Traditional Tres Leches Cake with Cinnamon Whipped Cream
A moist sponge cake soaked in three kinds of milk and topped with cinnamon-spiced whipped cream, a beloved Mexican dessert classic. This mexican-inspired desserts ready in about 50 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt 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
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 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 whipping cream
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, beat 5 egg yolks with 1/2 cup granulated sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in 1/3 cup whole milk and 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 3: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the yolk mixture until just combined.
- Step 4: In a separate clean bowl, beat 5 egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
- Step 5: Carefully fold the egg whites into the batter in three additions, preserving the airiness.
- Step 6: Pour batter into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 7: While cake bakes, whisk together 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk, 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk, and 1/4 cup heavy cream.
- Step 8: When cake is done, let cool for 10 minutes, then poke the surface all over with a fork and slowly pour the milk mixture evenly over the cake. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to soak.
- Step 9: To make cinnamon whipped cream, beat 1 cup heavy whipping cream with 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon and 2 tbsp powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.
- Step 10: Spread whipped cream over soaked cake before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Traditional 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 Traditional 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 Traditional 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 Traditional 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 Traditional 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.
