Ingredients and Equipment Needed for Tres Leches

Introduction

Tres leches cake is a classic and beloved dessert originating from Latin America. This moist and indulgent cake is soaked in a mixture of three milks (evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream), which gives it its name. If you are planning to make this delicious treat at home, here are the essential ingredients and equipment you will need.

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 5 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for optional garnish)
• Maraschino cherries (for optional garnish)

Equipment

• 9x13-inch baking dish
• Electric mixer or stand mixer
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Spatula
• Toothpick
• Aluminum foil
• Large mixing bowls
• Cake serving plate

Instructions

Now that you have gathered all the necessary ingredients and equipment, here's a brief overview of how to make a delicious tres leches cake:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and baking powder.
3. In a separate large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Gently fold in the flour mixture into the creamy batter until just combined.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
7. Bake the cake for approximately 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. While the cake is baking, prepare the tres leches mixture. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream until well combined.
9. Once the cake is out of the oven, poke it all over with a fork or toothpick to create small holes for the milk mixture to seep in.
10. Slowly pour the tres leches mixture evenly over the warm cake, allowing it to absorb.
11. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow the cake to fully soak.
12. When ready to serve, remove the cake from the refrigerator and garnish with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon and maraschino cherries if desired.

Conclusion

Creating a homemade tres leches cake is a delightful experience that will impress your family and friends. By following the provided list of ingredients, equipped with the right tools, and following the step-by-step instructions, you are well on your way to sampling the rich and moist delight of a traditional tres leches cake.