Joanna Gaines Tres Leches Cake Recipe You’ll Love

Joanna Gaines’s tres leches cake unleashes a symphony of sweet decadence that dances across your taste buds.

Milk-saturated sponge layers whisper culinary poetry, transforming simple ingredients into an unforgettable dessert sensation.

Each velvety slice carries echoes of comfort and celebration, beckoning dessert lovers to indulge.

Creamy textures meld with delicate crumbs, creating a luxurious experience that feels both nostalgic and innovative.

Soft, pillowy cake absorbs rich dairy like a delectable sponge, promising pure bliss in every single bite.

Traditional baking techniques blend seamlessly with modern elegance, making this recipe accessible to passionate home cooks.

You’ll fall head over heels for this dreamy confection that elevates ordinary moments into extraordinary memories.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 486 kcal

Servings: 11

Tres Leche Cake Ingredient List from Joanna Gaines

• Flour: Choose unbleached, all-purpose flour for the best texture and consistent results.
• Baking Powder: Select a fresh, aluminum-free baking powder to ensure proper cake rising.

• Butter: Pick high-quality, unsalted butter at room temperature for smooth creaming.
• Sugar: Use granulated white sugar for even sweetness and smooth blending.
• Eggs: Select large, fresh eggs at room temperature for better incorporation.
• Vanilla Extract: Opt for pure vanilla extract with rich, natural flavor.

• Whole Milk: Select full-fat milk for richness and smooth milk mixture.
• Condensed Milk: Choose a smooth, sweetened condensed milk for creamy texture.
• Evaporated Milk: Pick pure, unsweetened evaporated milk for balanced moisture.
• Heavy Cream: Select high-fat content cream for stable, fluffy whipped topping.

Tools Needed for Joanna Gaines’ Tres Leche Cake

• Oven: Standard kitchen oven for baking the cake.
• 23×33 cm / 9×13-inch baking pan: Rectangular pan for cake preparation.
• Medium bowl: For mixing dry ingredients.
• Large mixing bowl: To cream butter and sugar.
• Electric mixer: Helps blend ingredients smoothly and create whipped topping.
• Sifter: Ensures dry ingredients are lump-free.
• Fork: Creates holes in cake for milk absorption.
• Chilled bowl: For whipping cream, keeps mixture cool.
• Toothpick: Checks cake doneness by inserting into center.
• Whisk: Mixes milk ingredients thoroughly.
• Spatula: Helps fold ingredients and spread whipped cream.

Instructions to Bake Joanna Gaines’ Tres Leche Cake

• Kickstart The Oven

Fire up your oven to a cozy 175°C and grab a baking pan. Give it a quick butter and flour massage to keep things from getting sticky.

• Dance With Dry Ingredients

Sift flour and baking powder together in a bowl, creating a light and fluffy base for your cake adventure.

• Whip Up Butter And Sugar

Grab your mixer and transform butter and sugar into a cloud-like mixture that’ll make your cake super silky smooth.

• Welcome Eggs And Flavor

Gently introduce eggs one by one, giving each a thorough beating. Splash in vanilla extract to add a magical flavor punch.

• Blend Everything Together

Softly fold dry ingredients into the creamy mixture, stirring until the batter becomes perfectly smooth and dreamy.

• Bake To Perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and let the oven work its magic for about 30 minutes. Check with a toothpick to ensure it’s baked through.

• Create Milk Magic

Whisk whole milk, condensed milk, and evaporated milk together in a separate bowl, preparing for the cake’s moisture transformation.

• Soak And Absorb

Poke holes all over the cake’s surface with a fork. Slowly drench the cake with the milk mixture, watching it soak up every delicious drop.

• Craft Heavenly Topping

In a chilled bowl, whip heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla until it forms beautiful, sturdy peaks.

• Finish With Flair

Spread the whipped cream generously across the soaked cake, creating a dreamy, cloud-like topping.

• Chill And Delight

Let the cake rest in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. Slice, serve, and enjoy your masterpiece!

Tips & Variations for Tres Leche Cake by Joanna

• Boost Your Baking Success: Expert Tips for Perfect Tres Leches Cake
• Master Milk Absorption: Poke plenty of holes in the cake using a fork to help it soak up the milk mixture evenly. Smaller, more numerous holes create a more consistent and moist texture throughout the cake.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours before serving. This extra time allows the milk mixture to fully penetrate the cake, intensifying its creamy, rich taste.
• Whip Cream Like a Pro: Use a chilled bowl and beaters to create the most stable whipped cream topping. Cold equipment helps the cream whip up faster and hold its shape longer.
• Get Creative with Garnishes: Sprinkle ground cinnamon, add fresh berries, or drizzle chocolate sauce on top to personalize your tres leches cake and add extra layers of flavor.

