Tres Leches Cake (Alton Brown) Recipe

Name: Tres Leches Cake (Alton Brown)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsalted butter; 6 ounces cake flour (approx. 1.5 cups); 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 cups sugar (divided); 5 eggs; 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla (divided); 12 ounces evaporated milk; 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk; 1 cup half-and-half; 2 cups heavy whipping cream

Servings: persons

1
Preheat oven to 350u00b0F.
2
Butter and flour a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Avoid using a very shallow pan.
3
Whisk to combine cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
4
Cream butter with mixer.
5
Slowly add 1 cup of sugar to butter until combined.
6
Pour eggs into mixture one at a time, making sure that each egg is combined before adding the next egg.
7
Add 1.5 tsp vanilla.
8
Slowly add the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
9
Pour batter into the buttered and floured baking pan and smooth.
10
Bake for 20 - 25 minutes until golden brown.
11
Remove cake from oven and allow to cool completely.
12
Perforate cake all over using skewers or a fork.
13
Stir together the evaporated milk, condensed milk, and half-and-half.
14
Pour milk over cake and refrigerate overnight (or 8 hours) to allow the cake to soak up all the milks.
15
Before serving, whip heavy cream, 1 cup sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla until thickened.
16
Spread whipped topping over cake and refrigerate until ready to serve.

1457

kcal

Calories

Fat

148

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Preheat the oven fully and bake on the middle rack for the most even results.
Check for doneness a few minutes early — a toothpick in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
Let it cool before slicing so it sets properly and holds its shape.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.
Coconut cream is a reliable plant-based alternative to dairy cream.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 11 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 6 ounces cake flour (approx. 1.5 cups), 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and more.

Yes, Tres Leches Cake (Alton Brown) falls under the Baking & Desserts category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months — no need to refrigerate or reheat.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Tres Leches Cake (Alton Brown)

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions