Strawberry tres leches cake is the perfect blend of light, airy sponge cake soaked in three types of milk, topped with whipped cream and fresh strawberries. This strawberry sponge cake brings together the creaminess of a tres leches with a burst of fruity flavor. Whether you’re celebrating a special event or simply craving something sweet, this cake is sure to be a hit!
Why Strawberry Tres Leches Cake?
We all love a good tres leches cake, but adding strawberries makes it even more special. The sweetness of the milk mixture combined with the tartness of the strawberries creates an irresistible dessert. Plus, this strawberry milk cake is versatile—perfect for any occasion, from birthdays to summer picnics.
Ingredients for Strawberry Tres Leches Cake
Let’s start by gathering all the necessary ingredients. There are three key parts to this cake: the cake batter, the tres leches mixture, and the toppings.
Cake Batter Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 5 large eggs (separate the whites and yolks)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup whole milk
Milk Mixture Ingredients
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, pureed
Toppings and Garnishes
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
- 3 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Fresh strawberries for garnish
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Strawberry Tres Leches Cake
Now that we have all the ingredients ready, let’s get into the details of making this delicious tres leches with strawberries.
Preparing the Cake Batter
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch cake pan and set it aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Separate the egg yolks and whites. In a stand mixer or using a hand mixer, beat the egg yolks with ¾ cup of sugar on high speed until the mixture turns pale and fluffy. This should take about 3 minutes.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and whole milk until well combined.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until smooth.
- In another bowl, beat the egg whites on high speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining ¼ cup of sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter. Be careful not to over-mix—you want the cake to stay light and airy.
Creating the Tres Leches Mixture
While the cake is baking, prepare the tres leches with strawberries mixture.
- In a blender or food processor, puree 1 cup of fresh strawberries until smooth.
- In a medium bowl, combine the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, and strawberry puree. Whisk until fully combined.
Assembling and Soaking the Cake
- Once the cake is done baking (about 25-30 minutes), remove it from the oven and let it cool completely.
- Use a fork or skewer to poke holes all over the top of the cake. This allows the strawberry milk cake mixture to fully absorb.
- Slowly pour the tres leches mixture over the cake, making sure it soaks in evenly. Don’t rush this step—let the cake absorb the mixture gradually for the best results.
- Cover the cake and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. This allows all the flavors to meld beautifully.
Whipped Cream and Strawberry Topping
- Just before serving, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until stiff peaks form.
- Spread the whipped cream evenly over the cake.
- Garnish with fresh strawberries for a delightful presentation.
Tips for a Perfect Strawberry Tres Leches Cake
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
- You can make this cake up to two days in advance. Store it in the refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap. The longer it sits, the more the flavors will deepen!
- Leftovers should also be stored in the fridge. It’ll last for about 4-5 days, but the texture will stay moist and delicious.
Flavor Variations
Want to try something different? You can switch up this recipe easily:
- Replace the strawberries with raspberries or blackberries for a different berry flavor.
- Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the cake batter for a chocolatey twist.
- For a tropical variation, swap out the strawberries for pineapple or mango puree in the milk mixture.
Nutritional Information
This strawberry sponge cake is decadent, and its nutrition reflects that! Here’s a rough estimate per serving (based on 12 servings):
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Protein: 6g
- Sugar: 35g
This is just an estimate, so feel free to adjust based on your serving size or specific ingredients.
Conclusion
In the world of desserts, the strawberry tres leches cake stands out as a crowd-pleaser. It’s rich, moist, and the fresh strawberries add a burst of brightness that perfectly complements the creamy sweetness of the cake. Whether you’re making it for a family gathering or just to satisfy your sweet tooth, this cake is sure to impress.
For more delightful dessert ideas, you can also check out this simple lemon bundt cake recipe, another easy yet delicious treat for your baking adventures.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh ones? Yes, frozen strawberries work great! Just make sure to thaw them and drain any excess liquid before blending.
- Can I make this recipe gluten-free? Absolutely! Just replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking.
- How long should I refrigerate the cake? It’s best to refrigerate the cake for at least 4 hours, but overnight is ideal for maximum flavor absorption.
- Can I freeze strawberry tres leches cake? Yes, you can freeze the cake, but it’s best to freeze it before adding the whipped cream and strawberries.
- What kind of milk can I substitute for heavy cream? You can substitute half-and-half or even coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
- How do I know when the cake is fully soaked? The cake should feel heavy and moist but not soggy. If there’s any liquid pooling at the bottom, let it soak a little longer.
- Can I use almond milk instead of evaporated milk? Yes, you can substitute almond milk for evaporated milk, but the texture might be slightly different.
- Is this cake too sweet? The cake is sweet, but the fresh strawberries balance it out nicely. You can reduce the sugar slightly if you prefer a less sweet version.
Enjoy baking and indulging in your homemade strawberry tres leches cake!