Coconut Rum-Infused Tres Leches Cake
A moist sponge cake soaked with a blend of three milks and a splash of coconut rum for a tropical twist on a Latin American classic dessert. This latin american-inspired desserts ready in about 55 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 5, separated large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1/4 cup coconut rum
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup, for garnish toasted shredded coconut
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, beat 5 egg yolks with 3/4 cup granulated sugar until pale and thick, about 3 minutes. Stir in 1/3 cup whole milk and 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 4: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the egg yolk mixture until just combined.
- Step 5: In a separate clean bowl, beat 5 egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
- Step 6: Fold the egg whites carefully into the batter to maintain airiness.
- Step 7: Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Step 8: In a bowl, whisk together 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk, 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk, 1 cup coconut milk, and 1/4 cup coconut rum.
- Step 9: When cake is cool, poke holes all over the surface with a fork and slowly pour the milk mixture evenly over the cake. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Step 10: Before serving, whip 1 cup heavy cream with 1/4 cup powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Spread whipped cream over cake and garnish with 1/4 cup toasted shredded coconut.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Coconut Rum-Infused Tres Leches Cake take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Coconut Rum-Infused Tres Leches Cake?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Coconut Rum-Infused Tres Leches Cake?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Coconut Rum-Infused Tres Leches Cake for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Coconut Rum-Infused Tres Leches Cake?
Latin American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
