Pastel de Tres Leches

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A moist cake soaked in three types of milk for a sweet, creamy dessert. This puerto rican-inspired one pot ready in about 80 minutes pairs flour, sugar, baking powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.

Prep: 40 min Cook: 40 min Serves 8 Puerto Rican cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan.
  2. Step 2: Whisk together 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt in a bowl.
  3. Step 3: Add 1/2 cup milk, 2 beaten eggs, and 1/4 cup vegetable oil. Mix until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  5. Step 5: Let the cake cool completely. Drizzle 1 cup whole milk, 1/2 cup evaporated milk, and 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk over the cake. Let soak for 1 hour.
  6. Step 6: Top with 1/2 cup chocolate sauce and serve chilled.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pastel de Tres Leches take to make?

Total time is about 80 minutes (40 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Pastel de Tres Leches?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pastel de Tres Leches?

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 Pastel de Tres Leches 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 Pastel de Tres Leches?

Puerto Rican one pot 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.

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