Spiced Guatemalan Coffee-Infused Tres Leches Cake
A moist sponge cake soaked in a blend of three milks and rich Guatemalan coffee with warm spices, topped with whipped cream. This latin american-inspired desserts ready in about 55 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, large, separated 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 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 large, separated 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
- 1/2 cup, cooled Guatemalan brewed coffee
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract for whipped cream
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan. Sift together 1 cup all-purpose flour and 1 1/2 tsp baking powder.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, beat 5 large egg yolks with 1/2 cup granulated sugar on high speed until light yellow and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in 1/3 cup whole milk and 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 3: Gently fold the sifted flour mixture into the egg yolk mixture until just combined.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, beat 5 large egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
- Step 5: Fold the egg whites carefully into the batter in three additions, keeping as much air as possible.
- Step 6: Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
- Step 7: In a bowl, combine 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 1 can evaporated milk, 1/2 cup cooled brewed Guatemalan coffee, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp ground cloves. Mix well.
- Step 8: Poke holes all over the cooled cake using a fork or skewer. Slowly pour the milk mixture evenly over the cake, allowing it to absorb.
- Step 9: Refrigerate cake for at least 4 hours or overnight to soak.
- Step 10: Whip 1 1/2 cups heavy cream with 1/4 cup powdered sugar and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Spread on top of soaked cake before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Guatemalan Coffee-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 Spiced Guatemalan Coffee-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 Spiced Guatemalan Coffee-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 Spiced Guatemalan Coffee-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 Spiced Guatemalan Coffee-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.
