The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
This Easy Tres Leches Cake is made using a box cake mix and other kitchen and pantry staple ingredients. It’s a crowd-pleasing cake that takes a minimum of time and effort.
This cake costs approximately $8.86 to make. It makes twelve servings and costs around $0.73 per serving.
For another fun Cinco de Mayo dessert, try our Shortcut Fried Ice Cream.
Tres Leches Cake
This Tres Leches cake is easy to make, moist, and rich in taste. Everyone always loves it! It is a recipe you will use over and over.
The Tres Leches cake is soaked in a sweet milk mixture and then topped with homemade whipped cream, cinnamon, and strawberry slices. It is a simple Mexican dessert that is not only less expensive than a slice at your favorite restaurant but also tastes way better!
We recently ordered a slice of Tres Leche at a Mexican Restaurant, and it was so bland that we couldn’t even finish it. However, we knew we could make it better ourselves, and that is what we set out to do.
This recipe is perfect for Cinco de Mayo, but we make it for family parties, summer BBQs, and potlucks because it is delicious. In addition, this sponge-like cake can be made in advance, making it a total time saver.
We believe it is even better if it is made the day before to allow the cake to soak up all of the sweet milk mixture. The beauty of this cake is that it holds all the moisture without falling apart.
This Tres Leches Cake is fool-proof, making it simply the BEST!
Ingredients & Estimated Cost:
- 1 box yellow cake mix – $1.00
- 4 eggs – $0.68
- 1 ⅓ cups whole milk – $0.30
- ½ cup butter – $0.75
- 4 teaspoons vanilla – $1.02
- 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk – $1.23
- 12-ounce can evaporated milk – $0.92
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream – $2.80
- ¼ cup powdered sugar – $0.16
To learn more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.
HOW TO MAKE TRES LECHES CAKE
- First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and spray the baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Next, using a stand mixer, stir together the cake mix, eggs, milk, butter, and vanilla.
- Then, pour the batter into the pan and bake for 40 minutes.
- Let the cake cool completely after baking.
- Whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and the whole milk in a medium-sized bowl.
- Set the bowl aside and use a knife to cut slits all over the top of the cake. Slowly pour the milk mixture evenly over the cake. The milk mixture will seep into the slits as it covers the cake.
- Place the cake in the fridge to chill for at least two hours to soak up the milk mixture.
- Make the whipped topping by beating the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
- Finally, spread the whipped topping over the cake with a rubber scraper. Dust the top with cinnamon and garnish with sliced strawberries.
***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
RECIPE VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
- While we prefer homemade whipped topping, you can use store-bought Cool Whip as a substitution for the cake topping.
STORAGE AND SERVING TIPS
MAKE IN ADVANCE: You can make this cake 1-2 days in advance. However, we actually prefer making it 24 hours in advance.
SERVE: You can keep this cake out for about two hours before it needs to be covered and refrigerated.
STORE: Store the cake in an airtight container in the fridge for three to five days.
FREEZE: You can freeze the Tres Leches Cake with a few caveats. First, it cannot be frosted. Second, it needs to go into the freezer right after the three milk mixture is poured over it. Third, wrap the cake in two layers of plastic wrap and foil and freeze for 2-3 months.
THAW: Thaw the cake in the refrigerator overnight before frosting and serving.
COOK’S TOOLS
- Stand mixer
- Measuring cups
- Liquid measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Rubber scraper
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Cutting board
- Paring knife
- 9×13-inch baking dish
RECIPE FAQs
Tres Leches Cake is an authentic Latin American recipe that can be ordered in most Mexican restaurants and bakeries. It is popular across the United States.
Tres Leches is a Spanish term that translates to sweet milk. After baking the cake, it is soaked in a mixture of sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, and evaporated milk. The light cake is moist and sweet but balanced with a whipped cream topping followed by cinnamon and strawberry slices.
