Sourdough Tres Leches Cake
Experience the rich and indulgent flavors of this Sourdough Tres Leches Cake, crafted with tangy sourdough discard. This moist and airy cake is soaked in a luscious mixture of three milks, creating a perfectly creamy and decadent dessert. Topped with fresh whipped cream, this unique twist on a classic Latin American treat is sure to delight your taste buds.
If you try out this recipe, I’d love to see it! Leave a comment with a star rating below and tag @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and hashtag it #wellmadebykiley
Ingredients You Need:
Full ingredients and recipe are in the recipe card below.
All-purpose flour
Granulated sugar
Baking powder
Baking soda
Salt
Unsalted butter
Eggs
Vanilla extract
Sourdough discard
Whole milk
Evaporated milk
Sweetened condensed milk
Heavy cream
Powdered sugar
Cinnamon
Tips for making a Sourdough Tres Leches Cake:.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Use room temperature eggs, milk, and sourdough discard to help the batter mix more evenly and rise better.
Proper Mixing: Beat the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy before adding the other ingredients. This helps create a light, airy texture for the cake.
Sift Dry Ingredients: Sift the flour and baking powder to avoid lumps and ensure a smooth batter.
Do Not Over-mix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix until just combined to avoid a dense cake.
Bake Until Golden: Bake the cake until it is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This ensures the cake is fully cooked and ready to absorb the milk mixture.
Cool Before Soaking: Allow the cake to cool completely before poking holes and pouring the milk mixture over it. This helps the cake absorb the liquid evenly.
Three Milk Mixture: Use a combination of evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and whole milk for a rich and creamy soaking mixture. Adjust the ratios to your taste preference.
Poke Holes Generously: Poke holes all over the cooled cake with a fork or skewer to ensure the milk mixture is evenly absorbed throughout the cake.
Soak Overnight: For the best results, refrigerate the soaked cake overnight. This allows the flavors to meld and the cake to become ultra-moist.
Fresh Whipped Cream: Top the cake with freshly whipped cream just before serving. Whip the cream to soft peaks for a light and fluffy topping.
Cinnamon Sprinkle: Finish with a light sprinkle of ground cinnamon for added flavor and a beautiful presentation.
Store Properly: Store the finished cake in the refrigerator. It can be kept for up to 3-4 days, and it often tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld.
How to store Sourdough Tres Leches Cake:
Refrigeration: Store the fully assembled cake (with whipped cream and cinnamon topping) in an airtight container or cover it tightly with plastic wrap. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The cake tastes even better as the flavors meld over time.
Separate Components: If you prefer to keep the whipped cream fresh, store the soaked cake and whipped cream separately. Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator and the whipped cream in a separate container. Assemble just before serving.
Avoid Freezing: Freezing is not recommended for tres leches cake as the texture can become watery and the whipped cream can lose its structure. It's best to enjoy this cake fresh or refrigerated.
Individual Portions: If you anticipate having leftovers or want to prepare for easy serving, slice the cake into individual portions. Store each portion in an airtight container or wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a larger airtight container in the refrigerator.
Serving Leftovers: When ready to serve leftover cake, take it out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes to take off the chill. This enhances the flavor and texture of the cake.
Refreshing the Whipped Cream: If the whipped cream topping has deflated or become watery, whip a fresh batch of cream and top the cake again before serving. This ensures a light and airy texture.
Check out my other sourdough discard desserts on Instagram:
Make sure to tag me @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and leave a review or comment if you make this sourdough tres leches cake. Happy baking!