Tres Leches....milk, milk and more milk

annie1992

6 years ago

One way to get exactly the kind of birthday cake you want is to make your own. As I posted on my birthday thread, I made a tres leches cake. I found Alton Brown's recipe because I like Alton Brown, but his was all in weight and I just don't have the patience for that, plus it called for cake flour which I don't have any of at this time. Not wanting to make a trip to the store, I kept looking.

I eventually found a recipe on "All Recipes" that contained the ingredients I had on hand and got great reviews. It made a 9x13 cake, enough for everyone. Encouraged, I "got to baking".

Since I made it 3 days ago and it's all gone, I guess it was well received. I didn't spend time decorating, and I think the whipped cream topping would not last well during long storage. I thought it was soggy. Not terrible I-can't-eat-this soggy, but definitely too much milk mixture poured over it. The recipe called for 2 cups of milk and one can each of sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk, I'd cut that milk down to 1 cup, I think.

Thanks to a tip from Sol years ago, I made a can of dulce de leche and decided to gild the lily, so I poked the cake, poured the milk over, added a layer of dulce de leche then topped it with the whipped cream.

This was Mother's piece, it was in a bowl because we were going to add a scoop of raspberry sorbet, but she decided she just wanted cake:

I made homemade dark chocolate espresso ice cream and that raspberry sorbet with berries that I picked last year and froze. Both went nicely with the cake.

I'd definitely make this cake again, although I'd cut down on the milk, as I mentioned. And, of course, it all got eaten, somehow. I especially liked the layer of dulce de leche, although that's probably not "authentic". I like it a lot, though, and since I was baking, I got to decide. It was a good decision, I think.

Annie

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

colleenoz
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Looks good! I don’t often have a birthday cake as I don’t usually care to make my own, but I suspect my co-workers are organising one this year

