Chuy’s Tres Leches Cake Recipe
Our copycat Chuy’s Tres Leches cake recipe helps you make the delicious trace Leche cake from scratch so that you can enjoy it anytime, and for any occasion. Check out the easy step-by-step instructions below on how you can make this delicious cake!
Chuy’s Tres Leches Cake
Chuy’s Tres Leches cake is a delicious restaurant copycat recipe. This cake is a basic moist cake that is topped with a three-milk sauce then finished off with berries, whippped cream, cinnamon, or caramel sauce. Tres Leches cake is basic south of the border dessert that is simple yet tastes delicious.
Copycat Chuy’s Tres Leches Cake
Our copycat recipe for Chuy’s Tres Leches cake makes a perfect dessert for your taco Tuesday dinner or any dinner. It’s really difficult to go wrong with this cake, it so easy to make, is moist and delicious.
Tres Leches (Milk Cake)
Tres Leches cake, also known as three milk cake, is just what it sounds like. This recipe is a cake that is made with three different types of milk in a sauce drizzled on top of it. This is a classic Hispanic recipe.
Our recipe is made to be a copycat version of what the Chuy restaurant sells. To get started making your own cake at home, please see the details below for ingredients you will need to make this delicious cake.
Ingredients for Cake
Cake Filling
All-purpose flour. We use a basic all-purpose flour for this recipe. If you have health concerns or wish to use cake flour you may do so. If you need to switch out regular all-purpose flour for gluten-free, this may also be done, except you may want to add ½ cup of mayonnaise to help keep the cake moist.
Sugar. We use granulated sugar or white sugar for this recipe. For the specific recipe, we do not recommend substituting it for brown sugar.
Baking soda. Baking soda is used as a leavening agent and is necessary for the cake to turn out.
Baking powder. Baking powder is also used as aleavening agent and must be included.
Salt. Your basic iodized salt will work, you may use kosher salt, or sea salt if desired.
Butter. We recommend using soft, salted butter for best results with this cake recipe.
Sour cream. Typically, we recommend using full or half-fat sour cream for this recipe. Sour cream serves to help keep the cake batter moist.
Milk. If possible, we recommend using 2%, or whole milk for this cake batter.
Vanilla. If you are able to find Mexican vanilla extract, this will work the best, however, your basic vanilla extract found at the store will also work well.
Egg whites. Including only the egg whites in this recipe is important as the egg whites help to make the cake batter light and fluffy.
Frosting Sauce
Sweetened condensed milk. Any brand can of sweetened condensed milk will work well when making this recipe.
Evaporated milk. Any brand of evaporated milk works well, simply be sure to use a can of evaporated milk.
Heavy cream. Heavy cream helps to round out this milk sauce for your cake.
Toppings
Whipped cream. If desired, you can use whipped cream that has been made from scratch, which we highly recommend, or you may use Cool Whip or a can of whipped cream.
Cinnamon. Cinnamon is a delicious topping when sprinkled lightly on top of each slice before serving. For best results, we recommend using ground cinnamon.
Powdered sugar. Powdered sugar is an optional topping, however, if desired it may be sprinkled on top of each slice before serving.
Carmel sauce. Caramel sauce is also an optional topping, if desired, you can simply use ice cream topping and drizzle it on top of your slices before serving. That helps to add additional flavor, and deliciousness to each slice before serving.
Time To Bake!
Now that you have your list of ingredients, let’s turn our attention to making this delicious recipe. Please see the detailed recipe for step-by-step instructions below.
Copycat Chuy’s Tres Leches Cake Recipe
Details
Temp: 325°F
Size: 9×9
Equipment
Mixing bowl
Mixer
Measuring cup
Measuring spoons
Ingredients
Tres Leches Cake
1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
¼ tsp baking soda
¾ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1/3 cup butter, melted
½ cup sour cream
1/3 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
5 egg whites
Tres Leches:
12 oz evaporated milk
14 oz sweetened condensed milk
1 cup heavy whipping cream
Toppings:
Whipped Cream
Caramel Sauce
Cinnamon
Powdered sugar
Instructions
How To Make Tres Leches Cake: Step By Step Tutorial
Step 1: Mix All Of The Dry Ingredients
In a mixing bowl, combine all of your dry ingredients. This includes your flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Step 2: Mix Together The Wet Ingredients
Next, add in your wet ingredients but hold off on mixing until all of your wet ingredients are added. Add in melted butter, sour cream, milk, and vanilla.
Step 3: Incorporate The Dry And Wet Ingredients
When both your wet and dry ingredients are added together, stir until mixed. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk on high speed your egg whites. Mix until they become light and fluffy, then fold into your cake batter.
Step 4: Bake The Cake
Spray the bottom of your 9 x 9 cake pan with cooking spray. Add your cake batter to your pan, and preheat your oven to 325°F. Bake at 325°F for 30-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 5: Make The Milk Mixture
While your cake is baking, make your milk mixture in a separate mixing bowl. Combine your evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream together. Stir until combined. If desired, you may also add approximately 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for more flavoring.
Step 6: Make The Frosting
For this cake, your frosting is going to be whipped cream. If you want, you can make homemade whipped cream using our recipe here. Otherwise, you can simply add Cool Whip, or canned whipped cream to the top of each slice before serving.
Step 7: Assemble The Cake
After the cake has baked, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool. Approximately one hour to 30 minutes before serving the cake, use a toothpick and poke holes on top of the whole cake. Then, drizzle half of your sauce on top of the cake and refrigerate it until ready to serve.
