Gluten-Free Easy Tres Leches Cake With Cake Mix
Shortcut tres leches using cake mix, topped with a soaked milk mixture and whipped cream. Golden butter or yellow cake absorbs sweetened condensed, evaporated, and heavy cream, then chills overnight for a moist, tender texture. Finished with whipped cream, cinnamon, and fresh strawberries.
Ingredients
- 1 pkg (15.25 oz) Golden Butter or Yellow Cake Mix
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 12 ounce can evaporated milk
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ground cinnamon, for garnish(optional)
- fresh sliced strawberries, for garnish(optional)raspberries1:1garnish substitution
similar brightness and tartness
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
- 2
Combine cake mix, eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then medium speed for 1 minute until well combined.
- 3
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- 4
Remove from oven and cool in pan on a wire rack for 20 minutes.
- 5
Poke holes throughout the warm cake with a fork or wood skewer.
- 6
Whisk together heavy whipping cream, sweetened condensed milk, and evaporated milk in a medium bowl. Slowly pour the milk mixture over the cake, filling the holes.
- 7
Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- 8
Before serving, beat the remaining whipping cream, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar in a large bowl until stiff peaks form.
- 9
Spread whipped cream over the chilled cake, dust with cinnamon, and serve with fresh strawberries if desired.
Tips
Poke holes while cake is still warm so the milk mixture absorbs better.
Let the cake refrigerate overnight for best flavor and texture development.
Use a toothpick or thin skewer to poke holes evenly across the entire cake surface.
Good to Know
Cover and refrigerate up to 3 days.
Prepare through step 7 (after chilling). Add whipped cream topping and garnish just before serving.
Serve chilled. Cut into squares and top with fresh strawberries.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip poking holes in the warm cake to avoid the milk mixture sitting on the surface instead of absorbing.
Do not over-beat the whipped cream topping to avoid breaking it and creating a grainy texture.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
recipe explicitly allows