Cuatro Leches

Cuatro leches cake is one of my favorite desserts. I love this dessert so much that the first time I had it over fifteen years, I knew I had to figure out how to make it asap. I put my culinary school expertise to work and tested this recipe a total of 5 times until it was perfected. This four milks cake is easy to make and it's a hit every time.

Why you'll love this cuatro leches cake recipe?

You’ll love making a cuatro leches cake because:

• Extra indulgent: This variation of tres leches adds a fourth layer of creamy dulce de leche, making it even richer and more delicious.
• Moist and flavorful: Soaked in a blend of three different milks, the cake has a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Perfect for celebrations: It’s an impressive dessert that’s great for birthdays, holidays, or any special occasion.
• Tropical twist: It brings a taste of Latin America with its light sponge cake and luscious, creamy milk mixture.

What is cuatro leches cake?

Cuatro leches cake is an indulgent Latin American dessert similar to tres leches cake but with an extra layer of sweetness. It's made with a light sponge cake soaked in a mixture of three milks: evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk and heavy cream. The cake becomes incredibly moist and rich, with a creamy texture that melts in your mouth. It's typically topped with the fourth milk, dulce de leche.

What is dulce de leche?

Dulce de leche is a sweet, caramel-like sauce made by slowly heating sweetened condensed milk until it thickens and turns a golden brown. Its flavor is rich, creamy, and slightly reminiscent of caramel, but with a more milky and smooth texture.

Ingredients needed for this cake with dulce de leche recipe

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Large eggs
• Granulated sugar divided
• Vanilla extract
• Whole milk
• Heavy cream
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Evaporated milk
• Rum
• Dulce de leche

Instructions

Make the cake

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a deep 9×9 inch baking pan with cooking spray or butter and set aside.
• In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and salt.
• In a separate large bowl, beat together the egg yolks and granulated sugar until the yolks are pale yellow in color. Add the vanilla extract and whole milk then beat til combined
• Pour the mixture into the large bowl of flour and mix together until combined
• In a stand mixer, beat the egg whites on high speed until soft peaks form.
• Add the egg whites to the batter and fold together gently until just combined and no white streaks remain.
• Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool for 20 minutes while you make the three milk mixture.

Make the three milks mixture

• In a medium bowl, add the heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, and the evaporated milk, vanilla extract and rum. Whisk together to combine.
• Using a skewer or a fork, poke holes all over the top of the cake.
• Slowly pour the three milk mixture all over the top and sides of the cake. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to let the cake fully cool and absorb the liquid.

Topping your cake

Once the cake has chilled top the cake with dulce de leche.

Check out these other tres leches cakes

FAQ for making tres leches cake

Here are some common FAQs for making Tres Leches Cake:

1. Why is my cake too soggy?

• Tres leches cake is meant to be moist, but over-soaking or adding too much milk mixture can make it soggy. Stick to the recipe’s recommended amount of milk.

2. Can I make tres leches cake ahead of time?

• Yes, it’s even better when made ahead! Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours, or overnight, to allow the milk to fully absorb.

3. How do I avoid a dense cake?

• Be sure to properly whip the egg whites and fold them into the batter gently to keep the cake light and fluffy.

4. Can I use a boxed cake mix?

• Yes, a boxed yellow or white cake mix can be used as a shortcut, though a homemade sponge cake provides better absorption.

5. Can I use store-bought dulce de leche?

While making your own dulce de leche is ridiculously easy, especiallly with my recipe, you can definitely buy store bought dulce de leche instead.

6. Can I make this cake bigger?

Instead of using a deep 9x9 pan, use a 9x13 baking pan for a slightly thinner but larger cake.

Variations and substitutions for this cuatro leches recipe

Here are some variations and substitutions for a cuatro leches cake recipe:

Variations:

1. Toppings: Add fresh fruit like strawberries or shredded coconut for a fresh, fruity contrast.
2. Spices: Incorporate a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg into the milk mixture for extra warmth.
3. Coconut Twist: Use coconut milk as one of the four milks for a tropical flavor.

Substitutions:

1. Dulce de Leche: Substitute with salted caramel sauce if dulce de leche is unavailable.
2. Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend for the sponge cake base.

Storage for this easy tres leches cake with dulce de leche

To store tres leches cake, keep it tightly covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil in the refrigerator. It can stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. The cake should be kept in the fridge to maintain its moisture and freshness due to the milk mixture.

Freezing this cake

If you want to freeze it, wrap it well and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. To freeze it, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap, followed by aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. When you're ready to serve, let it thaw in the fridge overnight to maintain its moist texture.

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