Editor's Picks: 12 Indulgent Tres Leches Cakes That Will Bring You Comfort
It's happiness on a plate
Midway into the workweek comes a moment when Friday feels a little too far away, but oh, wouldn’t you just love something indulgent to keep you going till the weekend? My solution: the tres leches.
As its name implies, tres leches is sponge cake soaked in three kinds of milk (usually whole milk, condensed milk, and evaporated milk) for a few hours. It is then unwrapped and frosted with whipped cream. It’s ready to eat in this state, but you can add touches like slices of fruit, a drizzle of caramel syrup, a sprinkling of crushed cereal. The result is a sweet and milky soft cake that tastes like the adult version of bread-and-milk. This is, for me, the ultimate comfort food.
Tres Leches has Latin American roots, possibly coming from Nicaragua, although it’s also claimed by Mexico, Cuba, Venezuela and Puerto Rico. Food52 has an interesting origin story here.
The Tres Leches is quite easy to make, but if you don’t want the hassle, here are the best (in my opinion) tres leches cakes that you can order for delivery or takeout. I know I said there were twelve, but if you click through to the end, I’ve decided to share a “secret” tres leches cake. The chef whose recipe it is stopped making this tres leches for many years, and only now has she been persuaded to make it again.
Our Favorite Tres Leches Cakes
Our Favorite Tres Leches Cakes
Mucha Leche by The Aristocrat Bakery
Frozen sponge cake immersed in three kinds of milk, then covered in whipped cream and white chocolate curls. We love it's vintage vibe, too. Order from The Aristocrat Bakeshop at @aristocrat_ph on Instagram or @thearistocratbakeshop on Facebook
Photo Credit: @aristocrat_ph
Cereal Milk Tres Leches by Bakeys
Toasted cornflakes give a nice crunch to sponge cake that's been immersed in homemade cereal milk and a special milk soak. It's then topped with whipped cream. The end result is this crunchy, milky, fluffy delight. Also available in Strawberry. Order from @bakeysph on Instagram.
Photo Credit: @bakeysph
Tres Leches de Fruta by Royale Patisserie
Fruity and festive, this tres leches features three layers: sponge cake, a crema de fruta filling, and creamy topping. Order from @royalepatisserieph on Instagram
Photo Credit: @royalepatisserieph
Tres Leches Cake by EenieMinniPh
Served in a pan, this homemade tres leches cake has wonderful layers of flavor. A vanilla sponge cake is soaked in three kinds of milk, with light whipped cream on top. Order from @eenieminniph on Facebook or Instagram
Photo Credit: @eenieminniph
Strawberry Tres Leches Cake by Fabulous Baker Boboy
A homerun favorite with its spectacular strawberry topping, you've got to slice into the cake to reveal two layers of milky-creamy filling interspersed with sponge cake. Also available with a topping of kiwi or cherries. Order from @fabulousbakerboboy on Instagram
Photo Credit: @fabulousbakerboboy
Tres Leches "Boxed" Cake by Baked Nice
If you've tasted and loved the signature Tres Leches Cake of Made Nice Supper Club, you'll be thrilled to know it's available for takeout. The sponge cake is blanketed in creamy frosting, with a dulce de leche filling. Make sure to dig your spoon right down to the bottom of the pan to reach all its creamy layers. Order from @getbakednice on Instagram or text (0917) 183-6423.
Photo Credit: @getbakednice
Cuatro Leches & Berries by Grace Park
This irresistible dessert has soft sponge cake drenched in four kinds of milk, a light crust, and berries. One slice will never be enough. Order from @graceparkdining on Facebook or Instagram
Photo Credit: @graceparkdining
Earl Grey Caramel Tres Leches Cake by Hiraya Bakery
Elegant and luscious, Hiraya Bakery's tres leches winner has melt-in-your-mouth cake layers drenched in tangy calamansi cream, and finished with toasted crumb and sea salt. Perfection. Order from @hirayabakery on Instagram or Facebook
Photo Credit: @hirayabakery
Tres Leches with Fresh Mangoes by I Don't Make Sweet Desserts
A showstopper that's often sold old, this tres leches cake is lusciously moist and dense. Available flavors include Vanilla with Fresh Strawberries, and Ube Macapuno with Fresh Strawberries. Order from @idontmake_sweetdesserts on Instagram, or @idontmakesweetdesserts on Facebook
Photo Credit: @idontmake_sweetdesserts
Ube Tres Leches by Milkrun Desserts
This charming home business is dedicated to tres leches cakes, and this is its newest product. Ube sponge cake is soaked in milk, interspersed with homemade ube halaya, then topped with whipped cream. Also available in OG Tres Leches and Cereal Milk Tres Leches. Order from @milkrun_ph on Instagram
Photo Credit: @milkrun_ph
Pastel de Tres Leches by Wildflour
Made in the classic way, this tres leches is soaked in milk, topped with whipped cream, then drizzled with caramel, which gives it a touch of sophistication. Order from @wildflourtogo on Instagram or @wildflourmanila on Facebook
Photo Credit: @wildflourtogo
Classic Tres Leches by M Bakery
Four-inches of sponge cake soaked in three kinds of milk then topped with fresh fruit. Delicious. Order from @mbakeryph on Facebook or @mbakery_ph on Instagram
Photo Credit: @mbakery_ph
Bonus: Pastel Tres Leches by Flour Pot Manila
I know I said 12, but you'll be glad I shared this one. Its dense butter cake is made with premium artisan butter, and soaked in three kinds of milk, including fresh carabao's milk from Cavite. It's then topped with freshly whipped cream and organic strawberries. It's so good there's probably a waiting list by now! Order from @flourpotmanila on Instagram or @flourpotrumcakesmanila on Facebook.
Photo Credit: @flourpotmanila
Lead photo credits: @idontmake_sweetdesserts, @bakeysph, @royalepatisserieph, @graceparkdining, @hirayabakery
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