Step 8: Serve
When you are ready to serve, drizzle the remaining milk sauce and half of your slices, then add your whipped cream, a dusting of cinnamon, and a drizzle of caramel sauce if desired. Then serve and enjoy.
Notes
Please note that although most Tres Leche cakes are typically made from scratch, you can substitute the cake batter recipe above for a boxed mix. You can simply use your favorite box mix or a cake that will make a light and fluffy cake. Otherwise, prepare as instructed above.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mexican Tres Leches
Is Tres Leches cake soggy? Served cold?
Depending on how long you let your cake sit in the milk mixture, they can sometimes be soggy. However, Tres Leche cakes are not intended to be soggy instead they are intended to be very moist. Ideally,Tres Leche cake should be served while cold.
How do you make Tres Leches cake?
The process of making Tres Leche cake is quite simple. It’s simply combine your dry ingredients, and then add your wet ingredients and mix together. In a separate mixing bowl, we recommend whipping your egg whites until they become white and fluffy, then folding them into your cake batter to make your cake extra light. Otherwise, simply bake, allow to cool, poke holes in the top to add your milk sauce, and top with your desired toppings, then serve and enjoy.
What Is Tres Leches Cake?
Tres Leches cake simply means three milk cake. The cake is unique because it is made with milk included in the batter, then topped in a sauce made from three different kinds of milk. The cake becomes moist, and sweet from the milk sauce.
What is ‘La Lechera’?
La Lechera translated means the milkmaid is a brand of sweetened condensed milk that is sold by Nestlé.
Does Tres Leches cake have alcohol in it?
Although TresLeches cake does not typically have alcohol in it, it can be made with alcohol if desired.
Can you leave Tres Leches cake out overnight?
TraceLeches cake should not be left out overnight. When you are not serving or allowing the cake to cool, the cake should be refrigerated at all times due to the milk contents.
How long can I store this Mexican cake?
TresLeches cake is best on the day it is made. However, it may be in the next day, however, it is likely to become soggy and not taste as good.
This Mexican cake should not be stored for long amounts of time. It is best to be on the same day. If you wish to store this cake for later, we would recommend not adding milk sauce to all of the cake, and this way your cake will last longer when stored in the fridge.
Recipe Variations
There are several different recipe variations for the above recipe. Please see the below for ideas and how you can mix things up a bit.
Tres Leches Cake with Berries
If you would like to mix things up a little bit from your basic Trace Leches cake, you can try adding berries to the cake batter or tapping your cake with berries. Some delicious berries to use include blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries.
Churro Tres Leches Cinnamon Poke Cake
To make your Tres Leches cake into a cinnamon churro poke cake, you can simply use the above recipe, only you will want to add approximately 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to your cake batter, into your Tres Leche sauce add approximately 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, then dust each slice with cinnamon before serving. This makes a delightful variation to the above recipe that tastes very much like churros.
Cinnamon Poke Cake Recipe
To make a cinnamon poke cake, you can use the above recipe for the cake batter and make a filling that will go into your poke holes using sweetened condensed milk, melted butter, packed brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Then top your cake off with your favorite cream cheese frosting recipe before serving.
What To Serve With Pastel De Tres Leches
What should you serve with the three milk cake? There are so many different ideas of food to conserve with your three milk cake. Typically, Mexican dishes are what will come to mind first. These include tacos, Mexican trash casserole, Moe’s chicken recipe, and Grilled Cheese Burrito. Use your creativity, and come up with your favorite main dish to serve alongside a copycat recipe for Chuy’s Tres Leches cake.
BEST EVER Chuy’s Restaurant Copycat Tres Leches Cake
If you love Tres Leches cake, this is the recipe that you have got to try out. Our copycat recipe for Chuy’s Tres Leches cake recipe is easy to make and tastes delicious with any meal.
Copycat Chuy’s Tres Leches Cake
Making our copycat recipe for Chuy’s Tres Leches cake is an easy process and produces a delicious cake. If you like moist delicious cakes, this is one you have got to try out for sure. Give this recipe a try and see for yourself how delicious it is.
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Copycat Chuy’s Tres Leches Cake Recipe
Equipment
- mixing bowl
- mixer
- Measuring cup
Ingredients
Tres Leches Cake
- 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¾ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1/3 cup butter melted
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 5 egg whites
Tres Leches:
- 12 oz evaporated milk
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
Toppings:
- Whipped Cream
- Caramel Sauce
- Cinnamon
- Powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine all of your dry ingredients. This includes your flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Next, add in your wet ingredients but hold off on mixing until all of your wet ingredients are added. Add in melted butter, sour cream, milk, and vanilla.
- When both your wet and dry ingredients are added together, stir until mixed. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk on high speed your egg whites. Mix until they become light and fluffy, then fold into your cake batter.
- Spray the bottom of your 9 x 9 cake pan with cooking spray. Add your cake batter to your pan, and preheat your oven to 325°F. Bake at 325°F for 30-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- While your cake is baking, make your milk mixture in a separate mixing bowl. Combine your evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream together. Stir until combined. If desired, you may also add approximately 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for more flavoring.
- For this cake, your frosting is going to be whipped cream. If you want, you can make homemade whipped cream using our recipe here. Otherwise, you can simply add Cool Whip, or canned whipped cream to the top of each slice before serving.
- After a cake has baked, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool. Approximately one hour to 30 minutes before serving the cake, use a toothpick and poke holes on top of the whole cake. Then, drizzle half of your sauce on top of the cake and refrigerate it until ready to serve.
- When you are ready to serve, drizzle the remaining milk sauce and half of your slices, then add your whipped cream, a dusting of cinnamon, and a drizzle of caramel sauce if desired. Then serve and enjoy.
