Tres Leches Cake is a popular Latin American cake infused with a mixture of three milks: evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream. There are many ways to make it, and using cake mix is the easiest. This Cake Mix Tres Leches Cake is a little different. It starts with a box of cake mix, but in addition to the cake mix you throw in some flour, baking powder, sugar and extra vanilla. Even though you are adding scratch ingredients, the cake mix makes the batter more forgiving, so you don't have to use quite as much precision as when making scratch yellow cake.
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Downsized Cake Mix Boxes and Pan Size
The original version of this recipe started with an 18.25 oz box of cake mix, but I've been making it with the newer, downsized boxes of cake mix and it works very well. In fact, I think it's even better. Cake Mix Tres Leches recipe calls for a 9x13 inch pan and makes a very large cake. Personally, I like serving this one straight out of the pan, so I make it in a deep glass dish or casserole. Because we never need a whole cake, I've been known to halve the recipe and make it in a 9-inch round springform or a deep 8 or 9 inch square pan. Whatever pan you use, the cream covered cake is a blank slate for an assortment of berries, sauces, caramel sauce and such.
Different Cake Mix Flavors
The flavor of this cake will vary depending on which brand of cake mix you use, so pick one you like. I actually used Aldi brand for the one in the latest photo. The next one is going to have a coconut cake base using one of the new Duncan Hines Dolly Parton cake mixes, so I'll report back on that one. For now, here are a few more tips. It's an easy cake, but there are a few things to know.
Cake Mix Tres Leches Tips
- This cake is larger than a typical 9x13 inch cake because of the added ingredients. Be sure that your 9x13 inch pan has high enough sides to accommodate the cake. Most standard pans should, but some 9x13 inch pans found at thrift stores are shallower.
- When adding the ingredients to the mixing bowl, don't be too careful. Just put everything in there! Seriously, you should measure properly and be sure not to pack the flour, but this cake is easy. You just put everything in the bowl and mix.
- Beating the cake mix. The recipe says 2 minutes on high. Some mixers are more powerful than others. If you're using a very high powered stand mixer consider using a lower speed. It's hard to mess up a cake mix based cake, but this one does have the extra flour so you don't want to overbeat.
- Bake time is 40 to 42 minutes. Check a little earlier if you feel like it's browning too fast.
- The amount of cream in the recipe is just enough for a decent coating on top of the cake. You can double it if you want more cream or if you want enough to pipe out fancy borders.
Recipe
Excellent Cake Mix Tres Leches Cake
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1 box cake mix, yellow (432 grams)
- 1 ½ cups flour. measure with a light hand (200 grams)
- 5 large eggs (250 grams)
- 1 cup sugar (200 grams)
- ⅔ cup canola oil or any neutral vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup milk, whole or low fat also work
Filling:
- 1 ½ cups evaporated milk
- 14 oz can condensed milk
- 1 cup whipping cream
Frosting:
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13x9 inch pan or glass baking dish.
- Mix cake ingredients together. Beat for about two minutes on high or until smooth. Pour into pan and bake at 350 degrees for 40-42 minutes or until a chopstick or skewer inserted in middle comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool for about 20 minutes.
- Mix together the filling ingredients. Use a chopstick or metal skewer to poke holes in cake, pour filling into holes. Do this gradually, allowing the liquid to seep down into the cake and along the sides. Let cool a bit more, then transfer to the refrigerator to chill for at least two hours.
- Beat cream and sugar until soft peaks form, then add vanilla and continue to beat until peaks are stiff. Spread over the cake. Top with berries or any kind of garnish you like and serve out of the pan.
Sarah says
This looks and sounds really good! I normally don't use cake mixes, but I might have to try this. I want a tres leches cake for my birthday, so maybe I'll make it this weekend. Thank you for the recipe!
Tiffany says
Thanks for the recipe! It turned out great! Anybody know a trick to make sure the middle is as moist as the edges?
judy says
Another great recipe.....Ive tried this and its wonderful!! Easy to make and even easier to eat!!
Anna says
Sounds like she used a 9 inch pan. 9 inch is standard, but I just happened to have an 8 inch so I used that.If you double the recipe, you can make it in a 13x9 inch pan.
cookiemonster says
I thought the CAKE tasted outstanding....even though there was a hole in the middle. I think she used a 9" pan and maybe it wasn't thick enough to absorb all the milks. Everyone loved it though!!!!
cookiemonster says
Thanks, I pass along your suggestions to her. The baking powder being old is a good question......
cookiemonster says
My friend made this last night and it collapsed in the middle. She made it two times for our Bunco group tonight.. What could be wrong?
Sweetnicks says
It's making my mouth water -- printing now...
Joe says
Congrats on the success - it looks great! You can almost taste it from the picture!
Maureen says
Anna,I'm glad to hear the cake worked out. Hooray! It looks divine! That will be the next one I try on one of our "girls cooking nights".
Anna says
Jeff and Maureen, I hope you try this one. It's a recipe I'll definitely be making again and one I'll probably play with. I can imagine lots of variations. It's not a light cake, but a small piece is moist and rich enough to satisfy and you can bulk it up with the fresh berries. Also, you can use plain old Cool Whip Lite or Cool Whip Free to save calories on the top layer.Kristin, glad you had it for breakfast. Hope you had some milk with that, young lady.
LonghornGal says
mmmm... it was yummy! I am having it for breakfast today. 🙂
Jeff says
Wow, that looks sooo good! Great job and great pic!