Instant Pot Tres Leches Cake with Cinnamon Whipped Cream
Moist sponge cake soaked in three types of milk, cooked effortlessly in the Instant Pot and topped with spiced cinnamon whipped cream. This mexican-inspired desserts ready in about 50 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, large eggs 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 350 calories and feeds 8, 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
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Step 1: Grease and flour a 7-inch round cake pan that fits inside your Instant Pot. In a medium bowl, whisk 1 cup all-purpose flour with 1 1/2 tsp baking powder and a pinch of salt.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, beat 3 large eggs with 1 cup granulated sugar on high speed until thick and pale, about 5 minutes. Gently fold in dry ingredients alternately with 1/3 cup whole milk and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth.
- Step 3: Pour batter into prepared cake pan and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
- Step 4: Pour 1 1/2 cups water into the Instant Pot inner pot and set trivet inside. Place cake pan on trivet, close lid, and set valve to sealing. Cook on Manual/Pressure Cook high for 30 minutes.
- Step 5: When cooking completes, allow natural release for 10 minutes before quick releasing remaining pressure. Carefully remove cake and cool 10 minutes.
- Step 6: Mix 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk, 1/2 cup evaporated milk, and 1/2 cup heavy cream. Poke holes all over the cake with a fork and slowly pour milk mixture over cake to soak.
- Step 7: In a chilled bowl, whip 1 cup heavy whipping cream with 2 tbsp powdered sugar and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon until stiff peaks form. Spread cinnamon whipped cream over soaked cake and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Instant Pot Tres Leches Cake with Cinnamon Whipped Cream take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 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 Instant Pot Tres Leches Cake with Cinnamon Whipped Cream?
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 Instant Pot Tres Leches Cake with Cinnamon Whipped Cream?
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 Instant Pot Tres Leches Cake with Cinnamon Whipped Cream for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Instant Pot Tres Leches Cake with Cinnamon Whipped Cream?
Mexican 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.
