San Antonio-Style Tres Leches Cake with Cinnamon Whipped Cream
A moist sponge cake soaked in three milks and topped with cinnamon-infused whipped cream, inspired by San Antonio’s beloved dessert scene. This mexican-inspired desserts ready in about 60 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, separated 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 400 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
- 5, separated large eggs
- 1 cup, divided granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup heavy cream (for topping)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour and 1 1/2 tsp baking powder; set aside.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, beat 5 large egg yolks with 3/4 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/3 cup whole milk and 1 tsp vanilla extract, then gently fold in the flour mixture until just combined.
- Step 4: In a separate clean bowl, beat 5 large egg whites until soft peaks form; gradually add remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
- Step 5: Carefully fold the egg whites into the batter in three additions, preserving as much air as possible.
- Step 6: Pour batter into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 7: While cake bakes, whisk together 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 1 can evaporated milk, and 1/4 cup heavy cream in a bowl.
- Step 8: Once cake is cooled but still warm, poke holes all over the surface with a fork and slowly pour the milk mixture over the cake, allowing it to soak in.
- Step 9: For the topping, whip 1 cup heavy cream with 2 tbsp powdered sugar and 1 tsp ground cinnamon until soft peaks form.
- Step 10: Spread the cinnamon whipped cream evenly over the soaked cake and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does San Antonio-Style Tres Leches Cake with Cinnamon Whipped Cream take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (25 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 San Antonio-Style 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 San Antonio-Style 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 San Antonio-Style Tres Leches Cake with Cinnamon Whipped Cream 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 San Antonio-Style 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.
