Caramel Tres Leches Cake Recipe 

This divine Caramel Tres Leches Cake Recipe is calling your name. It’s a fluffy and moist cake with a three milk mixture and an incredible creamy dulce de leche frosting.

This tres leches cake is one of my favorite homemade cakes from scratch. 

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Caramel Tres Leches Cake Recipe 

If you ask me, there isn’t anything better than this three milk cake. The flavor of the de leche cake is one of the best things you’ll ever eat. We were heading to a potluck recently, and my friend pretty much begged me to make this tres leches cake. It’s become something that everyone knows and loves in my circle of friends. I went ahead and made it, and there wasn’t so much as a crumb leftover. Everyone devoured this dulce de leche cake like the world was ending. 

So, next time you are looking for something yummy to impress your friends or family, make this caramel cake recipe. No one can resist the flavor or look of this easy cake recipe. 

What does Tres Leches Mean?

Basically, a tres leches cake means that it has three kinds of milk drizzled into the cake or mixed inside. It’s a very popular kind of cake and is gaining more and more popularity because it’s so sweet and flavorful. They are great for potlucks, barbecues, family dinner nights, or even birthday cakes. These sweet cakes are the perfect dessert for all types of occasions. 

Storing Cake 

After the cake has cooled and is frosted, store it inside of a food container and keep it chilled in the fridge. It will last 3-4 days if it’s kept cold. Due to the frosting, you need to keep it cold, plus it tastes way better when it’s chilled.

Can I Double This Recipe 

Yes, absolutely, you can double this caramel tres leches cake! It’s very popular and making double will allow more people to get some. I recommend baking no more than two cakes at a time. If you need more than that, work in batches, so you don’t overcrowd the oven. 

Is This Similar To A Poke Cake 

Yes, this dulce de leche cake is actually a poke cake. You will need to use a wooden spoon or skewer to poke holes in it and add the three milk drizzle. Poke cakes are extremely popular because they are so moist, and the extra ingredients are able to really seep down in the cake. It’s undeniably delicious. It’s an incredible poke cake that I am sure you will love. 

Will This Cake Freeze Well 

Yes, you can freeze this cake. You will need to wrap it up and keep it in an airtight container. Freeze for up to 2 months. You should defrost the cake in the fridge overnight for the best results. Eat when thawed and enjoy!

Ingredients

There are three sets of ingredients for this caramel tres leches cake. You’ll need items for the cake itself, the three milk mixture, and the topping. They are all pretty simple to work with and will add charm and flavor to the caramel cake recipe. 

For the Cake

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Unsalted butter, at room temperature
• Granulated sugar
• Pure vanilla extract
• Eggs

For the Three-Milk Mixture

• Whole milk
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Buttermilk
• Dulce de leche
• Pure vanilla extract

For the Topping

• Heavy cream
• Dulce de leche

How to Make 

While there are a few steps to making this de leche cake, they aren’t hard. This is a super easy cake, and the steps go quickly. It won’t be long, and you’ll be munching on this cake in no time. 

Make the Cake:

1. Heat the oven to 325 degrees. Then you’ll need to grease the baking pan and set it aside.  
2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Then you’ll need to set the bowl aside for later.
3. With an electric or stand mixer, you will need to cream the butter and sugar together. Pour in the pure vanilla extract. Beat the butter and sugar for 8-10 minutes or until it becomes a very pale color. 
4. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add in one egg at a time. 
5. Reduce the speed of the mixer to low and slowly add in the all-purpose flour.

1. Once the cake is combined, pour the batter into a greased pan and bake for around 40-50 minutes or until the cake is fully cooked. 
2. Allow the caramel tres leches cake to cool completely in the pan.

Make the Three-Milk Mixture:

1. Using a skewer or knife, you’ll need to poke holes all over the cake. 
2. Combine the whole milk, sweetened condensed milk, and buttermilk in a medium bowl. Add in the pure vanilla extract and dulce de leche. 

1. Gently pour the three milk mixture over the cooled cake.

1. Refrigerate your cake for 3 hours to chill it. Or you can let it sit overnight in the fridge. You want the milk mixture to absorb. 

Finish with Topping:

1. For the topping, you will need to mix up the whipped topping mixture until it forms soft peaks. Then use it to spread over the top of the cake along with a drizzle of the dulce de leche. 
2. You aren’t going to want to wait to try this tres leches cake recipe. It is insanely delicious, and I think you will love how sweet and creamy it is.

Enjoy!

Now, remember to save this recipe on Pinterest for later 🙂

Caramel Tres Leches Cake

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Inactive Time: 3 hours hours

Total Time: 4 hours hours

Caramel Tres Leches Cake is a three milk cake that is topped with dulce de leche whipped topping. Slice into this moist and sweet caramel cake recipe.

4.29 from 7 votes

Review Recipe

Ingredients 

For the Cake

• 1 1/2 C all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 TSP baking powder
• 3/4 TSP salt
• 12 TBSP unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 C granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 TSP vanilla extract
• 5 eggs

For the Three-Milk Mixture

• 2 C whole milk
• 1 C sweetened condensed milk
• 1 C buttermilk
• 1/3 C dulce de leche
• 1 1/2 TSP vanilla extract

For the Topping

• 2 C heavy cream
• 1/3 C dulce de leche

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Instructions

Make the Cake:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease your baking pan and set it aside.  
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.
• With a mixer you will want to cream your butter and sugar together along with vanilla. You will beat on medium speed for 8-10 minutes or until it becomes very pale in color. 
• Scrape down the sides and add in one egg at a time. 
• Reduce speed to low and slowly add in your flour. 
• Once the cake is mixed, pour into a greased pan and bake for around 40-50 minutes or until the cake is fully cooked. 
• Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan.

Make the Three-Milk Mixture:

• Use a skewer or knife to poke holes all over the cake. 
• In a bowl mix your whole milk, sweetened condensed milk and buttermilk in a bowl. Add in the vanilla extract and dulce de leche. 
• Carefully pour mixture over the cooled cake. 
• Refrigerate your cake for 3 hours. Or you can let it sit overnight in the fridge. You want the milk mixture to absorb. 

Finish with Topping:

• For the topping you will mix up the whipped topping mixture until it forms a soft peaks. Use it to spread over the top of the cake along with a drizzle of the dulce de leche. 
• Give this tres leches cake recipe a try today. It is incredible, and I think you will love the sweet and creamy flavor.  

Author: Laura

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