I know, I know – Cinco de Mayo was 2 days ago. But let’s face it – my family just uses it as an excuse to get together and stuff ourselves with Mexican (and New Mexican!) food. And really, Mexican food can be enjoyed no matter what the date!!
Let me just explain that when my family gets together, there is always food involved. A lot of food. Way too much food. That’s just the way it is. I’m very lucky to have a family that loves food and loves to cook. You should have seen how much food there was – the photo collage above doesn’t even show all of it!! But that’s what we do, and we sure do have a good time doing it. In fact, I’m still feeling the effects of over-eating today – 2 days later!!
There were enchiladas, taquitos, empanadas, lots of dips and salsas, and virgin margaritas. (Just to name some!) I wish I had all of the recipes for you, but all of this wonderful food was made by my sisters, SIL, and mom. My contribution to the party? Tres Leches Cake.
I had a tres leches cake a few weeks ago from a local restaurant. Ever since, I have been craving it. So when my sister said that we were getting together, I volunteered to make dessert, knowing that this would be the chance I needed to satisfy my craving. I looked through all of my cookbooks, only to come up with one recipe. I almost made it, but it was a little more complex and involved than I was feeling. So I went to the internet. I found a recipe on the Food Network website by Emeril. It was the kind of recipe I was looking for, so I decided to use it.
Sunday night I went to make the cake. All was going well, until I looked into the oven when the cake was almost finished baking. The cake had risen very high – I was afraid it was going to jump right out of the pan. It didn’t, and when the cake was done, I took it out of the oven. After a few minutes, the cake had fallen in the middle. The middle was probably only about half an inch deep. So when I poured on the milk mixture, it completely turned to mush. I’m guessing I either over or under beat the eggs – I’m not quite sure.
I knew I couldn’t bring that cake, and knowing that I was the only one bringing dessert, I decided to give it another try. This time, I went with a recipe from allrecipes. I hadn’t make anything from allrecipes in awhile – I’m not sure why, because I usually have really good luck with the highly rated recipes. Well, with some small alterations, this cake was the one!! The cake baked up perfectly, and the milks were the perfect amount of moisture. After I made the whipped cream for the topping, I was afraid that it was going to be too sweet, but it actually worked very well with the cake.
I’m surprised we even got to the cake because we all had eaten so much already, but it received praises from my family. And it also received praises from me!
Tres Leches Cake
adapted from allrecipes
5 eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups white sugar, divided
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk
2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour one 9×13 inch baking pan.
Sift flour and baking powder together and set aside.
Cream butter and 1 cup of the sugar together until fluffy. Add eggs and 1/2 teaspoon of the vanilla extract, beat well.
Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture 2 tablespoons at a time, mix until well blended. Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes. Pierce cake several times with a fork.
Combine 1 cup of the cream, evaporated milk, and condensed milk together. Pour over the top of the cooled cake.
Refrigerate cake for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight.
Whip whipping cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 cup of the sugar together until thick. Spread over the top of cake. Keep cake refrigerated until serving.
I just had someone ask me to make a tres leches cake the other day. I don’t have a recipe, so I will have to try this one. Thanks!
That sounds like so much fun…and the cake sounds sweet but delish! Great to get together with family, too.
I love Tres Leches.
I like your “collage” of Mexican dishes! and your cake looks so good!! i’ve never had a tres leches cake before but now i’m eager to give this recipe a try.
THis dessert is so yummy, I love tres leches!!xxGloria
Yum! I had tres leches cake a short while ago as well, and it was sadly, not as good as I had hoped. I can’t wait to try this recipe and satisfy my lingering craving 🙂
I’ve been meaning to make a Tres Leches Cake since I had one in a Cuban restaurant in NYC. Yummy.
I’ve never had a tres leches cake! (I just tried to type ‘leaches’ then; I’ve never had that either o__O). Ridiculous, for someone who loves cake like I do. This looks great!
And I love photo collages ^__^
That cake looks delicious thanks for the recipe
Mexican, New Mexican, any kind of Mexican food and I’m in. This tres leches cake looks delicious and I bet it tasted good too! Just started reading your blog recently and I love your photos and recipes.
I never need an excuse to stuff my face with Mexican. Now if I could also follow my fish tacos tonight with a hunk of your cake, life would really be good.
Boy do I wish I was at your party for Cinco de Mayo…looks like you had some great food there!
Boy do I wish I was at your party for Cinco de Mayo…looks like you had some great food there!
Look at all of that food! What a great feast–and your cake is beautiful. Deborah!
WOW! WHAT a spread of food! And that cake looks FANTASTIC!
IT looks like ya’ll enjoyed quite the feast. What a great way to celebrate… and that cake. Mmmmm! I love Tres Leches.
C’mon u gotta invite me over the next time u having a mexican feast. I adore that stuff, but yet never make enough of it myself.
A cake with condensed milk and evaporated milk …hmm should taste divine 🙂
I love all of the cinco de mayo recipes going around. Your little cake looks so yummy! Great post!
I’ve heard that more people go out for Cinco de Mayo than St. Patrick’s Day.
Oh yum!!! I love party food – especially mexican!
Looks good!I love when there is an excuse for people to get together and eat good food.
I’ve honestly never had it but everyone always raves about it…mmm…going on the list!
“when my family gets together, there is always food involved. a lot of food. way too much food.”
i hear ya. sometimes i overlook how lucky i am to be part of a food-loving family, and that’s just wrong. 🙂
oh, and your tres leches cake is tres bien. (yep, i used french and spanish in the same sentence, how ’bout that!)
Deb, I have read and heard so much about tres leches cake but haven’t tried it yet. Yours looks so tender and yummy!
My mouth is totally watering – everything looks so good!
coool!!
The first time I had tres leches I wasn’t thrilled–but then someone brought a homemade version to a party and I decided to rewrite my mental hard drive to “love it”.
You are lucky to have a family that comes together with such great food! Tres Leches cake is definitely one not to miss!
You’re lucky to have a family who loves food as much as you do! That cake looks delicious, even if it did sink! Your collage of pictures at the beginning is great!
Thanks for the recipe – I’ve been thinking of trying a tres leches cake, but didn’t know which recipe to use!
I’m so glad this recipe worked for you.
I wouldn’t doubt that the Emeril recipe wasn’t any good. I’ve had bad luck with his recipes.
The cake looks great! I love Mexican food, I really really do.
The whoopie pies look good also. I’ve never been to a Costco before. Can you believe that? We don’t have them here.
All that mexican food looks amazing!
Oh I’m glad you were able to make it work. We had Tres Leches cake for our birthdays the other night, so yummy!
That looks like an amazing feast!! I like the sound of that cake. I have not used condensed milk or evaporated milk all that much.
What a bummer that you had to try two recipes to get it all to work out. Thankfully you got a good result in the end. I never think to look on Allrecipes.
Tres Leches Cake has been on my baking list for a while – can’t wait to give it a go. Thanks for the recipe, Deborah!
When my family gets together there is always a lot of eating too. That cake looks delicious and is made more appetizing by that strawberry and cream!
I would have bought a cake from the store after the first mishap. Glad we have the second recipe that is a sure fire winner to go with the Mexican theme.
I have never made this cake but always wanted to. It goes on The List. 🙂
What a great cake to bring to the feast! Sorry the first recipe didn’t work out though.
I’ve had this on my to try list for ages, as long as the red velvet – more even. I’m really pleased to hear how well it went down, and it looks great!
Can I be your neighbour I could nip in for cake oops I mean sugar!!
Lovely sounding cake – yummy 🙂
Rosie x