Tres Leches cake can best be compared to an Angel Food cake. The sponge cake is rich in flavor and sweet-tasting from soaking up the milk mixture.
GET KIDS INVOLVED
Ages 2-3: For a fun counting game while helping in the kitchen, have your child count the strawberry slices as they help you garnish the top of the cake with the strawberries.
Ages 4-5: Count the ingredients for the cake batter with your child as they help pour the ingredients into the stand mixer. They can also help garnish the cake with cinnamon.
Ages 6-8: Ask your child to pre-measure the ingredients. Teach them how to make the whipped cream. This is a simple recipe they can master at a young age and use in various recipes.
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!
BUDGET TIPS
When cake mixes go on sale, we like to stock up on them to have them on hand for recipes like this and other recipes like our Cake Mix Peach Cobbler and our Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake.
MORE MEXICAN RECIPES
- How to Make Canned Refried Beans Taste Like Restaurant Style
- Spanish Rice
- Mexican Lasagna
- Dorito Taco Salad
- Mexican Fruit Salad
- Machaca Burritos
- Easy Navajo Tacos
- Green Chile Enchilada Casserole
- Mexican Chicken Rice Bowls
- Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Easy Tres Leches Cake
Recipe Cost 8.86 Serving Cost 0.73Equipment
- stand mixer
- measuring cups
- Liquid measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- rubber scraper
- mixing bowl
- whisk
- cutting board
- paring knife
- 9×13-inch baking dish
Ingredients
FOR THE CAKE:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup butter melted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
FOR THE LECHE POUR:
- 14- ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 12- ounce can evaporated milk
- ⅓ cup whole milk
FOR THE WHIPPED CREAM:
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
GARNISHES:
- Cinnamon for dusting the top of the cake
- strawberries sliced thin, optional
Instructions
PREP OVEN AND PAN:
- Move the oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
MAKE CAKE:
- Combine the cake mix, eggs, milk, butter, and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix until smooth.
- Pour batter into the pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is light golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely.
MAKE LECHE POUR:
- In a medium-sized bowl whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and the whole milk until combined.
ASSEMBLE CAKE:
- Use a knife to cut slits all over the top of the cake.
- Slowly pour the milk mixture evenly over the cake. The milk mixture should seep into the slits as it covers the cake.
CHILL CAKE:
- Place the cake in the fridge for at least two hours up to twenty-four hours to allow the cake to soak up the milk mixture.
FINISH CAKE:
- Using a stand mixer combine the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla and beat the mixture until stiff peaks form.
- Evenly spread the whipped cream over the cake with a rubber scraper. Dust the top with cinnamon. Garnish with sliced strawberries (optional).
Heather says
I’ve always wanted to make a tres leches cake but it looked like a lot of work..but you made this look so easy! Can’t wait to try!
Anita says
This is such an easy cake recipe to pull off, and the flavor is so good. I love the way you decorate the cake too with thinly sliced strawberries.
Casey says
So happy I found this recipe–using BOXED cake mix! Super easy and everyone LOVED it! (didn’t have any idea it was boxed cake, either!)
Ieva says
First time making tres leches and I was very impressed how easy this recipe is! All the flavour and great texture, with very minimal work! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Dijana says
So easy to make and so delicious! Box mixes are just perfect for a quick dessert!
Jess Jankowski says
Agreed! Thank you!
Ana says
Can you please tell me how much milk you add on the tres letches mixture? I only was able to find the amount of milk for the cake. Thanks!
Jess Jankowski says
Hi for the tres leches pour the amounts are: 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk, 12 ounce can evaporated milk, and 1/3 cup whole milk.
Angela says
Made this for my friends birthday and everyone loved it ! Super easy and delicious. Thank you
Jess Jankowski says
Woohoo, Angela! So happy to hear this!
Donna says
This cake was so good. I also made a custard and mixed in chopped raspberries. then added to the top of the cake then put the whipped topping over that. It was sooo good.
