Pastel de Tres Leches – Three-Milk Cake ~ Daring Baker’ September 2013 Challenge

Pastel de Tres Leches or Three milk cake was on my do list for quite some time and I even bought all the ingredients once too… But somehow I was never able to make it …. When this month’s Daring Bakers’ challenge was announced I did not want to miss the opportunity to make this cake. I did not add fruits to the cake layers, just decorated the cake with some raspberries. If you want you can add fruits like peaches, mangoes, berries or cherries. I really enjoyed this month’s challenge and will definitely make this cake again!

This recipe slightly adapted from an interview given by one of Mexico's best Pastry Chefs; Paulina Abascal to the magazine Revista Secretos de la Pastelería Caserais it produces a super moist yet light Tres Leches.

Pastel de Tres Leches– Three-Milk Cake is a super moist, light, airy and super delicious sponge cake soaked in the three kinds of milk (evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream). Tres Leches is a very light cake (especially if made without butter), with many air bubbles in its crumb. This distinct texture is why it does not have a soggy consistency, despite being soaked in a mixture of three types of milk.

Inma was our Sept. 2013 Daring Bakers’ hostess and WOW did she bring us something decadent and delicious! Pastel de Tres Leches or Three Milk Cake, creamy yet airy, super moist but not soggy.. just plain delish!

Classic Three Milks Cake / Pastel de Tres Leches / Tres Leches Cake

Servings: 12

Ingredients for the vanilla sponge cake

5 large eggs (separated)

½ cup (120 ml) (4 oz) (125 gm) sugar

2 teaspoons (10 ml) of vanilla extract

1 cup (240 ml) (5 oz) (140gm) all-purpose (plain) flour (sifted)

For three milks syrup

1 can (14 oz) (400 gm) sweetened condensed milk

1 can (12 oz) (340 gm) evaporated milk

1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream (about 35% fat) or 1 cup of half & half or 1 cup milk

1 cinnamon stick

2 teaspoons (10 ml) rum (or other flavoring)

Topping and filling

2 cups (500 ml) of whipping cream (about 30% fat)

½ cup (120 ml) (4 oz) (125 gm) sugar

Canned or fresh fruit (to fill and decorate the cake)

Directions for the Sponge Cake:

• Preheat oven to moderate 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4. Prepare a square 9”x9” (23cmx23 cm) pan or 9” (23 cm) round cake pan.
• Separate the egg whites from the yolks.
• Beat the egg whites on medium speed, 3 - 5 minutes.
• When soft peaks form slowly add the sugar in small batches.
• Whip until stiff peaks form about 5 minutes. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl beat egg yolks at medium-high speed for about 5 to 6 minutes, or until the egg yolks become pale colored, creamy and puffy. Stir in vanilla.
• Pour the egg yolks over the egg whites; gently fold until just combined trying not to lose any volume from the mixture.
• Fold in the flour little by little in the form of rain. Mix until just combined (over-beating will result in a denser, flatter cake).
• Pour the batter into the prepared 9”x9” (23cmx23 cm) square cake pan or 9” (23 cm) round cake pan.
• Bake in the preheated moderate oven for 25 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean.
• Let it cool.
• Once cool, split the cake in half, flip the top of the cake and place it on a base. Poke using a fork holes all over the cake to better absorb the three milk soaking liquid.

 Three milks syrup

• In a saucepan add the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, heavy cream and cinnamon stick, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and continue boiling for 5 minutes. Remove it and let it cool.
• Once it is cool, add the rum or any other flavoring you are using.
• Gradually brush all the milk soaking liquid into all sides of the cake (including the cut surfaces) until all absorbed. Best to rest the cake in the fridge overnight to complete the soaking process. 

Topping

• Whip the cream, when soft peaks form add the sugar little by little, continue whipping until stiff peaks form about 2 mints.

Decoration

• Layer some whipped cream on the bottom layer and cover with canned or fresh fruit and decorate the top layer with whipped cream and the fresh or canned fruit.

Notes:

Whipping cream

• The topping whipping cream must be very cold.

Sponge Cake:

• You should not over fold the mixture it will lose volume from the bubbles breaking.
• Avoid knocking the cake tin when containing batter.
• Add the flour slowly like rain showers.