Tres Leches Cake – Cheater’s Version
Tres Leches or 3-milk cake is one of those cakes that is terrible for you but in spite of knowing it, you cannot put the fork down. It is hard to feel that you are not doing something really BAD as you eat it. Some of my friends think I add some narcotic/alcohol to this cake which is why it feels so good. We might as well call it “crack cake”. Eat too large a piece and I promise you, you will feel hungover.
I enjoy making it primarily because I like hearing my little one call it “Lees Leeches” cake. Ria, my little dessert-fiend LOVES it and behaves quite badly after eating it. This cake is so moist it almost borders on being liquid and that is the beauty of it. As result of this cake, I find almost every other cake I make (Honey Walnut Cake, for example) or eat a tad dry.
My friend Anu, who isn’t even a huge dessert person (there are other reasons to love her) is obsessed with this cake. I came up with this cheater’s version recipe for her. I was out of town and she desperately needed the recipe for a party. Why would I go on vacation with my “Lees Leeches” cake recipe? I recently made the “cheater’s version” for a Margarita Party (that’s a whole other story) and I do not think I am ever going to go through the trouble of making my own cake from scratch. Let Betty Crocker do the heavy lifting.
Anu, this one is for you! 
Tres Leches Cake – Cheater’s Version
makes one 9 X 13 cake
This cake has to be made a day or even more in advance. Don’t even bother to make it if you plan to eat it right away. You have to let the milk permeate the cake and that takes time. Good things come to those who wait.
Ingredients
1 box Betty Crocker Super Moist Yellow Cake Mix (requires eggs, vegetable oil and water to make)
1 can (12 fl. oz) evaporated milk
1 can (14 oz.) condensed milk
1 cup heavy cream
Whipped cream – out of the aerosol can (fun!)
Method
- Bake cake per directions on box
- Cool slightly and make holes all over cake with a wooden skewer, about 1 inch apart. This makes for an ugly cake but that is what the whipped cream is for – to conceal the holes. Frosting does the trick as well but we prefer whipped cream
- Mix all three milks in a bowl
- Cool completely and pour by the half-cup full, the milk mixture all over the cake. Allow to sit 10 minutes or so. Add next half cupful. This takes a while but is necessary to achieve a moist cake. Repeat till all the milk mixture is used up
- Refrigerate and eat the next day and beyond!
Good entry I was recently looking for this at home yesterday. Thanks again
This cake is a SIN! Like you said, I am not a desserts person, but this cake hits spots I didn’t know food could
Thank You for this and do you know that this is one recipe I have tried making. That was the “off the top of your head” recipe you gave me over the phone and I was dishing out, the cake & the recipe, to everyone at the party. It was a hit and it wasn’t even as good as yours!
I think the trick is to be patient with pouring the milks into the cake…it takes a while but is totally worth it! Make it again for the housewarming perhaps?
Really? There is a method to pouring in the liquids? I think I just dumped it all in thinking it just needs to absorb it all.
It’s looks so good! my mouth is watering!!!!
mmmmm I am totally craving tres leches cake now. Thank you so much for this cheat recipe!
Tres leches cake is such a delicious dessert, your looks lovely.
holy cow! this looks AMAZING! I wish you could fed ex a slice to my house (assuming you and your little ones didnt devour it in 1 minute)!
great post!
It looks seriously sinful. I wish I could find a way to make dulce de leche low carb, but I think it’s just not going to happen!
Sometimes you must take shortcuts. I recently bought a cake mix at trader joes and I cannot WAIT to use it! I wish someone would hurry up and have a birthday.
Your cake looks devilishly delicious.
Make the cake and send some to Stacie and me
– the kids are always ready to “pretend” that it is their b’day!
This looks right up my alley. I am not a great baker so using the cake mix is perfect. But yeah only problem will be to put the fork down.
Chandani – you must try this! Make it for a party so you don’t eat it all yourself!
I’m all for the “cheater’s version” of anything! This looks delicious!
I am a huge dessert fan, but I don’t like chocolatey cakes. Condensed milk is just one of those sweet ingredients I gravitate towards. I will definitely try this one out (and feel bad with every bite).
oh my this cake looks really delish! wish i had a slice right about now:) great job!
I made this for my husband’s birthday last night, everyone loved it, it was delicious! So easy, and with outstanding results, this is definitely a keeper. Thank you!
Pingback: Weekend Baking: Angel Food Cake with Fresh Summer Berry Sauce « A Little Yumminess
Looking up ingredients walking to the grocery shop – this is now my signature dish after my failed attempt at mayo free jalapeño coleslaw for the last party…