
So here's how to put it together!
1 1/2 cups cake flour
5 eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 cup oil
1 pinch salt
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup whole milk
1 can condensed milk
1 can evaporated milk**
1 box of whipping cream.
Alcohol (rum, brandy or Kahlua) if desired.
Whipped cream for topping, if you're planning to make it, you'll need:
1/4 granulated sugar.
1 can/box of whipping cream **
1 Can of fruit or fresh strawberries for topping.
In a large bowl, with a mixer on high speed, beat eggs and sugar until thick and pale yellow, 5 to 6 minutes. In a small bowl, mix flour and baking powder. With mixer on medium speed, gradually add flour mixture in small increments and beat until smooth. Scrape batter into a buttered medium size baking pan.
Bake in a 325° regular oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes.
On the meantime, mix condensed milk, evaporated milk and one can of whipping cream. Add as much alcohol as you'd like. I add around half a cup of alcohol (it gives an amazing taste)!! You can mix this with a spoon and set aside.
When the sponge cake is ready. Place it outside and pinch all the cake with a fork. Pinch it A LOT :) without breaking it. This is done for the sauce to soak inside the cake. Once the cake has cooled down pour the sauce we just made little by little, letting in soak every time.
Now it's time to prepare the whipped cream.
Whip cream until almost stiff. Add sugar and vanilla; beat until cream holds peaks. Spread over top of the cake and decorate with fruit.
** A couple of useful tips!
Before you start the recipe, place the box of whipping cream that you'll use for the topping on the freezer as well as the bowl where it will be prepared. When you're finished beating the cake's ingredients, wash the metal beaters from your mixer and also place them on the freezer. For some reason, the whipped cream will have better results this way.
If you are not able to find evaporated milk (dont confuse this with condensed milk which is easy to find) Simple pour two large glasses of milk in a pot and boil until it reduces by half. Check and move often to avoid spilling of milk. Remove creamy layers that will accumulate on top of the milk. Once it has reduced by half, set on a cup and let it cool; then you'll be ready to use it to prepare the sauce for the cake.
Alcohol is totally optional. I've tried 3 leches without it and it's good as well, but I personally prefer it with alcohol **hiccup** :)
Serves approx. 6 people.
Enjoy!!!