How to Serve Joanna Gaines’ Tres Leche Cake

• Garnish with Flavor Boosters: Sprinkle ground cinnamon, cocoa powder, or toasted coconut flakes on top of the whipped cream for an extra burst of taste and visual appeal.
• Create Chocolate Drizzle: Melt dark or milk chocolate and drizzle it elegantly over the cake, adding a decadent touch that complements the creamy milk base.
• Pair with Fresh Fruits: Add fresh strawberries, raspberries, or sliced peaches around the cake to introduce a refreshing contrast and bright color to the dessert.
• Serve with Coffee Companion: Enjoy a slice alongside a warm cup of espresso or cappuccino, letting the rich cake and coffee flavors dance together on your palate.

Storage and Prep Advice for Tres Leche Cake

• Preserve Cake Perfection: Store your tres leches cake in an airtight container within the refrigerator for maximum freshness. The creamy texture stays delightful for 3-4 days when kept chilled.
• Prevent Moisture Loss: Cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap to maintain its rich, milky consistency and prevent drying out. Careful wrapping protects the delicate whipped cream topping from absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• Freezing Strategy: Slice the cake before freezing individual portions in sealed freezer bags. Wrap each slice separately to preserve quality, lasting up to 2 months when properly stored. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results.
• Smart Serving Tip: Remove the cake from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to soften and become more vibrant. This brief resting period enhances the cake's creamy texture and brings out its full, delicious potential.

Dreamy Joanna Gaines Tres Leche Cake Recipe

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4.9 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Joanna Gaines’ tres leche cake delights dessert enthusiasts with its rich, creamy texture. Mexican-inspired sweetness meets Southern charm in this moist, milk-soaked delicacy you’ll savor to the last crumb.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 5 eggs
• 1 ½ cups / 360 ml heavy whipping cream
• 1 ½ cups / 180 g all-purpose flour
• 1 cup / 200 g white sugar
• 1 cup / 200 g white sugar
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 (14 oz) / 396 g sweetened condensed milk
• 1 (12 fl oz) / 355 ml evaporated milk
• ½ cup / 113 g unsalted butter
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 175°C / 350°F and thoroughly grease a 23×33 cm / 9×13-inch baking pan with butter and flour to ensure easy release.
2. Dry Ingredients: Sift flour and baking powder together, creating a smooth, lump-free mixture that will contribute to the cake’s delicate texture.
3. Creaming Stage: Utilize an electric mixer to blend butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and develops a pale, airy consistency.
4. Wet Ingredient Integration: Gently introduce eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding vanilla extract to elevate the flavor profile.
5. Batter Formation: Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a uniform, silky batter emerges with no visible lumps.
6. Baking Process: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly, and bake for 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out completely clean.
7. Milk Soak: While the cake cools to room temperature, whisk whole milk, condensed milk, and evaporated milk together to create a rich, creamy liquid.
8. Cake Infusion: Puncture the cake’s surface extensively with a fork, then slowly pour the milk mixture over the cake, ensuring complete and even absorption.
9. Whipped Cream Topping: Chill a mixing bowl, then whip cream, sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff, glossy peaks form, creating a luxurious and smooth covering.
10. Final Presentation: Spread the whipped cream across the milk-soaked cake, cover, and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours to allow flavors to meld and the dessert to set perfectly before serving.

Notes

• Master Milk Absorption: Thoroughly pierce cake surface with fork to create deep channels, ensuring maximum milk mixture penetration for an authentic, moist texture.
• Temperature Precision: Cool cake completely before adding milk mixture to prevent potential soggy or uneven absorption, maintaining ideal cake structure.
• Whipping Cream Technique: Chill mixing bowl beforehand to help cream whip faster and achieve higher, more stable peaks with less effort.
• Flavor Resting Period: Refrigerate cake for minimum 2 hours to allow milk mixture and cream topping to fully integrate, developing rich, harmonious taste profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 486
• Sugar: 62 g
• Sodium: 176 mg
• Fat: 29 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 166 mg