Jess Jankowski says
Sounds delicious! So glad you took the recipe and made it your own!
Sophia Nguyen says
I love making this cake so much!
Question: Should the cake be getting super puffy in the oven?
Jess Jankowski says
Hi, so happy you love it! No, it should not be getting overly puffy.
Tiffani says
Just tried this tonight for my daughter’s birthday. It was so much easier than a traditional tres leches cake recipe, and it tasted just as good! You really can’t tell it was a boxed cake. Everyone loved it, thank you!
Jess Jankowski says
Thank you so much for your review. So happy you enjoyed it!
Phoenix says
Hi! Really want to try this recipe but I do not own a stand mixer. Would a whisk be enough for preparing the batter and whipped topping?
Jess Jankowski says
Hi, a whisk will work for the batter and whipped topping. Be patient with the whipped topping as it will take longer by hand to make. Enjoy!
Irene says
Super easy instructions and I’ve made it three times since my oldest daughter forwarded the recipe to me. My youngest daughter absolutely loved it. Now I don’t have to spend my $$ on a store bought cake. Thank You so much!!
Jess Jankowski says
This is wonderful! Thanks for the review!
Shan says
The only thing missing to make it taste like the version my daughter’s mother in law makes is the brandy. It’s added to both cake and frosting.
Jessica says
I’ve made this cake 3 times already, and every time it taste better. Very easy to make. Thank you
Jess Jankowski says
Woohoo! Thank you for your review, we really appreciate it.
Alicia says
Good recipe! Just confused on if I should add the ingredients that the boxed cake calls for in addition to your recipe?
Jess Jankowski says
Hi Alicia, you do not add the ingredients from the cake mix box. Just use the cake mix and then the remaining ingredients listed in the recipe card. Enjoy!
KG says
can you use white cake mix?
Jess Jankowski says
Hi, we have not tried it using a white cake mix. Typically, a yellow cake is more moist and dense than a white cake so it works really well with this Tres Leches Cake and is our preference. If you try it, let us know how it goes.
Emma says
Hello! This recipe looks amazing, may you suggest for a newbie in baking – should I use 2 pans if I’m doubling (or tripling) the recipe? Thanks so much!!
Jess Jankowski says
Yes you’d want to use two pans if you are doubling the recipe. Enjoy!
Dee says
I’m a pro chef but do not bake (there are many of us).
Great recipe. My sons favorite. We typically buy it from Publix. This is so so so much better. It’s a keeper.
Jess Jankowski says
Such a great compliment! Thank you so much! We are so happy you all love the cake as much as we do!
Shadokat says
This is a really easy and delicious version of a tres leches cake, which is my all time favorite dessert. They aren’t that difficult to make from scratch but the convenience of using a box mix can’t be beat. In my years of making different kinds of “milk cakes,” I’ve got a few tips.
First, you can do this with any box cake mix. This recipe has you add different ingredients and amounts to the yellow cake mix. But you can use a cake mix just as it is. Follow the recipe here with the milk mixture and you’ve got yourself a flavored tres leches cake. I particularly like red velvet tres leches, or strawberry tres leches. A french vanilla cake mix also works really well if you don’t want the yellow color.
We like to enjoy this cake with pie filling at my house. My favorite is blueberry. You can top the cake with a can of blueberry pie filling right before you add the whipped cream topping. Swirl together the whipped cream and fruit filling for a pretty cake. Doing this can also make the cake more wet on top than you might like. In that case, top the cake with the whipped cream as shown here and serve with a dollop of the fruit filling of your choice.
Thank you for the recipe!
Jess Jankowski says
We agree…making this with a cake box mix is a great shortcut. Glad you enjoyed it!
Kelly says
I (gringo) made this for a bunch of Venezuelans. They loved it and kept questioning whether I actually made it. Haha Great recipe
Jess Jankowski says
LOL We love this!