Spiced Coffee Tres Leches Cake with Rum Syrup

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A moist three-milk cake infused with warm spices and drenched in a rum-scented milk syrup for a Puerto Rican dessert twist. This latin american-inspired desserts ready in about 55 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 12, 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.

★ 4.6 (10 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 35 min Serves 12 Latin American cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan. In a medium bowl, sift together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, beat 5 egg yolks with 1/2 cup granulated sugar on medium speed until pale and thick, about 3 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup whole milk, 1/4 cup cooled strong brewed coffee, and 1 tsp vanilla extract.
  3. Step 3: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined.
  4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, beat 5 egg whites with 1/2 cup granulated sugar until stiff peaks form. Fold the egg whites carefully into the batter to maintain volume.
  5. Step 5: Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  6. Step 6: While cake cools, combine 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk, 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk, 1/2 cup heavy cream, and 2 tbsp dark rum in a bowl.
  7. Step 7: When cake is cool, poke holes evenly over the top with a fork and slowly pour the milk mixture over the cake. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to absorb.
  8. Step 8: Before serving, spread 1 cup whipped cream evenly on top and dust with ground cinnamon.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Coffee Tres Leches Cake with Rum Syrup take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 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 Spiced Coffee Tres Leches Cake with Rum Syrup?

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 all-purpose flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Coffee Tres Leches Cake with Rum Syrup?

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 Spiced Coffee Tres Leches Cake with Rum Syrup 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 Spiced Coffee Tres Leches Cake with Rum Syrup?

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.

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