:-)
bragu_DSM 5
6 years ago
my birthday is in November ... hint hint
Related Discussions
Favorite way to use eggs
Q
Comments (47)
Well, my chickens have slowed down a tad, thank goodness as I don't see most of my customers from school since school is out. I have a recipe that uses lots of eggs and lots of milk good for me esp. later when I am getting milk. Traditonal Tres Leche Cake 1 cup white sugar 5 egg yolks 5 egg whites 1/3 cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk 1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk 1 pint heavy whipping cream # Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). # Butter and flour bottom of a 9 inch springform pan. # Beat the egg yolks with 3/4 cup sugar until light in color and doubled in volume. # Stir in milk, vanilla, flour and baking powder. # In a small bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. # Gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar. # Beat until firm but not dry. # Fold egg whites into yolk mixture. # Pour into prepared pan. # Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 to 50 minutes or until cake tester inserted into the middle comes out clean. # Allow to cool 10 minutes. # Loosen edge of cake with knife before removing side of pan. # Cool cake completely; place on a deep serving plate. # Use a two prong meat fork or cake tester to pierce surface of cake. # Mix together condensed milk, evaporated milk and 1/4 cup of the whipping cream. # Discard 1 cup of the measured milk mixture or cover and refrigerate. # Pour remaining milk mixture over cake slowly until absorbed. I generally am lazy and dont separate the eggs and beat the egg whites seperately, and mine tasted like and had a texture like the restraunts where I first experience this fab desert. It is comfort food all the way. I use a bundt pan and loosen sides then put it back to absorb the milk in fridge over night instead of puting it in a serving plate right away.I also add small chopped pecan peices to the batter and they seem to go to the line the bottom of pan but works nicely since bottome will be top when serving. Delish-- you have to try! ***Tip for those who would rather go the even easier rout, there are Tres Leche cake mixes out there. I tried one yesterday and it was very good. I still made the milk syrup myself and didn't use their syrup mix, but hubby was in love all over again! Cake mix is small so you could probably double it to fill a large bundt pan.
...See More
NEW: Pedal Pushers August Cookbook -Sign-ups
Q
Comments (130)
Thanks for those great ideas, Mariann and Vic! We always boil it, which is probably most convenient, as I usually do two dozen or more at a time. But, if we just want one or a few, the microwave way sounds so easy!! And we have talked about doing it on the grill too, but haven't, so I really appreciate the detailed instructions on that!! My kids will eat so much corn!! Lily, my three year old, eats 3 to 4 ears when we have it. And Dylan and William each ate about 7 ears Monday night, I think! We had some left after dinner, and after they did dishes, they asked if they could eat some more. I said, sure, eat as much as you want, just leave some for Dad when he gets home. They each sat down and ate 4-5 more (as they had only had 3 with supper.) You can believe they were both up in the bathroom FIRST THING the next morning!! : ) I froze about 35 lbs. of whole kernal corn over the last two days, and Dave is going to pick more tonight. He was going to last night, but realized I have to can beans and freeze a load of broccoli and cauliflower today, so I think he gave me a bit of a reprieve! Thank goodness! Thursday is market day, so I'll be baking until I go there, but I'll plan on freezing corn again on Friday! I DO love seeing all these things pile up in the freezer and on my pantry shelves, knowing how much food we are stocking for winter!!! Becki
...See More
cake with eagle brand
Q
Comments (4)
Here ya go. I don't know if it's the one you had or not. Tres Leches: Three Milk Cake Recipe courtesy Ben Plastina 1 yellow cake mix (with pudding) baked as directed in 13 by 9-inch pan For topping mixture: 1 can evaporated milk 1 can sweetened condensed milk 1 pint heavy whipping cream 1/2 cup rum (or to taste) To finish: Whipped cream, to cover cake 5 ounces sweetened coconut Poke holes in the cake with a fork all over. Pour topping mixture over cake. Let mixture absorb completely in refrigerator. Cover with whipped cream or cool whip and sprinkle sweetened coconut over top of cake. OPTIONAL: Add macadamia nuts, cherries and/or pineapple.
...See More
Shopping and cooking for one
Q
Comments (7)
I'm not single, but I agree about the veggies, and how handy soup is for making sure there is an easy way to eat them. When I was single, I did a lot of soup and quick stir fry. Similar to your idea of using small loaf pans for casseroles, I like using ramekins or big muffin pans to do mini casseroles, things that are easy to warm up because they are so small. Baked egg casseroles of different types make a really special breakfast OR dinner. Quiche ditto. Back to veggies, and fruits too, this is SO important. If you want to feel really fantastic every day, you might try smoothies for breakfast, but add a leaf or two of lettuce to your basic banana and frozen berries or cherries, etc. A Vitamix or similar blender will do the best job of pulverizing the green leaves for maximum nutrition to you. I can barely taste the green. Also, when it comes to produce, it is difficult to buy some things in portions that make sense for a single person. I even have a hard time with that with a small family, sometimes! One solution that I've really enjoyed has been the Aerogarden (so much so that I just got two more). I really dislike wasting lettuce, but when I grow lettuce in my aerogarden, I have enough lettuce for a nice side salad about three times a week, in addition to pulling a few leaves off when making sandwiches for lunch. I spent almost nothing on lettuce during the 3-4 months that my aerogarden was producing its cut-and-come-again lettuce. They also do heirloom cherry tomatoes, peppers, different herbs, strawberries, flowers, and even have a master kit for people to try whatever they want. Some people are experimenting with dwarf eggplants and things like that. When I did one of the mixed herb kits, my favorite was the green Basil -- we made pesto and bruschetta until it was running out of our ears, it produced so well! I can't wait to try them all, and to have all the lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, herbs, strawberries, etc, that I want to have on hand. There isn't another small, table-top aeroponic or hydroponic system like it...in particular, the grow-lights are an integral part of the unit, and they are automated to stay on the right amount of time for the sort of plants you are growing. Feeding is a breeze because, unlike most hydroponic systems that need a lot of attention to nutrient concentrations, the Aerogarden only needs nutrient tablets every two weeks (they come with each kit), and since the machine reminds you when to add the nutrient, it is very, very easy to take care of. Watering varies by the maturity of the plants, but there is an indicator on the unit that tells you when to water. In the beginning, I usually only have to water every 2 weeks. When the plants are in full growth and production, I may add water once or twice a week. I know to water it when I see the "needs water" light turn on...and I also know, now that when I begin to hear the pump, I can add water. Periodically remove any brown leaves (the plants get so bushy that some of the underleaves don't get as much light, and harvest. I love these so much I just got two more, and the company threw in a free wall unit so I can mount them neatly in a column. If you have a Sur La Table near you, they may have one growing as a demo. Tres impressive. The company is branching out and will be creating less expensive models soon, to be available at a wide variety of retailers. Their main site is www.aerogrow.com. Check out their stop-motion animated movie comparing the growth of their aeroponic pods vs the same seeds in soil, both underneath the same grow-lights. They also have (or had) videos with chefs and a host from a garden show on hgtv, talking about how they use it and like it. I waited a long time to buy this little jewel (it isn't cheap), but I have been so happy with it because it has helped keep me eating green without extra trips to the grocery store.
...See More
ediej1209 AL Zn 7
6 years ago
That sure does look luscious. I'm not surprised in the least that it got scarfed up rather quickly! Can you put the unused shortcake biscuits in the freezer?
Sooz
6 years ago
(raising my hand) Oh, I'd gladly tuck into that!
nancyofnc
6 years ago
annie -You can make cake flour from AP flour - just fill a measuring cup with AP - take out 2 tablespoons and put 2 tablespoons in of corn starch. Sift twice. The cake won't be as tender but still delicious so don't give up on dear Alton. But, I've used Martha Stewart's recipe with AP and it is yummy, but held off putting fresh fruit on the whipped cream frosting like she did. Your raspberry sorbet sounds better for this rich cake.

