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Tres Leches Cake

Tres Leches cake made in the microwave using the glass Anyday dish, resulting in a moist, rich cake soaked in three types of milk for a decadent treat. Enjoy a quick and indulgent dessert, ready in minutes.
Tres Leches Cake
PT5M PT4M

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

4-5 mins

Free Time

to pack a picnic basket

The perfect make-ahead treat, this tres leches cake cooks quickly in the microwave, allowing you to get it soaking in the fridge sooner! For a convenient shortcut, we like to use store-bought cake mix. Pair the rich, milk-soaked vanilla cake with fresh fruit like strawberries, cherries, or pineapple for a festive and delicious treat.

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwave and home kitchens to make sure they work— and work well. Unless specified otherwise, all recipes should be cooked at full power.

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What You’ll Need

What You’ll Need

The Medium Shallow Dish

Look no further for making poached eggs, desserts, dips, and small portions of meat or fish.

The Anyhand Mitts

Handle hot Anyday dishes with care with these microwave mitts that double as trivets!
Try Anyday

Select your serving size and microwave wattage in the dropdown. The recipe will change accordingly.

2-4
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Select your microwave wattage in the dropdown. The cook times in this recipe will automatically change accordingly.

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To find your microwave’s wattage, look at the front panel, the side of the door, in the back, in the user manual, or Google the model number. If both an input and output wattage are listed, use the output.

Wattage translates to how powerful the microwave is. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. The lower the wattage, the longer the cook time.

When in doubt, start with less time — you can always add more.

700w

Recommended 

Dish

The Medium Shallow Dish

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup batter from prepared white cake mix (Miss Jones preferred)
  • ½ cup (120ml) of evaporated milk
  • ½ cup (120ml) condensed milk
  • ½ cup (120ml) whole milk
  • ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
  • ½ tablespoon powdered sugar
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Strawberries, for serving (optional)

Preparation

  1. In a separate bowl, prepare the cake to the package directions. Grease an Anyday dish, and transfer the indicated amount of batter to the dish. Cook uncovered for 4-5 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
  2. While the cake cooks, combine the evaporated, sweetened, condensed, whole milk, and salt until fully incorporated and set aside.
  3. Keeping the cake in the dish, poke holes in the surface of the cake with a toothpick or skewer. Slowly pour the milk mixture over the cake. Refrigerate overnight, or until the milk has been fully absorbed and the cake is cold.
  4. In a large bowl (or bowl of a stand mixer), combine cream, powdered sugar, and cinnamon. Whip on high for about 2-3 minutes, or until the cream is stiff and stands up on its own.
  5. Cover the cake completely and evenly with whipped cream and fresh strawberries, if desired.

Serving suggestions & tips

  • Top with fresh berries, sliced pineapple, mango, or bananas.
  • Use eggnog instead of sweetened condensed milk for a holiday twist.
  • Use chocolate milk instead of the whole milk and add some cocoa powder to the whipped topping.
  • Replace some of the milk with spiced rum such as for a boozy dessert.

Recipe notes

  • This cake requires to use of half packaged white cake mixture. We recommend mixing the whole package, splitting the batter, and using the remaining batter for other preparation. This cake is so good, you’ll want to make a double batch!
  • Have leftover batter? Transfer batter to Anytime Trays! Freeze the batter for the next time you want to make this cake or cook a quick batch of cupcakes in the microwave.
  • Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.

Everything You Need to Know About Making Tres Leches Cake in the Microwave

What is tres leches cake?

Tres leches cake is a traditional Latin American dessert that consists of a light and airy sponge cake soaked in a rich mixture of three kinds of milk: evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream. This combination gives the cake its name, "tres leches," which means "three milks" in Spanish. The result is a moist, flavorful cake that's often topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit.

Can I make tres leches cake in the microwave?

Yes, you can make tres leches cake in the microwave using Anyday cookware! This method is quick and convenient, allowing you to enjoy the delicious, milk-soaked dessert without the need for a conventional oven. Simply prepare the cake batter, microwave it in the Anyday dish, and then soak it in the three milks in the fridge. It’s an easy way to enjoy a classic dessert with less fuss.

Can I make tres leches in advance?

Absolutely! Tres leches cake is a perfect make-ahead dessert. It's often better when made in advance because it allows the cake to fully absorb the milk mixture resulting in a richer, more flavorful dessert. You can make the cake and let it soak in the Anyday dish with the lid on in the fridge for several hours or even overnight before serving.

How long can I save the cake once made?

Once made, tres leches cake can be stored in an Anyday dish with the lid on in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keeping the lid on will maintain its freshness and prevent it from absorbing other odors from the fridge. This dessert is a great option for preparing ahead of time for gatherings or simply enjoying over several days.

Can I use alternative milks for a dairy-free tres leches cake?

Yes, you can make a dairy-free version by using alternatives like coconut milk, almond milk, and coconut cream. The flavor will differ slightly, but it will still be delicious.