My birthday is the 13th. We had planned on a glamping trip in the mountains with son and DIL but since we are "elderly" - hah! we all decided it wasn't the best thing to do during this *%^$-damn-ick. Since they live 400 miles away - they'll be no celebration - but DIL is a pro cake baker/decorator so I kinda expect a package in the mail instead of in person. Will not be the same - however DH gave me early present of a RCA laptop tablet with front and rear cameras - Zoom here we come! A whole new experience for us if we can figure the thing out. I will miss the hugs and kisses the most. You are fortunate to have family close: mother, children and grands.
2ManyDiversions
6 years ago
As I read your post, I was smiling and so happy you had your family with you, you had made a cake you wanted, I was even lusting over your cake... and all that white icing on top, until I got to the part that reads "I made homemade dark chocolate espresso ice cream" and frankly, I went into a desire coma. That's when your mind is overwhelmed with desire, and you sit, mouth agape, rather stupefied, longing and hoping that somehow you can have a taste. Eventually I came out of it. Wiped the saliva off my chin. There was no dark chocolate espresso ice cream waiting for me...

I love that you went rogue and made Sol's dulce de leche and added that! Mmmmm! Thanks for posting the photo, I wondered what Tres Leches cake was, and it looks and sounds lovely (despite that you'd not use all the milk)!
plllog
6 years ago
Y'know what? While I understand it's an embellishment, I don't think I've ever eaten tres leches without dulce de leche! That's why my first reaction was very sweet. :) So glad it was a disappearing cake!
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10
6 years ago
Yum - whipped cream is my all time fave cake topping!
annie1992
Original Author
6 years ago
Colleen, my secretary used to bake me lemon bars every year, I liked them better than cake. Now, unfortunately, I'm retired and have no secretary and so I have to bake my own. Enjoy your prospective birthday cake, I remember you share a birthday with my youngest daughter, only a couple of days away.

Bragu, I'll bake another one in November, don't be late or we'll eat it all without you. Again.

Edie, those biscuits are already in the freezer, great minds think alike, LOL.

Sooz, you said have said something earlier, I'd have saved you a piece. Yeah, sure, I would have. Really...

Nancy, I remember now that you reminded me, that I can make cake flour with cornstarch. Happy Birthday to you too, PLUS a laptop? Good for DH!! Zoom is better than nothing, but I know I'm lucky to have everyone close. I hated those first couple of months when I didn't get to see anyone and I'm still sad that we missed our Easter dinner as a family, that's never happened before. Our Governor is now slowly lifting restrictions and cases are going down, but I'm being pretty careful because of Mother. Sorry about your glamping trip, but I know that we old people have to be careful. (grin)

2many, hurry up here, I have ice cream left, even if all the cake is gone, and I'd share! "Went rogue". LOL, I like that. And I seem to do it regularly...

plllog, I only saw one single recipe that used the dulce de leche, and that was only in the remarks about the recipe. I thought it sounded pretty good, so I did it. Of course, most of the recipes were very similar so after I looked at 3 or 4 they all started looking pretty much the same which is probably why the dulce de leche kind of "jumped out" at me.

Carol, I agree about the whipped cream, except I don't even need cake sometimes! How could whipped cream possibly be bad?

So, now back to my healthy eating, at least for now. I have mizuna and baby bok choi ready to use, and I'm picking asparagus daily, so I have no excuse to not eat my vegetables. I'll be thinking of cake, though.

Annie
party_music50
6 years ago
The cake looks really good, but that ice cream and sorbet sounds better! :)

Tres Leches....milk, milk and more milk

Comments (10)

colleenoz

bragu_DSM 5

Related Discussions

ediej1209 AL Zn 7

Sooz

nancyofnc

2ManyDiversions

plllog

carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10

annie1992
Original Author

party_music50

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Tres Leches....milk, milk and more milk

Comments (10)

Related Discussions

annie1992Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

annie1992
Original Author